Beside her, the machine recorded another contraction.
“That’s your biggest one yet. Can’t be long now,” Janet said as she looked down at her watch. “Brody just texted. He’s five minutes away.”
“Thank God.”
“Indeed,” Janet said.
Lucy, their nurse, bustled in to check Kara. Janet moved out of the way as Lucy asked Kara to scoot into the stirrups.
Kara stared at the ceiling as Lucy did the exam. “We’ve got eight centimeters,” Lucy said.
“Good timing,” Janet said. “My son’s a few minutes away. Let’s get this going. I can’t wait to meet my grandson.”
Thank God indeed.
Honor
HONOR PULLED INTO THE lot behind the small hospital. Brody leaped from the car and sprinted toward the doors. She grabbed her purse and followed.
There was no sign of Brody by the time she walked into the lobby. Zane was pacing. Surprised there weren’t holes in the carpet by now, she threw herself into his arms. “I thought you’d never get here,” he whispered.
“It was the longest drive of my life.”
He grabbed her hands and squeezed them so hard that she winced. “Doc’s in there with Sophie. He said to send you in when you got here.” They’d had this planned for months now. Honor was to be Sophie’s labor coach. Zane would come in right before the baby arrived.
A nurse Honor didn’t recognize appeared. “I’m Lucy, Sophie’s nurse. Come on back.”
“Is she all right?” Honor asked.
“She’s doing great.” Lucy explained that since Sophie’s water broke, they had to induce labor with drugs. They’d given her Pitocin. “It kicked in right away. The contractions have been intense. As soon as she’s four inches dilated, we’ll give her the epidural.”
Sophie, wearing only a hospital gown, bounced on an exercise ball. Honor had never seen tanned Sophie look pale, but she did now. Her hair was damp with sweat. “Hey there.”
“How’s it going?” Honor asked.
“Contractions hurt like hell.” She closed her eyes. “Oh God, here’s another one.”
Honor encouraged her to kneel on the floor while holding on to the exercise ball as they’d learned in class. Sophie draped herself over the ball and moaned like a primal animal. Honor’s blood went cold. This wasn’t right. It should be her, not Sophie.
For the next thirty minutes, Honor was by her side, helping her to breathe through contractions and rubbing her back. Sophie alternated between being on her knees and draped over the ball during the pain. Between contractions, she sucked on ice cubes.
After about an hour, Lucy checked Sophie’s cervix. They rejoiced when she said she was at four centimeters and could have the epidural. Dr. Meeter set to work. Honor couldn’t look as he slipped the needle into Sophie’s spinal cord. She started praying harder than she’d ever prayed in her life.
Please, God, let her be all right.
She repeated it over and over until Dr. Meeter stepped away, declaring all was well. Honor breathed a deeper sigh when Sophie’s face relaxed in obvious release from the pain. For the next half hour, Sophie rested comfortably on the bed through contractions. Honor, as her husband was probably still doing in the lobby, paced.
A few minutes later, Zane came into the room, carrying a teddy bear. “Maggie dropped this by. She’s on her way over to Brody’s to help Rafael and Jubie look for Minnie. Jubie’s been with poor Rafael all evening. He probably has pink fingernails by now.”
“They haven’t found Minnie yet?” Sophie asked.
“Not yet,” Zane said. “They’ve looked in every nook and cranny of that house. No Minnie and no kittens.”
A thought occurred to Honor. There was a hidden shelf under Brody’s desk. He’d had it built so he could elevate his ankles after he sprained one in a game. It was now a favorite sleeping place for Minnie. “I have an idea.”
She pulled her phone from her purse and typed a message to Maggie.
Check under Brody’s desk for Minnie. Brody had a shelf built back there to rest his feet on after injuries. It might be the perfect hiding place for a cat giving birth.
Lucy put a movie on for them. Honor relaxed in the chair, only half watching, too nervous and excited to concentrate. Minutes crawled by. Zane went out to get sandwiches, and they ate them in the lobby so as not to bother Sophie.
