Healed by Their Unexpected Family

by Karin Baine

  ‘Be more careful next time,’ she yelled after him, aware they could have hit the baby. If she’d been paying more attention to their surroundings rather than fantasising about the father of her child, she might have seen the danger headed their way. She scooped up the devastation left behind and threw it back in the bag with unnecessary force.

  ‘Hey, no harm done.’ Jamie reached out a hand to rub the small of her back, soothing her and Luke at the same time. He had that knack of knowing what was worrying her and doing what he could to defuse the tension trying to strangle those moments of serenity. On this occasion she had a right to be annoyed but sometimes uneasiness crept in uninvited at times when she let herself enjoy life. It was a hangover from those days under her parents’ rule, waiting for her punishment to be dished out for forgetting her place. Which, according to them, wasn’t to feel a second of happiness. Liam, and now Jamie, were the only people ever capable of blocking out those memories to live in the moment.

  Like now, when he was reassuring her there was no lasting damage except to his clothes. Once again providing a calming presence for her, preventing her from spiralling into a ‘what if?’ scenario that would’ve kept her on edge for the rest of the night. She took several deep breaths to restore her pulse to its normal rhythm, then Jamie, seeming to sense her need for a cuddle, placed Luke back in her arms. Inhaling the clean, fresh scent of baby powder immersed her back into that world of innocence and a life untouched by cruelty. Her baby deserved better than a parent who couldn’t move on from the past when there was so much to appreciate today.

  ‘We’re supposed to be relaxing, so come on.’ Jamie sprawled out on the grass again and patted the space beside him. She accepted his invitation, placed Luke on the jacket between them, and lay down. Eyes closed, calm restored, it wasn’t long before she drifted off into a peaceful slumber.

  * * *

  The sound of chattering children somewhere nearby filtered into Kayla’s consciousness and she opened her eyes to check on Luke. There was a slight panic when she found the space next to her empty, but her eyes caught sight of Jamie sleeping nearby, with the baby lying soundly on his chest.

  Her heart grew twice its size to accommodate the amount of love she had for the sight of this hunky doctor with their tiny son sleeping in the dappled sunlight. That iconic bond really ought to have been captured, in black and white, to capture the hearts of teenage girls all around the world.

  She hadn’t heard Luke grizzling but she supposed Jamie had moved him so as not to disturb her. Kayla rolled over onto her side to study his profile up close without that fear of being caught staring at him. There were copper threads woven through his dark, wavy hair she hadn’t noticed before. The long dark lashes were a particular feature she liked, framing his beautiful brown eyes, hidden from view for now. He had a strong, straight nose, pointing like an arrow to those full lips she’d dreamed about too often.

  Embracing her current live-in-the-moment mantra, she gave into impulse, leaned over and kissed him. The soft caress of his lips against hers was everything she remembered from the last time they’d touched. Then he kissed her back and blew her whole world apart once more.

  * * *

  Jamie was only half sleeping, enjoying the quiet and simply spending time with his favourite people in the world. When he felt that exquisite pressure on his lips he knew it was Kayla by the lemony scent of her hair falling around his face as she kissed him. This was everything he’d been waiting for and he responded with the full strength of his feelings for her with every fibre of his being.

  He turned into the kiss, keeping one hand on Luke so he didn’t disturb him, sliding the other into Kayla’s hair to hold her where he wanted her. Her tentative tongue sought his, but Jamie was no longer holding back, increasing the intensity of the tryst with every taste of her. His mouth was hard against hers now, the rest of his body following suit, and when she moaned against his lips he knew he had to cool it or risk making a public spectacle in the park.

  He pulled back, released her from his grasp and opened his eyes. Her heavy-lidded eyes, mussed hair and bruised lips suggested they’d had more than a smooch. It certainly felt like it. His heart was thudding so hard, his breathing laboured, it was no wonder Luke was beginning to stir.

  ‘Wow. Where did that come from?’ She pressed her forehead to his, her breathing coming in short gasps.

