The Army Doctor's Christmas Baby

by Helen Scott Taylor

  "They've made the job of reconstructive surgery almost impossible," Radley said, his voice grim.

  "I'd say the viability of the limb is in question," Sean added.

  "Let's take it one step at a time." Radley gave some instructions to the team. A nurse fitted his eye loupes on for him and then did the same for Sean so they had a magnified view for the fine surgical procedure.

  "I hope none of you had anything planned this evening," Radley said. "We'll be here awhile."

  Sean put his head down and started the slow, careful process of assessment, dictating a plan for reconstruction into a microphone. "I'll take a skin graft from his shoulder for this section." He pointed at the man's forearm.

  Radley nodded, concentrating on the tendons to the fingers. That was their pattern, how they worked so well together. Radley did the internal work, repairing bones, ligaments, and tendons, while Sean concentrated on creating a visually acceptable outcome for the patient, often grafting skin, muscle, and bone from other parts of the body to restore the use of a limb.

  They worked side by side for hours, exchanging comments and suggestions, their concentration absolute. Sometimes Sean forgot there was anyone else in the room except the patient and Radley. After a long time, they stepped back to assess the situation.

  Sean blinked, his eyes bleary. "We've made progress, but I don't know what we're going to do about the hole in the back of his hand."

  "There are ligaments and bones missing as well. If we're going to give him a fighting chance of walking away from this with a functioning hand, we'll need to replace them."

  "With what?" Sean said.

  Radley met Sean's gaze over his mask. "That's the question."

  Sean glanced around at the weary team who'd all been working for hours. "We've done what we can for now. Let's call it a day. We'll have a case meeting tomorrow morning and discuss how we'll move forward."

  They stepped aside as a nurse moved in to apply a dressing to the arm. The patient had been through a difficult procedure and needed a chance to recover some strength before the next stage.

  Sean and Radley walked out. They stripped off their masks, gowns, and gloves, dumped them in the receptacles provided, then headed back towards their rooms together.

  "By the way," Radley said, "I meant to ask. How did you get along with the bunny girl?"

  "I'm employing her."

  Radley's eyebrows rose.

  "To look after my twins."

  "Ah." Radley chuckled. "Cameron and Alice seemed to think you needed help getting a date."

  "Yeah, right." A pretty nurse sashayed towards them, batting her eyelashes in their direction. "When I want a date, I'll choose my own."

  Despite his words, he secretly thought Cameron and Alice had done a darn good job by choosing Kelly.

  He smiled, thoughts of her drifting through his weary mind like a balm to his soul.

  "So, any ideas about the reconstruction of the patient's hand?"

  Sean's expression sobered. "I'll review the literature."

  "Good idea. We'll talk tomorrow."

  They parted company when Sean reached his office door. He stripped and put on his uniform. A splash of cold water on his face would help him stay awake on the way home. Then he headed down to his car.

  By the time he tapped in the gate code and stopped in front of River View House, it was nearly midnight. He cut the sports car engine and sat for a moment, pinching the bridge of his nose. There must be a way to repair the man's hand to make it both functional and visually acceptable. If another surgical team had come up against this issue and solved it, he could copy what had been done before. If not, he would have to be creative. Often surgery like this was as much art as science.

  He climbed out and fitted his key in the front door lock. As he closed the door behind him, footsteps sounded.

  Kelly stood in the kitchen doorway at the end of the hall, the low light shining through her long waves of dark red hair, giving her a shimmering mahogany halo. "Hello. How did the operation go?"

  She had waited up for him. A burst of pleasure pushed back the tide of weariness for a moment. "Good as far as it goes. The man will need a number of surgeries before we're finished."

  "Don't dwell on it now. It's time to switch off. You should eat and get some sleep."

  Sean blinked his gritty eyes. He was pleased to see her, but all he wanted to do was fall into bed. He glanced up the stairs and she moved towards him. "Eat first."

  She was all business as she splayed a palm on his back to propel him in the direction of the kitchen. He sat on a stool at the island, the delicious smell of coffee and toast making his mouth water. He hadn't realized how hungry he was.

