Hannah's Blessing

by Collette Scott

  “Is it time?” Mindy asked, smoothing her brow with another cool rag.

  “I think so. Will you call a nurse?”

  Stumbling over his feet, Brad rushed to the door and began shouting for a nurse. Two came in quickly, frowns of irritation across their faces. Their strides were purposeful as they approached the bed, although they glared at Brad. “Please don’t cause such a commotion. The other patients are frightened.”

  “I’m sorry,” Mindy said smoothly. “We think she’s ready.”

  Diana was aware of Brad pacing next to the bed, and she reached for his hand to grasp firmly. Her face glistened with sweat, and her blond hair was plastered to her face.

  “How are you?” he asked in concern.

  “I’ve been better,” she muttered, squeezing his hand tight.

  “Relax now, Mrs. Somerset,” the nurse advised. She watched the monitor as the contraction came on, and then reached over to adjust the band around Diana’s rounded belly.

  “That’s a big one,” the other nurse remarked.

  Diana groaned in answer, and her eyes remained glued to the monitor. The baby’s heartbeat dropped slightly in response to the contraction, but the nurses did not seem concerned.

  Diana tried to focus on her breathing technique, but it was so hard. The pain was so intense. She could do nothing to manipulate her body except to breathe through the contractions, but it was getting increasingly difficult. She wished it were all over. She also wished she had taken that epidural when it was offered.

  “Please, can I push now?”

  “We have to wait for your doctor, dear,” said the older nurse.

  Diana let out a loud sigh. “Where is he?”

  “Coming. We paged him a few minutes ago.”

  Diana envisioned him downing a cup of coffee at his leisure while she suffered in the birthing room. She gritted her teeth in frustration. Suddenly cool hands were on her forehead again, and Diana smiled her thanks at Mindy. Her loyal friend smiled back and pressed some cool ice chips to her lips. Diana closed her eyes and lay back, sucking on the cold ice while she had a reprieve. It was almost over. Soon her baby would be born.

  “Ah, and here’s my lovely patient now.”

  Diana opened her eyes and saw her elderly obstetrician enter the room. He donned gloves and glanced at her record before sitting down at the foot of her bed.

  “How are you Diana?”

  “I want this finished.”

  “I know.”

  She longed to scream out that he did not know, after all he was only a man. How could he know anything about birthing a baby? But she held her tongue and closed her eyes again as he did his exam.

  “Ten centimeters, completely effaced.” He straightened and smiled at her. “Are you ready to push, Diana?”

  With a sigh of relief, Diana nodded her head. She felt weak already, and the hard part was not over yet. Then a vision of Devlan entered her mind. It was a sight she had struggled to bury far in the recesses of her brain. But there he was, and he was smiling with pride and joy, urging her to keep trying and not give up.

  “Come on, Diana, give us a big push.”

  She raised herself and pushed with all her might. In the background, she heard one of her nurses counting to ten, and then she fell back against the pillows once more. More ice was pressed against her dry lips. And so it went for almost a half an hour she pushed before finally he was born. The room fell silent as the final push produced her son. The doctor and nurses worked quickly and wordlessly, doing automatically what they did on a daily basis. Diana lay back against the pillows and took a deep breath. It was done.

  “Mrs. Somerset, it’s a boy,” the younger nurse said.

  All around her they bustled with activity, drying and suctioning the baby. Then the room burst with the sound of the infant’s angry cries. Diana nodded her head and glanced at Brad. Her roommate, boss, and now friend had tears streaming down his face. He approached the foot of the bed and glanced over the doctor’s shoulder as he worked to suction the baby’s airway clean. His digital camera dangled from his wrist, completely forgotten.

  “He’s just beautiful!”

  Diana smiled at Brad and nodded again. She had known he would be. He was probably the very image of his father. Then she would be cursed with a daily reminder of him every day of her life.

  “May I see?” Mindy asked.

  The look on Mindy’s face confirmed Diana’s suspicions. “He is beautiful, Di,” she whispered.

