Love at First Laugh: Eight Romantic Novellas Filled with Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever After

by Krista Phillips

  “You’re doing fine, honey. And I’ll let you practice on me every night.”

  “It’s a date.” He’d do whatever this class taught in order to help his wife bring their child into the world. And he’d be there beside her, every step of the way. This was a once-in-a-lifetime-event, and he wanted to experience every single aspect of it. He’d happily attend these classes even though he could already tell they would prove embarrassing or annoying at times.

  Chapter 11

  Elizabeth opened her eyes halfway before they snapped closed again. She struggled to waken. Her unfocused gaze barely cleared the roundness of her stomach. Way in the distance she spotted her toes.

  The last thing she remembered was sitting down in the wingback chair to take a short break from packing away the newly washed baby clothes. Brian must’ve moved the ottoman from the lounge into the nursery and propped her feet up. She still couldn’t believe the generosity of the congregation. And JoAnn. One would think this was her baby, or grandchild. She’d gone crazy buying things she just “couldn’t resist.”

  Brian had positioned the fan to blow in one place—on her—and Elizabeth was thankful. JoAnn hadn’t been kidding about the February humidity. It was killing. Bad time to be pregnant. The worst to be heavily pregnant.

  The scent of baby powder permeated the air. How she loved the smell. It took Elizabeth a moment to realize that the baby fragrance came from her. That’s right…she’d sprinkled it over her body before she sat down in the hopes that it would absorb the perspiration.

  She gazed at the small suitcase lying open atop the changing table. Still empty. So much for packing her hospital bag. She’d have to do it later. Or tomorrow. Soon. But sooner rather than later—less than four weeks remained until D-Day.

  Or rather, B-Day.

  Voices drifted down the passage. Then laughter. Elizabeth raked sweat-dampened fingers through her hair. She pushed the ottoman away, hoping that her falling feet would catapult her to a standing position. Instead, they landed on the carpet with a dull thud. She still remained exactly where she’d been when they were propped up. So much for that plan. She’d have to try rocking herself back and forth to work up the momentum to get out of that chair. Only another four weeks of struggling like this every time she sat down. Soon it would all be over.

  She chuckled to herself. Perhaps she should get Brian to hire that bulldozer he often teased her about.

  Hand on the back of her hip, she waddled toward the kitchen. Her loose summer top swayed with each step she took. A glass of iced tea would go down well right now, not to mention what she wouldn’t give for a cool swim. The ocean was off-limits—too dangerous to risk being dumped by a wave. JoAnn and Errol had offered the use of their pool. Any time, they’d said. But she couldn’t. Not with her huge stomach. Either she’d flip onto her back and float when she tried to swim, or she’d sink the moment she got into the water from the weight of this baby. Likely to be a nine pounder, Dr. Kerr had said.

  Brian and Jordan looked up at her from where they’d parked themselves in the living room. Another fan oscillated close by, Brian’s silvery fringe standing at attention every time the breeze passed his way. Jordan’s dark hair on the other hand…being a hair gel man, it barely budged.

  “Hello sleepy head.” Brian smiled and rose from his chair. “Come and sit, love.”

  “I’ll be there in a sec. I just want to get a glass of iced tea. Any of you want one?”

  “No thanks.” Jordan patted down one strand of hair that had escaped his perfect coiffure. “We’ve just had some.”

  “Elizabeth, please sit. I’ll get it for you. Chat with Jordan for a while.” Brian helped her to his spot on the couch then hurried to the kitchen.

  She glanced at the grandfather clock standing in the corner of the room. When Aunt Margaret had left the house to Brian in her will, she’d left him the entire contents, as well. That clock had belonged to her father—Brian’s grandfather.

  Five-thirty. She’d slept a good part of the afternoon away. At least in sleeping, she hadn’t felt the heat.

  Brian handed her the glass of ice tea then settled down beside her.

  He smiled. “You had a good old snooze, didn’t you?”

  “I did.” She enjoyed a long drink, the cold liquid quenching her thirst and cooling her. “And you guys had a good old natter, didn’t you?”

  “We did,” Brian and Jordan answered in harmony, ending with a chuckle.