  Kelly poured him a cup of coffee with two sugars and cream, just as he liked it. She pulled a toasted cheese and ham sandwich from under the heat, cut it up, and passed him the plate. "I knew you wouldn't want too much to eat, but you need something."

  "Thanks." It was more than Eleanor had ever done for him, or Monique for that matter. She left him a cold sandwich if he was going to be late.

  Kelly leaned her elbows on the other side of the island and watched him eat, like a mother making sure her child cleaned his plate.

  "I know how it feels to be exhausted after a long operation. It wipes out your appetite, even when you really need to eat," she said. "It got like that during busy periods in the field hospital. After the worst engagements, we were working nonstop for three or four days with barely a moment to eat or drink and certainly no sleep."

  "I guess what I do is tame by comparison."

  "I've watched surgeons work, the total concentration they need. You must have been in the OR for about four hours. Even with the modern facilities of a high-tech hospital, that's exhausting."

  She took his dirty plate and slotted it in the dishwasher. "Okay, Colonel Fabian, sir, time for bed. We don't want you falling asleep in the kitchen."

  "It wouldn't be the first time."

  "No. I thought not." Kelly stood over him as he dragged himself up from the stool.

  How strange it was to have a woman here who understood what he did and how he felt. If he'd married Kelly instead of Eleanor, he'd have been much happier.

  ***

  Kelly woke to the sound of a baby whimpering. She kept her bedroom door ajar to hear the twins at night. She'd become so attuned to them, even the slightest murmur of distress pulled her from sleep.

  She rubbed her eyes and slipped from the bed. Putting on a fleece jacket over her pajamas to ward off the chill, she padded barefoot down the hall to the next bedroom.

  Although she hadn't heard him, Sean had beaten her there. Silhouetted by moonlight, he sat on a rocking chair in front of the window with one of his daughters held close, her head resting on his shoulder.

  A wave of warm emotions stole through Kelly at the adorable sight of Sean cuddling his baby daughter. He had been wiped out when he arrived home, barely able to keep his eyes open. Although she'd had ample proof he was a hands-on dad, doing everything he could for his daughters while he was here, she hadn't expected him to stir until morning, let alone get out of bed to tend to his child.

  A quick glance at the cribs confirmed her suspicion it was Zoe.

  "Is it her teeth?" Kelly whispered, not wanting to disturb Annabelle who slept on.

  Sean's head came up and he blinked sleepily. "I think so. When did she last have something for the discomfort?"

  "Before bedtime, so it's fine to give her another dose."

  "Okay. I'll fetch the medicine." He started to get up.

  "No. Let me. You stay there."

  Kelly went downstairs to retrieve the bottle of pain-relief syrup and a dosing spoon, then hurried back.

  Sean rocked slowly in the chair, his cheek against Zoe's hair. He turned his head as Kelly entered and sat straighter, adjusting Zoe so she could take her painkiller.

  Kelly crouched beside them and filled the spoon."

  Here you are, poppet. This w
ill make you feel better."

  The little girl pressed her face into Sean's chest.

  "Hey, munchkin, look at Daddy." Sean eased her away and cupped her chin in his hand. "This will stop your tooth hurting. Will you be a good girl and take the medicine for Daddy?"

  She nodded. When Kelly offered the spoon again, Zoe opened her mouth and took it without complaint.

  As Kelly screwed on the bottle lid, Zoe snuggled deeper into Sean's arms, curling up like a baby animal in a nest, obviously comforted by her father's touch.

  Both father and daughter looked adorable with their golden hair mussed and their sleepy faces. Kelly laid an affectionate hand on Sean's arm and smiled at the Superman logo on the front of his pajama top. Whoever had given him that was spot-on. She doubted it was the sort of gift his wife would have thought of, though.

  According to Alice, Sean's wife hadn't supported his career. That wasn't uncommon in the army; partners often got fed up with their army spouses being away. But Sean's wife was one of the lucky ones. His medical specialty meant he had always been posted in the UK.

