The Brightest of Dreams

by Susan Anne Mason

  Quinn leapt from his seat. “Labor? Does that mean . . . ?”

  Please, Lord, let it not be so. He’d promised Julia to be back in time for the baby’s birth. Instead she’d had to handle going to court and premature labor all alone. How would he ever face her again?

  “It was touch and go for a while, but the doctors managed to stop the labor. However, given her elevated blood pressure, they feared for both her life and the child’s and have therefore kept her in the hospital on bed rest.”

  “I have to see her. Which hospital is she in?”

  Mrs. Middleton tilted her head. “Before I tell you, I must insist you compose yourself. Julia is in a delicate state. Remaining calm is of utmost importance to her health. When you see her, you must not upset her in any way. No discussions of Dr. Hawkins or the court appearance—or any other subject that might cause her undue distress.” She stared at him. “Do I make myself clear?”

  He had the sensation she was scolding him for something. “I’d appreciate you speaking plainly, Mrs. Middleton. What other subject are you referring to?”

  “It’s no secret that your lengthy absence, as well as uncertainty about your relationship, has been weighing heavily on Julia these last weeks. I hope you’d have the good sense to avoid any such discussion right now, especially if it might upset her.”

  “I understand.” He swallowed hard, refusing to let fear grab ahold of him. “I’ll do my best to ensure she stays calm, ma’am.” He lifted his chin. “But as long as Julia wants me there, I will stay by her side.”

  She gave him a measuring look. “Fair enough, Mr. Aspinall. Just don’t give her too much of a shock.”

  Quinn had never been so thankful to be able to wield the title of husband. Using it gave him immediate access to Julia as well as privileged information about her condition from the head nurse.

  “She’s doing much better, Mr. Aspinall,” the stout woman told him. “Staying in bed has been the key to keeping her blood pressure at acceptable levels.”

  “And the baby?”

  The nurse smiled. “So far, so good. It was a blessing the doctors were able to stop labor when they did. Each day in the womb is a better chance at your baby’s survival.”

  Quinn’s neck heated, not used to discussing such issues. “May I see my wife now?”

  “Of course. Room 323. Down the hall on your right.”

  “Thank you.”

  As Quinn approached the room, his hands tightened around the bouquet of carnations he’d bought at the gift store. He didn’t want to arrive empty-handed and hoped the floral offering would help soften his unexpected arrival after such a long absence.

  Once he entered the ward, he quickly spotted Julia in the bed next to the window. She lay asleep, unmoving on the pillows, the blankets pulled high over her expansive middle. He moved toward her, his heart beating hard in his chest.

  He’d forgotten how beautiful she was. Her fair hair framed her face, accentuating her appealing features—the long lashes, delicate brows, and pert nose. The pregnancy had added a plumpness to her face and fullness to her lips. How he’d missed her. He longed to hold her hand, to kiss her cheek, but he didn’t wish to disturb her rest.

  Thank you, Lord, for letting me get back in time.

  When she didn’t stir, Quinn took a seat beside the bed, content to simply gaze at her. However, the effects of traveling for more than a week soon caught up with him, and he’d almost dozed off when he sensed her rousing.

  She yawned and stretched. Then her eyes widened as she noticed him.

  “Hello, Julia.” He kept his voice to a whisper, not wanting to alarm her. “How are you feeling?”

  She blinked, pulling herself to a sitting position. “Quinn? Is it really you?”

  “It is. I’m finally back.” He smiled, though perspiration gathered under his collar. Would she be glad to see him? Or furious he’d stayed away so long?

  She reached out a hand toward him, tears welling in those beautiful brown eyes.

  He leaned forward and grasped her fingers, warmth flooding through him.

  “I’m so happy you’re here,” she said. “You have no idea how hard it’s been—”

  “I’m under strict orders not to discuss any distressing topics.” He handed her the bouquet. “These are for you.”

  She smiled and brought the flowers to her nose. “They’re lovely. Thank you. If you leave them on the windowsill, the nurse will take care of them when she returns.”