  They brought the baby over to the heating lamps and continued drying him off. He howled angrily, his arms and legs waving wildly. Diana allowed a fleeting smile as she watched him. He was so round and red.

  “What’s his name?” the older nurse asked.

  All eyes turned to her expectantly. She glanced at all the faces, waiting patiently for her answer. “Bryce,” she said matter-of-factly. “Bryce Devlan Somerset.”

  The baby was weighed in and quickly swaddled. Diana held out her arms as the nurse approached and wrapped them around her new son possessively.

  “Bryce,” she whispered.

  Tears filled her eyes as she stared down at the infant. He was beautiful already, with a head full of black hair and a strong chin like his father’s. How proud Devlan would have been had he known.

  Yes, she thought sadly, he would be proud and so very happy – if she were to tell him. But she selfishly had not, and that filled her with so much guilt that she was ashamed of herself. She still could, she thought. There was nothing to stop her. Unless one considered that he was probably already married to Roxanne and could sue her for custody.

  She hugged little Bryce to her and stared down into his voluminous gray-blue eyes. No, she would not allow that. Bryce was hers and hers alone. She would never share him willingly with another woman, especially Roxanne Lemieux.

  But could she live with that selfish decision?

  ~

  Diana picked up the receiver and pressed it to her ear. With one hand she held Bryce, howling loudly for his mid-afternoon meal, and with the other she quickly dialed the California number. Once done, she pressed her newborn infant against her breast and helped him get a grasp on her nipple. On the other line she heard the steady sound of the ringer before a distinctly foreign voice answered.

  “Hello?”

  “Mrs. Holmes, please.”

  “May I ask who is calling?”

  Diana sighed. “Diana Somerset.”

  “One moment.”

  After a decidedly long pause she heard the click of another phone, and then suddenly there was the sound of Esther’s excited voice.

  “Diana, dear, how are you?”

  Diana smiled. “I’m fine, Esther. How are you?”

  “Well, we’ve been waiting for ages to hear from you. I saw Devlan last week, and he told me that you weren’t staying with him anymore. Goodness, it was as if you just dropped off the face of the planet. Are you okay? Where are you, honey?”

  She paused for a moment, considering whether she could trust her parent’s friend or not. But if Devlan really cared she was sure he would have found her already.

  “I’m fine. We’re fine. I’m in Phoenix, Esther, working with an artist. I run his shop in Scottsdale. It’s been such fun.”

  “Oh, I’m glad to hear it. And your daughter? How’s she now? Devlan said he hoped her leg was healing okay, but that he didn’t know.”

  “Hannah’s fine. It’s been a long road, but she’s running and playing again.” Diana gripped the handle of the phone tightly. “Listen Esther, part of the reason I called was to see if Thomas still practiced.”

  “Law?”

  “Yes, law.”

  “Of course, he’s got an office downtown. Why are you in trouble?”

  “No, no. I’m calling for my friend. You know, the one that I told you about? He may need some advice. That’s all. Would you mind giving me Thomas’ number at work?”

  “Oh, sure, honey. Hold on and I’ll ask Marta t
o get it for you.”

  As Diana waited, she removed Bryce from her breast and began to burp him. He fussed a little after the first burp, nuzzling her shoulder to indicate that he was still hungry.

  “Okay, Diana, do you have a pen?”

  Diana scrambled for the pen, roughly jostling Bryce. The hungry infant began to cry harder, and Diana hurriedly put him to her other breast.

  “Was that a baby?” Esther asked.

  “It’s okay,” she muttered. “I have a pen now, Esther.”

  “Okay, dear.”

  Diana scribbled the number down and chatted some more with Esther while Bryce finished nursing. However, her main concern was Thomas and what he could do for her and Hannah, as well as Bryce. Though sleep deprived and completely hormonal, she knew she had to do the right thing and tell Devlan. Hiding his son from him was just not an option. He deserved to know after everything he had done for her and Hannah. But she needed a lawyer desperately, and a good one if she was to go against Devlan. She needed to be fully prepared in case he did try to take Bryce away. If Devlan wanted a battle when the time came, she would give it to him. And she would do everything she could to make sure her children came out the victors.

