“She’s remarkable,” Doc said. “She didn’t need a C-section. The babies were in the right direction. She delivered them one after the other like a champ.”
“And the babies?” Honor asked.
“Both five pounds and change. They’re perfectly healthy, if a little small. Nothing to worry about.” He disappeared into Maggie’s room.
They stood outside the door and stared at each other, too stunned to move.
“She delivered them one after the other,” Mary said. “How is that possible?”
“It’s all that yoga,” Honor said.
“I really need yoga,” Mary said.
“Not with that belly.”
This made them laugh again as they stumbled into the lobby.
Brody had joined Zane and Lance during their absence.
“Cliffside Bay officially has three more residents.” Honor told them of Maggie’s insanely fast delivery and relayed what Doc had told them in the hallway.
“You should have seen Mary,” Honor said. “Cool as could be. Delivered that baby like a boss.”
“I was scared out of my mind,” Mary said. “Trust me. But all those shows Lance and I watched of actual deliveries really came in handy. Who knew reality television was useful?”
“I knew there was a reason we were addicted to those.” Lance wrapped his arms around her. “I’m beyond proud of you.”
She rested her cheek against his chest and breathed in and out. Lance, her oxygen.
“Unlike Mary, I was a hot mess.” Honor sank into a chair.
“You were not,” Mary said.
Zane sat next to his wife and rubbed the back of her neck. “I bet you were awesome, baby.”
“Nope, totally not true. You guys say I’m never flustered, but we found my kryptonite,” Honor said. “I never thought there would be so much blood.”
“No worries, Lady Macbeth, it’s all over now,” Brody said.
Honor laughed. “If I’m wandering around the house muttering about a damn spot you’ll know I have PTSD.”
“My legs are still shaking,” Mary said. “I should probably sit.”
“It’s not every day your friend delivers a baby in like five minutes.” Lance escorted her over to a chair and helped her sit.
Kyle seemed to fall rather than walk into the lobby from the hallway. Mary had never seen him look even remotely disheveled, but his wife delivering twins in a town trapped by fire had done a good job of it. His eyes were blood shot and he needed a shave, not to mention his hair stood straight up like a chia pet after a binger. Fatigue did nothing to dull his joy. He raced around the room hugging each of them in turn. “Violet’s the strongest most incredible woman that’s ever lived. It was unbelievable. She was like, ‘Hell no, you’re not cutting me open if they’re facing the right direction. I’ll get them out the natural way.’ You should’ve seen her—totally focused and breathing though the contractions.”
“It’s the yoga,” Honor said. “I knew it.”
“That’s what she said. All I know is my granola girl kicked butt,” Kyle said. “Jackson, Doc, and Kara were phenomenal.” He slapped his forehead. “Oh, God, I’m forgetting the most important part. They’re not both boys. One of them is a girl. The doctors were wrong.”
“Shut the front door,” Honor said.
“No way,” Brody said.
“Can you believe our luck?” Kyle was clearly running on new dad adrenaline. He picked Honor up and swung her around the room. “We have a baby girl and a baby boy. Two for the two we have at home. Violet started laughing when the second one came out and Jackson told her it was a girl. She said she’d finally gotten used to the idea of two more Kyles. Do you want to see the babies?”
“Yes, but only if it’s all right with Violet,” Honor said.
“She’s asleep. Exhausted.” He ran his hands through his wild hair. “Kara’s bringing them out for you to see.”
A second later, Kara came in with both babies nestled in the crooks of her arms. “This little guy is Chance Brody Hicks.” Kara pointed at the baby on her left. “And this is Hope Honor Hicks.”
“We chose middle names of two people we love and admire. If our babies are even close to the people you are, we’ll be blessed,” Kyle said. “But we thought a first name should be just theirs.”
“Plus, it would get confusing with two Brodys and two Honors.” Brody grinned, clearly pleased.
“God knows one of each of us is enough,” Honor said.
