From Here To Maternity

by Cheryl Anne Porter

  A suitably shocked and embarrassed silence followed, during which Ms.—no, the widowed Mrs. Gibson turned Vivian’s sweetly smiling way. On the landing, as yet unnoticed by the gathering in her living room, Laura stood still with Tucker. Who raised his head, stared at Vivian and drawled, “Damn.” Laura’s jaw dropped.

  “Now, how did you know all that?” Mrs. Gibson asked Vivian. “And don’t say you’re psychic.”

  “I am. But that’s not how I found out about you. When I was out with Tucker this afternoon, we went into the coffee shop next door and ended up sitting behind you while you were having a heart to heart with your friend. Where is she, by the way? I thought her new hair color was great.”

  And like everyone else who dealt with Vivian, Mrs. Gibson coughed up the facts. It was easier. “She went home.”

  “Oh. Good,” Vivian said. She turned to the room at large. “A cup of tea, anyone?”

  No one knew how to respond to that. Or maybe they just had their mental hands full wondering what was coming next Vivian reached over to pat the poor exposed caseworker’s hand and said, “She’s a caseworker with the state. And I hope she’s not here to take Tucker away.”

  “Take him away? Why? What has happened?” Muriel Stanton blurted, looking around the room. She rounded on her husband, putting her hand on his coat sleeve. “Stanton, there’s a baby. Do something.”

  Stanton Maguire turned to his son. “Is that baby yours?”

  All Grant could do was shake his head before Vivian spotted her daughter on the landing. “Look who’s here, Laura. It’s Mrs. Gibson. Maybe she can help you and Grant adopt the baby.”

  “Adopt? He’s not yours, either?” Stanton Maguire asked.

  Laura, too, only got to shake her head before Vivian cut in again. “I’m so glad you two kids are in love. And getting married. That should make things easier.” She looked at Mrs. Gibson. “Do they have to be married to adopt?”

  That poor woman shook her head—only to have Vivian cut in again. “Well, I didn’t think so. But I wasn’t sure.” She turned. “Isn’t this great? We’re all here. And on such a momentous occa—Wait just a damned minute.” It was the first time Laura ever heard her mother curse. Vivian rounded on Mrs. Gibson. “Are you here to take this baby away?”

  Laura held her breath, waiting for the answer.

  But Mrs. Gibson’s reply was cut off, this time by a red-faced Stanton Maguire. “Will someone please tell me just who in hell’s baby this is?”

  Laura, Grant, Vivian and Mrs. Gibson turned to him. “We don’t know who in hell’s baby he is.”

  Stanton stiffened. Muriel put a hand to her pearldraped throat. “Then what in God’s name are you doing with him?” Stanton looked straight at Laura—whose brain promptly turned to mush—then turned to his son. “And what do you mean you’re getting married? What is going on around here?”

  From where she stood, Laura could see Grant’s jaw clench. “I’ll be glad to tell you what’s—”

  “Grant, please,” Muriel interjected. She turned to her husband. “Now, Stanton, dear, remember your heart.” She put her hand on her husband’s sleeve, her patrician features softening, her dark eyes pleading. “Stanton, a baby. He’s so precious. I would so love to hold him. Please. Grant loves Laura. And she’s a lovely girl. We were wrong back then. And we both know it.”

  Stanton Maguire’s jaw worked. The scene, for Laura, was almost too intimate to watch. Especially when the elder Maguire exhaled and seemed to slump as he covered his wife’s hand with his own. “All right. All right, Muriel.” The older man got up and moved toward Laura. She swallowed and looked at Grant, who nodded and offered a hopeful smile. Stanton Maguire stopped at the bottom of the three steps and stared at her. “Will you join us, please?”

  “Certainly.” Laura managed to croak the words out, carefully watching her step as she descended with Tucker in her arms.

  When she reached the bottom, Stanton Maguire took Laura’s elbow and turned her, baby and all, into his arms. And hugged her to him. Like he meant it. Even patted her back in a kind gesture. “We couldn’t be happier for you and Grant, Laura. Ten years is a long time to be wrong. It’s good to see you again.”

  Laura couldn’t believe this. After everything you did to pull Grant and me apart? Just like that, it’s good to see me? Ha. But then she remembered she loved this man’s son with all her heart and soul. And was going to make a life with him. She wanted him to have a new relationship with his parents. One she could tell Grant needed. So, if Stanton Maguire was willing to take this big chance, then, by golly, so was she.

  And so it was that when her future father-in-law pulled back and smiled into her face, Laura was able to say, and mean it, “Thank you. It’s…nice to see you, too.”

  As Stanton rubbed Tucker’s dark little head and smiled at him, Laura looked past him to Muriel Stanton, who was holding her son’s hand as he stood beside her. “And you, too, Mrs. Stanton,” Laura told her.