When they finished, Honor returned to Sophie. She fussed with the blanket over Sophie’s lap. What more could she do? This was the most helpless she’d ever felt in her life. She smoothed Sophie’s damp hair from her forehead. “I’m sorry this is so bad. I wish it were me.”
“Stop it,” Sophie said. “This was my idea, remember?”
“I didn’t realize how bad this would suck,” Honor said. “I don’t deserve a baby, because I’m not doing any of the work.”
Sophie placed Honor’s hand on her swollen belly. “Doing this for you is the most important thing I’ll ever do. Don’t you see? You’ve given me a gift. You’ve made my life meaningful.”
Honor stroked Sophie’s arm, careful not to get in the way of the needle. “You’re such a brave girl.”
“Tell me about Hugh,” Sophie said. “You knew him so well. Is there anything you haven’t told me about him?”
Hugh? What could she tell Sophie about her biological dad that Honor hadn’t already shared with her? Hugh had been the first adult to ever come through for Honor. When she’d first moved to Cliffside Bay, he’d taken her under his wing and given her the father she’d never had. Last year, they’d lost him not long after Sophie had come into their lives. Before his death, Hugh Shaw had suffered for several years from Alzheimer’s. Sophie never knew the man he was before the disease robbed him of memories. He was one of the greatest men ever to walk the earth.
Sophie’s adoptive parents were devoted and provided the happiest of families. Yet Sophie always wondered about her biological parents. Most would, of course. It had rocked them all when Zane and Maggie had discovered their parents had an affair and made Sophie. For Maggie and Zane, discovering Sophie was like finding a missing puzzle piece.
“I’m trying to think of anything I haven’t already told you,” Honor said. A memory came to her then. The second Christmas Honor had spent in Cliffside Bay, Hugh had agreed to play Santa for the Christmas Eve festivities. The man who’d played him for years had died unexpectedly, and they were desperate for a Santa.
“Hugh was shy,” Honor said. “His personality was very much like Zane’s. Reserved. Not one for the spotlight.” She explained about the town’s need for a Santa. “He finally relented and agreed to do it, but only if I’d be his helper.”
“An elf?”
“Yes, an elf.” Honor laughed, remembering the costume they’d given her to wear. “I had to wear a little green dress and brown tights. And elf ears. It was totally humiliating. Hugh thought it was hilarious. Misery loves company.”
“Was he a good Santa?” Sophie asked.
“Yes, he was very good with the kids. He came alive with them, much more than with adults. Every kid in town must have come through that night, and he patiently sat through all their requests.” Her throat ached, remembering Hugh’s kind eyes peering out from under the Santa hat. “They’d set us up in the corner of The Oar, and Hugh had asked that it only go until five so he could get ready for the dinner rush. About two minutes to five, the place was finally empty. We were about to tear off our costumes when one more child appeared—a little boy about six or seven—skinny, with this haunted look in his eyes.” The hungry look. Honor knew it well. She’d had it most of her life. It was the kind of hunger that went deeper than physical need. A hunger for love, for family. To this day, she remembered his name. “He told us his name was Timmy Nelson.”
“What did he ask for?” Sophie asked.
“He asked for a toy fire truck. He told Santa he wanted to be a fireman someday.”
“A fireman?” Sophie’s eyes filled.
Hono
r nodded, understanding the significance. Hugh had left a newborn Sophie at a firehouse when he’d been forced to hide her from a dangerous man. “Hugh told him that some of the very best people in the world were firefighters. I had no idea how deeply he meant that.”
“Did Timmy have anyone with him?” Sophie asked.
“Not with him,” Honor said, continuing with the story. “When he scooted from Hugh’s lap, I followed him out the door to see if anyone waited. No one did. I watched him walk down the street and into the old Victorian. I saw a light go on in the downstairs apartment—the one Kara lived in later. It’s a crap studio. Damp and cold. You know me, I can’t let anything go, so I sprinted down there and peeped in the window to see what kind of situation he lived in. I knew all about crappy homes, so I recognized right away that things were bad. His mother was passed out on the couch with an empty booze bottle on the coffee table. No tree. Probably no food. The little boy was huddled on the couch next to her feet.” She choked on the last part of the sentence. That little boy had looked just like her before they took her away and put her into foster care.