The women cooed as they looked down at the babies. Kara gave Chance to Mary and his sister to Honor. The weight of the warm bundle made Mary want to cry. Soon she would have her own warm baby to hold.
“Chance and Hope,” Lance said. “What great names.”
“Given everything, Violet and I thought they were appropriate.”
Kara excused herself. “I need to check in on Maggie and Jackson.”
“Send Jackson out with the baby,” Honor said as she placed Hope into Lance’s arms. “Is it just me or do they look like Kyle?” Honor asked.
“Let’s hope they take after their mother and not my ugly mug,” Kyle said.
They spent a good fifteen minutes passing the babies around, until Jackson and Doc arrived in the lobby. Jackson held his daughter in his arms. “Hey everyone. Meet Lily Mae Waller. We named her after our mothers.”
“Look at that hair,” Zane said. “Just like our songbird.”
“Is Maggie all right?” Mary asked.
“Yes, my dad got her all fixed up,” Jackson said. “And, I got to cut the cord even though I missed the actual birth.”
“I’m sorry about that, dude,” Kyle said. “I feel terrible.”
“No one could’ve predicted how fast Lily came,” Jackson said. “I’m glad Mary and Honor could think on their feet.”
“It was all Mary,” Honor said. “I screamed like a little girl.”
“Maggie said you were both incredible,” Jackson said, tearing up. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“Somehow I thought towels would help,” Honor said.
“They always say that in movies,” Brody said. “Get towels and boiling water.”
“Boiling water is never needed,” Kara said.
Mary watched as the friends took turns holding the babies, all talking and laughing at once. She hung back, marveling at the miracles this day had brought to them. After all they’d been through, each with their own losses and tragedies, they’d made it to this day.
She looked over at Lance who smiled back at her. She should have had more faith that her life would get better.
Faith.
Lance wrapped his arms around her and spoke into her ear. “You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known. I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
She looked up and into his eyes, her stomach a barrier between them. “I know what we should name the baby.”
Chapter Seventeen
Lance
* * *
AFTER THE DRAMA of Lily’s birth, Lance and Mary moved into Brody’s condo in the city a few weeks later. The fires were under control by then, but Lance felt better being close to the hospital. Doctor Freddie wanted them close to the hospital in case Mary went into premature labor. They spent the days enjoying the city, going to movies and restaurants. At the beginning of her thirty-seventh week, Mary started experiencing dull cramps. Doctor Freddie assured them the baby was now considered full-term. “Any time Mary goes into labor at this point will be just fine.” She took the cerclage out and sent them home to enjoy what little time they had left as a party of two.
Two days later, Mary wakened to a painful contraction. Knowing the drill, given Lance’s obsessive re-reading of the chapter on delivery, they stayed at home until the contractions had strengthened and were coming at regular intervals. They grabbed their already packed overnight bag and sped to the hospital. Doctor Freddie was not on call that night. One of her colleagues examined Mary and checked her into the hospital. By 3 a.m., Ma
ry was comfortable after an epidural and they waited through the contractions by watching a movie.
Mo, the nurse assigned to them, was a stout woman in her fifties. With gray hair and a serious countenance, she moved about the room in efficient, determined strides. The floor squeaked under her shoes, as if in protest. When Lance asked her how many babies she’d help deliver, she just shook her head. “Too many to count.”
Around seven that morning, Mo declared Mary to be fully dilated and ready to deliver. Doctor Freddie had arrived at the hospital by then. Lance stood around helplessly as Mo and Doctor Freddie bustled around the room. There seemed to be a thousand instruments that gleamed under the lights. How had Mary delivered Lily without any of this?
The pushing process went on for an hour without much progress. “I’m sorry,” Mary said to Lance. “Maggie did it with two pushes.”
“You’re doing fantastic,” he said.
Mo shot him a look of approval.
“I’m tired. I don’t know if I can do it,” Mary said.
“You can. Just hang in there for a few more. We’re almost there. A few more pushes and we get to meet our daughter.”