  Muriel’s expression all but crumpled. Laura saw her grip on her son’s hand tighten. And noted that he squeezed back. “Thank you, Laura. You’re very gracious.” She looked at her son. “I just wish—” She turned to Laura, took a deep breath and started over. “What I’m trying to say is, we were wrong. About so many things. We know that. And we want to make amends, if we can.”

  “Please,” Laura said, hefting Tucker’s weight “There’s…well, it’s all in the past. Let’s just consider it bygones.”

  Muriel’s smile deepened. “Thank you, Laura. And if you would, if you can find it in your heart…call me Muriel. After all, it appears we’re going to be related. And I couldn’t be happier.”

  Laura smiled. “Me, either. And I can do that…Muriel.”

  It was a start A beginning. A place from which to move forward. A healing moment with great promise. One best left alone.

  If only someone had told Vivian. Into this beautiful moment, one that promised to see them through many bumpy times to come, no doubt, Vivian spoke. “See, honey? They don’t hate you like you’ve said all these years. And to think I didn’t want you to marry Grant because his parents were so uppity. Well, they’re not anymore, are they?”

  Trapped next to Stanton Maguire, Laura could do nothing but stare into the uppity man’s shocked, wide amber eyes. So like Grant’s. Laura couldn’t stop herself. She burst out laughing…thankfully, right along with Mr. Maguire, who said, “I’ll be damned if this isn’t the strangest day I’ve ever lived through.”

  He turned from Laura and crossed to his son and wife. And took Grant in his arms, hugging him and affectionately pounding the life right out of him. Grant pounded right back, Laura noted, standing there holding her baby. Her baby? The warm scene cooled for Laura. As if they’d all read her thoughts, everyone turned to Laura. And Tucker. Laura looked at the little boy, who stared somberly, his blue-eyed gaze on Mrs. Gibson.

  All heads turned to the caseworker. “I’m not here to take him away,” she said quickly.

  Emotional gasps, laden with relief, filled the room. Laura glanced at Grant, who released his mother’s hand and came to stand beside her, putting his arm around her shoulders. Smiling at him, her heart swelling with relief and joy, Laura knew what she had to do. Ask the hard questions. She focused on Mrs. Gibson. “You’re not taking him away now. But you don’t mean for good, do you?”

  She nodded. “You’re right. Because I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. But I’ve been thinking…This baby belongs with you.”

  Murmurings of agreement filled the room. But Laura had to be sure. “Do you think that can happen? That we—” she nodded at Grant. “—will be able to keep Tucker?”

  “Tucker?”

  “Oh. The baby. We—I call him Tucker. It’s a long story.”

  “I’m sure it is.” Mrs. Gibson smiled. “Of course, Tucker’s real parents could come forward at any moment. But I don’t think they will. Usually in a case like this, they don’t Which means Tucker will have to go int
o foster care.”

  Cries of protest filled the room, but Mrs. Gibson raised a hand. “There’s no reason you and Mr. Maguire can’t be those foster parents.” Sighs of relief echoed off the walls. “It’s a lot of paperwork, but—”

  “But worth it,” Grant cut in. “We’ll do anything. Anything to keep Tucker. In fact, we’d like to adopt him.”

  Mrs. Gibson smiled. “I think that can be arranged. I don’t believe the court will have any problem approving you. I mean, you are the Maguires.”

  Laura felt Grant’s grip on her tighten. She met his smiling amber gaze. “Yes. We are that. We are the Maguires.” Then he stepped forward to shake Mrs. Gibson’s hand.

  Overcome with emotion, Laura swung Tucker in front of her and held him up, kissing his little fat cheeks, then pulling him to her. Right side up. And without dropping him. “Mama,” he shrieked happily.

  Everyone in the room laughed, descending on Laura and remarking on the baby’s rare intelligence. And how much he looked like…well, no one in this room, but Muriel thought he had the Maguire nose, and Vivian was sure the child had the Elderschmidt—her maiden name—psychic vision. Wait until Irving saw this one. Their first grandchild. And look at those hands, Stanton added. A pro quarterback’s hands, no doubt about it. Laura happily showed the little boy off, like a little king. Tucker graciously accepted all the attention as his due.

  And then, suddenly, Laura noticed Grant wasn’t there. Immediately, Tucker said, “Da-da?” Surprised, but not really, Laura looked at the baby. He winked. She shook her head. Who knew with this kid?

  Then she heard Grant’s voice. But surrounded by Tucker’s admirers, all she could do was crane her neck and try to find Grant through the crowd. She caught sight of him standing off to the side, talking to Mrs. Gibson. They were deep in serious conversation. Curious, Laura listened in. And smiled.