  How could any woman not support a husband who spent his time saving the lives of soldiers who protected this country's freedoms and democratic way of life?

  If Sean had been her husband, she would have supported him and then some. "Shall I take over so you can get some sleep?"

  "No, I've got this. I missed putting the girls to bed. It's good to spend a little time with Zoe now."

  "Okay." Kelly rose, reluctantly removing her hand from his arm, and placed the medicine bottle on the changing unit at his side. "It's nearly four, so she can have another dose about breakfast time."

  He nodded. There was no reason for her to stay. She should go back to bed, but her feet didn't move. The warm, sleepy atmosphere and the gentle sound of the babies' breathing lulled her. She wanted to curl up in the other chair, to be part of this intimate family moment and watch Sean and Zoe together.

  "Can I get you anything, Sean? A drink, maybe."

  "Actually, a glass of water would be great. I didn't drink as much as I should yesterday. I'm a little dehydrated."

  Pleased to help, she hurried downstairs again and returned with a glass of iced water from the fridge dispenser.

  She handed it across and watched him down all of it. He blinked sleepily. Without thought, Kelly placed her hand over his against Zoe's back. She was drawn to touch him, wanted to snuggle up with him and his baby.

  His gaze rose to meet hers. For a moment they stared at each other in the moonlight, her whole body alive at the simple contact of his skin against hers.

  This man was so much more than a good-looking face, he was kind and gentle. She was already halfway in love with him.

  If Sean asked her to stay here, she would change her plans in a heartbeat. She had avoided relationships because she couldn't have children and most men wanted a family. But Sean already had his daughters. Maybe he and his babies were the answer to her prayers, a ready-made family who needed a wife and mother to make them complete.

  Chapter Five

  Kelly pushed the double stroller between the rows of cut Christmas trees at the garden center and stopped beside Sean. He lifted out a six-foot tree and shook it to spread the branches.

  "What about this one?" He grinned at her from beneath his woolly cap decorated in snowmen, a matching scarf wrapped around his neck. He looked as excited as a small boy in a toy shop.

  "Looks good to me."

  Kelly crouched beside the stroller next to the little girls and pointed at the tree. "What do you two think? Do you like this one?" Both babies stared at her blankly.

  "They don't understand what it's for," she said.

  "They will when we get it home and cover it in shiny, sparkly things they want to play with."

  Zoe yawned and Annabelle grunted, tugging impatiently on the safety straps holding her in the stroller.

  "They're bored. Let's buy some decorations quickly and get them home."

  Sean passed the tree off to a member of the garden center staff to take to the checkout, then they all traipsed inside the huge glass building full of potted plants and other gardening accessories. They headed to the section overflowing with glittering Christmas baubles, lights, and wreaths. Tall pines dressed in a multitude of colors filled the area to entice shoppers to try the designs.

  "Let's go for a traditional look." Sean frowned at a tree decorated with feathers, lace, and old-fashioned pictures of scantily clad women.

  "I agree." Kelly hadn't been Christmas tree shopping since she was young. This trip with Sean and the girls was nostalgic, taking her back to a time when her family had lived in England and she'd been close to her parents and sister.

  "What do you have at home in the way of Christmas stuff," she asked, thinking they should match the colors.

  "Nothing. Eleanor and I never bothered to decorate the house. We were both too busy to give it much thought."

  "Same for me. I'm normally working overseas during Christmas." By choice, but she didn't say that aloud.

  "This will be my first Christmas with the children." Sean held up a fat Santa-shaped bauble. "I'm really looking forward to it." Then he added softly for her ears only, "I want a happy Christmas to blot out the memory of what happened last December."

  Kelly cast him a sympathetic glance and squeezed his arm. Last Christmas was around the time his wife died. That must be a terrible holiday memory. She was surprised he could bring himself to celebrate at all.

  Sean lifted a wreath of holly and pine twined with shiny gold and red beads. "This will look good over the wood-burning stove in the sitting room area."

