Baby Makes Three: Heartwarming Love and Laughter

by Sharon DeVita

  “Mags,” Cody said with amusement. “Didn’t your mother ever tell you screeching wasn’t logical, rational or even sensible?”

  “Neither is drowning a person,” she returned, giving his bare chest a thump. Laughing, Cody walked deeper into the water, and she tightened her arms around him.

  “Mags, this is the fun part.”

  “No, it’s not,” she insisted, shivering. “We can’t go into the pool,” she protested, trying to struggle out of his arms. He held on tight. “Bobby might need us.”

  Cody laughed. “Nice try, Mags. But your mother’s in the house with him. She’s sitting right in the living room doing a crossword puzzle.”

  Maggy looked at him skeptically. “My mother doing a crossword puzzle?” She shook her head. “Must have the wrong mother. Mine’s never done anything so tame in her life.”

  “People change, you know,” he said softly, and Maggy had a feeling he was not talking just about her mother.

  “Are you sure?” she inquired, trying to divert his attention from whatever devious plan he had cooked up for her.

  “I’m positive,” he assured her, holding her tighter and ignoring her struggling as he moved still deeper into the water. “She just asked me for a five-letter word for responsible.”

  She frowned. “A five-letter word for responsible?” Maggy repeated, still confused by her mother’s seemingly peaceful activity.

  “A five-letter word for responsible is…” He paused and grinned into her face, clearly enjoying himself. “Maggy.”

  “Maggy?” she echoed dully. It took a moment for his meaning to sink in. “I am not a five-letter word for responsible!” she insisted, thumping his chest again.

  “Yes, you are,” he assured her, twirling her around in the water, and getting her wetter and wetter. “You’re responsible, reliable, sensible and all those other good things. Why, you’re solid as a rock and just as dependable. A person could set his watch by you, Mags.”

  “You make me sound like a damned insurance company,” Maggy grumbled, and he threw back his head and laughed. Was that how Cody saw her? she wondered. She wasn’t an insurance company, Maggy thought defiantly. She was a healthy, normal young woman! And maybe it was about time Cody realized it. She looked into his eyes and saw the tenderness there. She decided it would be prudent not to argue the point with him. If he thought of her that way, it was her own fault and up to her to change his mind.

  “Now, Mags, do you really think I’d drown you?” he asked, looking too mischievous for her peace of mind.

  “Yes!” she cried, hanging on to him tighter. She could feel the prickly hairs on his chest tickle the skin bared by her swimsuit.

  Cody came to an abrupt halt and lowered her to her feet. Her breath caught as she slid down his long, muscular length. Slipping his arms around her waist, Cody pulled her close until her bare toes touched his. It sent a shiver through her.

  “Drowning,” he whispered, letting his eyes capture hers, “wasn’t quite what I had in mind to do with you, Mags.”

  His words were so soft, so sincere that for a moment Maggy couldn’t speak. She held his gaze, despite the fact that her knees had grown weak and her heart pumped at a frantic pace. A faint breeze whispered through the yard; the scent of blooming flowers rolled over them. Everything was still, quiet, except for the quiet sound of their breathing. Her breasts rose and fell with her labored breathing.

  Cody reached for her, holding her small hand gently in his, caressing her palm with one callused thumb. Tremors raced up her arm, and Maggy inhaled sharply.

  She touched his cheek as a deep, aching warmth seeped into her heart. “Cody.” His name came out on a breathy whisper. His eyes widened, darkened as she whispered his name again. Standing on tiptoe, and ignoring the cool pool water lapping against her, Maggy moved her hands to his bare chest, leaned forward and lifted her lips to his. So much for resolutions, she thought hazily, sliding her arms around him.

  With a groan, Cody hauled her body closer to his until her feet were dangling off the ground. His mouth covered hers so urgently that she didn’t know where her breath stopped and his began.

  She leaned into him, her softness straining against his hardness, savoring and enjoying every inch, every feeling that rolled over her. She responded to his kisses, allowing his mouth to possess and claim her. His tongue, ever gentle, drew sensuous circles against one corner of her mouth until her lips parted in welcome. Her breath shuddered out of her parted lips, and she swayed against him, threading her fingers through the silky strands of his hair. Cody’s hands slid upward, until they framed her face. His fingers stroked her cheeks, touching her as if he couldn’t believe she was real.