  “Where’s Shaun?” Elizabeth peered through the windows to see if he was ambling around outside.

  “He’s having a swim at my parents’ house.”

  Elizabeth glanced at Jordan before pressing the cold glass against her neck. “Can’t say I blame him. I’d join him if I was sure I wouldn’t float on my back or sink.”

  Laughter rushed to the ceiling in three very different tones—soprano, tenor, and the deep bass of Jordan.

  Taking a long swig, she finished her drink and handed the empty glass to Brian. “Honey, what do you say we take a stroll on the beach before the sun sets? You and I can both do with the exercise. You know what your doctor said—you need regular exercise for your condition, and you haven’t been for a walk in several days.”

  “I’ve been busy finishing off a nursery.” He grinned and tapped the tip of Elizabeth’s nose. “But now that I’m done, that’s an excellent idea.” He turned to Jordan. “Would you like to join us? Bring Shaun. Maybe you can get some good footage of the old pregnant couple on the beach.”

  “That’s a great idea. And sunset is always a good time to film.” Jordan glanced at his wristwatch. “I have an hour to spare. I’ll pop back home and get Shaun out of the pool.” He pushed to his feet. “We’ll meet you down there in a few minutes.”

  “Good.” Brian stood, too.

  Elizabeth held out her hands. “Honey, help me up. Please.”

  Brian grinned. “I can see I’ll need to rent that bulldozer.”

  She pursed her lips and frowned. For a second. Then burst out laughing. No way she could reprimand Brian when she’d had the same thoughts not even a half hour ago.

  Outside, the air was still warm, but the sand had at least cooled somewhat. Particularly at the shoreline. The moment they’d stepped onto the beach, Elizabeth and Brian had rolled up their pants. Waves crashed a little further out, sending the ocean rushing to greet them, but only managing to wet their skin as high as their ankles by the time the water reached them.

  Brian touched Elizabeth’s stomach. “Do you think he can hear the waves?”

  She patted his hand. “I definitely think he, or she, can hear the waves. Our little one becomes restful every time we saunter along the beach. He loves it down here.”

  Lifting his palm from Elizabeth’s belly, Brian pointed at her. “Ha, so you do think it’s a boy.” His eyes, the color of the ocean on a cloudless day, twinkled with his grin.

  “I–I don’t think anything. It’s just easier sometimes to pick a gender instead of always saying he or she. Speaking of genders, JoAnn is convinced it’s a boy. She says I’m carrying exactly the way she did—everything to the front.” Elizabeth reached for his hand and held it. “How long were you and Jordan chatting for before I woke?”

  “Oh, maybe forty minutes or so. He was telling me how much watching us over the past few months, seeing our faith in this entire pregnancy, has meant to him.”

  “Do you think he’s close to coming to salvation?”

  Brian smiled. “I do, love. And I’m questioning whether we’re the ones who will lead Errol and JoAnn to the Lord. Perhaps God is saving that privilege for Jordan.

  Elizabeth gazed back over the ocean, calm, except for the waves breaking on the shore. “I’ve been thinking…as we don’t have any family, and all our really close friends, except for Errol and JoAnn, are either scattered throughout African villages, or are old, I’d like us to consider Jordan as our child’s legal guardian. Who knows how long we will have to raise this child?”

/>   “Surprisingly, I think he’ll make a great father one day. And we have become rather close with him, haven’t we? If he could just find a way to make things work with Dr. Kerr…”

  Glancing over her shoulder, Elizabeth spotted Jordan and Shaun heading toward them, the camera already rolling. Speak of the devil. Soon they wouldn’t be out of earshot.

  “That would be nice. But, I’ve no doubt God has his soulmate out there waiting for him, whether it be our doctor or someone else.” She exhaled a weighted breath.

  “And that sigh?”

  “I do have one condition for making Jordan guardian—he needs to have prayed that sinner’s prayer before we can entrust our child to him. I need to know that the day we’re no longer here, the person responsible will bring up our child in the nurture of the Lord.”

  “I totally agree, love.”

  “Totally agree on what?” Jordan’s voice wafted the few feet toward them.

