The Accidental Kiss

by Heatherly Bell

She opened one eye. “Oh sure. Yeah, fine thanks. This is actually so much fun I might do it again tomorrow.”

  “She’s her regular smartass self, so yeah, she’s doing alright.”

  “They’ve arrived,” the operator said. “Good luck to you all!”

  “In here,” Charley shouted, and a moment later Marco strode in with a blonde guy she didn’t recognize, and Dylan.

  They all slipped on gloves and went straight to work.

  “Milly, honey, how are you doing?” Dylan kneeled beside the bed.

  She spoke through gritted teeth. “Not so good. I think I’m having a baby on Miracle Sunday.”

  “I think you’re right.”

  A moment later Dylan was at the foot of the bed, while the other guys were doing stuff with what looked like a blood pressure cuff.

  “Charley, how long has she been like this?” Dylan said.

  “I came up to feed her lunch and she was in pain. I got everything ready to go, called the doctor, but she wouldn’t move and then…it all happened so fast.”

  Dylan grabbed a towel and positioned one under Milly’s lower half. “Okay, let’s have a birthday party.”

  Milly opened one eye. “Now?”

  “When were you thinking? Next week?” Charley said.

  “But I wanted Henry to be here,” she whined. “This isn’t supposed to happen for another three weeks.”

  “This baby doesn’t want to wait for anyone,” Dylan said.

  “Oh, geez already being a pain in the ass,” Milly cried out. “This isn’t fun!”

  “I’ve heard,” Dylan said.

  It seemed like Charley should do something. She’d had her duties outlined and prepared and had launched into them. But now everything had changed. Should she say a prayer or a rosary? She should do something. For lack of anything better to do, she wrung her hands together. Very helpful.

  “Milly, I need you to push,” Dylan said. “The baby’s crowning. This one is in a huge hurry to be born. It won’t be long now.”

  Milly rose up on her elbows and pushed, her face contorted with effort.

  “Good job!” Dylan turned to Charley. “Go help her now.”

  Oh, that’s right. She’d seen the birth videos and read up on Lamaze. She knelt beside Milly at the head of the bed and grabbed her hand.

  “It’s okay. Breathe. We can do this.”

  She quirked a brow. “We?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Seriously? Because I hoped you were offering to take over for me.”

  “I wish I could.”

  “Liar.” She grunted and tried the staggered breathing along with Charley for about two seconds before giving up. “The breathing isn’t working.”

  “Try again,” Dylan instructed like a freaking drill sergeant.

  This time Charley actually felt useful as she helped Milly lean forward so she could push. Marco and the younger dude were now both on either side of Dylan, equally as intent. Marco held another towel in his hands.

  After several seconds of effort, Milly ran out of steam and fell back.

  “The baby’s almost here. I can see the head,” Dylan said.

  “I can’t do this anymore,” Milly sputtered, out of breath. “I’m too tired.”

  “Charley,” Dylan called. She met his gaze which was not at all the soft warm gaze she’d become accustomed to. All business. He mouthed the words to her: help her.

  How she wanted to, but Charley had nothing. If anything, Milly had always been her cheerleader. “Okay. Milly, you can do this. You’re the stronger sister, and we all know that.”

  “No, I’m not. And stop trying to butter me up. You’re not even good at it.”

  “Look, Milly, maybe you’re not the stronger sister but you’re the better sister. You were always there for me just like you’re going to be for your baby.” She took hold of Milly by the nape of her neck. “Now push. Her. Out!”

  “You’re not the boss of me! Aayeeeee!” Milly leaned forward and if effort counted for anything, her baby should be out in a second.

  “Good job,” Dylan said.

  When Charley turned to look, she saw a little head protruding out of Milly. A head of dark and wet hair.

  “One more push,” Dylan said.

  “You people don’t ask for much, do you?” Milly gave one more push.

  The baby was out, and a loud cry filled the room.

  “It’s a girl,” Dylan said.