  He did as she asked, placing them beside two other arrangements, one from Mrs. Middleton, the other from Mrs. Chamberlain.

  “When did you get here?” she asked when he returned to his chair.

  “Late last night. Too late to bother you, so I checked in at the YMCA.” He winked. “Just like old times.”

  She gave a light laugh, and the knot of tension in his chest loosened. So far, she seemed pleased to see him.

  “When I came to the house this morning, Mrs. Middleton told me you were here.”

  Her brow furrowed. “Did she tell you about the courthouse?”

  “She did. But again, it’s a topic I was warned not to mention.”

  When she started to argue, he held up a hand.

  “There’ll be plenty of time to discuss all that. Right now, I just want to sit with you and thank the good Lord for keeping you and the baby safe until I got here.”

  Julia’s lips quivered. “I’m grateful for that too. I’ve been dreading having to go through this birth alone.”

  He squeezed her hand, wishing he could impart his strength to her. “I’ll be here from now on. You have my word.”

  “I knew I could depend on you.” She gave a sleepy smile, her eyelids drifting shut again.

  A sliver of alarm went through him. She’d just awakened. How could she be tired again?

  As he settled back in the chair to wait, he vowed to devote all his energy to helping her regain her full strength in order to bring a healthy child into the world.

  “You don’t need to worry anymore,” he said softly. “I’m here now. I’ll take care of everything and make sure no one bothers you again.”

  Julia gradually came out of sleep, conscious of a new feeling of peace. For the first time in a week, she’d slept well, not fearing Richard Hawkins would suddenly appear and try to claim her child.

  She blinked and glanced at the chair beside the bed. Quinn’s large frame filled the space. His eyes were closed, his head resting against the wall. How long had he been sitting there like her own personal guard? No wonder she’d slept so well.

  She took a moment to study him, the cleft in his chin, the fall of hair across his brow, the long lashes against his cheek. Her recollection of his good looks paled in comparison to the reality before her. When he opened his eyes and caught her staring, heat rushed into her cheeks.

  A slow grin crept over his face. “Do I pass inspection?”

  She looked down and busied herself fixing the covers. She wanted to tell him he looked more handsome than she remembered, but the words would not shake loose. And then as her fingers grazed her sizable middle, she realized how different she must appear to him. Would he find her repulsive now?

  “What is that grimace for?” he asked.

  She glanced over at him. “You might pass inspection . . . but do I?”

  He held her gaze. “You’re as lovely as ever. Even more so, as an expectant mother should be.”

  “I wish I could believe you. I feel as enormous as an elephant.” She gave a nervous laugh.

  “A temporary state until your beautiful baby arrives.”

  “Our.”

  “Pardon?”

  “Our beautiful baby.” She frowned and laid a protective hand on her stomach. “You do still want to be a father to my child, don’t you?” She held her breath, waiting for his answer. Perhaps he’d had time to reconsider the ramifications of parenting another man’s child, and now, faced with the trouble Richard was causing, wanted no part of the
drama.

  Quinn reached for her hand. “Of course I want to be the babe’s father. I’m sure once I meet this little person, I will fall madly in love with him or her.”

  Julia pressed her lips together. Did that mean he still cared for her? Or was she just another obligation he had to fulfill? “You’ve had a lot of time to reevaluate this whole situation. I wouldn’t blame you if you had changed your mind.” Her throat tightened. It was only fair to give him the opportunity to back out of their arrangement. After all, he now had everything he’d worked so hard to achieve. He’d found his siblings, his mother’s health was restored, and he’d secured a home for them all.

  “Julia, I would never go back on my promise to you.” His eyes glistened. “If you can forgive me for staying away so long, I’ll spend every moment from now on making it up to you.”

  Her lips quivered, relief spilling through her. “Of course I forgive you. I’m just happy you’re here.”

  He leaned forward and kissed her—a gentle kiss filled with promise. The promise of a life shared together, where she wouldn’t have to face every hurdle alone.

