And Baby Makes Six

by Pamela Dalton

  Lately, he had seemed more distracted and distant. She also noticed the kids were spending more time with him and asking for his assistance instead of hers. She knew they weren’t deliberately trying to shove her away, but she felt cut off nonetheless.

  The worst part was this state of separation between them didn’t seem to bother Devlin.

  She was sure Devlin regretted that he’d ever confessed to loving her. She wished . . .

  Wishing and having were two opposite forces. That was a reality she’d lived with all her life. There was no sense in bemoaning what couldn’t be changed.

  Pushing away from the car, she walked up the sidewalk.

  She took a step inside the house.

  “Surprise!” The chorus of cheers inside the dining room brought Abby to a complete stop.

  Her jaw dropped open as she eyed the scene in front of her. Riley, Paige and Kelly Castner crowded around a brightly decorated birthday cake that was topped with enough candles to start a forest fire. On the opposite side of the room, Jason was trying to hold up the streamers that were beginning to come loose from the chandelier as Rebecca and Cash came to his assistance. Only Devlin stood apart, watching her.

  “Happy Birthday, Mommy.” Paige clapped her hands, excitement dancing from her blue eyes. “We’re giving you a party with lots and lots of presents.”

  “Open mine first,” Riley demanded as he pushed a gift toward her.

  Devlin pulled out a chair and settled her in it. Before he moved away, she grabbed his arm. “You planned this?” She still was having trouble accepting the notion that this party was for her, and why.

  “The kids helped.” He gave her a smile that seemed more genuine and natural than the ones she'd seen over the past few months. Her heart did a backwards flip.

  “How did you know it was my birthday?”

  "I peeked at your driver’s license.”

  Impatient with their chit chat, Riley shook his present in front of her face. “Open it.”

  She took the package that seemed to have more tape than wrapping.

  Rebecca sat down next to her and handed her scissors. “You didn’t have a clue, did you?”

  Abby shook her head. “I had no idea.”

  “Then your head must have been in another planet because they’ve been whispering and talking about it for weeks. I thought Devlin was going to throttle them all.”

  Abby snipped the tape and looked at Devlin from the corner of her eye. He had done this for her even though she’d told him that she couldn’t love him. Why? Did that mean he still cared for her? That he might still love her? Her backache grew more pronounced as she pried open the box and pulled out a baseball glove.

  “How did you know I wanted a baseball glove?” she asked the beaming boy at her side.

  “I guessed.” He grinned, exposing a gap of spaces where his teeth were supposed to be. “Now we can play catch together.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “And me and Jason can babysit the baby,” Paige added, tucking her small hand into Jason’s.

  “That’s quite a deal,” Cash drawled. “I’d get it in writing, Abby.”

  “Just don’t expect me to change any diapers.” Jason scowled, but he didn’t pull away from Paige’s grip.

  Over their heads, Devlin’s gaze met Abby’s and she saw a hint of laughter in the jade depths. Her heart warmed.

  Jason gave her a sweatshirt picturing a giant mosquito and a caption that read, Wisconsin’s State Bird. Paige had drawn her a picture and gave her a miniature tea set. Abby was particularly touched by the beautiful watercolor of a gazebo that Rebecca had painted for her.

  When she thanked her, Rebecca said, “I loved doing it. I could shut out Cash reading me the sports page.”

  “Hey, I heard that,” Cash said as all the adults in the room chuckled.

  The final gift that Abby opened was from Devlin.

  The stark white box was accented by a big gold bow and matching ribbon. Her fingers trembled as she carefully pulled back the paper and opened the box that bore the name of an exclusive women’s clothing store. Inside she found an exquisite tunic-style lounging outfit. Abby struggled to hold back the tears as she lifted the royal-blue garment and held it up for everyone to see.

  “It’s beautiful.” She tried to hold her smile steady but found the effort almost more than she could manage as she met Devlin’s gaze.

