“I’m always good,” Melissa said and sat up straight in Kayla’s arms.
Niall kissed her. “Love you.” Melissa waved as Kayla walked toward her car.
Bear grabbed his arm. “Let’s go see what’s happening.”
“I think we may scare the staff,” Shadow said with a grin.
Anais, his wife, added, “I have no doubt. This much testosterone in one room would scare most normal adults.”
Shadow hugged her. “Then it’s good that the wives came with us.”
Every staff member at the desk stared at the crowd of people as they walked in. “Can we help you?”
“They’re here for moral support for me until my baby is born.”
“And your wife’s name is?”
“Emma Buchanan. She’s here.” He looked around. “Somewhere?”
“She’s in Room Four. You can go in, but the others will stay in the waiting room ... if it will hold all of you.”
Niall knocked on the door of Room Four. The nurse came to the door. “We’re finished for now. Come on in and keep your wife company. Do you plan on being in the delivery room?”
“Yes, definitely,” he said and frowned at her.
The nurse laughed. “You’re a big guy. I don’t want to get on your bad side. It’s quite all right. A lot of husbands prefer to pace in the waiting room.”
“Not me, and it’s pretty full right now with our friends doing the pacing for me.” Niall walked around the nurse to Emma’s bedside. He leaned down and kissed her. “How’s it going?”
“The nurse said it wouldn’t be a long time. It seems I have the perfect hips for having a baby,” Emma teased him.
Niall took hold of her hand. “I’m going to be right here.”
“I’m all right.” Emma pulled his head down and kissed him. “This will be all good.”
“Are you having a boy or girl?” the nurse asked.
“We preferred for it to be a surprise. The baby’s room is painted in yellow with touches of blue and pink,” Emma said.
“Do you have a preference?”
“Yes,” Niall said. “For our baby and its mother to be healthy. Nothing else matters.”
Their nurse nodded. “I’ll be in the delivery room praying for the same thing.” She slipped out the door and closed it.
“You told her?” Niall asked.
“I did. I wanted the staff to understand if you went a little crazy before our baby gets here.”
“Smart thinking. Everyone is here.” Niall explained about the crowded waiting rooms. “We took up both rooms.”
“Did the staff comment?”
“Not with all those big men standing around. Most of the nurses stared, and the wives glowered back at them.”
“Oh, I’m missing all the fun.”
Niall laughed. “You have a weird sense of humor, my love.”
“Don’t you see those women are in more danger from the wives than the husbands? None of us like the ogling you all get wherever we go.”
“Really? Nice to know.” He grinned. “You’re trying to keep me calm.”
“Is it working?”
“I think it is.”
Four hours later they were in the delivery room. Niall held her hand tight, and his frown was intimidating.
“Honey, the circulation is stopping in my hand. Please loosen up.”
“Sorry.” He stared at the staff watching their every move.
“And stop glowering at the nurses and the doctor. It’s going to be fine.”
“She’s right,” the doctor said. “Now push, Mrs. Buchanan. Another.”
Niall’s grip tightened on her hand again, but Emma hardly noticed as she pushed and worked to deliver their baby.
“There he is.” The doctor held up the baby. Their son started crying loudly.
Niall walked to where the doctor sat. “Is he all right?”
“That strong crying is a good sign. Your son looks very healthy, but the nurses and your pediatrician will be checking him further.”
Once the umbilical cord was taken care of, the doctor handed the baby to the nurse. “Do you want to hold him?” she asked Niall.
He opened his arms and stared down at his son. Then he turned and put their baby into Emma’s arms.
“He’s beautiful,” she said and lowered her head to kiss his cheek. She glanced up at Niall. “He has your brown hair, but I think he may have blue eyes. He’ll break a lot of ladies’ hearts when he’s grown.”
“A baby SEAL.”
“Maybe and maybe not. We’ll see what our children want to do with their lives.”
“Yes, honey, but the guys are going to see him as a baby SEAL, just as they do Bear’s son.”
“You guys are impossible. There are other jobs in the world.”
The nurse reached out for their son. “We need to weigh him and check him. You two have plenty of time to discuss his future career.”
“Yes, we do. Thank you,” Niall said.
He walked to the doctor, who was washing his hands before leaving the room. “And thank you.”
“I’m glad you trusted me again. It’s a happy time for both of us.”
