“You distract me, Lana. I know you’re bored and there’s only one way I know to keep you from being that way. And I can’t risk anyone thinking we’re doing that on my desk.”
“Oooh. That would be fun.”
“Call your dad.”
With a laugh, Lana picked up the phone and dialed.
Lucky didn’t fool her. He might be pretending to be gruff with her, but she saw the teasing light in his eyes. Leaning down to kiss him while the phone rang in her ear, he kissed her back and then winked.
“I want you,” he mouthed, taking her free hand and kissing her fingertips.
“Mmm.” With a moan, her insides tugged as he slipped her finger in his mouth. “Hey, Daddy!” she said when she heard his voice, jerking away from Lucky’s touch. He chuckled and went back to reading a file.
Within a half hour, she kissed Lucky goodbye and was on her way to her father’s house. It would be good to spend the day with him and then see Ally when she got in from classes in a few hours.
Then realization hit her. For the first time in her life, she didn’t think of her father’s home as her home anymore.
Home was with Lucky.
Chapter Fifteen
The pain woke Lana up a couple of times during the night, but she dismissed it and went back to sleep. But when a sharp contraction hit her at exactly 3:07 am, she sat up and tried to breathe. Taking a deep breath, she steadied her nerves. She was still nearly three weeks away from her due date, but her doctor had told her she would allow her to go into labor at any point after thirty-six weeks. That had been last week.
Lana reminded herself that Braxton-Hicks contractions were just as hard as real contractions, but then a little voice inside of her reminded her that these were coming regularly and getting more intense. A sure sign this was it.
Carefully, so she didn’t wake Lucky, Lana crawled out of the bed and went into the living room. She found Lucky’s watch on the counter in the kitchen and sat down in the recliner. She flipped the TV on for background noise and distraction, but she kept the sound low. If this was false labor, she didn’t want to worry Lucky. He’d been watching her like a hawk lately.
Sure enough, she timed the contractions at seven-minute intervals. The sun began rising in the sky when she finally admitted to herself that she was in labor. So far, the pain was tolerable, but she didn’t have grand plans for a natural birth. She wanted drugs.
Slipping into the bedroom, she pulled out the bags the doctor had suggested she pack and sat them next to the front door. She took a quick shower, shaved her legs and got dressed.
“Lucky,” she whispered, pushing at his shoulder. His deep breathing ceased, and he groaned.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his eyes half closed, but aware enough to take in the fact that she was fully dressed.
“I’m in labor.”
“Are you sure?” Sudden sharpness entered his gaze, and he watched her face for an answer.
Just as she was about to tell him to get dressed, she felt a pop and warm liquid seeped down her legs. She rolled her eyes and grimaced. “Yup. I’m sure. Get dressed. My water just broke.”
“Crap.” Lucky was instantly on his feet, ushering her into the bathroom, helping her change her clothes. Lana couldn’t help but giggle.
“Just get the bags in the car. They’re next to the front door. I’ll be out in a second after I change.”
Lucky didn’t hesitate, but instead did exactly as she asked. As another contraction hit, she bent over with the pain and took deep breaths until it eased. Since her water had broken, the pain was definitely worse. She needed drugs and soon.
Inside the car, Lana urged Lucky to hurry. Lucky grinned and took her hand.
“This is it, Lana. We’re going to be parents in a few hours.”
“I hope it doesn’t take that long.”
“Are you excited?”
Lana was pleased to see Lucky handling the car on the country back roads with finesse and ease.
“Of course I’m excited. But right now,” she ground out, “I’m more excited about the epidural.”
“Is it that bad?”
“It’s labor, Lucky. It’s not a walk in the park.”
“Sorry.”
Lana bit back the urge to smack him at his knowing grin.
“Can you step on it?”
“As you wish, milady.” Lucky lurched the car forward and Lana had never been so happy to see a hospital in all her life.
The nurses, who stood around when she walked through the labor ward, looked thrilled to see her, as if she was giving them something to do after a quiet night. Lana prayed that meant the anesthesiologist wasn’t busy. Everyone doted on her and she was in a hospital gown, lying in bed with monitors hooked to every limb within a few minutes. Another nurse had gone to order the epidural after yet another nurse checked her and found her to be seven centimeters dilated.
All the while, Lucky paced, a worried frown marring his handsome face. He watched her contractions on the monitors and held her hand when she had a particularly strong one. They seemed to be coming faster and faster. Panting, Lana squeezed his hand.
“You’re doing great, sweetheart.”
“Here’s the man of the hour!” a nurse exclaimed as a man wheeled a cart in with what she prayed was an epidural.
Everything moved so quickly after that, even Lana had trouble keeping up. Once the epidural was placed and she obtained some relief, she was free to watch the hustle and bustle of everything around her.
For nine months, she’d carried their little girl inside of her, and it wouldn’t be too much longer before she met Lily. It amazed her that she no longer even thought about the baby’s paternity. True, James was the genetic father, but as far as both of them were concerned, Lucky was the real father. Somewhere along the way, the resentment she had felt toward the circumstances of Lily’s conception turned to gratitude. She’d finally allowed herself to fall in love with her baby.