  She saw the satisfaction—and something else—in his expression before Riley grabbed his arm. “Dad, can we eat now?”

  When Devlin turned away to attend to the food, Abby was left with more questions than answers. And a strange feeling of hope. Cash and Devlin insisted that she and Rebecca sit and chat while the two men dished up the cake and ice cream. The kids passed out the dishes before sitting down to devour their own desserts.

  Rebecca and Cash didn’t stay long afterward. As soon as they left, Abby helped Paige get ready for bed. The excitement had worn off and Paige was half-asleep by the time Abby tucked her in.

  Her daughter lifted her head. “I want Daddy to give me a good-night kiss.”

  Abby moved aside as Devlin came into the room and bent low to give Paige a loud smack and a bear hug.

  Paige giggled. “I love you, Daddy.”

  He tweaked her nose lightly. “I love you, honey.” He made the words sound so natural and effortless, as if they were statements of fact. Maybe they were.

  Abby looked away and left the room.

  Devlin joined her a few minutes later in the living room. “I think she was asleep before I closed the door.”

  Abby shook her head in amazement. “It must have taken a lot of energy to keep her from giving away that secret.”

  Devlin’s mouth twisted into a wry grimace. “You don’t know the half of it. I finally told Jason to keep the two younger ones away from you as much as possible so they couldn’t spill the beans.”

  She realized the signs were there that something was definitely going on, but she’d been too busy trying to analyze the situation with Devlin to pay much heed to the mystery surrounding the children’s behavior. “You went to a lot of trouble.”

  “Some things are worth it.”

  “Are they?” She searched his face, trying to read his expression. There was an aura of waiting hovering around him, as if he was looking for something. A signal from her, perhaps? “Why did you do this?”

  He didn’t answer right away. Finally, he said, “I’ve been trying to stick to the terms we set in our contract, Abby. I’ve done everything in my power to give you the space you need. But I’m not sure I can do that anymore.”

  She inhaled sharply. Did that mean he wanted her to leave? That he wanted to end this marriage? She licked her lips and tried not to give in to the fear shooting through her. “Do you want a divorce? Is that what you want, because if you do—”

  “No, I don’t want a divorce.” He moved close to her and reached for her hands, his grip nearly cutting off her circulation. “I don’t want your damn money. I don’t care if you wash my clothes or darn my socks. I don’t care if you can’t cook anything but an egg. I didn’t marry you for any of those reasons.”

  “I know. You married me because of Riley and Jason.”

  “No, I didn't.” His gaze held hers, sending her a coded message she couldn't decipher.

  “You didn't?"

  “No. I didn't. I married you for me. For no other reason. I put together that stupid contract so I could have you for me.”

  “You did?” The word was barely a whisper.

  He pulled her close to him, his hands so light that she could have pulled away if she’d wanted to. And when she didn’t, he lowered his head, his gaze full of intent, never leaving hers for a moment. Then his lips touched hers, gently, coaxingly, and her eyes drifted shut. The kiss was earth-shatteringly sweet. And devastatingly brief. She started to open her mouth when he ended it.

  Dragging open her heavy eyelids, her gaze caught the blazing demand in his
. His hands tightened on her shoulders. “I know you don’t believe in love. I know you’re afraid to trust me, but that doesn’t change anything.” His low-pitched voice rang with meaning. “I love you, Abby, and that’s never going to change. I want to tear up that stupid contract and have a real marriage. A real relationship. All I’m asking for is a chance to prove to you that we’ve got something more than three plus children and a contract between us.”

  The air sizzled between them.

  Every part of Abby’s being hurt. She’d been alone most of her life. And she was tired of it. She was tired of trying to be strong. She was tired of being afraid.

  She hurt emotionally and physically. All her happiness rested in Devlin.

  She loved him. She realized that now. But did she love him enough to risk tearing up the contract and letting the marriage take its full course?

  Before she could make the decision, the pronounced ache in her back became sharper. Her hands cupped her stomach.