  Charley had always been a sympathy crier but right now only one thought ran through her mind. How wonderful and amazing and bright and glorious it was to see a baby take her first breath. It was a miracle and the first one she’d actually witnessed.

  “You did it, Milly,” Charley said.

  “My baby,” Milly blubbered. “Is she okay?”

  Dylan and his crew got busy. Marco wrapped the baby in a towel and Dylan used some kind of syringe in the baby’s mouth. She then let out another even louder scream that demonstrated her lungs were fully developed, thank you very much. Dylan cut the cord and some EMTs came in moments later. They helped Milly onto the stretcher and handed her the baby.

  “Where are you taking them?” Charley asked.

  “They’re taking her to General,” Dylan said without looking at Charley, “They both need to get checked out. The baby looks a little small.”

  “That was amazing,” Charley said. “I don’t know how you did it.”

  “Milly did most of the work. I just caught the baby.”

  “Just caught the baby? Seriously? Just caught the baby?”

  “Yep.”

  “Well, thank you for doing that because I couldn’t have.”

  “I’ve been trained.”

  There was something else going on. She could feel it in her bones. In her heart. Something was wrong. The baby was three weeks premature, after all. Fear gripped her gut because she could sense the anxiety and regret in Dylan, who was pulling away, refusing to look at Charley. That always meant bad news. It meant something he didn’t want to tell her but would anyway.

  My mother has cancer.

  I hate to tell you this, Chuck, but Coral isn’t going to make it.

  Hand on Dylan’s forearm, she forced him to turn to her. “What’s wrong? Please tell me. Is it the baby? Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  “I told you. She needs to get checked out because she’s premature.” His eyes were hooded and unreadable.

  There was something else, and her body knew it as her brain attempted to catch up. Her stomach churned, and her throat closed up. “Why won’t you look at me?”

  He met her gaze. “What do you mean?”

  But it was far worse when he locked gazes with hers. “I’m worried. I—”

  “Don’t worry. The baby is going to be in good hands. I’ll be back tomorrow night when I end my shift. But now I’ve got to go. Okay?” He gave her a quick light kiss on the lips.

  Then he was gone.

  31

  “Cooking is like love. It should be done with passion, or not at all.” ~ Apron

  Dylan wasn’t ready to talk. Milly’s delivery was unexpected, and he wasn’t prepared to face Charley yet. He’d made a decision, much as he hated it, and she’d obviously sensed something had changed because he felt the insecurity in her. He saw the raw pain in her amber eyes and it was killing him.

  He and Marco followed the EMTs into the emergency room where Dylan spoke briefly to the doctor and told him about the delivery.

  Then he rubbed Milly’s shoulder. “They’re going to take care of you both. Congratulations.”

  He was about to leave when Milly grasped his hand. “Thank you. Please do something for me.”

  He gave her a playful wink. “You haven’t already asked enough?”

  “You were doing your job, as you always say. This one is for me.”

  “Name it.”

  “Please get her to stay.”

  “Milly.” Dylan felt a line of tension and ang
er ride up his spine. “I can’t do that.”

  “I know what you’re thinking. But Charley has done a lot of growing up and I think it’s all because she fell in love.”

  The words hit him hard. They sliced right through him with a swift cut, because he didn’t know how to fix this. How to make them both happy.

  “Charley should have whatever she needs even if it takes her away from us.”

  “You can’t mean that. I want her to stay and you can get her to stay. If anyone can, it’s you. Please think about it.”

  “Right You take care, Milly.”

  He walked outside the electric double doors of the ER, joining Marco and Johnny. They all climbed in the rig to drive back to the station.

  Johnny seemed to be on a high. “That was so cool. I think I might want to be a doctor.”

  “You should,” Dylan said. “Better pay.”

  “Worse hours,” Marco added. “And a lot more years of studying.”

  “But nurses love doctors,” Johnny said. “Cute ones, like Ashley.”

  “Ahem.” Marco cleared his throat and slid a glance at Dylan. “She is cute, isn’t she?”

