“I sent it already.”
“Oh no! You can’t take my job. Your mother will hate me.”
She smiled smugly. “I sent it from your phone, silly.”
“We should go then.”
“Probably.”
How was she so calm? Her father and Savannah were staying in a hotel not far from here and on the way to the hospital. Claire and Grayson were on standby. Samuel’s family would come out later after they were settled in with the new baby.
Samuel got dressed, brushed his teeth, and helped Danielle from the bed. “Do you want me to carry you?”
“We’d both be on the floor. I can walk.”
Their overnight bags were already in the car. He just had to grab their cell phones, wallet, and keys, and they were good to go.
It was all too simple.
Halfway to the car, the contractions hit her again. Danielle went to her knees in pain. Samuel, helpless to do anything other than comfort her, waited until she could walk again.
Another wave hit her in the car. Samuel drove faster.
When he got to the ER, everyone was already there. Noah met them at the car and helped Samuel get Danielle out and to the door.
Someone showed up with a wheelchair.
Samuel wheeled her inside.
Everything for the next three hours was a blur.
The only thing that Samuel remembered clearly was when the doctor put the squirming little baby in Samuel’s arms. He sat on the bed next to Danielle and gingerly placed the baby in her mother’s arms. Danielle smiled up at him.
It was in that moment that Samuel knew that from this moment forward, he would think of the baby as his. It didn’t matter that she wasn’t his biologically. He and Danielle had brought this baby into the world together. They would raise it together and love it together.
“Have you decided?” They had talked about so many different names. They had finally decided that they would know when the baby got here.
Danielle looked down at the cooing infant. “Samantha Skye.”
Samuel beamed. His first choice. Samantha after him, and Skye just because it was such an awesomely fitting name for the daughter and granddaughter of a pilot.
Samuel bent over and kissed her on the tip of the nose. “I love it. And I love you.”
Chapter 65
Danielle felt like she’d been through hell and back.
But it didn’t matter. She had a beautiful baby girl to show for it, and Samuel was going to be the most awesome father.
Her heart warmed as he placed the baby carefully in her arms.
“Before I bring in the rest of the family, I’d like to ask you something.”
“Okay.” She took a deep breath. “But keep in mind, I may not be exactly coherent.”
“That’s kind of what I wanted to talk about.”
She waited. Was this where he told her this was more than he could handle?
“Was it so terrible? Having a baby?” He reached and smoothed her damp hair.
“It was awful and wonderful all at the same time.”
“But look what we have to show for it.”
“She’s beautiful.” Danielle put the baby’s tiny little hand in hers and counted her fingers. Again.
“So… I was thinking.”
“Oh boy.”
He laughed. “I was wondering how you felt about thinking – just thinking – about us making one of these little guys together.”
“I’ve been thinking about that for quite some time, actually.” She smiled into his eyes.
“So have I. But not just the process. Once you’re over your pregnancy, but to have one to go with this one.”
“That’s something I’m willing to take into consideration.”
He took her hand and kissed her fingers. “But then if you decide you never want to go through this again, I totally wouldn’t blame you.”
“I totally want to give little Samantha a little brother or sister.”
“I never want to tell her.”
Her heart stuttered a little. “You never want to tell Samantha?” She rocked the sleeping baby gently.
“I want to be her father. I never want her to doubt that I chose her. I don’t want her to know about the… sperm donor.”
“Deal.” Danielle had been thinking similarly. “It may come up again, but I won’t bring it up.”
He pressed his lips against hers. Her eyes fluttered closed.
Today was her daughter’s birthday.
And the man of her dreams was here next to her.
Maybe happily ever after wasn’t just a myth after all.
Epilogue
Danielle straightened her skirt and slipped into her heels. Today was her daughter’s birthday. She was one-year-old today.
And in about one hour, her house would be filled with family.
She and Samuel were waiting a bit to start on baby number two. Right now, their hands were more than full with little Samantha. She was a good baby, but with both of them doting on her, she took most of their time. Neither one of them had been apart from her at night yet. They were working on that. In fact, tonight, after the baby’s party, she and Samuel had reservations at an Italian restaurant down the street. With Danielle’s family there, they had agreed that it was the perfect time for Danielle and Samuel to have their first post-baby date.
She peeked out the back window where Samuel was busy with the grill. Samantha played at her feet. She scooped the baby up and went downstairs to the kitchen. There was nothing left to do. The cake was ready. The gifts were wrapped.
When the doorbell rang, she knew it would be her mother and Grayson before she even looked. She hugged both of them, and Grayson took Samantha. In his other hand, Grayson carried little Beau – named after Claire’s maiden name Beauchamp - in a little baby carrier.
Danielle and Claire had no more than gotten to the kitchen when the doorbell rang. It was her father and his wife Savannah.
Samuel came in through the back door and took it in stride that everyone was an hour early.
“We’re a little early,” Noah said.
“I couldn’t keep him away.” Savannah said reaching for the baby, Samantha.
