by Taylor Hart
She pulled back again. “But I’m having a baby.”
Making more space between them, he reached out and gently placed a hand on her belly. “I’ve noticed.” Staring into her eyes, he smiled. “I told you. You’re my refugee.”
She shoved him and then laughed at his bad joke.
Grabbing her gently, he pulled her back in for a squeeze. “Look, Adds, I don’t—”
“Adds?”
“I’m experimenting with nicknames.”
She smiled. “Okay.”
“I know this may not be ideal. I know life has thrown us into this moment and neither one of us expected it, but it’s like being on the fourth and long. Things have never looked worse. Then the perfect pass comes out of nowhere, and the field opens up magically. Then I’m in the end zone, and the crowd is going wild, and there’s this adrenaline and energy and …”
“Momentum?”
“Exactly! One good pass, one catalyst can be a game changer. A season changer!”
“So …”
He squeezed her again and stole a quick kiss. “You’re my life catalyst, the game changer that makes my life meaningful.”
“You’re being dramatic.”
“No, I’m not. I believe it was when I spoke to you that day at Cubbies and you told me to be grateful.” He grinned.
“I was pushy.”
“I was selfish.” He countered.
“True.” She grinned. “But I didn’t know you like I do now.”
“No, I think you did know me. I just wasn’t ready to do a major self-reflection at that point.”
Now, she felt even worse. “I’m sorry.”
He squeezed her and sighed. “Once again, grateful you’re my refugee.”
Every part of her felt this zing of happiness. It wasn’t true, but it sure felt good for him to see her that way.
“Don’t deny it.”
She blinked.
“No tears,” he said mock severely.
She swallowed and tried to push down the emotion. “You’re kind of a hero to me.”
He was humbled. Leaning forward, he kissed her briefly. “What can I say? I like the role of hero.”
She giggled.
They kissed again, and she knew her life would never be the same.
Chapter 21
Over the next couple of days, their lives fell into a simple pattern.
Jace would get up, run on the treadmill, and do a million training exercises. He asked his mom if she would come and stay with Addison two hours a day while he did an afternoon training, which she was more than happy to do. Often, his dad would come too, and his mother would bring healthy meals, snacks, magazine, and books. They would stay and hang out and play games and talk until the evening. He knew his mother was happier than he’d ever seen her about a girl he’d dated. His parents would see them holding hands or doing small demonstrations of affection, and his mother surprised him by nodding or winking at him.
It was amazing, Jace thought one night after he’d watched television with her in her bed and she’d fallen asleep. He hadn’t slept beside her since the night of the nightmare. He would snuggle with her or take a nap next to her, but he wanted to do this right with her. He wanted to wait until the baby was born and then ask her to marry him.
He turned and stared at her. Since he’d had her pass out in his arms three weeks ago, a lot had happened. Not just with them, but in himself. He’d changed.
He’d found himself talking to his attorney about setting up a foundation to sponsor the refugee center. He had also called other players. After telling them about the cause, he asked for donations.
He wanted to do more than give money one time. He wanted to have a fund that perpetually made money off of itself so it would never run out. More than anything, it felt good to think he could make a difference in the lives of people in his community.
Jace’s phone buzzed in his pocket. Tugging it out, he stared at the text from his agent.
It’s set. You’re being traded to the California Wave 104M for 4 years.
His heart nearly stopped. He couldn’t believe it. He’d gotten what he wanted: more money and the beach. At least, what he used to want.
“What?” she asked, her voice sleepy.
“Nothing.” He wasn’t ready to discuss it. He didn’t want to upset her.
“What?” She insisted, searching his face.
Taking her hand, he kissed the back of it. “I’m glad you got a good nap.”
“Uh-huh.” She pushed herself back, sitting up more fully. “Tell me.”
His mind raced as he considered his options, but he knew he had to tell her. She’d said she didn’t like California, and he couldn’t hide this from her. He knew that. “Storm won’t meet my contract demands. I’m being traded to the California Wave.”
She scrunched up her face.
“What?” He was ready to have this talk with her. They were going to work this out.
Her body stiffened, and she clamped a hand on her stomach. “Jace!” She yelled.
“What?” He sat up straighter, like he’d been zapped.
“Something’s wrong!”
Chapter 22
Panic welled inside of her. “Jace!” She called out as soon as she stood, feeling like maybe her water had broken. “I need to get to the hospital, but I need to go to the bathroom first.”
When she got to the bathroom, she was terrified. There was blood in her underwear. She rushed out, ignoring the blood on her pants. “Jace!”
His face was paled. “Are you okay?” Before she could respond, he was already taking her and lifting her. “We’re getting you to the hospital.”
She didn’t protest, leaning into him. “I’m sorry. I’m bleeding. I’ll probably get some on your car.”
“Shh.” He closed the front door then rushed back into the house to grab her purse and the bag she’d gotten ready to take to the hospital.
He jumped into the car and backed up, pushing a button on the phone.
Pain ripped through her. “Ahh! I think I’m having the baby.”