  “Hey, pull in here.” Johnny gestured to the Safeway. “It’s my turn to cook.”

  Marco pulled in and parked at the back. It was common for the fire department to shop at this local grocery store. “Actually, if you’re interested in picking someone up, go to the vegetable aisle. The single women will flock to you like vultures to a dead carcass.”

  “Great analogy.” Dylan snorted.

  Johnny brightened and hooked his thumb toward the store. “Come be my wingman.”

  “Show him the way, oh wise one,” Dylan said.

  “Nah, I’m taking a break.” He leaned back in his seat and folded his arms behind his neck.

  “From women?” Dylan asked as Johnny hopped out of the truck and went on his merry way to score fresh vegetables and the heart of a woman.

  “Donna broke up with me.” He shut his eyes, apparently unconcerned with this. “I’m not serious enough for her.”

  “Sorry.”

  “She’s right. I’m not ready to settle down by a long shot.” He elbowed Dylan. “Not like you. You’ve been ready to settle down for like…what, ten years?”

  Dylan scowled. “How do you figure?”

  “It’s been ten years, give or take. I don’t know, how long ago did you meet Charley again?”

  “Look, we’ve been friends for years. We tried something different and it isn’t going to work. She has an opportunity to go to Paris and I’m not standing in the way of that. Now we need to take a step back and re-evaluate.”

  Marco snorted. “You mean you’re taking a step back.”

  Dylan didn’t answer. For the past few days he’d been on a high, but he was back to reality. Love was risky and the risk couldn’t be calculated. He’d given Charley his whole heart on a platter and now he would need to take it back. Sacrifice was something with which he was far too familiar.

  “She wasn’t looking at you any differently today than she always has. Like you’re the center of the universe. Like you’re the one who makes the sun come up every morning. Man, I tell ya, if a girl ever looked at me like that, I might re-think this commitment thing.”

  This wasn’t about commitment. They’d both invested in each other long ago. But since he was now both friend and lover, he had to think about more than what he wanted. He had to think of the best outcome for all concerned.

  “Joe said something that made me think twice about Charley.”

  “Joe did? About the surf shop?”

  “No, genius. I tried to push Joe into firefighting which was stupid. But I wanted him to have a direction. You were right. He had to want it. Now that he’s found something that excites him, he’s got a purpose and he’s willing to work hard. And Charley…she has a chance to go to Paris like she’s always wanted to do.”

  “Oh crap. Even I know how much she’s wanted that.”

  “She’s telling me she doesn’t want to go now.”

  “You don’t believe her.”

  “She’s only telling me what I want to hear. It’s not true. If she doesn’t go when she has the chance, someday she’ll blame me.”

  “Or maybe not.”

  “Yeah. I can’t take that chance.” He rubbed his constricted chest.

  “Sounds like you need a break. Time off to think. Take the sailboat out. They’re not just for Sunset Kiss.”

  “Don’t remind me. Charley made me feel like Bernie Madoff for wanting to make a quick buck off the couples who want to sail that weekend. When she saw me working on the boat to get it ready, she got ideas.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me.” Marco chuckled. “You should have seen that coming.”

  Just then Johnny opened the passenger door and climbed in with a paper bag. “Guess who’s got a date for Sunset Kiss? You guys want to tell me what that is?”

  Marco howled in laughter, while Dylan started the truck up and drove them back to the station.

  32

  “Never trust a skinny cook ~ Apron”

  Early Monday morning, Charley closed up the bakery, annoying some of the regulars who were waiting. She hastily wrote up a handwritten sign and taped it to the entrance:

  Closed today due to baby. Please come again tomorrow.

  “I heard Milly had her baby,” Mrs. Sorrento said. “I wanted a dozen donut holes and all the latest news.”

  “I’m headed to the hospital right now. Tomorrow I’ll give a full report.”

  She went to the garage and fired up the Vespa to drive to the hospital. Sure, Bean was a girl as they’d suspected, and that was great. Super. But was she going to be okay being born so fast and on Milly’s bed which they’d never thought to disinfect first? When she had to be wrapped in a couple of warm towels and taken by ambulance to the hospital?