  Brian and Elizabeth did a slow turn.

  “That our child must be brought up in God’s ways,” Brian said.

  Jordan smacked Brian on the back. “With you two as parents, I’ve no doubt that’ll happen.”

  Elizabeth stepped in the direction of the rocks where Brian always went to commune with God. She paused and glanced around, her gaze encompassing three men who were very dear to her. “You guys ready for that walk up the beach?”

  They all nodded and began to follow.

  Shaun headed a little deeper into the water to film from a different angle.

  “Just be careful you don’t get too close to the breakers,” Elizabeth warned. “Some of these waves can sneak up on you with a lot more force than you’d think. I’m sure that camera isn’t waterproof.”

  The interlude on the beach was pleasant, but by the time they got home Elizabeth was exhausted. With the velvety night sky almost completely dark, and a plane to catch, Jordan and Shaun bade them a hasty farewell.

  Brian closed the door behind them then whirled around to Elizabeth. “You look tired, love. Why don’t you have a shower and climb into bed. In the meantime, I’ll make us some toasted sandwiches and tea.”

  Elizabeth placed her hand on his cheek and kissed him. “You are the best husband in the whole wide world. Thank you.”

  She turned and headed down the passage, glancing into the nursery as she passed by. Silhouetted against the window, the empty suitcase beckoned from where she’d left it on the changing table. She should pack; it was still early in the evening. But all she wanted was her bed. She wasn’t even sure she had the energy to shower—she’d find it, somehow. Tomorrow was another day to pack that case. She still had time.

  Opening her cupboard, her hand instinctively reached for her pajamas on the shelf where she always packed them. PJs in hand, she headed for the shower. She’d given up taking a bath three months ago when it had gotten a tad difficult to get out of the tub. Thankfully, the shower offered a sizeable entrance, and she could step in and out with ease.

  Fresh and clean, Elizabeth slipped between the cotton sheets, throwing off the quilt as was her nightly ritual. Far too humid for that. She reached for the ceiling fan remote and turned it to blow at high speed.

  “You’ve got the right idea there, love.” Brian entered the room bearing a tray. He set it down on Elizabeth’s lap then propped a cushion behind her back.

  “Thanks, honey.” She’d totally forgotten Brian had said he’d make a bite to eat. The smell of the food made her remember she was actually quite peckish. “Where’s yours?”

  He smiled as he straightened the quilt then folded it down to the bottom of the bed. “Still in the toaster. I’ll fetch it now. But before I go…” He reached over the bed. Taking her hand, he blessed their meal.

  When they’d finished their toasted cheese and tomato sandwiches, Brian placed their cups and plates onto one tray. “I’ll take this to the kitchen. You get to sleep. I can see you’re tired.”

  “Thanks.” She hurried to use the bathroom and brush her teeth.

  After sliding back into bed, Elizabeth turned out her light. She tucked a stiff pillow under her stomach and another between her legs before scrunching the feather one under her head. The soft filling molded to the shape of her neck. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

  The illuminated figures of the digital alarm on her bedside table flashed as her eyes flew open. Two-thirty in the morning. She’d been asleep for over six hours. But why had she woken at this ridiculous hour?

  She grabbed the pillow between her legs to roll over, and her hand came away wet.

  What on earth?

  She shoved at Brian. “Honey, wake up.” She tried to keep a semblance of calm to her voice, although it seemed impossible. “I think my waters have broken.”

  “Hurry, love.” Brian’s stomach knotted as he bounced up and down on his heels, jangling the car keys in his hand.

  Elizabeth had changed out of her wet pajamas; he out of his dry ones. Couldn’t be rushing into the hospital in their night clothes. Even if it was the middle of the night and goodness knows the doctors wouldn’t care.

  “I’m going as fast as I can.” She swiped at her tears then shoved some nighties and baby clothes into the suitcase he’d moved from the nursery to their bed. She zipped the case closed. “I can’t believe this is happening. It’s too early. I still have another four weeks to go.”