“Who couldn’t keep who away?” Noah said.
“It’s great,” Samuel grinned. “Let me just wash up, and I’ll get you all something to drink.”
“I’ll help you.” Grayson shrugged when Claire rolled her eyes.
“He gets a little nervous when there are too many babies around.”
“I do not.”
“Since everyone’s here,” Danielle said, “there’s no reason why we can’t go ahead and get the babies ready for the party.”
“Sounds like a great idea.” Savannah agreed.
Claire set down her diaper bag. “I couldn’t agree more. Then the babies can take a nap while we rest and have a glass of wine. I’m exhausted.”
Savannah nodded. “Danielle, you did it right. Don’t wait until you’re our age to have a baby. If you think you’re tired now, just imagine having twenty years on you.”
“At least you know what you’re doing.”
Both Savannah and Claire laughed. “If only.”
“Sounds like our cue to head out to the barbecue pit.” Noah said.
“Men.” Both women said at the same time.
Danielle followed Samuel into the kitchen and put wine glasses on a tray while he washed up.
“It’s kind of amazing that your divorced parents get along so well.”
“It is, isn’t it? My mom and dad had sort of an arranged marriage. And now both of them are back with their high school sweethearts.”
“I hope you don’t get any ideas like that.”
Danielle handed him the bottle of wine and the corkscrew. “Not a chance. You’re stuck with me.”
“I’m just glad we don’t have to deal with Joey.”
“I know. I haven’t heard from him since the letter.”
“I don’t thin
k he’ll bother us.”
Danielle laughed. “Me either. I don’t know what you said to him that night at my apartment in Houston, but he’s staying away.”
Samuel shrugged. “I’ll never tell.”
“We should probably leave the wine in here until the babies go to sleep.”
He chuckled. “That’s probably a good idea.”
Danielle carried the birthday cake, and Samuel carried the plates and forks.
“If we’re doing the cake now, I’ll have to get the guys back inside,” Savannah said.
“I think we should do it while the babies are still awake.” Claire pointed out.
They set up the dining room table while Savannah got Noah and Grayson back inside. Then they rounded up the babies, and, after putting little Samantha in her high chair, both Savannah and Claire sat with their babies in their laps.
They sang Happy Birthday, passed out cake, which soon went everywhere, and Danielle helped Samantha open her presents – practical nonslip socks from Grayson, a fly and learn airplane from Noah, a little red wagon from Claire, a Manhattan treetop adventure activity center from Savannah, and a sit-to-stand walker from Mom and Dad.
An hour later, the house looked like a tornado went through it, but the babies were all three asleep.
Savannah collapsed on the sofa. “We need wine.”
“And we need to get the barbeque going.” Noah suggested.
“We have that taken care of.” Danielle said.
Samuel poured wine for everyone, but poured sparkling water in his own glass.
“What’s up?” Danielle leaned over and asked.
“Someone has to be a designated driver. With three infants in the house, you never know. Besides, I’m driving to the restaurant.”
“Good point. I’ll have water, too.”
Another Epilogue
Another Epilogue
“Um Samuel.” Danielle looked up from her phone. “I think you missed the turn to the restaurant.”
“I’m taking the scenic route.” He winked at her, and she went back to her phone.
“We got some really good pictures of Samantha. I’m sending some of them to your family.”
“Thanks, love.”
A few minutes later, Danielle looked up again. “Where are we going?”
“The airport.”
She frowned at him. “Why? We’re going to miss our reservation.”
“I think we’re going to just make it.”
She answered a text on her phone. “You’re acting strange.”
“I know. I told your dad I wouldn’t be able to pull it off.”
She groaned. “Oh no. What did my dad talk you into?”
“Actually it was my idea. He just helped with the details.”
“Are we flying somewhere?”
“Yes.” Samuel beamed at her. “But I’m not supposed to tell you. It’s supposed to be a surprise.”
She almost pressured him into telling her. It wouldn’t take much effort. But instead, she decided to go along and let him surprise her.
Besides, it was kind of fun wondering what he had planned. With Savannah and Claire at their house, she felt safe leaving Samantha there under their watch.
And… she could peek at the Nest cams at any time.
She leaned her head back against the seat and rested her eyes until they got to the airport.
They climbed into his little Mooney airplane, and she watched as he prepared to fly. She loved it when he went into pilot mode. Other women may find firemen attractive or even doctors, but for Danielle, it was pilots— or maybe just one pilot in particular.
An hour later, they were flying over the Magic Kingdom at Disneyland. Danielle beamed at her husband as their wheels touched down at John Wayne Airport.
After he turned off the plane and helped her down, he said. “I seem to recall that on the day we met, you told me that your perfect birthday would be to have dinner at the Magic Kingdom castle. Since we couldn’t go on your birthday, I thought our daughter’s birthday would be the next best thing.”
She put her arms around him. “It isn’t the next best thing.” She kissed him on the lips. “It’s perfect.”
