Daniel showed him in, but refused to go until he’d seen his wife once more. “I love you Millie,” he said, kissing her forehead. He wrapped his arms around her, and didn’t want to let go. Mrs Baker had to almost wrench him away, then led him to the front door. She could only imagine his demeanor.
If she wasn’t in so much pain, Millie would find it amusing.
“Let’s prepare you for the doctor, young lady,” Mrs Baker said gently. She tucked some folded sheets under her, and removed some of the pillows Daniel had propped her up on.
She watched fearfully as Doctor Spencer pulled out his medical equipment. Mrs Baker blocked her view. “Don’t look at him, look at me, Millie,” she said quietly. “Birthing a child is not easy, but it will be worth every bit of pain.”
She patted Millie’s hand, and she felt strangely calm. Until the next pain, when she screamed much louder than before.
“This baby is getting ready to face the world, Millie. Are you ready?” The doctor stared at her then nodded at Mrs Baker, who put an arm around her back and lifted her up slightly.
It was the worst day of Daniel’s life. Apart from the day he thought he’d lost Millie.
She was in obvious pain, and there was no way he could help her. He sat on the edge of the side-walk, his head in his hands.
Fear overcame him. What if he lost her? He knew far too many women had lost their lives giving birth. He shook his head. He couldn’t let himself think like that.
He recited his favorite scriptures out loud. That always calmed him, and it did, but he still worried about Millie and the baby.
It had been difficult at first, he admitted it, but he’d accepted this baby as his own. They would bring it up as their own child, and when it was old enough, they’d talk about his or her father. He owed Millie’s first husband that much.
One day, they might even have a child of their own. First though, she had to survive her current ordeal.
Daniel couldn’t sit around doing nothing any longer. Instead he paced the street, walking past their home, the screams permeating his mind, and would surely fill his nights forever more.
When that didn’t appease his sense of concern, he visited the church where they’d married. As he opened the door, Preacher Devon looked up. He walked toward Daniel, his hand outstretched.
“How is Millie doing?” he asked as they joined hands. News got around fast.
Daniel swallowed. “I have no idea. No one is telling me anything.”
The preacher indicated for him to sit. “Ah yes, they relegate we poor husbands to the sidelines. Perhaps we could pray for your dear wife and child.”
They bowed their heads and the preacher prayed out loud. Daniel’s heart clenched at the thought of his darling Millie not surviving. As if he knew what Daniel was thinking, the preacher patted his knee as they prayed.
“Thank you,” he said as they walked outside. “I hope our prayers will help.”
He left the church and headed toward home. Surely there would some sort of news by now? It seemed to take forever, but he finally arrived and stood staring at the front door. His heart pounded.
Even a small bit of news would help. Dread overcame him the longer he waited. Was Millie even still alive? His heart clenched.
He glanced up as the door opened. “Daniel, come inside,” Mrs Baker said gently. “You have a son.”
His eyes filled with tears as he sat next to his wife as she cradled their son. “I love you, Millie,” he said gently as he hugged them both.
He looked down into the angelic face. He could see so much of Millie in the baby. In the tiny nose, and the sweet lips, and in the fluffy blond hair.
Cody James might not be his natural child, but he would be welcomed into his home. And his heart.
Epilogue
Two Years Later...
Millie sat quietly next to the fire while Cody played at her feet. She cradled ten-month-old Rebecca as she slept.
Daniel stood in the doorway watching over the scene before him. Two and a half years earlier he had no clue this would be his life.
And he didn’t regret even a moment of it.
“Papa!” Cody glanced up in delight. He adored his Papa, and was as much Daniel’s child as Rebecca was. How could he not accept such a gentle soul into his life?
It was never a question. Well, perhaps in the beginning when he first found out Millie was pregnant to her first husband. But he truly loved Millie, and Cody came along for the ride.
Their very close friends, Mrs Baker and Mrs Davis, knew the truth, but everyone else had assumed the baby arrived early. Which is just the way he liked it.
Daniel would be devasted if Cody was castigated for his heritage.
He leaned in and kissed his wife’s cheek, then reached out for the baby. He gently carried her to her crib, and covered her with the precious gifts made by their friends.
Millie stood and stretched on his return. He took her in his arms. He loved this woman more than life itself.
“Did you have a good day,” she asked quietly, resting her head on his shoulder.
“I did. And you?”
“We did. We visited Mrs Baker at the diner, and Cody was very well behaved.” She grinned down at the boy and he lifted his arms to be cuddled.
Daniel reached down and picked him up, then they had a group hug. “As usual, Mrs Baker spoiled him with a cupcake.”
Cody grinned and rubbed his belly. “It was yummy, Papa.”
Daniel ruffled his blond hair. “You are far too spoiled, young man,” he said in jest.
Millie grabbed his hand, placing it on her belly. His eyes opened in wonderment. Cody’s hand sat there too. “Baby,” he said, glancing up at his Papa and grinning.
Cody would be the perfect big brother, Daniel was certain. He would look out for his younger siblings, and keep them out of trouble. He was already very protective of Rebecca. If their latest baby was a girl, any prospective suitors had better look out.
Daniel chuckled, and Millie glanced at him. “What’s so funny?”
“I was thinking about the future – with Cody as the big brother, protecting his sisters from unsavory young men.”
“Whoa. Can we let them grow up first?” She laughed along with Daniel, and he pulled her closer.
Cody ran over to the window and squealed with delight. “It’s snowing! Can we build a snowman, Papa? Can we?”
Daniel joined him at the window. “There’s not quite enough snow yet, son, but perhaps we can go and cut down a Christmas tree? Just you and me? Mama needs to rest.”
Cody jumped up and down and clapped his hands. Daniel loved to make his boy feel special. “I’ll change out of my suit, and we’ll go. Is that okay, Mama?” He grinned at her. Millie liked to be organized, and hated when he was so spontaneous, but she was getting used to it.
She nodded then left the room to check on Rebecca.
She was getting close to her due date, and would take advantage of the peace and quiet, he was certain.
Daniel walked over to his grandfather’s worn and tattered bible and picked it up. He cradled the book, and thanked God for all the goodness He had brought into Daniel’s life.
The End
From the Author
Thank you so much for reading my book – I hope you enjoyed it.
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About the Author
Multi-published, best selling and award-winning author, Cheryl Wright, former secretary, debt collector, account manager, writing coach, and shopping tour hostess, loves reading.
She writes both contemporary and historical western romance, as well as contemporary romance and romantic suspense.
She lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is married wi
th two adult children and has six grandchildren.
When she’s not writing, she can be found in her craft room making greeting cards.
Check out Cheryl’s Amazon page for a full list of her other books.
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