“Well, I have to give my wife credit for being persuasive. I never planned to have another child. She is much braver than me.”
“We don’t like to admit it, but women always are.” The doctor grinned and left the delivery room.
Niall walked back to Emma’s side. He kissed her. “Thank you for bring me back to life and giving Melissa and I such a wonderful gift.”
He glanced at the nurse working with his son. She nodded to his baby. “Eight pounds, six ounces. He’s a big boy already.”
“I’ll go tell our friends.”
Everyone stopped talking and walking when Niall entered the waiting rooms, which had been opened to be one large area.
“Momma’s fine and we have an eight-pound, six-ounce boy.”
The whole crew cheered. One of the nurses came to the door. “Please be quiet. You’re in a hospital.”
“Sorry. We’ll go outside because we plan to cheer and holler,” Bear said. He gave Niall a bear hug, and they all moved outside away from the entrance. Then they yelled a big, happy hurrah.
Later, Niall went to get Melissa. He knelt by her side. “First, Momma is fine, and you have a little brother. I’m going to take you to see him. Then after we visit Momma and your brother, we’ll get pizza for supper.”
“Can I hold him?”
“When one of us is with you, yes. We’ll put him in your arms.”
Melissa jumped up and down. “This is the most happy, happy day.”
Niall stood and thanked Kayla for keeping her.
“I love all the good news. You’ll have a happy family now.”
“I will, thanks to my wife, who was brave enough to take me on.”
“Come on, Melissa. We’re going to see Momma and your brother.”
“What’s his name?”
“We’re naming him after my father and me. His name is Robert Niall Buchanan. Do you like it?” he asked Melissa.
“There’s a boy in my class named Robert, but the kids call him Robby.”
“A nickname. Your brother may get one, too.”
“What’s a nickname for me?”
“I guess Missy or Mel, but I like Melissa best.”
He glanced at his daughter.
“I do, too.”
In the hospital room, Niall stood back and listened as Melissa talked about the baby. Her little face was flushed from her excitement over having a brother.
Emma grinned and glanced over Melissa’s head to smile at Niall.
One of the nurses opened the door. “If everyone cleans their hands, we’ll bring your son to you.”
Melissa was so excited she let Niall clean her hands very well, and then she sat in a chair near Emma.
When the nurse came in, Emma told her to let Melissa hold her brother for a minute. The nurse placed him in her arms very car
efully. The nurse and Niall stood close to her.
“He’s so tiny and soft,” Melissa said as she gingerly touched his skin. The baby opened his eyes and looked straight up at her.
“I’m your big sister. I will take good care of you with Momma and Daddy. You are very red and wrinkled, but don’t worry if the kids at school make fun of you, I’ll hit them.”
Niall bent down toward his daughter and son. “You were wrinkled and red, too. It goes away in a few days.”
“Oh, I’m glad. I wouldn’t like to hit anyone.”
Emma held back a smile. Niall had tears in his eyes. He moved to her side and whispered. “You made my world complete.”
“We both completed each other’s worlds.”
The nurse took the baby, Robert Niall Buchanan, and put him in his mother’s arms. Niall stood back and looked at his family.
For a second, he felt a warmth near him, and he looked out the window to see a small hovering cloud. He thought of Morgan, and knew she’d blessed them all.
The End
Books by Rachel McNeely
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby
His Intriguing Imposter
The Persistent Suitor
The Rouge Suitor
The Warrior Suitor
The American Suitor
The Noble Suitor
The Earl’s Undaunted Bride
The Duke’s Unexpected Bride
The Duke’s Blind Temptation
Sandstones Ghostly Secrets
Bewitching the Marquis
About the Author
Born in Florida, Rachel McNeely’s early dreams included being a movie star. Of course, it didn’t happen. Later, she escaped into daydreams full of fascinating stories. Her friends had to endure her reading those tales to them when she began to put them to paper.
There were detours in her life for marriage, children, and going back to college. But, she continued to be an avid reader and dream of the day she’d have a book published. Once her children were grown and she had time to write, she joined a writer’s group and her dreams of writing and publishing came true.