  “Rest now,” he said. “We can worry about the future later.”

  Quinn was right. She would do herself and the baby no good fretting about events she couldn’t control, like whether or not Richard would continue to harass her or if she would have to go back before the court. Quinn was here, and that was all that mattered for now.

  She leaned back against the pillows with a sigh and smiled at her husband. “Now, tell me all about your farm.”

  CHAPTER 35

  The next morning, Quinn left Mrs. Middleton’s, whistling off-key. The elderly woman had insisted he move back into the room he had occupied after the wedding, and Quinn had gratefully accepted.

  On the way to the hospital, he stopped to buy some chocolates he knew Julia liked. The clerk tied the package with a bright red ribbon. He smiled, imagining how she would enjoy the sweets. He also had a book in his pocket that Mrs. Middleton had lent him, saying Julia would love the story. Reading it together would help pass the time; it felt so long just sitting and waiting.

  When he arrived on the third floor, a nurse waylaid him before he reached Julia’s room.

  “Mr. Aspinall. Thank goodness you’re here. Your wife has gone into labor and has been asking for you.”

  “What? When?”

  “About an hour ago.”

  “Why didn’t anyone call? I would have been here sooner.”

  “I did, sir. I left a message with the housekeeper, who assured me she would pass it on.”

  Quinn frowned. He hadn’t seen Mrs. Banbury this morning since he’d skipped breakfast, intent on getting to the hospital as soon as he could.

  “Where is Julia?” he barked, immediately regretting his curt tone.

  “I’m sorry, sir, but fathers are not allowed in the delivery room.”

  “I promised my wife she wouldn’t be alone. Now, you can either show me, or I’ll search every room until I find her myself.”

  The young nurse bit her lip. “Very well. Follow me.”

  She led him down one corridor after another until he was lost in the maze of the hospital. Finally, they passed through a set of double doors marked Labor and Delivery.

  The woman came to a stop in front of a nurse’s station and pointed to a door. “Your wife is in there. Let me go in and make sure the doctor is not examining her. I’ll come back and get you.”

  “Fine, but if you don’t return soon, I’m coming in.”

  The nurse quickly disappeared through the door.

  Before it shut completely, Quinn strained to see inside, but other than some equipment and a steel table, he could see nothing.

  Frustration coursed through his veins. He realized he was clutching the now-battered box of chocolates, so he set it on the nurses’ desk. He could always buy more tomorrow. If Julia made it safely through the delivery, he’d buy her a dozen boxes.

  The door opened, and the nurse emerged. “You may go in for a moment, but then you must stay in the waiting area.” She gave him a smile. “Everything is going to be fine.”

  “Thank you.” Quinn paused to gather his wits, then entered the room. The smell of antiseptic and other mysterious medical odors hung heavy in the air. He ignored everything except for the woman in the bed. “Julia. I’m here, love.”

  Her hair was plastered against her head, soaked either with perspiration or from someone wiping her brow. Her forehead was wreathed in lines of worry, but they relaxed the moment she saw him.

  “Quinn. Thank heavens. I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to find me.”

  He reached out to take one of her hands in his. “Nothing could keep me from you. Now that I’m here, you can relax and—”

  She grunted and squeezed her eyes shut.

  “Breathe, Mrs. Aspinall.” An older nurse stood by the bedside. “Slow and steady. That’s it.”

  “Where is the doctor?” Quinn demanded. Surely with his wife’s tentative condition, the physician should be here.

  “Oh, he pops in and out. But he’s not needed till the end. We have hours to go yet.”

  “Hours?”

  Julia gripped his fingers so hard his bones ached.

  “How will she endure the pain for so long?”

  The nurse raised a brow, and her lips twitched. “Your first child, I take it?”

  He nodded, his gaze fused to Julia’s face.

  “Every baby is different, but most firstborns take a long time to appear.”

  The pain must have subsided, for Julia relaxed her grip on his hand and the tension in her face lessened.

  “Kiss your wife good-bye. The next time you see her, she’ll be holding your son or daughter.”