  ‘You started it,’ he said with a laugh, doing his best to lighten the crackling tension between them.

  Kayla let out a long, dreamy sigh and shuffled over beside him. That unspoken question about what they did next tried to wriggle in between them, but Jamie refused to let it have room. Not when Kayla was lying with her head tucked under his arm and his son was sleeping on his chest. He didn’t want anything as brutal as real life crashing in and ruining this perfect family picture.

  CHAPTER NINE

  NO MATTER HOW much she wanted to, Kayla knew she couldn’t spend all day here lying curled up against Jamie, revelling in his solid warmth and smooching like teenagers. There was a nip in the air now that the afternoon sun was beginning to fade, and she wouldn’t wish for Luke to catch a cold.

  ‘We should put him back in his pram,’ she whispered, although not keen to break the spell keeping them in this lovely daydream together.

  ‘Just. One. More. Kiss.’ He peppered her lips with tempting little pecks before drawing her bottom lip into his mouth and teasing her with the tip of his tongue. She literally could do this all day.

  Luke started to grizzle and reminded her why she couldn’t. Reluctantly, she drew away from Jamie’s mind-bending kisses and transferred her attention back to her son. She didn’t know how today’s progress in their relationship was going to affect them once they were back in more familiar surroundings, but they’d have to face reality sooner or later.

  ‘When you’re older we’ll be able to play football and feed the ducks like everyone else,’ she told Luke as she carried him over to his pram.

  ‘Or, you know, we could give him a brother and sister to keep him occupied while Mummy and Daddy get to kiss in peace.’ Jamie rested his hand at the base of her neck as he whispered into her ear, sending her body haywire at both points of contact. She knew he was only joking. One snogging session didn’t constitute a marriage proposal and two point four children. Even if they had conceived a child before their first kiss.

  ‘You’re only saying that now because we haven’t been through the teething stage, potty training, the terrible twos...’ Today had been blissful but she wasn’t so naïve as to think every day was going to be as easy. They hadn’t really been tested yet as parents, never mind as a couple. She hoped that was what they were becoming—she wasn’t into kissing men on a whim. With Jamie being the father of her child and her temporary housemate, it was always going to be more complicated than just a kiss here and there. That was why she’d held back for as long as she had despite her growing feelings towards Jamie. Now she’d made that leap of faith in showing him, in trusting him, it was all or nothing for her from now on.

  ‘All things I’m very much looking forward to.’ He squeezed her close, making her heart give a giddy skip as a future together flashed before her eyes. One that wasn’t as unappealing as it had once seemed.

  If things carried on much the way they had been between her and Jamie she couldn’t see any reason to be afraid of sharing her life with him. He’d been respectful of her need for independence, yet had helped when she’d needed it, and he was a great dad. As well as a fantastic kisser. She stopped before her imagination conjured images of other things he would be equally skilled in. Some things were worth waiting for and it would be a while before she’d be ready for anything more than they’d shared today.

  A matter of weeks ago she’d been adamant she wouldn’t let him invade her life or be a part of Luke’s. Now as they walked home together she wanted so much more. If she was risking her
heart and her whole world to let him in, this had better mean something special to him too.

  ‘Oh, isn’t he gorgeous?’ Their journey home was brought to a halt by an admiring stranger. If she hadn’t been leaning into the pram cooing over Luke the compliment could’ve been referring to either male currently in Kayla’s company.

  ‘Thank you.’ She accepted the compliment on their behalf from the middle-aged woman who was now taking a keen interest in Jamie too.

  ‘I’m about to become a grandmother for the first time soon. That’s my daughter over there. Ready to pop in a couple of weeks.’ The proud gran-to-be pointed to the heavily pregnant woman sitting on a park bench nearby, who gave a weak wave back.

  ‘Is she okay?’ It was Jamie who enquired after her health, though it was obvious to Kayla too the woman didn’t look well at all. Her face was pale, and she was rubbing the base of her spine with both hands.

  ‘Either she has overdone the walking, or the heat has got to her. I thought she should rest for a while before we head home again.’