“Anyway, you can figure the rest,” Honor said. “Hugh got him a fire truck and a few other toys. He took the presents and a meal on Christmas day. I didn’t go with him, but he told me about it later. They spent a long time talking that afternoon. Hugh had this way of getting people to open up. He always said any bartender worth their salt was half shrink. The woman had lost her husband. She had no family to turn to and fell into a deep depression, then self-medicated with booze. She admitted it had gotten out of control and that yes, she was desperate for help.”
“Do you know what ever happened to them?” Sophie asked.
“That’s the remarkable part. Most people would have called child services and set a whole bunch of destruction in motion. Instead, Hugh asked the pastor at his church to go over and say hello and offer his help. This was Pastor Joe—he’s since moved on—but he was young and a real firecracker. He told Hugh he’d be happy to check on them if Hugh promised to attend church at least twice a month.” Honor smiled. “Hugh kept his deal, which somehow included taking me with him too. But that’s a whole different story. The pastor helped her get sober and attending AA meetings. Members of the church helped them out with meals and donations until she was back on her feet. Then they moved away. After that, I have no idea what happened to them.”
“Do you think they made it?” Sophie asked.
“I’d like to think so. But who knows? She was a single mom—poor and without family or education to help her. It’s hard to break out of the cycle.”
“I’m going to choose to believe they’re doing well,” Sophie said.
“That’s what Hugh always said when we talked about it,” Honor said. “You share a lot of qualities with him, including an unflinching optimism.”
“I’d love to be like him,” Sophie said.
“You are.”
They were interrupted when Lucy said it was time for another look at Sophie’s cervix. As Lucy performed the same stirrup and spread-your-legs routine, Honor stroked Sophie’s hair. “You, my dear, are fully dilated. We’re ready to get this baby out. I’ll go get the doctor.”
“I’ll let Zane know we’re ready for him,” Honor said as she attempted to keep her voice from shaking.
THIRTY MINUTES LATER, Sophie did one final push, and the baby’s head slipped out. Or, rather, was coaxed out by the skillful senior Dr. Waller. Honor stood next to the doctor, wanting to see the moment their son entered the world. Zane stayed near Sophie’s head, mopping her brow between pushes and whispering encouragement.
Sophie had the physical strength of a Thoroughbred racehorse and the mental fortitude of the greatest Zen master of all time. Throughout the pushing process, she remained focused and stoic, even after the epidural had worn off.
When the rest of their son slid from Sophie’s body, Honor held her breath, praying for the first sign of wellness. He didn’t waste any time. The moment Doc lifted him into the air, he let out a ferocious cry.
“We’ve got a feisty one,” Doc said as Lucy took the baby and quickly cleaned him with a soft, dry towel.
“He’s okay?” Sophie asked.
“He’s just great,” Doc said.
Sophie fell back against the pillows. “That was hard.” She grinned. “Look at him. He’s very fat, isn’t he?”
“You did great, Sophie,” Zane said.
“I always knew these hips were good for something,” Sophie said.
Honor was unable to move. Their baby boy was the most beautiful sight she’d ever seen. Lucy wrapped him in a blanket and set him in Honor’s arms. Zane must have known how her legs had suddenly weakened, because he guided her over to the rocking chair. Doc had returned to care for Sophie, delivering the afterbirth.
Honor cried as she rocked him in her arms and stared down at his perfect face. Lucy encouraged her to unbutton her blouse and hold him against her chest. She did so. He was warm against her skin. If only she could feed him from her body. No, don’t go there. She would not let a bitter thought creep in. Not today. Not when Sophie had given them a miracle. She lifted his hands one after the other and kissed each of his fingers, then took a good look at his toes. Zane knelt next to them and stroked the baby’s head.
“Hello, little buddy,” Zane said. “We’re glad to meet you.”
Lucy asked for the baby so that she could weigh him and do the eye drops and tests. Honor reluctantly let him go. Her arms felt empty without him.
She remembered Sophie then. Was she all right? Honor looked over to see Doc still crouched between her legs. Sophie stared up at the ceiling.