  “Mags,” he whispered, pulling his lips from hers. Wide-eyed, she looked up at him, lost in his eyes, lost in the feelings for him that were overwhelming her.

  Cody leaned his forehead against hers, his breathing sharp and ragged. He sighed deeply and tried to laugh. It came out somewhere between a groan and a growl. “What would Miss Barklay say?” he asked, trying to make light of the situation.

  “I don’t give two figs for what she’d say,” Maggy returned, giving Cody a slow smile and reaching for him again. As his lips found hers, Maggy groaned softly, realizing that she really didn’t care what Miss Barklay would say. What she was doing now wasn’t sensible, logical or rational. But Maggy didn’t care.

  At the moment the only thing she cared about was the man in her arms.

  All too soon, Cody lifted his lips from hers and Maggy blinked up at him. “Is this the fun part?” she asked hazily, and Cody grinned. A grin she would have recognized if her mind hadn’t been so foggy.

  “No,” he said slowly, advancing even closer to her. “This is.” Cody grabbed her around the waist, and with a whoop of delight dunked her mightily in the pool.

  Chapter Eight

  Restlessly Maggy rolled over in bed, tucked her arms under her head and stared at the ceiling. It had been nearly three and a half weeks since Cody had burst into her life, and they still hadn’t found a woman for him.

  They’d made efforts to look, but somehow Maggy had always managed to find fault with each candidate. This one was too tall, that one too short. Another had shifty eyes, and yet another had the wrong coloring. There were only two days left, and they were no closer to finding a woman now than they had been at the beginning.

  Guilt engulfed Maggy, and she sighed heavily. She had to admit that any one of the women they had found would do, but the idea of another woman, any woman being involved with Cody and Bobby was enough to make her break out in hives.

  Maggy knew she had changed in the past few weeks. While she still took pleasure in her work, it was the time spent with Cody and Bobby that had become meaningful.

  Her days at the academy seemed to inch along at a snail’s pace. Her life now seemed to revolve around Cody and Bobby. This wasn’t the first time she found it an effort to recall what her life had been like before Cody and Bobby.

  Dull, she decided. Her life had been dull and boring. Maggy had come to realize that she had been sleepwalking through life, worrying so much about rules and regulations and silly things like being sensible and rational that she’d never taken the time to enjoy herself. As Cody had told her on their first picnic, life was a banquet, and she had been settling for crumbs.

  For the first time in her life Maggy was enjoying herself, and her life. And she knew Cody was the reason.

  And Bobby. Maggy adjusted her pillow and smiled. She was hopelessly in love with the little urchin, and apparently the feeling was mutual. Bobby was so attached to her that leaving for work every day had become an upheaval. Bobby cried for her, and Maggy felt herself racked with guilt, torn between wanting to stay home with him, which she really wanted to do, and going off to work, which she knew she had to do. Now she knew how other mothers felt.

  Other mothers.

  The words echoed in her mind. She loved Bobby so much, in some ways she felt like his
mother. While there were no blood ties between them the feelings she had for the child couldn’t be any stronger if she were his mother.

  Love. The word had been drifting in and out of her thoughts for days, weeks. Maggy knew in her heart that Bobby wasn’t the only one she had fallen in love with.

  Maggy lay in the darkness, her heart pounding in sudden fear. She was in love with Cody. She turned over again, her eyes wide open and afraid.

  How had it happened? When did it happen?

  Her mind went over all the good times they had shared during the past few weeks. Cody had kept her so busy, she’d barely had time to worry about her mother, or about rules and regulations for that matter.

  They had gone on night picnics, fished in the quiet early hours just before dawn—despite the fact that Maggy flinched at the sight of a worm and nearly swooned when she caught a fish. They had even built a bonfire on the beach and roasted marshmallows, even though the weather alone was hot enough to roast a body, let alone a marshmallow.