  Quinn scowled. Every nerve in his body twitched. How could he leave, knowing she was in such distress?

  “Trust me,” the nurse said as she moved toward him. “She’s in good hands. I promise.”

  “If there’s any way I can be of help, I’ll be right outside.”

  “Help?” The nurse chuckled. “Expectant fathers aren’t much help at a time like this. It’s the woman who does all the work.”

  “I wish I could do it for her.” Quinn turned to Julia and squeezed her hand. “I know you’ll get through this, love. I’ll be in the waiting room, praying for you both.” He felt the sting of tears behind his eyes as he leaned down. “Remember, you’re not alone.”

  She opened her mouth as if to say something, but instead her face contorted with pain, and she grasped his hand in another bone-crushing grip.

  Once the contraction ended, the nurse smiled. “You did well, Mrs. Aspinall. Rest until the next one.” Then she turned to Quinn. “All right. Off you go and let us do our work.”

  He only had a moment to kiss Julia’s cheek before the nurse literally pushed him out of the room.

  When the door shut in his face, he stood staring blankly at the gray windowless slab. Never in his life had he felt so helpless.

  A hand touched his arm. It was the younger nurse from before. “Let me show you to the waiting area,” she said gently.

  With no other recourse, he allowed her to lead him away.

  Fourteen long hours later, a man in a blue hospital gown appeared in the doorway of the waiting area.

  The other expectant fathers in the room looked up.

  “Mr. Aspinall?”

  Quinn rose, his knees and back stiff from sitting so long. He’d been praying harder and harder as time wore on, loath to move from his seat lest he miss the doctor. “Yes?”

  He struggled to gauge the man’s demeanor to determine if he came bearing bad news or good.

  The man’s face broke into a wide smile. “Congratulations, sir. You have a fine baby girl.”

  Quinn allowed himself to breathe, his chest swelling with relief. We have a daughter. A little girl to spoil. He stumbled a few steps closer. “And my wife? How is she?”

  The man’s smile dimmed. “She ha
d a hard time of it and lost a lot of blood, so naturally she’s quite weak.”

  Quinn fisted his hands at his side. “Will she be all right?”

  “Barring any unforeseen complications, I’m confident she will make a full recovery.”

  Quinn released a breath. Thank you, Lord. “Can I see her?”

  “The nurses are just finishing up. Give them about fifteen more minutes, and you can go in and meet your daughter.”

  “Thank you, doctor.” Quinn shook the man’s hand. “I appreciate it very much.”

  The men in the waiting room congratulated Quinn. He thanked them, all the while watching the clock for the moment he could see Julia. He would not relax fully until he saw her with his own eyes.

  Julia leaned back against the pillows, grateful for the nurse’s ministrations. The woman had washed Julia’s face and neck with a clean washcloth and re-braided her hair.

  “We must look our best when that handsome husband of yours comes in.” The nurse winked at Julia. “Where is your shawl? Oh, here it is.” She draped the cloth around Julia’s shoulders. “Now, let’s get that little angel.”

  From the bassinet in the corner, she picked up a swaddled bundle. Then she came over and held her out to Julia, lowering the head into the crook of Julia’s arm.

  Tears sprang to her eyes as she gazed down at her daughter. The tiny rosebud lips, the button of a nose, the impossibly small lashes against porcelain skin.

  My daughter.

  Julia’s chest swelled with a rush of the fiercest love she’d ever known. At the same time, a deeply protective instinct rose inside her, and she knew she would die to protect this tiny life. “She’s perfect.”

  “Yes, she is.” The nurse smiled down at her. “I’ll let your husband know he can come in now.”

  The door opened, and almost immediately the woman returned. “He was waiting right outside. I’ll give you two a little time alone. If you need anything, just call.”

  Julia looked over to see Quinn hovering in the doorway, a look of concern darkening his features. Waiting for such a long time, not knowing what was happening, must have been terribly hard on him. She held out her hand. “Come and meet our daughter.”