  He scurried closer to give her a reassuring hug. “Don’t worry. God’s got this. Thousands of babies are born even earlier than our little Bean, and they survive. He’ll be just fine. You’ll see.” Brian sucked in a long breath to still his own fears. The baby will be fine, won’t he, Lord?

  Wrapping his fingers around the suitcase handle, he whipped Elizabeth’s hospital survival kit from the bed.

  Thankfully the car stood outside—didn’t want to wake the neighbors with their electric garage door that squeaked as it rolled up. He hadn’t managed to get around to greasing the lead screw yet.

  The night air was warm, and all was quiet except for their scuffling at the car. And the occasional chirp of a cricket. Brian slid the suitcase onto the back seat, and then opened the front door for Elizabeth.

  She maneuvered herself and her far-reaching pregnant stomach into the seat. Hopefully she could hold on the half-hour it would take him to get to the hospital in Ballito Bay. He knew nothing about delivering a baby. Less about doing so in a car.

  “Are you in pain?” Brian croaked as the car sped down the motorway. His fingers gripped the steering wheel.

  Elizabeth shook her head. “Surprisingly not. But I guess the pains will come soon enough, now that my waters have broken.”

  “Just remember your breathing, love. As we were taught in prenatal.”

  With a quick nod, she began to breathe in deep through her nose, and exhale through her mouth.

  “I feel so bad,” she panted. “After all this waiting, Jordan and Shaun will probably miss the most precious moment.”

  Brian reached for her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Maybe not. I’ll give Jordan a ring as soon as you’re settled in at the hospital. Perhaps they’ll be able to give us an estimation of how long it will be until the baby comes. Jordan and Shaun might be able to catch an early morning flight back. They could still make it before the baby is born.”

  Brian parked close to the 24-hour accident and emergency unit entrance. With the hospital’s main doors locked after ten thirty p.m., they’d have to enter through here. He turned off the engine. “Wait right here,” he instructed before rushing inside.

  The guy working admissions stood to attention as Brian opened the door.

  Brian’s gaze skittered around the empty room. “I–I need a wheelchair! My wife’s having a baby!”

  “Your wife?”

  “Yes.” Goodness, was it that hard for people to believe that he and Elizabeth were having a child?

  The man scrambled to retrieve a wheelchair from an adjoining room. He pushed it outside to the car.
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  Brian hurried to open the door for Elizabeth. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.” He smiled and helped Elizabeth out of the car and into the wheelchair.

  “I really could have walked, honey.”

  He shook his head. “You know how far it is to the labor ward from here. It’ll be faster if I push you.”

  Giving A&E a fleeting glance as they passed through, Brian and Elizabeth entered the hospital and headed toward the labor ward. Brian increased the speed at which he pushed the wheelchair.

  Elizabeth turned to gaze up at him. She laughed. “Honey, slow down before you get a traffic violation.”

  His pulse pounded when he spotted the sign. Labor Ward. He entered. Sounded like hard work happened here. The woman’s scream echoing through the silent passages of the ward, reinforced his thought.

  He stopped at the nurses’ station where one night duty nurse sat reading. The others must be attending to the woman currently in labor. “My wife’s waters have broken.”

  The young nurse closed her book and looked up. “What name is the bed booked under?”

  “Dunham,” Brian answered. “B–but not for another four weeks.”

  “I see. Come this way.” She led them into a nearby room and helped Elizabeth onto the bed before she disappeared.

  She soon returned with a senior nurse, the maroon epaulettes stark against the white of her uniform, heralding her rank. Green, yellow, blue, and silver strips decorated the ornamental shoulder piece.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Dunham, I’m Charge Nurse, Teresa Roux.” The thirty-something woman neared the bed. “This is a surprise to have TV celebrities showing up in our labor ward in the middle of the night—a month early.”

  Elizabeth uttered a half-laugh. “We didn’t expect this either, sister. But my waters broke.”

  Teresa smiled. “When did they break?”

  “I–I don’t know. I woke up around two-thirty and everything was wet. Fortunately the pillow between my legs bore the brunt and not my mattress.”

  “How far apart are your contractions?” She pulled out a pair of rubber gloves from the box on the overbed table standing beside the bed and snapped them onto her hands.