  They filled a cart with garlands, baubles, and other fripperies, checked out, and loaded everything in the car. Both girls fidgeted and moaned, tired and fretful now, ready for lunch and a nap.

  Sean fixed the tree to the roof of his SUV with the help of the garden center assistant. The pine blew and bumped on top of the vehicle as Sean drove home, its fluttering branches visible through the glass sunroof. Annabelle cried and pointed at it, while Zoe screamed in distress.

  An earsplitting noise filled the car, so loud Kelly couldn't make herself heard as she tried to reassure the babies.

  "Thank goodness we're only going two miles," Sean shouted, wincing.

  When they arrived home, they rushed the girls inside to comfort them, stripping off their thick winter suits, hats, and gloves, changing diapers, wiping noses, and dispensing kisses and hugs until peace was restored.

  Once the children were in their high chairs, Kelly hummed a Christmas carol she remembered from childhood as she heated the twins' lunch and prepared soup with warm crusty rolls for herself and Sean.

  "You seem happy here, Kelly," Sean said.

  "Yes, very happy. I love looking after the girls. And you."

  As she sat across the table from him, he reached over and laid his hand on hers, his eyes sparkling with pleasure. "I enjoy having you here. You know that, don't you?"

  "I hoped so."

  He stroked his thumb across the back of her hand, his expression thoughtful. Was he about to ask her to stay on, or reveal he had feelings for her?

  With a sigh, he let her go and resumed eating. Kelly's breath rushed out in disappointment. Maybe he was just grateful to her for stepping in to help with his children. His mind must be on the anniversary of losing his wife—not on starting a new relationship.

  After lunch, Sean fixed the tree on its stand and strung the miniature lights around it. Kelly helped Zoe hang the baubles on the branches while Sean assisted Annabelle, both of them lifting the babies so they could reach the higher branches.

  It took five minutes for the children to lose interest. They toddled to the sofa, climbed up, and curled together, their thumbs in their mouths. Then they drifted off to sleep, leaving Sean and Kelly to finish decorating the tree.

  Kelly grabbed her phone to take some photographs of the two cute little girls cuddling up, her heart aching at t
he thought that in a few weeks she would probably be many miles away. They would return to their normal routine with Monique and these photos might be all Kelly had to remind her of this wonderful time with the children.

  While Sean was busy packing up the wrappings from the decorations, Kelly surreptitiously snapped some shots of him as well—something to dream over when she had a quiet moment.

  As the babies slept, Sean dropped onto the sofa beside them and opened a book on his lap, sketching diagrams and making notations.

  Kelly slipped her phone back in her bag with a sigh. The last few days he had been preoccupied with important medical problems while here she was mooning over him like a love-sick schoolgirl.

  "Thinking about your latest patient?"

  He nodded. He'd explained the conundrum of the surgical reconstruction he needed to do. For the last two nights he had pored over his laptop, reading papers and reports of similar operations, studying plans of the musculature of the human body, looking for inspiration.

  Kelly brought him a cup of coffee and sat at his side, examining his diagrams. "What about taking muscle from the ribs?"

  "Yes." He pointed at his sketch. "I've already discussed that possibility with Radley. The main problem is we need some bones to reconstruct the supporting architecture of the hand before we can graft on the soft tissue.

  "Ribs?" Kelly said, her eyebrows raised in question.

  "Yes." Sean turned a thoughtful gaze her way. "That's exactly what I'm contemplating. The ribs are the right size and the patient won't miss a couple of them. As far as I can see, it's the only option, but it's never been done before. We'd be pushing the boundaries."

  "That's what boundaries are for." Kelly's voice came out husky and intimate. Sitting so close to Sean, their shoulders and thighs touching, she wanted to snuggle into his arms and kiss him. She wanted to be with this man. If she didn't make the first move, she would never know if he felt the same way.

  "I want to push some boundaries with you," she said softly.

  Sean set aside his pad and turned to her, his hand lifting to cup her cheek. She leaned into his touch, everything inside her melting.