His words seemed to strengthen her. After three more pushes, the head slipped out. Another one brought their baby girl into the world. Red-faced with fists clenched and legs flailing, she let out a lusty cry.
“Is she okay?” Mary asked.
“Right as rain,” Mo said as she placed her on Mary’s chest. Lance leaned closer, amazed by the perfection of her tiny body.
Mary stared at the baby in her arms and sobbed. “I can’t believe she’s here.”
Lance perched on the delivery table next to his wife, almost blinded by his own tears. “She’s so small,” he said.
“But perfect,” Mary said.
“Dad, would you like to cut the cord?” Doctor Freddie asked.
He wiped his eyes and took the scissors Mo offered. “Are you sure it won’t hurt either of them?”
“No sir,” Mo said. “Just clip it like a hotdog.”
A hotdog? Who clipped hotdogs? He placed the scissors on the spot Mo instructed him. He cut through the cord, feeling nauseous as the cord dropped away, leaving the baby with a bloody stump. Black spots danced before his eyes. He handed the scissors back to Mo.
She laughed. “You need smelling salts?”
“No, I’m fine,” he said.
“You best stay up near Mary’s head for the rest of this. Placenta delivery isn’t nearly as much fun as cutting the cord.”
He was only too happy to oblige.
Mo snapped her fingers and asked for the baby with an indulgent sparkle in her eyes. “We need to give her a little bath, do some eyedrops, and weigh and measure her. Then you can have her back.” Mary handed her to Mo, who strode across the room on her squeaky shoes.
Doctor Freddie had Mary give her another quick push. Lance was careful to remain fixated on Mary’s face and not on what was happening below.
Mary’s eyes shone as she looked up at him. “Thank you.”
“You’re the one who did all the work.”
“For being here. For insisting on being here.”
“You’ve made me the happiest guy in the world.” he said.
From the scale, Mo called out to them. “Six pounds, two ounces. Twenty-one inches.”
“Is that good?” Lance asked.
“Yes, quite good.” Mo diapered the baby and wrapped her in a blanket before bringing her back to them. “Does she have a name?”
“Faith,” Lance said. “No middle name. Just Faith Mullen.”
“Faith, all by itself, is enough.” Mary said.
Perched on the side of the bed, his heart throbbed with love. Thank you, God, for keeping them safe. Had there ever been a more beautiful baby than this?
“I agree,” Mary said as if she heard his thoughts.
“She’s perfect,” he said. “Our Faith.”
“It suits her, don’t you think?” Mary asked.
“I do.”
“Do you want to hold her?” Mary asked.
“She’s so small,” he said. “I’m afraid I’ll hurt her.” An arm popped out from under the blanket. He marveled at the perfectly formed fingernails.
“You can’t hurt her,” Mo said. “She’s tough. She’ll grow even stronger in your arms.”
“You’ve been waiting to do this.” Mary beamed up at him. “She’s finally here.”
“And the doctor has more lady business to do on your wife,” Mo said. “So you step over to the window with your daughter.”
Lance took the baby into his arms. She was no bigger than the span of his two shaking hands. “Hello, little love.”
Faith stared up at him with glassy eyes. Her dark hair was sparse and did nothing to cover the soft spot in her skull. Pink splotches on her face told the story of her long and difficult birth. A layer of downy hair covered the tips of her ears. He peeked under the blanket. Her legs were scrawny, and her skin seemed thin and much too soft to survive in this world. He wrapped the blanket more tightly around her. This was his job now. He must keep her safe. She must always feel supported and loved. The task daunted him. He couldn’t lie, especially to himself. But it didn’t matter if he was afraid. He would do it. There was no other option.
“All right, Mary, you’re all taken care of now,” Doctor Freddie said. “I’m going to keep you overnight, but you should be just fine to head home tomorrow.” She looked at her watch. “That’s my cue. I’ve got to go. Another baby is ready to join the world.”
Lance crossed over to her and held out his hand. “Thank you. Thanks for everything.”