  “Devlin?” His name came out as a gasp.

  Immediately he reached for her. “What is it? What’s the matter?”

  She looked up at him helplessly. “We’re going to have a baby.”

  ***

  CHAPTER 12

  Devlin took one look at Abby and, without a word, he swept her into his arms and headed toward the door.

  “I can walk.”

  He ignored her protest as he carried her outside to the car. He refused to put her down as he awkwardedly propped open the car door and placed her tenderly inside. “I’ll be right back.” He shut the door and raced up the front steps.

  Then he was back.

  “What about the kids?” she asked after he’d gotten behind the wheel and started the engine.

  “They’re fine. I told Jason we were going, and I called my parents. They’re coming over right away.”

  “Devlin, I wanted to tell you—”

  “Don’t worry about it now, it’s not important.”

  This time she wouldn’t cower and run. “But I need to—” Another contraction broadsided her, cutting her off.

  Devlin floored the accelerator as his right hand covered hers, his strength reaching out to her. “No explanations. Just hold on to me.”

  She didn’t have much choice except to do exactly what he suggested. With the beginning of the next contraction, she gave up the fight to talk and hung on for all she was worth, grateful for the steadiness and strength Devlin gave her.

  By the time she got to the hospital, the contractions were less than two minutes apart. Everything around her blurred.

  Her only reality was Devlin.

  He didn’t leave her side for a moment, even when the nurse tried to brush him aside. “I’m staying.” His inflexible growl didn’t brook any arguments. The nurse quit trying to shoo him away while the doctor examined her.

  From then on, things happened so fast, Abby wasn’t conscious of anything except that she wouldn’t have made it through without Devlin at her side. He became her rock, her anchor, smoothing her hair and wiping her forehead with a cool cloth.

  Inside the delivery room, Devlin coached her with ruthless determination. She breathed when he said, “Breathe” and panted when he said, “Pant.”

  Then came the welcome sound she’d been straining to hear. A baby’s cry at the same time the doctor announced, “It’s a girl. A real beauty, if I do say so.”

  Relief and emotion rushed over Abby.

  “Does she have all her toes and fingers?” she asked Devlin.

  “Want to see?”

  At her exhausted nod, Devlin slid his hands under her head and lifted.

  Red-faced, and squirming her outrage for being wrested from her sanctuary, her new daughter was letting everyone know she wasn’t pleased.

  The doctor chuckled through his mask. “Everything’s accounted for, including a set of high-powered lungs.”

  Abby sank back and met Devlin’s gaze. She saw the hint of moisture there. Smiling tremulously, she said, “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

  “Almost as beautiful as her mother.”

  The heartfelt emotion behind his words brought tears to her eyes.

  Abby woke in her hospital bed a few hours later to hear Devlin’s voice crooning softly in the background.

  “You’re going to be a real heartbreaker like your mother. I can see that already.” The husky timbre to his voice couldn’t hide the wonder. “Stubborn. Independent. With a heart as big as the outdoors. I’ll have to beat off the boys with a baseball bat and lock you in a tower.”

  Abby raised her eyelids and saw Devlin standing next to the window, talking to the bundle in his arms. If she hadn’t realized she loved him before, Abby would have fallen head over heels in love with her husband right at this very moment. With his face just inches from the baby in his arms, he was giving her his first father-to-daughter talk.

  Whether the baby was asleep or hypnotized by the sound of her father’s voice, Abby couldn’t determine. What she did recognize was the steadfast feeling in her husband’s voice.

  The sheer power of his love filled the room.

  Abby wouldn’t doubt one bit that Devlin would do bodily harm to anyone who messed with his daughter. Or with any of his kids, for that matter. He was a man whose word and promises could be counted on. He would always be there for their daughter, just as he was there for Jason, Riley and Paige. Devoted. He was a man whose commitment was solid. Unshakable. Devlin was the type of man who would never put his own needs before his family’s.