If you enjoyed Falling Again, I think you’ll also love my new series: Cupid’s Kiss. Please continue reading for a sneak peek at an unedited version of what I’m working on now!
Just Pretend Excerpt
Cupid’s Kiss Series
Book 1
Chapter 1
Just Pretend Excerpt
“Tell Abby I can’t be there this weekend.” Charlotte Cooper adjusted the microphone on her headset and closed her eyes. “I know she was looking forward to us going to the movie, but Noah asked me to work over.”
“I’ll tell her.” Charlotte heard the stress in her mother’s voice. “We know you’re working as much as you can.”
“I’ll definitely be there next weekend. I’m hoping for a good recommendation from Noah. It could open doors to a full-time position somewhere. Maybe even here.”
“I know, Dear. Don’t worry. Just do what you need to do.”
The other line rang. “Gotta go. The phone’s ringing.” She clicked off and answered the other line. “Skye Travels.”
As Charlotte booked a flight for next week, she stared across at the conference room which was filling up with pilots. Noah was already there even though the meeting wasn’t scheduled for another thirty minutes. Noah was very hands on. Not in an overbearing way, but in an interested way. In the two weeks she’d worked here, she noticed that Noah was supportive of his employees’ ideas. He didn’t always implement them, but he listened and considered.
As the temporary flight scheduler, Charlotte sat in the lobby and overheard more conversations than anyone. As long as she sat there, did her job, and kept her headset over her head, she blended into the background. And people forgot she was there. She heard things.
Besides keeping the schedule on the computer and sending each pilot an email when he had a flight scheduled, she kept the schedule on a huge whiteboard behind her desk.
It was baffling how many pilots failed to keep up with their schedules. As a result, they came to her. And she’d learned most of their names. A few of them chatted and she knew a little about them as well.
Charlotte considered her memory to be one of her best assets. That and her friendliness whether in person or on the phone. It was frustrating that she hadn’t been hired in a permanent job, but the aviation community was small. And Charlotte was an outsider. She considered herself lucky to get on with the Temporary Flight Agency.
Noah came to the door of the conference room. “Charlotte. Go ahead and send the calls to the answering service. I want you in this meeting.”
“Yes sir.” Charlotte forced herself to smile as her pulse rate went through the roof.
Chapter 2
Just Pretend Excerpt
Ryan Armstrong grinned when the wheels of the airplane glided against the runway. After checking the annunciator panel, he pulled the thrust reversers slowing the airplane. He considered smooth landings his specialty. Not that anyone really noticed. They only noticed when something went wrong.
As he taxied toward the tarmac, he turned his phone off airplane mode and six text messages hit his screen. Four from his fiancé Sariah, one from his sister, and one from Noah.
He checked the one from his sister first. Don’t forget to call mom. Today’s her birthday. Like he could forget that. November 1st was easy to remember. He considered his mother’s birthday to be an early kickoff to the holiday season. Besides, he’d already called her.
The one from Noah was next. It was a group message. I’m calling a meeting for all the pilots today at five. If you’re back in town, come to the conference room.
A meeting at five on a Friday evening was not a good sign. Noah respected his pilots’s family time. Either someone had royally messed up or he needed something important.
He glanced through the messages from
Sariah. She had a list of things she wanted him to do this weekend revolving around the black tie event tomorrow night. Pick up his tux. Pick up flowers for her. Hire a limo.
Such was the life of being engaged to one of Dallas’s socialites. Sariah was gorgeous to look at. And Ryan was the envy of the Dallas bachelors and even more married men than he cared to think about.
After securing the plane, he helped his one passenger, a business man he’d just flown back from Ohio off the plane, sent him off in a waiting car, and took off across the tarmac, his long stride eating up the pavement. He pulled off his pilot’s cap and ran a hand through his short hair. After spending most of the day waiting around in Cleveland for the man to finish his meeting, the warmth of the Dallas sun was more than welcome. Too bad winter was on its way. Fortunately, Dallas winters were short with only occasional bursts of cold snowy weather.
He drove the short distance to the Skye Travels office and dashed up the stairs two at the time. It was a mystery how Noah Worthington had managed to secure land so close to the airport. Only part of what made him an aviation legend.
He still had fifteen minutes before the meeting started, but he was one of the last ones to arrive.
He stood in the back, not bothering to make his way to a chair. He needed to stand for awhile. Since sitting was the new smoking, he stood up whenever he had the opportunity. A couple of the other guys did the same.
Minutes later, Noah began speaking. “We have a new plane. It’s a Gulfstream G650.”
There were a few mumbles of appreciation. “It’s our most luxurious plane yet. Unfortunately, only four of us are rated to fly it. Myself, Brandon, Jake, and Ryan. I’ll be sending some of the rest of you for training soon.” Noah paused and scanned the room, his gaze stopping on Ryan. “Although the paint’s barely dry on it, word is already spreading. We just got a request to take a honeymooning couple to Colorado.” He put his hands on his hips. “Tomorrow.”
Falling Again Page 17