He reached out and wiggled his fingers. “Let me help you stand.”
Phoebe took them and let him pull her to her feet.
Ryan stepped back and looked at her. “Cute. I do believe I like you wearing my shirt.”
Phoebe pushed at her hair, trying to bring it to some kind of order. “Thanks. I just hope I don’t mess it up.”
“Not a problem. It’ll be for a good cause.
“Okay, let’s do some walking. There isn’t as much space here as there is at the hospital but we’ll just make do.”
Ryan stayed by her side as they made a pass round the living room through the kitchen and back to the bedroom. “Let’s do it again,” he encouraged as she looked wistfully at the bed. With each contraction Ryan checked his watch, which he had slipped on his wrist before they’d started out of his bedroom.
“They’re getting closer.”
After one particularly lengthy pain he said, “Tell me about your shower at school.”
It was his sly way of keeping her mind off what was going on with her body. She was grateful for his efforts. “It was wonderful. I received all kinds of cute baby things.”
He touched her arm to encourage her to keep walking. “Did you get some baby clothes, like you were hoping?”
“I did. I filled a drawer and have some hanging in the wardrobe.”
“You must have had a lot of people there.”
They continued the slow pace around the house.
“I was surprised. Most of the teachers came. Those who didn’t sent presents by others. Everyone was very generous.”
“Why were you surprised? Haven’t you been working there for some time?”
“I have but they have all seemed to be a little standoffish since Joshua was killed. It became worse when I told them I was pregnant. It was as if they didn’t know what to say or do so they did nothing.”
“I’m sorry you were so alone for so long. You should have come to me sooner.”
She stopped and looked at him.
He put up a hand. “I know, I know. I wasn’t very approachable at first. For that I’m sorry.”
She smiled. “But you came around very nicely, so I’m happy.” But he hadn’t said anything about loving her. Even when she had confessed her love for him. She could wait. Ryan showed he cared in so many other ways. He was someone she could count on. Even if she couldn’t, she had learned she could depend on herself. “Oh.”
“Breathe. Don’t hold your breath.” Ryan showed her how.
They made small swooshing sounds together.
“I think it’s time to get you settled in. I also need to check and see where that baby is.”
Ryan led her toward the bedroom.
“How much longer?” As she went by the footboard, she let her fingers trail over the surface of the wood.
“Let me examine you, then I’ll have an idea.”
She sat on the edge of the bed while he prepared it.
“You’re not going to make me lie on the floor like your great-great-grandmother did?”
“I hadn’t planned to, but I can.” He shook out a blanket as if getting ready to place it on the floor.
“I was kidding.”
He smiled. “I’m glad to hear that. I was worried about my back hurting when I bent over to help deliver.”
“What kind of midwife are you? Being more worried about your comfort than mine?”
Ryan put a hand down on the mattress on each side of her. His face was inches away from hers. “Honey, I care too much about you to let you be uncomfortable.” Ryan kissed her deeply and moved away. He helped her settle into the center of the bed and then he did the exam.
“You’re well on your way. Dilated five centimeters. When you get to ten you’ll be ready to have a baby.”
Another pain cramped her back and radiated around to her sides. She grabbed Ryan’s hand. He rode it out with her, all the time whispering sweet encouragement.
Ryan had seen countless husbands in the delivery suite when their wives had been giving birth. Some handled the process with aplomb while others were just a step above worthless. Ryan knew what was going to happen and still waves the size of a tsunami rolled through his stomach because this time it was Phoebe having the baby and he was that significant other helping. He felt more like that guy who was useless.
She had taken over his life, captured his heart and made him a ball of nerves in a situation where he usually had all the confidence. Even with all his reassurances, he worried that something might not go right during the birth. If she died or the baby did, he didn’t know what he would do. He’d survived other deaths but he didn’t think he could live without Phoebe.
“You look worried all of a sudden. Is something wrong?” Phoebe asked.
“No, everything is fine. You’re doing wonderfully. Keep up the good work.”
“I need to go to the bathroom?”
“Sure.” Ryan stood and helped her up. “I’ll leave the door open. If you need me I’ll be right out here.”
While Phoebe was in the bathroom Ryan pulled out his cellphone and called the hospital to let them know that he was in the process of delivering Phoebe’s baby. He wanted them aware so that if there was a problem someone could be here to help in minutes.
“Ryan!”
“Yes?” He hurried toward the bathroom.
“My waters just broke.”
“Well, this baby is getting ready to make a showing. Stay put and I’ll help you get cleaned up. I’ll find you something dry to wear.”
He left to search for another shirt. This time he went to the chest of drawers and found a T-shirt. It might not fit over all of her middle but at least it would cover her lovely breasts so that he could concentrate on delivering the baby. He went back to Phoebe.
“You’re going to run out of clothes.” She pushed a button through a hole.
“If I do, I won’t mind. I like you better naked anyway.”
Moisture filled her eyes and she gave him a wry smile. “Thanks. You really are being wonderful.”
“Not a problem.” A delivery had always been a matter-of-fact event for him. A job with a happy ending most of the time. But with Phoebe it was much more. This was an event to cherish.