  She had roller-skated into town in broad daylight, with Bobby strapped on her back and Cody’s hand clenched tightly in hers. Cody had even talked her into drinking a Fuzzy Navel. And despite its name, it had been good. Even though it made her lips feel as if they were going to slide off her face.

  Cody hadn’t changed; the man was reckless and outrageous, and he could still drown her in his charm with just a smile, just a touch. But he was also warm and gentle, one of the kindest men she’d ever met. No, Cody hadn’t changed. She had.

  She was in love with Cody. The thought was so clear, so vivid Maggy didn’t know why she hadn’t realized it before.

  Oh Lord, Maggy thought as her heart filled with sadness. Even though she was in love with Cody, that didn’t change who she was, and who he was.

  Cody hadn’t said so in so many words, but Maggy couldn’t help but wonder what would happen when they did find a woman for him. Would he go back to Tennessee? The thought left her feeling sad and desolate. In just a few days Cody could be gone from her life as quickly as he’d entered it, and all she would have were her memories of him. She was running out of time.

  She’d still have her job, Maggy reminded herself, and her position at the academy, but she knew that it wouldn’t be enough. Not anymore.

  A sudden crack of thunder shook the silent house and Maggy expelled a sigh of relief. Despite the air conditioning the house was hot and oppressive, and a good storm would surely help cool things off.

  “Ma-ma.” A soft whimpering filtered through the house and Maggy bolted upright in bed. Bobby. Her heart lurched and she was out of bed instantly, hurrying down the long hallway to the guest room that Cody and Bobby shared. Tiptoeing softly so as not to wake Cody, Maggy crossed the room, not daring to look at Cody who lay sprawled on his back across the bed. The covers were in a heap on the floor, and one arm was carelessly thrown over his face. His breathing was deep and steady, and Maggy quickly glanced away, directing her attention to the other male in the room, who apparently needed her attention.

  “Ma-ma,” Bobby whimpered. His eyes were red and his lower lip quivered. Big, glistening tears slid down his flushed cheeks, dripping off the end of his trembling chin. “Ma-ma,” he said again, crawling quickly across the portable crib she had bought for him and pulling himself upright to reach for her.

  “Shh, Sport, don’t cry,” Maggy crooned, picking him up and planting a soft kiss on his damp cheek. “Did the thunder scare you?” she asked in a whisper, tiptoeing out of the room and down the stairs. “It’s just a storm, Sport,” she assured him as he wrapped his arms around her neck and clung to her. “It’s nothing to worry about. Don’t be scared.” Maggy buried her face in his hair, savoring his baby scent and knowing her heart was full to the brim with love for this child.

  Cradling him in her arms, she pushed open the kitchen door. Quietly Maggy began to pace the room with him, murmuring soothing words and holding him tight. Bobby’s eyelids drooped in spite of his best efforts to keep them open. Smiling in the darkness, Maggy stroked his head and continued pacing.

  “Sweet baby,” she murmured, dropping a kiss on his damp face. “Don’t worry,” she crooned in a soft voice. “Mama’s here.” The words echoed in the dark, quiet room and, blinking back tears, Maggy took a long, loving look at the child in her arms.

  Pressing another kiss to his damp cheek, Maggy’s eyes closed and she let her lips linger on his sweet-smelling skin. She would never forget his baby scent. Maggy tried to brand this moment permanently into her mind. She wanted to remember forever this time with her child.

  Her child.

  Oh, Lord, how she loved this child, she thought, hugging him tighter. Her throat ached with sudden tears.

  But she was going to lose him, Maggy realized, feeling the pain as deeply and acutely as if the child were born of her own flesh and blood. Tears brimmed in her eyes, then spilled down her cheek.

  She would change the way things were, but she knew it was beyond her. As soon as she found a woman for Cody—and she had less than three days left to do it—oh Lord, Maggy thought sadly, pacing the floor frantically. What was she going to do?

  Cody was who he was, and she was who she was, each caught up in their own circumstances; she with her job and her rules and regulations, he with his own life where rules and regulations had no place.

  Her heart ached with a sadness that seeped into her very soul. It was so unfair. She had only just found love, and she was going to lose it. Tears welled again in her eyes and a sob caught in her throat.