A quick glance at Lucky confirmed he was taking it all in, too. Sweat beaded his brow and she could sense in his quick, shallow breathing he was nervous or worried.
“Hey,” she said softly, taking his hand again. “Everything is going to be okay. We’re about to meet her.”
He planted a kiss on her palm. “I’m a little scared. I can’t imagine how you’re feeling right now.”
“I’m actually pretty calm. I think God designed us to be so ready for a baby to come out that we don’t even think about what’s going on with our bodies. But you can relax. Women have babies all the time.”
“I know. Just not my woman. If anything happens to you…”
Lana’s heart lurched. “I don’t deserve you.”
He shot her a quick grin, but quickly looked at the monitor again.
When Lana had a sudden urge to push, she notified the nurse. A knowing smile lit her face as she pulled on some gloves.
“Let’s check you. That’s a great sign you’re progressing.”
Sure enough, Lana was ready to push. Another nurse paged the doctor while Lana gave a few practice pushes. Lucky stood at her side, holding her hand, counting for her and issuing encouragement.
Between pushes, Lana laid her head back and closed her eyes. Lucky stroked her hair and gave her ice chips. Occasionally, she’d feel the cool touch of a cloth to her temple or his warm lips kiss her softly.
When the doctor finally came in, donned in her scrubs, Lana felt a sigh of relief. It was almost over.
Lana was about to become a mother.
*****
Lily Grace O’Donnell came into the world quietly, with bright, blue eyes and her mother’s brown hair. Lucky was pretty sure he annoyed the nurses, asking if she was okay so many times. But other than when they’d placed her wet, squirming body on Lana’s stomach to wipe her down, she hadn’t uttered so much as a sound.
She seemed perfectly content to observe her new world.
Lucky couldn’t help the tears in his eyes whe
n he placed his pinky in her outstretched hand and she squeezed. Since his journey with Lana had begun, he’d been afraid to admit it but knew deep down he worried that he might not love the baby the way he wanted to because of who her father was. Looking at her now, studying his face with open curiosity, there was nothing more to question.
She was here and he was in love with not one, but two beautiful women. In his heart, Lily was his daughter. He’d watched her grow inside Lana, felt her kick underneath his palm, and sung silly songs to her in bed at night as she squirmed, no doubt trying to get away from his horrid singing voice.
Lucky smiled. “Hi, Lily. I’m your daddy.”
Lily smacked her lips and continued to peruse his features.
Lucky hadn’t expected this overwhelming love to encompass him. His love for Lana had grown into a mature love, but it had grown slow and strong into what it was today. But this love, this instant love at first sight was so overpowering that he felt a little helpless against it. No one had warned him that with just one look and one little touch, he would die before he let anything happen to her.
The nurses continued their work up to make sure everything was okay while Lana lay in bed behind him, sipping on a soda. The doctor was finishing up as he approached.
“Is she all right? I don’t hear her crying,” Lana asked. Worry etched her voice.
“The nurses say she’s great. She’s just happy to look around for now. She’s so beautiful, Lana.”
Lana beamed the way only a new mother could. Leaning down, he gave her a soft kiss.
“I’m so happy,” Lana whispered, tears filling her eyes.
“Me, too.”
“Ready to hold this pretty little girl?” the nurse asked behind him. She cradled Lily with a smile. Lana held out her arms and took her.
Lucky took a mental picture of that moment, watching his wife cradling their baby, pulling back the blanket with her fingers to tuck it around Lily’s chin to get a better view.
“Hi, sweetheart. You’re so beautiful.”
“Looks like her mama,” he said softly, careful not to draw her out of the moment. Tenderness filled him and happiness overwhelmed his senses. He couldn’t believe James had thrown away the wonderful woman he now called his wife. It was just a further testament to his mental issues. No one in their right mind could hit such a wonderful person and live with himself afterward.
Lucky shuddered, thinking about how narrowly she’d escaped. What if she’d decided to stay and take his abuse? What if Lily had come along and met his fist?
Wiping those thoughts away, Lucky reminded himself he was there now. Nothing was ever going to hurt his baby girl or his wife again. Least of all James.
Lana bent her head and kissed Lily on the forehead. A soft, tender expression came over her features when she finally looked up at him. “I have everything I’ve ever wanted. All because of you, Lucky.”
He smiled. He really was the luckiest guy in the world.
*****
Lucky frowned at the hustle and bustle in the nursery as he entered into Lana’s room after a quick lunch the next day. People were scurrying everywhere, shouting orders with a panic lacing their voices.
Focusing on his wife and baby behind the door, he pushed it open and saw Lana lying in bed, watching TV.
“Hey. Did they bring you lunch yet?”
She pointed to the tray and the few crumbs that remained. Grinning, he sat on the edge of the bed and took her hand.
“How are you feeling?”
“Pretty good, actually. The doctor said I can go home tomorrow. I can’t wait to get Lily home and settle into our new life as a family.”
“Me, either.” He looked around for Lily’s nursery bed. “Speaking of the little peanut, where is she?”
“A nurse came to take her to the nursery. Something about a routine checkup.”
A chill of fear shot down his spine, paralyzing him. “When did they take her?”