  “And next week I’ll be taking over the Maguire holdings from my father. I’ve been thinking about what I want to do with a portion of our liquid assets. Which is why I wanted your card last night.”

  Mrs. Gibson nodded. “Oh?”

  “Yes. See, I’m thinking of starting a foundation, Mrs. Gibson. I haven’t really talked any of this over with Laura yet, and of course she’ll be a big part of it, what with her advertising expertise and her ability to get the word out there, but I want to call it the Tucker Foundation. And have it work for children like Tucker. And their parents. A fully funded, nonprofit organization to somehow help them. But I’m not sure how to go about it. This is where you come in.”

  Mrs. Gibson looked at him. “Me? What can I do?”

  “Well, you can run it for me, actually.” The woman pulled back, her eyes wide. Laura noticed that Grant went on as if he hadn’t noticed. He should have looked ridiculous, standing there barefoot in wet clothes. But what he was doing was so noble it didn’t matter. And Laura had never loved him more.

  “Delineate the needs, things like that,” he was saying. “And someone like you, someone with experience should run it. I don’t want any parent to feel they have to abandon their child out of desperation. I want them to have a place to turn for immediate help. For jobs, maybe. And medical help. And counseling. Food. Clothes. Things like that. I know governments have funds set up for this kind of thing. But why can’t the private sector, too? What do you think?”

  “I think I’m overwhelmed, Mr. Maguire.”

  “Call me Grant But do you think this is something you’d be interested in doing? I’ll make it more than worth your while. And if you think your sisters would be interested, we’ll bring them on board, too. But that’d be your call. As would all the employees.”

  The former caseworker put a hand to her chest and smiled. “Oh, yes, Mr.—I mean, Grant, I’m very interested. I know my sisters will be, too.” She nodded in a gesture of respect and added, “And by the way, I think it’s a wonderful thing you’re doing.”

  Grant put his hand over hers. “No, Mrs. Gibson—”

  “Linda. Please.”

  Grant smiled. “Linda. It’s a wonderful thing you’re doing, helping us with Tucker the way you have. You have a lot of heart And I hope you can continue to help us.”

  “Oh, I think I can.”

  A look of relief swept across Grant’s features. Laura had to smile through her tears of joy. This little baby meant as much to him as he did to her. What a great father this man was going to make. “Good,” Grant said. “Oh, one more thing. I don’t want us to be considered on any other merit than our suitability as parents.”

  Oh, no. Laura barely bit back a squawk as she separated herself from the crowd, and walked toward Grant and Linda Gibson. She gave Grant an overly bright grin and said through gritted teeth, “Can I speak to you in private a moment, please, sweetheart?”

  Grant looked surprised. He smiled. “Sure.”

  “Good,” Laura announced, pivoting to hand Tucker to Muriel Stanton, whose eyes widened happily. “Will you take him, Muriel? I have to talk to your son.”

  “I’d be delighted,” she gushed, taking Tucker from Laura and slowly drawing him to her as if he were a rare and precious jewel. “Oh, my sweet little man,” she cooed, her cheek next to his.

  Tucker raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. Laura exhaled in relief and took Grant’s arm. “If you’ll excuse us…” And then she carted Grant off, chewing the man’s ear—verbally—as they crossed the room. “Grant, did you just hear yourself?”

  “About the Tucker Foundation? I was going to tell you.”

  “Not that. By the way, I think it’s a wonderful idea. And you’re wonderful, too. I meant about us going through the adoption process on our parenting merits alone.”

  “Why not? What’s wrong with that? We’re good—”

  “Grant Leon Maguire. Think about it Why are we soaked to the skin?”

  “Because we were bathing Tucker in the sink and he—Oh.”

  “Uh-huh. And where does he sleep?”

  “In a drawer. But, hell, Laura, I think we can afford a crib before the state pays a visit.”

  “And that’s another thing. Where will the state be going to pay this visit? My place or yours?”

  “Huh?”

  They walked around the corner, out of earshot. And left the four remaining adults and one baby standing there. Vivian immediately took charge. “Aren’t they the cutest couple?” After everyone nodded, saying oh, yes, they most certainly were, Vivian added “Won’t they make great parents?”

  Everyone sort of nodded, looked all around the room, but said nothing, really.

  Not the least bit daunted, Vivian turned to Tucker and took his chubby little hand in hers. “So, sweetie, what do you think?”

  Tucker grinned and pointed a pudgy little baby finger toward the hallway where Laura and Grant had disappeared. “Mama. Da-da,” he said. And added a new word he hadn’t used before. “Mine.”

  eISBN: 978-14592-7468-6

  FROM HERE TO MATERNITY

  Copyright © 1999 by Cheryl Anne Porter

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, Including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

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