  Chapter 20

  Devlan watched the sun set over Los Angeles from his office window. His desk was piled high with urgent paperwork, and he knew it would be another long night before he could head home. With a wry smile, he glanced at the luxurious leather sofa in his adjacent sitting room. Perhaps he should just sell the Brentwood house and live right here in his office.

  No, he corrected himself. The Malibu house should be the first to go. He had not set foot in that house since Diana and Hannah had left. The last time he had been there was to collect his Christmas present. It was a gift he immediately packed away since it hurt too much to gaze at the faces that still haunted his thoughts.

  Devlan opened his center desk drawer and pulled the one hidden photo he kept of Diana and Hannah free. It rested just beneath the engagement ring he had never had a chance to offer her but never had the heart to return. A tender smile creased his lips as he stared at the well-worn picture. It was of Hannah and Diana on a Sea Doo in Hawaii. They were carefree and laughing, looking so much alike and having such a good time. It was a photo he treasured because he knew Diana had been happy with him then. There was no mistake or lie in that photo. She had been happy – both of them had.

  The vibration of his mobile brought Devlan from his reverie. He put the picture away and shut the door with a satisfied sigh. It was slightly reassuring to note that it pained him less when he stared at the picture than it had a few short months ago. Perhaps he truly was healing.

  “Yes?”

  “Devlan, it’s me… Roxanne.”

  Devlan’s shoulders sagged at the sound of her voice. Following his heart attack, he had told Roxanne about his planned engagement to Diana. Shortly after that, Mrs. Maclean had told Devlan about Roxanne’s visit the night Diana had left, but still Roxanne denied any involvement in her disappearance. Her continued refusal to divulge what had been discussed that afternoon was still a tender spot with Devlan, and he placed some responsibility for Diana’s disappearance on Roxanne’s shoulders. With the trust in their relationship so damaged, they had maintained a polite distance since.

  “Hello, Roxanne. How are you?”

  “I have tickets to a charity function tonight and wanted to take you out.”

  “I can’t,” he answered quickly. “I’m swamped here.”

  “Really, Devlan? Everyone is talking about you. They say that your heart attack at Christmas took all the fun out of you. Just come to this one thing. It’s an auction for AIDS research, and it’ll be lots of fun. Besides, you need to spend some of your money.”

  Devlan sighed. It was not his heart attack that had wounded him so deeply, and they both knew it. “Who’s putting it on?”

  “It’s the Holmes’. Esther and Thomas. You know them.”

  “Yes, I know them,” he said shortly. He rapidly blinked his eyes against the memory of Diana that first dinner they shared after seeing Thomas and Esther.

  “Well, they found a place in Scottsdale that sells all kinds of artwork and artifacts. Treasures really. The artist donated a bunch of stuff for Thomas’ AIDS cause a couple of weeks ago and they threw this together. You’ll love them.”

  Indecision tore at Devlan. The idea of staying in town at his desk held no appeal to him, especially when his thoughts were again consumed with Diana and Hannah. But a night out with Roxanne was undoubtedly just as emotionally exhausting.

  “Dev, come on. You’ll really like this stuff. The guy may be an unknown now, but he’s sure to get your attention.”

  “Fine, what time?”

  “Eight o’clock.”

  “I’ll see you then.”

  ~

  A light drizzle began to fall as Devlan slipped from the Bentley into the posh hotel. They mingled with the crowd briefly before moving into the banquet hall, and that was where Devlan saw the unknown artist’s first piece.

  His breath stuck in his throat at the artist’s rendition of the desert. The saguaro cacti were exquisitely painted, as were the organ pipe and prickly pear, all bearing the faces of children. But there was also a blond water sprite, soaring high within the clouds in a flowing blue dress that matched her eyes. The water that trickled from the jug she held gave life to the children below.