Lana shrugged. “About ten minutes ago, why?”
“Was the nurse the same one you’ve had all morning?”
“No, she said she was filling in while my regular nurse was on her lunch break. Why?”
Unwilling to cause her undue stress if his suspicions were wrong, he patted her hand, doing his best to keep his face unreadable.
“No reason. I’m going to check on her.”
“I’m sure she’s fine, Lucky. You’re going to drive me crazy worrying so much.”
Lucky gave her a distant grin but stood up, reminding himself not to cause her to worry.
“I’ll be right back.”
Lucky stood and made his way to the door. They had been given a room close to the nursery. When he stepped out, the eerie silence that met him chilled his bones even more compared to the near chaos he’d just witnessed.
The blinds to the nursery had been drawn and not a soul was in sight. He made a beeline for the nurse’s station just up the way.
“Can you tell me what’s going on?” he said to the lone nurse who sat there biting her nails.
Her eyes darted nervously.
“What do you mean?”
“When I came in from lunch, it appeared something had happened. Did a patient pass away or something?”
Again, her eyes refused to meet his. She didn’t say anything.
“Ma’am. I’m sure you know I’m the sheriff of this town. My wife just had a baby. Please tell me what’s going on. Just tell me my baby is safe.”
The woman exhaled and stood, leaning in closer. “A baby went missing in the nursery.”
“Do you know which one?”
“They wouldn’t tell me.”
“Have the police been notified? An Amber Alert issued?”
“I don’t know any details. We just discovered it less than ten minutes ago. I think someone has been told to contact authorities.”
Lucky didn’t like the sound of this. The more time that passed, the more he was sure James was behind this. He didn’t need a clueless nurse to tell him it was Lily that was missing.
“The hospital is on lockdown,” she said quietly. “No one can leave or come in.”
“Get me your supervisor, now.”
“I can’t. Everyone is in a meeting about how to handle this.”
“A meeting?” he squawked. “A meeting isn’t going to find my baby! Who is watching the other newborns to make sure they’re okay?”
“They were returned to their mothers. And sir, there’s no way for me to know if it was your baby.”
“I need to find out for sure. Take me into the nursery.”
“Sir.”
“Look, lady, I’m the sheriff in this town and if you refuse to take me to see my baby, I’ll have this place bankrupt in no time flat. Now take me to see my baby.”
The nurse appeared to mull over his threat. Then, apparently deciding it was credible, she came out from behind the desk and led him down the hallway to the nursery.
“Sir, I know I don’t have to tell you to keep this quiet. Something like this could shut down our funding and leave a lot of people out of jobs.”
“Well, if someone was doing their job, this wouldn’t have happened. What about the monitors you place on the babies?”
“It was left behind in the crib. We don’t know how it got off.”
As they entered the brightly lit nursery, Lucky had a sudden feeling of doom wash over him. Only one lone nursery bed remained in the room. He was too far away to read the name, but he knew from the color of it, it was a girl.
Slowly, he approached the bed, the nurse on his heels. He felt like he was in a horror movie. Each step brought the letters in focus but once they registered, he clenched his eyes tight, praying his mind was playing tricks on him.
Baby Girl O’Donnell.
Lily was missing. There was no doubt in his mind that James was behind this.
Pulling out his cell phone, Lucky made a phone call to the station to let everyone know what happened.
&n
bsp; “Sir, I could get fired for telling you this.”
Lucky turned to the waif of a nurse and bared his teeth at her. “You think with my child missing I have any concern over your job?”
Okay, so that was a little harsh, but he couldn’t bring himself to apologize. Someone hadn’t been paying attention or this would never have happened.
Now came the hard part. He had to tell Lana.
Stalking out of the nursery after a quick glance back at the bed, he walked with purpose down the hall. Lana had to know.
When he walked through her doorway, the sight that met him left him confused. Lana lay on her bed, nursing Lily at her breast. Lana smiled up at him as he closed the door.
Relief flowed through him and left him so weak he leaned against the door for a moment.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Lucky. What’s wrong?”
He cleared his throat and then did it again when the first time didn’t rid him of the thick lump residing there.
“Nothing. Everything is perfect.”
Lana adjusted Lily’s hat and smoothed her fingers over her cheek.
“I thought someone came to get her.”
Despite his relief that his own baby was safe, someone’s was still missing.
“They brought her back right after you left to check on her. What took you so long?”
“I, uh…I got sidetracked.”
“Well here she is. She’s eating like a pro.”
“That’s good.” Lucky swallowed again.
“Come sit down.”
“I’ll be right back. I need to speak with the nurse for a sec.”
“You’ve talked to the nurse more than you’ve talked to me, Lucky. We’re fine.”
“Thirty seconds and I’ll be back.”
The nurse who’d led him to the nursery was walking by the door and he grabbed her arm.
“Mr. O’Donnell. It was a misunderstanding. Your baby lost her ankle bracelet and caused a panic. Everything is okay now and we’re getting a new monitor ready. Donna told me she returned your baby back to the mother.”
“Yes, they’re fine.”
“Good. Could you please call the station and tell them about the mix-up?”
Lucky for Her Page 15