There are many more books in this fan fiction world than listed here, for an up-to-date list go to www.AcesPress.com
You can also visit our Amazon page at:
http://www.amazon.com/author/operationalpha
Special Forces: Operation Alpha World
Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold
Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey
Shauna Allen: Defending Danielle
Shauna Allen: Rescuing Rebekah
Shauna Allen: Saving Scarlett
Shauna Allen: Saving Grace
Brynne Asher: Blackburn
Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine
Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei
Julia Bright: Rescuing Amy
Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage
Victoria Bright: Going Ghost
Victoria Bright: Jostling Joker
Cara Carnes: Protecting Mari
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Barbie
Kendra Mei Chailyn : Pitbull
Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth
Melissa Kay Clarke: Safeguarding Miley
Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven
Samantha A. Cole: Cheating the Devil
Sue Coletta: Hacked
Melissa Combs: Gallant
KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina
Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah
Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery
Jordan Dane: Fiona’s Salvation
Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia
Riley Edwards: Redeeming Violet
Riley Edwards, Recovering Ivy
Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Erin
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Suzie
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Brielle
Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska
Casey Hagen: Shielding Harlow
Casey Hagen: Shielding Josie
Casey Hagen: Shielding Blair
Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie
Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Savannah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Stephanie
Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Fighting for Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Defending Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Summer Breeze
Silver James: Rescue Moon
Silver James: SEAL Moon
Silver James: Assassin’s Moon
Silver James: Under the Assassin’s Moon
Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia
Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava
Heather Long: Securing Arizona
Heather Long: Guarding Gertrude
Heather Long: Protecting Pilar
Heather Long: Covering Coco
Gennita Low: No Protection
Kirsten Lynn: Joining Forces for Jesse
Margaret Madigan: Bang for the Buck
Margaret Madigan: Buck the System
Margaret Madigan: Jungle Buck
Margaret Madigan: December Chill
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Bride
Rachel McNeely: The SEAL’s Surprise Twin
KD Michaels: Saving Laura
KD Michaels: Protecting Shane
KD Michaels: Avenging Angels
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound
Wren Michaels: The Fox & The Hound 2
Wren Michaels: Shadow of Doubt
Wren Michaels: Shift of Fate
Wren Michaels: Steeling His Heart
Kat Mizera: Protecting Bobbi
Mary B Moore: Force Protection
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Butterfly
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Goddess
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Vixen
LeTeisha Newton: Protecting Heartbeat
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Beauty
MJ Nightingale: Betting on Benny
MJ Nightingale: Protecting Secrets
Sarah O’Rourke: Saving Liberty
Debra Parmley: Protecting Pippa
Lainey Reese: Protecting New York
Jenika Snow: Protecting Lily
Jen Talty: Burning Desire
Jen Talty: Burning Kiss
Jen Talty: Burning Skies
Jen Talty: Burning Lies
Jen Talty: Burning Heart
Megan Vernon: Protecting Us
Megan Vernon: Protecting Earth
Fire and Police: Operation Alpha World
Freya Barker: Burning for Autumn
KaLyn Cooper: Justice for Gwen
Aspen Drake: Sheltering Emma
Barb Han: Kace
Reina Torres: Justice for Sloane
Stacey Wilk: Stage Fright
As you know, this book included at least one character from Susan Stoker’s books. To check out more, see below.
SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series
Securing Caite
Securing Brenae (novella) (April 2019)
Securing Sidney (May 2019)
Securing Piper (Sept 2019)
Securing Zoey (TBA)
Securing Avery (TBA)
Securing Kalee (TBA)
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne (FREE!)
Rescuing Aimee (novella)
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey
Rescuing Sadie
Rescuing Wendy
Rescuing Mary
Rescuing Macie (April 2019)
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie (FREE!)
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Ju
stice for Boone
Shelter for Adeline
Shelter for Sophie
Justice for Erin
Justice for Milena
Shelter for Blythe
Justice for Hope
Shelter for Quinn
Shelter for Koren (July 2019)
Shelter for Penelope (Oct 2019)
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline (FREE!)
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Protecting Kiera (novella)
Protecting Alabama’s Kids (novella)
Protecting Dakota
New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Tennessee where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, Indiana, and Texas. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.
If you enjoyed this book, or any book, please consider leaving a review. It’s appreciated by authors more than you’ll know.
www.stokeraces.com
www.AcesPress.com
[email protected]
The SEAL’s Surprise Marriage (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) Page 14