“My pleasure. I’ll see you when you come in for baby number two,” she said.
“Let’s see how we do with one,” Mary said.
“You’ll do just fine.” Doctor Freddie gave them each a nod and scampered off to her next delivery.
Lance continued to hold Faith while Mo asked Mary what she should order for her from the cafeteria. Mo suggested Mary try nursing her. Faith latched on right away. He’d been worried about that, given what the baby books had said. However, mothering seemed to come naturally to Mary. He knew that no matter what came their way, she would be a phenomenal mother.
After they moved Mary and the baby to another room, the nurses chased him away so he could eat something and Mary and the baby could rest.
On his way, he called Brody. His brother didn’t answer. Lance left a message. “Baby came. She’s perfect. Mary’s doing great. Call me when you get this.”
He bought a sandwich at the cafeteria, suddenly ravenous, and walked outside to sit on the patio. He chose a table in the sunshine and let the autumn rays warm him. Red and orange leaves of a maple fluttered in the crisp air. His father had appreciated days like this. They represented everything he loved, he’d told Lance once. Football and days with his family in the backyard. His dad had been a family man. A nice man. Simple in his tastes and desires. Like me.
He remembered then—the memory that had escaped him. His father, that last morning of his life, as they wheeled him away, had grabbed Lance’s hand. “Best days of my life were when my sons were born.”
“Not winning the Super Bowl?” Brody had asked, teasing.
“Not even close. Listen, you boys remember something. The measure of a man is not in his outward successes but how he treats people, most especially his wife and children.” He’d drifted to sleep as the nurses wheeled him away.
Lance closed his eyes as the stinging tides of grief engulfed him. He wanted his dad. He wanted him to see his baby girl and his beautiful wife.
His father’s voice came to him, as if there was indeed a line from here to heaven. I’m here. I’ll always be here.
Lance used the paper napkin to wipe his eyes. He must get back to his wife and child. I’m a husband and father now. Nothing else will ever be as important.
The next day, he drove his little family home. When they arrived, Brody’s car was in
the driveway. Kara and Brody came running down the steps before they were even out of the car. Brody went around to the passenger side to help Mary while Lance grabbed the baby seat from the back. Kara peeked into the carrier and immediately started cooing. “Hello sweet Faith.”
“Come inside,” Brody said. “We brought dinner.”
Mary walked gingerly toward the house with her arm linked into Kara’s. “The grandparents are all on their way as well,” Kara said. “I made them all promise not to overstay their welcome.”
From behind them, Lance saw Mary and Kara exchange a knowing glance as they climbed the steps to the porch. “Thank you.”
“Sisters have to stick together,” Kara said.
Freckles bounded up to greet them the moment they walked in the front door. He did one of his joyous half flips when he saw Mary. She patted the top of his head and scratched behind his ears. “Did you miss us?”
The dog licked her arm to tell her how much. “We’ve come back with a baby.”
Freckles barked.
“There’s no need to be jealous,” Mary said. “We’ll still love you just as much.”
Lance set the baby carrier on the floor and knelt to pet his dog. He was almost knocked over the force of Freckles’ wagging tail. “This is Faith,” he said to Freckles. “Your job is to help protect her.” Freckles sat on his haunches and looked down at the baby, who slept peacefully, not yet knowing she would have a furry best friend. He whined, then lay on the floor, with his head near Faith’s feet.
Lance chuckled as he stood and picked up the carrier. “Come on, boy. You can protect her over here.”
Lance got Mary settled on the couch with Faith, so she could nurse. Freckles lay on the floor as close to Mary’s legs as possible.
Kara brought Mary a glass of water and some apple slices. “Are you hungry? Do you want anything?” Kara asked.
“I’m fine,” Mary said. “But I do have a few questions.” Mary spoke to Lance. “Honey, why don’t you and Brody catch up over a beer. I need to ask Kara a few girl questions.”
“A beer and a cigar are certainly in order,” Brody said.
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