He helped her pull the T-shirt over her head.
“This doesn’t cover much,” she complained.
“I need to see your belly and you can pull the sheet up to cover yourself if you must. I don’t know why you’re being so modest. I’ve seen all of you and there isn’t anything or anyone more stunning. Now, come on and get into bed. We have a baby to welcome into the world.”
Another pain shot through her.
“Let’s get you settled and I’m going to have another look.” He help her move to the center of the bed.
“I’m feeling pressure.”
“Good, then you’re almost ready. Bend your legs.”
Ryan placed her feet in the correct spot so he could see. He put on plastic gloves and checked her. “You’re almost there.”
“Here comes another one.” Phoebe gritted her teeth.
“Look at me,” Ryan demanded.
She did.
“Now, let’s breathe together.”
Phoebe followed his lead.
With the contraction over, Ryan lightly trailed his fingers over her middle until the tension left her and she lay back.
“I need to get a few things out of the bathroom and find something soft to swaddle the baby in. You should have let me know you were planning this tonight and I could have been better prepared.”
“You’re a funny man, Ryan Matthews.”
“I thought you could use some humor right about now.” He found the things he needed and placed them at the foot of the bed within arm’s length.
Another pain took Phoebe and she met his look. They went through it together. This was one time he didn’t mind looking into the pain in someone’s eyes.
“I feel pressure. I need to push.”
/> “Hold on just a second.”
“This baby isn’t waiting for you,” she growled.
Ryan examined her. “The head has crowned.” He moved to the end of the bed and leaned over the footboard. “Phoebe—” his voice was low “—I want you to look at me. On the next contraction I want you to push.”
Her gaze met his between her knees. They didn’t have to wait long. “Push.”
Ryan reached for the baby’s head and supported it. His look went to Phoebe again. “You’re doing beautifully.”
Another contraction hit. His gaze held hers. He wished he could hold her hand and comfort her but he couldn’t be at two places at once. “Push, honey.”
Ryan glanced down. The baby’s shoulders slid out and the rest of the tiny human followed. He saw birth all the time but none had been more amazing.
Exhausted, Phoebe fall back on the bed.
“It’s a boy,” Ryan announced. He tied off the umbilical cord before cutting it and laid the baby on Phoebe’s stomach.
She reached a hand up to touch the tiny head.
At the baby’s squeaking sound, Ryan came around to the bedside table and reached for the suction bubble. He cleaned the air passages and mouth. Grabbing a clean towel, he wiped the newborn.
The sight before him was more beautiful than any he’d ever witnessed. His heart swelled. For once he could understand the feeling new parents had when their child was born.
“He’s perfect, Phoebe.” Ryan couldn’t keep the reverence out of his voice.
She looked at him with a tired smile. “He is, isn’t he?”
Ryan leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “No more perfect than you. I’m going to lay him beside you and go get a washcloth and finish washing him up. You and I still have some work to do.” He took a towel from the end of the bed. Wrapping the baby in it, he placed him beside her.
Phoebe secured him with her arm.
“Don’t move.” Quickly he went to the bathroom and prepared a warm washcloth. Returning to Phoebe, he cleaned the baby boy, swaddled him in a sheet and placed him in the cradle.
Going to the end of the bed, Ryan said, “Okay, Phoebe, I need a couple of big pushes and we’ll be done here. Then you can rest.”
Half an hour later Ryan had Phoebe settled with the baby at her breast. He stood at the end of the bed and watched them. He was so full of emotion all he could do was stare. It had been an honor to be a part of such a special event. Phoebe’s eyelids lifted.
They were full of love that extended to him.
“What’s your middle name?”
“James.”
Phoebe looked down at the baby. “Joshua James Taylor.” She looked back at Ryan. “We’ll call him JJ.”
Ryan’s eyes watered.
“Why don’t you join us and get to know your namesake?”
Ryan didn’t hesitate to join them on the bed. Phoebe lifted her head and he slipped an arm under her neck. JJ mewed as if he wished the two adults would stop interrupting his sleep. He soon quieted. Ryan ran his palm over JJ’s silky head. Despite having delivered hundreds of babies, Ryan had never spent any time enjoying the touch and feel of a newborn. He picked up the tiny hand and JJ wrapped it around Ryan’s finger. His heart was captured.
Ryan had spent so much of his life alone and now he wanted more. He would never go back to living closed off from people. His world was right here in his arms and he was going to hold on to it tight.
He looked at Phoebe. Her eyes were clear and confident. “We are yours. All you have to do is accept us.”
“I love you, Phoebe. And I love JJ. I want to be a part of your lives if you will let me.”
“And we love you. We are family now.”
Ryan kissed her tenderly on the lips. When he lifted his mouth from hers Phoebe’s eyelids had already closed. He shut his, releasing a sigh of contentment. He’d gone from being a man alone and caring nothing about the future to a man who had everything he could hope for, including a bright future. Life was worth living.
ISBN: 978-1-474-00454-1
HIS BEST FRIEND’S BABY
© 2015 Susan Carlisle
Published in Great Britain 2015
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited
Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR
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