  A chill passed through him as he stared at the sprite. She bore an eerie resemblance to Diana, so much so that his breath caught in his chest yet again. Forcing himself to look beyond the sprite, he realized that it was a moving piece. It depicted nicely the tenuous balance of water and life in the desert. Devlan loved it.

  “You see,” Roxanne whispered. “I told you. You do love his work, don’t you? I can see it in your face, darling.”

  Devlan glanced at Roxanne, his eyes shuttered. “I admit that it’s stirring. We’ll have to see.”

  He guided Roxanne to their table and sat down heavily. So much for assuming he was on the road to recovery. He was envisioning Diana everywhere. First he conjured her and Hannah in an airport, and now in some stranger’s oil painting. It had to stop, he mused as he gave himself a mental shake. He needed to get on with his life.

  “Here’s your program,” Roxanne said, handing him a catalog of the artwork up for auction.

  Devlan flipped through it, hurriedly finding the page. “Brad Vember?”

  “Yes, that’s the one from Scottsdale.”

  “Never heard of him.”

  “He’s still pretty local, but his pieces are huge and sell for a lot of money in Arizona. Everyone’s hoping this will help get him worldwide. They say he’s the next great realist.”

  Devlan stared down at the shots of the paintings. Once again there was the blond sprite in the desert. It was the only one the female model appeared in. There were some of children as well, a dark boy and light girl. But nothing moved him like the first desert scene, the one he dubbed ‘Diana’ in his head.

  For most of the evening Devlan sat motionless, watching the proceedings through bored eyes. Roxanne bought some nice pieces, but Devlan waited for the large painting. Whatever the cost, he would have that painting.

  “Are you going to buy anything?” Roxanne whispered as another piece was sold. “There are only a few more.”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, right now.” Devlan straightened in his seat and watched attentively as they produced the painting.

  “That one?” Roxanne snapped. “You like it only because the woman is a blonde.”

  Devlan gave her a withering glance. “No. It’s a beautiful piece.”

  “Ladies and gentleman, may we start the bidding at two thousand please?”

  Devlan signaled, as did a dozen others. “Great,” he muttered. “I’m obviously not the only one who appreciated that painting.”

  “Lots of men prefer blondes.”

  Roxanne rolled up her catalog and tapped
it angrily on her knee, but Devlan ignored her. His concentration remained on the bidding war that went on in front of him. It finally boiled down to two, himself and their host, Thomas Holmes. Devlan shot him a quick glance, and the older man raised his program in response. Devlan smiled and raised his bid, finally causing the man to back down amid awed gasps and cheers.

  “I can’t believe you spent that much on that painting,” Roxanne snapped, huddling down within her seat.

  Devlan came to his feet and bowed to the cheering crowd before sitting back down and grinning at Roxanne. “You said yourself that it was for charity. Eighty isn’t really all that much.”

  She grunted in answer and continued to scowl as Devlan pulled his checkbook from his inside suit pocket. “I’ll catch up with you in a few minutes,” he said.

  She nodded and came to her feet, preparing to give her information to the woman on the side. Devlan watched her go with a feeling of immense relief. While he was glad the evening was almost over, he was also pleased to have found this new treasure. He couldn’t wait to get it home and take a good look at it, and he was just signing his name when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

  “Congratulations, Devlan!”

  Devlan turned around and came face to face with Thomas Holmes. “Why Thomas, it’s good to see you.”

  “Ah, baloney. You’re just happy to outbid me on that painting. Priceless, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it’s very nice.”

  “I saw the lust on your face the minute it went up for bids. I knew you’d get it.”

  “Then why’d you let me spend so much?” Devlan asked, chuckling.

  Thomas threw back his head and laughed. “It’s for charity, isn’t it? Besides, that’s hardly a penny in your bucket.”

  Devlan nodded solemnly, though his grin was wide. “True.”

  “There’s one thing that I know that you don’t,” Thomas continued.

  “What’s that?”

  “I know the artist, and he has another piece just like that one in his shop in Scottsdale. His model was sad to see this one go. She really had an attachment to it, probably because of the children in it. Brad went right to work to get her another one.”