Oh that was just rich.
Leaning down so that his nose was inches from hers, Daniel made himself clear in a low growl. “The baby is mine, Alyssa. And I’m going to make sure any paperwork claim you have to it is rendered null and void. If you want to fight me, go ahead. But you’ll lose. I can personally guarantee that you will never see me or a cent of my money ever again.” With that, he straightened to grace her with a stiff smile. “Enjoy your party.”
Daniel strode through the restaurant to hop into the waiting car at the curb; the moment he was inside, they raced towards the hospital at breakneck speed. He could only hope he wasn’t too late to apologize to Esme – the true mother of his child. He needed her, he now realized, like he needed his next breath, and he only prayed that she didn’t scorn him after his faithlessness.
**
Christ, it hurt.
It didn’t matter how many books she’d read, nothing had prepared her for this. Her womb felt like it was waging war against the rest of her body, and every contraction sent pain spiraling through her. She tried to focus on Doctor Snell’s words, slowing her breathing as she gripped the bed rails for purpose, but she was afraid.
She’d never thought she’d be alone for this – the final part of her surrogacy.
As another contraction ripped through her, she cried out, her toes curling into the bed. The pain was followed by an incredible pressure between her legs, and she fought the urge to bear down and push. She wasn’t ready yet.
According to her attending physician, she was only eight centimeters dilated, which could mean another two to four hours of agony. She’d been offered an epidural, but hadn’t accepted, not knowing how Daniel felt on the matter. He might have turned her from his house, but the baby was still his.
She couldn’t make any decisions without his consent – even if they might ease her personal pain.
“Are you alright, Esme?” Gritting her teeth, the young woman looked over at Doctor Snell, praying for deliverance.
“No,” She panted, wiping away the thin sheen of sweat from her brow. “I am not ok. I am in pain.”
He chuckled softly, nervously. “Well, that’s par for the course. Are you sure you don’t want that epidural?”
“Not without Daniel’s consent.” She managed, moaning as yet another contraction threatened to unhinge her. Jesus, she just wanted someone – anyone to hold her hand - to reassure her that everything was going to be alright.
No doubt that relief would never come. She’d have to get through this by herself, and when it was all said and done, she’d have to recover by herself. It would be one of the hardest things she’d ever done – but she’d make it. She always did. Then, later, when the moment was passed, she’d allow herself to mourn for what she had lost.
At that moment, a commotion came from the hospital room door. There were several protests from nurses and orderlies before the door was yanked open and Esme’s eyes widened as they were met by concerned cerulean gaze. “Esme!” Without hesitation, the man was across the room in an instant, kneeling by her bedside as he took her hand in his. “Esme, are you OK?”
The young woman was so shocked that she couldn’t speak – at least not until another contraction drew a groan from between her clenched teeth. “I’m…I’m fine. In a amazing amount of pain, but this is par for the course, really.” It was hard to remain cool and detached when her body was rebelling against her – and when she remembered the knife Daniel had driven into her heart the last time they’d properly spoken. “Your baby will be here soon.” She mustered a small smile, tugging her hand from his grip gently when all she wanted to was cling to it. “Where’s Alyssa?”
Daniel’s eyes darkened in a thunderous anger she’d never seen the likes of before. Slowly, deliberately, he took her hand in his once more. “She won’t be here, Esme. She’ll never be here again, I’ve made sure of that.”
Her heart stuttered in her chest as she found herself trapped in the intensity of his gaze. “I was wrong, Esme. I was wrong, and you were right. That woman is no mother to my child. You are little bean’s mother. You and only you. And I was a callous idiot for failing to realize that.”
It was if all the bitterness, all the uncertainty and pain within Esme was suddenly released. A heaviness that had hovered over her chest for the past few months was suddenly lifted and her heart was ecstatically light – right before pain clenched every muscle in her body and a cry of discomfort escaped her.
Daniel immediately reached for the Doctor Snell, yanking the man over to him. “Why is she in so much pain?” His voice was on the edge of panic. “Isn’t there something that can help her?”