  Kayla steered the pram over towards the bench. She couldn’t in good conscience keep on walking past a pregnant woman in discomfort, and she was sure Jamie wouldn’t either. ‘Hi. Your mum said you weren’t feeling too well. Is there anything we can do for you?’

  ‘I’m fine, thanks. Just some back ache. I’m sure it’ll pass.’ She offered a strained smile, which wasn’t totally convincing.

  ‘There’s some water in the bag if you’d like a drink.’ Jamie reached into the tray under the pram and pulled out a bottle.

  ‘That would be great. I am a little dehydrated.’ She accepted his help much easier and the smile shone a tad brighter as Jamie took a seat beside her on the bench.

  ‘Would you like us to call an ambulance for you?’ Kayla pulled out her mobile phone. Dr Garrett’s charm, effective as it seemed now, couldn’t cure whatever ailed her.

  ‘I don’t think that’s necessary. I’ll be all right in a minute.’ She took another swig of water from the bottle.

  ‘I’m a doctor over at the clinic. If you think you could make it that far I could give you a check-over?’ Apparently Jamie wasn’t going to take her word for it either and Kayla would be happier if they could get her into some sort of medical facility to check on her and the baby.

  ‘Erin, that’s not a bad idea, love. Let the doctor see what’s what with you and the bub, then we can phone Gary to come and pick us up.’ Her mum was kneeling down beside her now, trying to convince her to accept the offer of help.

  ‘A midwife will be able to take a look in case you are in the early stages of labour.’ Kayla understood the need to maintain her independence and some control over her body. As she’d found out for herself, it wasn’t always wise to be stubborn for the sake of it this late in a pregnancy.

  That seemed to jolt Erin into a reality check. ‘I can walk. I haven’t had any contractions and my waters haven’t broken but, goodness knows, I don’t want to have my baby in the middle of a public park.’

  With assistance from Jamie and her mother, Erin heaved herself up from the bench.

  ‘We can take it slow and you can hold onto the pram for support if you need it.’ Kayla relinquished sole command of the pram to make room for her. It was the least she could do in the circumstances.

  Once they made it to the clinic Jamie commandeered one of the cubicles in the treatment room for Erin. ‘I’ll go and see if the midwife is available to see you.’

  He rushed off, leaving Erin and her mother in the room and Kayla uncertain of her place in the doorway with the pram. This wasn’t the end to the afternoon they’d planned. Whilst she wanted to provide Erin with all the help she needed, she couldn’t simply abandon her son in the process.

  ‘Ow.’ Erin’s face was full of pain as she gripped her belly with both hands. ‘My bump is very tight, as though it’s being squeezed.’

  ‘You may be in the early stages of labour. Hopefully the midwife can tell you for sure once she gets here.’ Erin squirmed in the chair and her mother tried to get her to focus on something other than the pain.

  ‘You’re in the best place, love. Isn’t it lovely in here? Looks very modern. We might have to think about changing our GP to this nice young doctor.’

  A sudden gush of liquid confirmed Kayla’s suspicions that Erin was in labour despite her denial.

  Since Luke was sleeping soundly, Kayla ventured into the confined room. ‘Don’t worry, I’m sure we can get someone to clean that up. If you’re in labour, you might be more comfortable up on the bed. I’ll give you a hand.’

  Between them, the women helped Erin onto the bed. She was still clutching her belly, her face scrunched up in pain. This contraction was intense and not letting up. Hopefully the midwife wouldn’t mind Kayla getting involved. She wouldn’t want to tread on anyone’s toes professionally, but she wanted Erin to remain as calm as possible. A first baby was special, and the memory of the birth lasted a lifetime. If she was going to be part of it, she wanted to be sure she’d done everything in her power to make it as painless as possible for the mother.

  ‘Okay, the bad news is the midwife and health visitor are out on their rounds. The good news is that Kayla here is a qualified midwife.’ Jamie rushed back to land her right in the middle of the unfolding drama.