  All during the delivery, he’d been right there, his hand steady and sure. So different from John who had fainted before Paige had been born.

  Her husband was a man she could trust. He wouldn’t ever turn away from his family or give up when times got tough.

  Their baby might not know it yet, but she was the luckiest baby in the world to have Devlin for a father.

  Devlin lifted his head and grinned at Abby. He’d known she was listening because she had a tendency to twitch her foot when she was awake. He’d learned this habit after months of trying to sleep next to her and not being able to touch her. Sleep had been next to impossible. Instead, he’d memorized the sound of her breathing, the little whispering sounds she made and the curve of her body against the sheets. There wasn’t much he didn’t know about his wife or her habits.

  Except how she felt about him.

  But he had patience, time and a lot of hope. Sometime during the hours they’d spent together bringing their baby into the world, a few home truths had finally knocked some sense into his brain. He’d been a fool to reject Abby’s attempt to pay back the money she wanted to give him. It was true he didn’t need or want the money, but to Abby she was giving him every cent she had. It was a sign of her commitment to their marriage. To their family. To him. Why hadn’t he realized that? She was sharing everything she had to give.

  He’d been a fool not to realize it sooner.

  He knew it now. That meant he could set things right. If she’d give him the chance to make it up to her.

  He left his perch next to the window and walked toward Abby, while still talking to the baby. “Look who’s awake, little one. It’s your mommy.” He settled on the bed next to Abby and placed the baby in her arms.

  The smile that came naturally to Abby’s face as she looked down at their daughter made Devlin’s heart thunder so loud he thought the whole world would hear it. He’d been waiting for her to wake up. Not just so they could talk, but because he wanted to be with her. To share this time between the two of them and their daughter.

  She ran a finger along the baby’s smooth face. “She looks a lot like Riley, don’t you think?”

  “She sure bellows like he did.”

  She looked up at him. “Did you go home?”

  He nodded. “Cash is going to bring the kids by later.”

  “What did they say when you told them about the baby?”

  “Jason pretended to act indifferent. Riley wa
nted to know if he could hold the baby first. And Paige asked if she could take the baby to preschool for show-and-tell.”

  She laughed but there were tears in her eyes, too. She looked down at the baby and then back up at him. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “I never thought I’d ever find this kind of happiness.”

  Before he could say anything, she surprised him by shifting the baby to one arm and reaching up to kiss him softly on the side of the mouth.

  When she lifted her head, her heart shone from her eyes. “I love you. I’m sorry I was such a coward and didn’t tell you before.”

  A powerful emotion slammed into his midsection. He didn’t need to hear any more. That Abby loved him was the only thing that mattered. Emotion rushed through him.

  He reached over and drew her back to him. This time he put all his feelings for her into the kiss.

  Giving.

  Receiving.

  And making promises that would last forever.

  “Ah, heck.” Jason’s voice, thick with teenage disgust, sounded from the doorway. “They’re locking lips.”

  With rich satisfaction flowing through him, Devlin released Abby slowly and grinned at her. “I think our other children have arrived.”

  He watched their three oldest children come into the room, Jason hanging to the back while Riley and Paige raced immediately to the bed.

  “Can I hold the baby first?” Riley asked.

  As Abby helped him get into position so he could hold the baby, Paige tugged Devlin’s leg. “Daddy, I can’t see my baby.”

  He hoisted Paige onto the bed so she could get a better look.

  “What’s her name?” Paige asked.

  “We haven’t chosen one yet,” her mother said.

  “Can we call her Molly?” Riley said. “That’s a nice name.”

  Jason produced a snort and drifted closer to the bed. “That’s because you like Molly Smythe. Last week you wanted to marry Beth Everett. We can’t change her name every time a girl dumps you.”

  Devlin noticed that Abby made a valiant effort to keep her humor from showing. Instead, she turned toward Jason, who was trying to pretend he had no interest in the baby. “Jason, what name do you like?”