“An Epidural.” Amos replied without a beat, despite the fact that Daniel was nearly throttling him. “But she refused without your consent. And now it’s a bit late.” Tugging Daniel’s fingers from his collar, he rounded the bed to kneel between Esme’s legs, reaching up to check her dilation.
Esme winced at the pressure as Dr. Snell nodded, satisfied. “You’re fully dilated, Esme.” He reached up to lower the stirrups from either side of the bed and place her feet in them. “Now, I need you to push.”
So suddenly?
Fear seized her heart a moment before Daniel squeezed her hand between his own, his gaze reassuring. “I’m here, Esme.”
She bore down with all her strength, a scream of agony tearing from her. Still, Daniel didn’t look away. He endured her iron grip on his hand, her thrashing and the ungodly sounds of discomfort she made as she struggled to bring his baby into the world.
It seemed an eternity of pain – of straining muscles and exhaustion – before a squalling cry finally split the air. A split second later, Doctor Snell cradled a squirming bundle in his arms, and nurses rushed forward to help him clean the baby’s face and body. Esme’s heart pounded as Amos wrapped the child in a soft, cream colored blanket, before turning to them. His eyes met Daniel’s, and the rancher shook his head slowly, before gesturing to Esme.
The young woman felt her heart stop, as everything around her ceased to exist.
“Congratulations, Esme. It’s a boy.” The downy, squirming bundle was placed in her arms and Esme felt tears rising, unbidden, to her eyes. He was absolutely perfect- with his tiny, scrunched face, miniscule fingers and toes, and wide, gaping mouth. She’d never known she could feel such immediate, overwhelming love for another living creature. She lowered her head to scant, damp blonde curls and held him close.
“He’s beautiful.” She breathed, swallowing a sob. “Absolutely beautiful.”
After an indulgent moment, she turned to offer the undulating bundle to Daniel, only to have the man cup her face instead, sliding his free hand around both her and the baby. “Esme, please, forgive me. I never should have let you walk away. I never knew what things could be like with a woman…not until you.”
A shuddering breath escaped her, and Esme closed her eyes.
After all that had happened, she still wanted the things that had haunted her. To grow old by Daniel’s side, to watch his son grow into a man…she had lost none of that even in the pain he had caused her.
“Daniel…I love you.” The words escaped her on a whisper. “I’ve never admitted it even to myself, but I’m admitting it now. All I want from you is to guard my heart the way you’ll guard his…to know that I would never, ever hurt you. That I don’t care about your money, or where you came from. All I want is you.”
Leaning down, the rancher brushed his lips over hers as Dr. Snell made a discreet exit. In her eyes, she saw humility, relief, and boundless affection.
“I wanted a baby, Esme. More than anything in the world, I wanted a child most. But a life with him would be empty without you. I’ll never betray your love again, as long as you accept mine.”
A hitching sob escaped her, even as her heart was filled with joy. She watched Daniel take his son from her arms, hold him for the first time, and saw the unfathomable euphoria in his eyes. Knowing that she would see him, li
ke this, for the rest of her life – nothing compared.
Absolutely nothing. “Accept it?” She smiled at him, stroking their son’s soft, rosy head. “I demand it, Daniel Hartsford. And it’s the only thing I’ll ever demand of you.”
***
About the Author
Hello,
So this is the part where I’m supposed to talk about myself. I write so many stories but I often I have a hard time telling my own. Funny how that works.
My name is Cristina Grenier and I have been writing stories for as long as I could remember . I’m a sucker for romance. I draw from past experiences and from others around me when I write. I enjoy creating characters that everyone can relate to.
Besides writing, I also enjoy painting and figure drawing. I’m a bit of a homebody, my ideal night consists of a chilled bottle of wine, some pasta and Netflix. I really hope you enjoy the stories I create.
If you enjoyed this title and want to keep updated with my new releases and frequent FREE book giveaways, please visit my website and submit your email.
Sincerely,
Cristina
www.cristinagrenier.com
Publisher’s Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2015 Monster Media LLC
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