Honor crossed over to the bed and stroked her arm. “Are you in pain?”
Sophie gave a weak smile. “Not much.”
“Nothing but a tiny tear. You did very well,” Doc said. “I’m going to put a few stitches in there and get you ready to go home and get your life back.”
“Does this change my virgin status?” Sophie asked, somewhere between a laugh and a sob.
Doc winked at her. “I’ll make sure everything’s repaired good as new. But as far as virginity goes—that’s above my pay grade.”
“How will I describe myself on dating apps after this?” Sophie asked. “Sophie Woods, twenty-two-year-old virgin who gave birth to her brother’s baby. Likes fine wine and running on the beach.” Sophie’s face crumpled. Tears leaked from her eyes.
Honor’s heart seized. “What is it?”
“I don’t know. It’s just weird. I feel empty,” Sophie said.
Doc, obviously finished with whatever he was doing down there, stood and tore his gloves from his hands. “Sweetheart, it’s completely normal to feel this way. You’ve given birth, and your hormones will be a mess, further complicated by the fact that the baby you carried in your womb is not yours. But your body doesn’t know that.”
Sophie’s tears subsided. Honor dotted Sophie’s cheeks with a tissue.
“I’m sorry,” Sophie said. “I didn’t expect it to be this hard.”
Zane came over with the baby in his arms, diapered and swaddled in a blanket.
“Do you want to hold him?” Zane asked Sophie. “Would that help?”
She nodded and sat up slightly. “Just for a moment. Then I have to sleep.”
Zane placed their son in his aunt’s arms. “You’re his auntie,” Honor said. “You’ll be so important to his life. Especially when he’s old enough to understand what you did to make him.”
Sophie cried some more as she looked down at her nephew. “Hi there. It’s your favorite auntie here. You were in my stomach kicking around like you’re going to be a soccer player.” After a minute or so, she looked up at Honor and then to Zane. “I know he’s yours, but I love him with all my heart.”
“We love you,” Zane said.
Sophie handed him back to Honor and lay back on the pillows.
Doc went around to the other side of the bed. “There’s a room
down the hall with a rocking chair. Why don’t you guys go down there with Lucy and talk through the feeding plan. I’m going to spend some time with my patient.”
Honor kissed Sophie on the cheek. “Thank you. A thousand times, thank you.”
Sophie looked up at her and smiled. “You’re welcome. A thousand times.”
As they left the room, Honor heard Doc say, “Let’s talk through some of these feelings, okay?”
Jubie
JUBIE RAN DOWN THE hallway and into Brody’s office. Rafael and Maggie, with Lily still on her hip, followed.
“Honor said there’s a shelf under the desk,” Maggie said as she pulled the chair out from the desk. “Jubie, crawl under there and look.”
Jubie dropped to her knees and scuttled under the desk. A pair of light green eyes peered back at her. Bubbles danced in her stomach the way they did on her birthday or Christmas morning. “I see her. I see Minnie.”
“Do you see any kittens?” Maggie asked.
“It’s too dark.”
Maggie handed Jubie her phone. “Do you know how to turn the flashlight on?”
Jubie knew how to do that. Mama had taught her that ages ago. She wasn’t a baby like Lily.
Jubie turned on the light and focused it on Minnie. Four babies, no bigger than the mouse she’d seen at the pet store, sucked from Minnie’s tummy. She squealed.
“What do you see?” Maggie asked.
“There’s four of them!” In Jubie’s excitement she bumped her head on the top of the desk. “Ow.” She inched out backward, rubbing her head. “They’re eating from Minnie’s boobies. And there’s a lot of blood and other yucky stuff.”
“Stay here,” Rafael said. “I’ll take a look.” He crouched on his hands and knees.
Jubie giggled. It was funny to see such a large man in a small space.
Rafael, still on his knees, looked back at them. “The kittens are at their awkward stage. They’ll get cute later.”
“Do they look healthy, though?” Maggie asked.
Rafael rose from the floor. “They seem fine. There’s no doubt who their father is. Two of them are gray like Whiskers. Two are tuxedo.”
Cliffside Christmas Page 5