“Hello.” She recognized his mother’s voice over the phone
“Mom, something’s wrong. Will you guys meet me at the hospital?”
Addison heard his mother’s quick intake of breath as she called out to his father. “Yes, we’ll see you there.”
Addison felt herself getting light-headed again. “Jace, I might pass out.” She reached for his hand, and he took it.
“Hang on, Adds, hang on.”
Closing her eyes, she could feel the power of the car rushing toward the hospital. Sweat poured over her, and she felt hot and cold and thirsty and dizzy. “Jace … Jace …” More pain seared into her. “Jace!”
“I’m here, baby. I’m here.”
She felt herself beginning to pass out. “I want you to know I love you too.”
Chapter 23
Jace waited at the hospital in the ER waiting room, nervously pacing. Because she’d been passed out when he’d pulled up to the ER, they’d insisted they take her back without him. Plus, they had asked if he was family, and he’d had to say no.
Curse words filled his mind, and he couldn’t focus, thinking about her hand in his. About the Lamaze and her belly button. About holding her the night she had a nightmare. About the kids’ faces as he gave them oranges and apples. Already, she was everything in his life.
Tears welled in his eyes. He’d never felt so helpless. Crossing himself, he bowed his head and prayed. Harder than he’d ever prayed, pleading with the Lord to save her.
“She’s good,” he said, tears rushing down his face. “She’s so good.”
A hand settled on his shoulder. “Jace?” It was his mother. She pulled him in for a hug.
His father was there too, embracing them both.
“What happened?” his mother asked when they pulled away.
He pushed the emotion out of his throat. “Nothing. We didn’t do anything today. I made some food.
We ate. I helped organize some baby stuff. She rested this afternoon. When she woke from her nap, she was bleeding.” He clenched his hand into a fist. “I just … I need to be with her.”
His mother went to the reception desk, explained the situation, and insisted they were the closest thing Addison had to family—all of them. The desk person had to go get permission, but finally, they allowed them to go back to her. She was still in the ER, but they were about to transfer her to Labor and Delivery.
A doctor looked up in surprise as they barreled into the room. Ignoring him, Jace went to her other side and took her hand. “What’s going on?”
Addison was pale and looked scared.
They waited while the doctor explained. “She has pre-eclampsia which is causing placental abruption, so they are going to induce her. If she doesn’t have this baby soon, she could die or the baby could die.”
He hadn’t prepared for this type of situation. It made him furious with himself, but he tamped it down. “Okay, what do we need to do?”
The doctor looked at Addison. “Who is this, Addison? I can only let in immediate family.” He frowned and looked at all of them. “Real family go with us back to the delivery room. Right now, you’re in a very precarious situation, and I might have to take you for an emergency cesarean.”
Without thinking, Jace said, “I’m the father.”
Addison gripped his hand harder, but turned to him with tears and fear in her eyes. His parents didn’t say anything to contradict him.
The doctor asked Addison, “Is that true?”
Addison nodded. “Yes, it is.”
Chapter 24
Five hours later, Addison yelled like she’d never yelled in her life as the next contraction brought on a wave of pain.
Jace was toweling her head off and holding her hand. “Good job, Adds. You got this. End zone, baby. You’re doing so well.”
“Shut up,” she said through clenched teeth. Did she appreciate the fact he was there? Yes, but right now, she was not enjoying his football speeches.
Not deterred, he still held her.
The contraction passed, and she felt herself lay back limply.
“You’re doing good,” the doctor said. It was awkward because he had her legs up, and he was checking to see how dilated she was. “Only at a four.” He frowned.
“What does that mean?” Jace asked. “Shouldn’t she be all the way dilated by now?”
It felt like they’d been doing this song and dance for a long time.
“I’m going to let Addison rest for a bit. After I give her an epidural, I think it will move along faster. Sometimes, the baby can’t relax if it is stressed.”
Addison thought of all the pictures online she’d seen of this. Remembering the long needles, she found herself whimpering.
“It’s okay,” Jace said, holding her hand and bringing water to her lips. “Here, take a sip.”
She took a sip, but the water didn’t taste that good. Not refreshing. She felt every ounce of her strength leave her and fear seep in. “I can’t do it, Jace. I don’t want a needle. This is why I did Lamaze.”
The doctor was already ordering people around.
Jace pushed her hair back from her head. “Listen. Listen, Adds. I’m right here. I’ll hold your hand. I’m with you in this.”
Then she was hysterically crying. “I don’t deserve you. I don’t. I’m not like you. I’m not strong. I can’t do this.”
The doctor was back. “What we need you to do is sit up and then push your back out to a curved position. They will insert the needle right above your pelvic bone to block the pain. We want to do this before another contraction hits.”
Before Addison could really process it, Jace and a nurse were turning her. Then a different doctor, who introduced himself as an anesthesiologist, told her, “Listen, sweetheart, we’re going to get you out of pain.”