  If only Milly had stopped stalling and listened to Charley, she might have made it to the hospital. Then both mom and baby would have received the best of care. Carrying her helmet once she reached the hospital, she was directed to the maternity ward on the second floor where she asked a nurse for Milly’s room number.

  “Visiting hours aren’t until five o’clock,” the nurse said. “Now is family only.”

  “I’m family,” Charley explained and felt her stomach tighten. She did a chin lift when the nurse hesitated and gave her a doubtful look. “I know we don’t look much alike, because she looks like our mother and I look like my father.”

  Hell, maybe it was even true.

  The nurse gave her an odd look. “Room 220.”

  Charley found Milly’s room. The curtain around her bed was drawn, so she cleared her throat. “Milly? You here?”

  “I’m here,” came Milly’s voice. “Open the curtain.”

  Charley did and found Milly with little bean in her arms, her boob hanging out. “Oh, geez.”

  “Sorry, I had the nurse draw the curtain so I could have some privacy. It’s just a boob.”

  “Is she healthy?” Charley came closer to peek. She hadn’t had much of a look at her before they’d both been wheeled away.

  “She’s perfect.”

  And she was. Beautiful dark hair like Milly’s and a healthy pink color. “I’m sorry I yelled at you. I just…”

  “Didn’t want to deliver her?”

  “Well, yeah.”

  “That’s okay. I’m sorry I was being so weird and lost my mind for a bit. I should have listened to you and gotten dressed right away.”

  “She could have been born in the hospital instead of on your bed.”

  “Or she might have been born in the backseat of the car on the way. Anyway, Dylan did all right.”

  “What are you going to name her?”

  “I’ve been thinking about it, and I have the perfect name.”

  “Coral,” they both said at once.

  “Jinx!” Charley pointed. “But what about her middle name?”

  Mi
lly scrunched up her nose. “Not sure. Maybe I’ll let Henry have a say.”

  “Coral Henrietta?” Charley bit her lower lip to keep from laughing.

  “Don’t even joke about that.”

  “He’s a smart man. He won’t suggest it. I am nominating Charlotte for a middle name, though. You know, C.C. Pretty cool, and it’s even a good nickname. Up to you.”

  Milly smiled. “I already called Henry, and he’s really bummed he missed being here, but he hopped on a plane and should be here in a few hours.”

  “That’s good.” Charley took a seat on the one chair nearby. “I’ll stay until he gets here.”

  “That’s so sweet. You don’t have to, though. There are plenty of nurses here to take care of us.”

  “I want to.” She settled in, placing her helmet on the ground nearby. She might as well make herself useful.

  But Milly really wasn’t kidding about the nurses. They came in every ten minutes. A few hours later, the baby had a bunch of tests and the little overachiever passed every single one. She was already Milly’s mini-me. Milly’s doctor came in to check on her stitches. Milly had ripped a little during the delivery. Charley thought it wise not to ask what or where she’d ripped and decided this was as good a time as any to take a walk around the hospital. In the gift shop, she bought a lovely bouquet of mums for Milly and a little pink teddy bear for baby Coral. She took the long way back, just to make sure all the stitches and ripping talk would be done when she got back.

  The curtain was closed again, but this time Charley heard Henry’s voice behind it.

  “Will you at least think about it?”

  “That’s so sweet but my sister has this amazing chance to go to Paris. Pretty sure she’s going to take it so I’m not going anywhere for a while.”

  “If you moved in with me, we could really give this thing a fair shot. You and Coral could have the spare bedroom and we’ll take this slow.”

  “I’d love to but maybe some other time.”

  “Well, I could quit my job and come back. I can always find work in Silicon Valley.”

  “I don’t want you to do that.”

  “But—”

  The argument went on, and Charley disappeared back into the hallway to give them their privacy. She found a chair and sat holding her yellow mums in one hand and the plush pink teddy bear in the other.