  “What’s wrong with Bobby?” Cody demanded, pushing open the kitchen door. Startled, Maggy whirled around and stared at him. Cody’s feet were as bare as his chest, and he had obviously just dragged on his jeans; the top snap was open, and the zipper not fully zipped. His black hair was mussed, his eyes were sleepy and tired, making him look—despite his size—all too vulnerable and appealing. The sight of him never failed to raise her pulse rate.

  Cody looked so alarmed that she gave him a watery smile. “Shh,” she ordered, pressing a finger to her lips to silence him and brushing away her tears before he saw them. “Bobby’s fine. The storm just scared him.”

  Cody looked at her blankly, rubbing one eye. “What storm?” he asked, shifting his weight sleepily from one foot to the other. She loved him so!

  “Go back to bed, Cody,” she instructed shakily, trying to shoo him out of the room before he saw her tears. “I’ll take care of Bobby. He’s almost asleep, and once I’m sure he’s out I’ll just put him back to bed.”

  “Mags?” Cody said cautiously, coming closer to inspect her face in the darkness. “What’s wrong? Are you crying?” He lifted a hand and touched her cheek.

  “No,” she lied, glancing away. She didn’t want him to see her pain.

  “Honey, what’s wrong?” Cody pulled out a chair, scraping it against the oak floor and ignoring her alarmed look as he tugged at her hand and pulled her—Bobby and all—into his lap. “Now I know why Bobby was crying,” he whispered in the darkness, slipping his arms around her waist to stop her from getting free. “But I don’t know why you’re crying. And don’t tell me you’re not,” he growled, when she opened her mouth to protest. “Hot as it is, that sure isn’t sweat dripping from your lashes.” His eyes, dark with concern and soft with tenderness, caressed her face, going over every inch until her senses were aflame.

  Cody’s scent, distinctively masculine, engulfed her. Savoring the scent, Maggy held it to her like a precious secret.

  How long? she wondered, glancing away. How long until…?

  Cody shifted his weight, and her breasts, covered only by the thin cotton of her nightgown, were pressed against his masculine chest. She could feel the beating of his heart against hers. Cody lifted one hand and gently wiped a tear from her cheek. It was her undoing.

  “Oh, Cody,” she whispered, dropping her head to his bare shoulder. A flash of lightning lit the room for a moment, and Maggy slid one arm around Cody, holdi
ng on to the sleeping Bobby for dear life as her tears came, dripping down her cheeks and staining Cody’s bare skin. She knew she couldn’t tell him why she was crying. She had gotten so used to sharing everything with Cody, talking everything over with him, that not being able to share this—her new feeling—seemed strange. Odd—she suddenly felt very alone.

  The rain started, pelting the house in torrents. The wind howled through the trees as if echoing Maggy’s pain. The rain continued and so did her tears. But Cody said nothing, holding her until her sobs quieted. Sniffling hard, she lifted her pounding head and tried to dry his wet shoulder.

  “I’m sorry,” she said weakly, trying to give him a smile. She was supposed to have helped him, but all she had done was fall in love with him. Some help she was.

  “So am I, Mags. Sorry because I don’t have the faintest idea what’s got you so upset. Did I do something to hurt you, honey?” he asked, his voice genuinely concerned. Maggy gave him a weak smile. He hadn’t done anything to hurt her yet. But she knew that soon enough, without meaning to, he would.

  “No, Cody, you didn’t do anything.” It wasn’t really a lie, she reasoned. He hadn’t done anything. And couldn’t do anything about the way she felt about him and Bobby. Nor could he do anything about the fact that no matter what happened she was going to be left alone, and lonely, with a very broken heart.

  “Honey,” he said cautiously, tipping her head up to look at her. “You were crying like your heart was about to break. Please, Mags, tell me what’s got you so upset? You’re not worried about your mother, are you?”

  “No,” she said softly, looking into his eyes. She wished her worries were that simple. Her eyes brimmed with tears again, despite her efforts to stop them.

  “We’re running out of time,” she blubbered, laying her head on his shoulder again.

  “Running out of time?” he repeated, frowning in confusion. “Time for what?” he asked, clearly not understanding, but trying desperately.