  ‘Erin’s waters have just broken. You’re going to have to call an ambulance. I don’t practise any more, remember? I’m a doula now. I support patients more on an emotional basis these days, Erin.’ She wanted to be transparent about her professional limitations since she’d left the hospital. Then it was down to Erin whether or not she wanted her to be involved.

  ‘She practically delivered our baby herself.’ Of course, Jamie was singing her praises, because it would get him off the hook. He’d already helped deliver one unexpected surprise and clearly wasn’t in a hurry to do it again.

  ‘Not exactly,’ she tried to protest when he’d done as much to bring Luke safely into the world.

  ‘I just want someone to tell me everything’s all right,’ Erin cried out. In pregnancy, the unknown simply increased anxiety levels at an already stressful time.

  ‘I’m sure it is. I merely want to make sure everyone’s on board with me doing the checks?’ Everyone nodded enthusiastically. ‘What about Luke?’

  ‘My secretary is on her way to babysit. I’m sure we’ll have the whole staff vying for cuddles. He’ll be fine.’

  With no more excuses available, Kayla went to the wash station to scrub up before she did an examination.

  ‘Dr Garrett, I’d like you to be present too so you can report I’ve followed all relevant procedures.’ He could also provide medical backup if needed. It was his practice after all. She’d only come in to invite him out for lunch.

  ‘I’m going to phone for that ambulance and let the rest of the staff know what’s happening in here.’

  ‘There’s a real pressure pushing down. It feels weird down there and it hurts real bad.’

  ‘In that case, Erin, I’m going to have to do an internal exam. Is that okay?’ As soon as she was given permission she covered Erin’s lower half with a modesty sheet and helped her remove her underclothes.

  The problem was immediately obvious. ‘Okay, Erin. You’re fully dilated. I can already see the head.’

  Jamie returned as she delivered the news and seemed to realise this baby wasn’t hanging on for the ambulance, rushing around to get the necessary equipment organised for the impending birth.

  ‘That’s not possible. I’m having my baby in hospital. Gary’s going to be with me. I don’t have the music I picked out or my delivery bag with me.’

  ‘I know, but Junior is in a hurry to meet his mummy. This time tomorrow you could be sitting at home with him.’ Kayla knew it was a shock. Precipitate labour, or fast labour, didn’t give any thought to the nine months the mother ha
d spent planning how her delivery and birth would go.

  It was difficult for those mums to adjust to labour and develop a coping strategy when the contractions could involve one long, intense, continuous pain. The important thing was to make sure the baby was delivered safely when there were dangers involved in such rapid births. At least she was in a clinic with medical professionals and hadn’t given birth in a public toilet in the park.

  There was no time for pain relief or even a need to cut Erin as her son slid out after just a couple of pushes.

  Kayla’s elation and relief evaporated quickly when she saw the green tinge to the baby’s skin. He was having difficulty breathing and his little body was limp. ‘I think he’s inhaled the meconium.’

  ‘Give him to me. I need an endotracheal tube,’ Jamie yelled to the nurses and staff assembled outside the cubicle as the drama unfolded.

  Meconium, baby’s first faeces passed in the womb, could become trapped in the baby’s airways or lungs if inhaled. The severity of meconium aspiration, dependent on the amount inhaled, could lead to long-term complications including lung problems, hearing loss or neurological damage. In some rarer cases it could even lead to death. It was vital they got him breathing.

  ‘What is it? What’s wrong with my baby?’ Erin was sobbing and clutching her mother’s hand as Kayla passed him to Jamie.

  She knew that heart-stopping fear of thinking something terrible was threatening your baby’s life having gone through it only days ago herself. Although Kayla would want her to know what was happening it was as important to keep her calm as it was to keep her informed.

  ‘He’s having a little trouble breathing. We need to clear his airways as much as we can. The ambulance will be here any second. I’m sure the hospital staff are on standby to make sure you get the treatment you need straight away.’ He might need to go into a neonatal intensive care unit to be closely watched, but he’d receive antibiotics and oxygen therapy to help him on the road to recovery.