She hunched her back, but the needle hurt! It was pain like the time she’d been at the dentist and his needle had hit a nerve times a hundred. “No!” She cried out.
Jace was no better to look at because his face was pasty, and he looked the same way he’d looked during Lamaze class. “It’s okay. It’s okay.”
Then it was over. The sting of the needle exiting her was gone, and she fell back like a puppet with its strings cut.
The nurses made her comfortable, and the doctors told her they would be back in a bit to check on her. The lights in the room dimmed, and she was propped up on the pillows. For the first time since she’d woken up, she felt herself doze off.
Much later, she woke and felt Jace’s hand in hers.
“Hey,” he said.
She turned and noticed she was all hooked up to monitors.
“The nurse said they’ll come check you soon. They gave you a drug to stop the contractions, but they could start naturally on their own again.”
She relaxed and gave him a faint smile. “You still glad you went to Cubbies that day?”
He smiled back and scooted closer, taking her hand into his. “I consider that day the catalyst for the rest of my life.”
She frowned. “You told them you’re the father. You know that’s going to leak into the press.”
He squeezed her hand. “Listen, I want you to come to California with me. Will you?”
Her heart rate kicked up a notch. “But—”
He put his other hand over both of theirs. “As my wife.” He blinked. “And I want this baby to be mine. I want to be the real father.” Gently, he reached up and wiped beneath her eyes then bent forward and kissed her.
Her breath caught. “I can’t believe this.”
He grunted, letting out a soft laugh. “Well …”
She realized she hadn’t answered him. “Yes. Yes.” Warmth rushed over her.
He let out a relieved breath. “Yes!” He kissed her again and held her head in his hands, their foreheads pressed together. “I love you.” He smiled. “Thanks for finally telling me, right before you passed out, that you love me too.” He released her.
She laughed. “Yeah, I guess that was bad form.”
“I should probably be used to you passing out on me.” He frowned. “But don’t do it again,” he said before kissing her.
She got lost in the kiss. “I’m disgusting right now.”
“You’re beautiful, and we’re going to get married.”
She was so happy. And so drugged. And so in love. They kissed again, and she marveled at how magical it all felt. She was kissing Jace Harding, and he had asked her to marry him.
Then a pain stabbed through her, and the baby monitor beeped loudly. Turning, she saw a flat line on the screen.
“Hey!” Jace yelled and jumped to his feet. “Help!”
The whole staff was running in. “Let’s take her to the OR,” the doctor said.
Then many hands were on her, transferring her to a different bed. “Jace!” She couldn’t see him.
“I’ll be here!” She heard him yell as they wheeled her out.
A mask was slipped over her face, and the anesthesiologist said, “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. I’m going to give you some good drugs through your IV. You’ll feel so much better in just a second.”
Chapter 25
Jace watched them wheel her out and wanted to do something, anything. He would run the length of the football field a million times if it would help her. Stiffly, he walked out of the room and down the hall into the waiting area, knowing his parents were there.
His mother rushed to him. “Jace.”
“Jace.” His father was right behind her.
He felt himself melt into their arms. “They took her to surgery. The baby’s heart rate flatlined.”
His mother pulled back and crossed herself then said, “Well, then let’s do the only thing we can do. Let’s pray.”
He paced. And he paced. And he paced some more.
He felt sick, not exactly nauseated, but hyper and like he wanted to throw up at the same
time. Not in the excited, nervous way he had felt as a kid before a football game. No, this kind of feeling was different. It suddenly occurred to him that it was fear.
What would he do if something happened? If he lost her? If she lost the baby?
It felt like a knife stabbed into the center of his chest.
Then his father was there, his hand on his shoulder. “Son, it’s okay. Shh, it’s okay.”
He had flashbacks to when he was a child and he would watch his father during calving season dealing with the mama’s. His voice had been calm and certain then too.
His father’s certainty seeped into him, and he felt himself breathe for the first time in he didn’t know how long.
His mother came to stand on the other side, taking his hand. “It’s okay, son. It will be okay.”
As he looked at her sweet face, he saw the tears mirrored in eyes that matched his own.
Suddenly, Laura burst into the waiting room, looking around. Her eyes met his, and she rushed for him. “Jace?”
Taking courage, he met her worried gaze. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of her, and when I finally called Mrs. Hensley, she told me you’d left a couple of hours ago in a hurry, carrying Addison to the car.”
Jace half smiled. Mrs. Hensley. He pictured her sitting in the front room with cats perched next to her, watching out the window. He quickly explained the situation to her.
Laura shook her head. “I can’t believe it.” She sucked in another gulp of air. “I called around and discovered a pregnant woman had come in with a professional football player.” She frowned. “It’s already being leaked to the press that you said you’re the father.”
Honestly, he hadn’t even thought about that little detail. In his mind, he was the father. At least, he could be.
Tears welled into his eyes and spilled down his cheeks. “I want that.”
Laura opened her arms and pulled him into her. “I know you do, football player. You’re a lot different than I ever thought you’d be. Better. One of the good ones.”
