Jubie jumped up and down on the balls of her feet. “Aunt Maggie, now you and Uncle Jackson can have cats too.”
Maggie laughed and bounced Lily on her hip. “We do need a couple of cats to keep the mice out of the house.”
“Lily would love to have a pet, I bet.” Jubie patted Lily’s foot. Lily babbled nonsense and reached for Jubie with a slobbery hand. Jubie had a lot of experience with babies. All her uncles and aunts had gobs of them. The babies were always babbling without making any sense whatsoever. And drooling. Good thing they were cute.
“I’d take a few, but I already have two. Four cats would definitely make me a crazy cat guy,” Rafael said.
“Lisa would love to have one or two, but with her filming schedule, she doesn’t have time for cats,” Maggie said.
“Who’s Lisa?” Jubie asked.
“My friend,” Maggie said. “She’s an actress.”
“Like a real one? On TV?” Jubie asked.
“That’s right. She gets to wear princess costumes and pretend to be other people,” Maggie said.
That sounded like the best job in the whole world. Jubie had a few princess dresses in her closet. She’d wear them to church if her dad would let her, but he always said no. Church is not playtime. She didn’t tell him that they played a lot during Sunday school. She knew better than to let that news out.
“Rafael, you should come by and say hello to Lisa,” Maggie said.
“I should?” Rafael asked.
He had the same confused look on his face as he had earlier—when they were trying to figure out where Minnie was hiding.
“She always asks about you,” Maggie said.
“She does?” He stuffed his hands in his pockets.
“You didn’t hear it from me, but she would love to be asked out for dinner,” Maggie said.
“By me?”
Why was Rafael asking so many questions? What Maggie was telling him wasn’t that hard to understand. Lisa liked him and wanted him to take her on a date. Jubie’s mind tumbled over this new information. The actress liked Rafael. If he liked her back, there was no hope for Jubie. Then again, the math just didn’t play out. He would be an old man by the time she was old enough to date. If she couldn’t have him, then she wanted him to be happy. This Lisa sounded all right, but she needed to know more.
“Why not you?” Maggie asked.
“Let’s see now. Because she’s a movie star and I’m a security guard, for one thing,” Rafael said.
“Last I checked, you were an American hero,” Maggie said.
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration,” Rafael said.
“No, it’s not,” Jubie said. “I’ve seen his medals.”
“I agree, Jubie,” Maggie said.
“I’m broke at the moment,” Rafael said.
Broke? Jubie looked him up and down. He didn’t look broken.
“I put an offer on the Victorian,” Rafael said. “I want to fix it up. Which means I’ll sell my soul to the bank.”
“Old Man Cooper’s place?” Maggie asked.
“That’s right. I’m going to gut it and make it into nice apartments. I’m hoping to convince my mama to move here.”
“Lisa doesn’t care about money,” Maggie said. “She does care about men who are nice to their mothers. And she hasn’t shown any interest in a man since Whiskey broke her heart.”
“Whiskey?” Rafael asked.
“Her ex-boyfriend from New York. But that was two years ago,” Maggie said. “She hasn’t even dated since then.”
“Whiskey’s a man’s name?” Jubie asked. “That’s weird.”
“His real name was John,” Maggie said. “But he called himself Whiskey. The guy was a real winner.”
“He was?” Jubie asked. Maggie’s tone of voice didn’t sound as though she meant he was a winner, more like a loser. Mama had just told her that sometimes she had to listen to a person’s tone instead of their words to figure out what in the heck they were saying.
“No, he was not a winner,” Maggie said. “He was a jerk.”
Jubie nodded. She knew some jerks at school. Daddy said they were part of growing up. She could live without that part of growing up.
“Lisa would be lucky to be with a guy like you,” Maggie said to Rafael.
“I grew up poor in Oakland, raised by my single mom. I’ve never even been to college. I’m not in her league.”
Rafael sounded sad, which made Jubie feel sad.
“Lisa couldn’t care less about that,” Maggie said. “She just wants a nice guy. Trust me, she’s not going to find him in Hollywood.”
“She makes me nervous, to be honest,” Rafael said.
“Lisa? She’s the nicest person ever born,” Maggie said.
The nicest person ever born? Jubie doubted that. Kara was the nicest person ever born.
“It’s not that. She’s just way too pretty,” Rafael said.
“I’m having a holiday party the day after Christmas. Come by. No pressure.” Maggie winked at Jubie. “Jubie will be there.”
“I will,” Jubie said. “Aunt Maggie always has great food at her parties. You should come.”
“I didn’t realize you were a matchmaker,” Rafael said to Maggie.
“Everyone deserves to find their perfect person,” Maggie said.
“I’m no one’s perfect person,” Rafael said.
“Nonsense. Just come by,” Maggie said.
Lily wriggled and kicked her legs. Maggie placed her hand on Jubie’s head. “We should go. You’re going to come home with me and stay the night.”
“I am?” She’d never stayed at Maggie and Jackson’s house before. “How come?”
“Because you’re about to become a big sister.”
“The baby’s coming?” Jubie asked, almost shouting. “How come you didn’t tell me?”
“We were busy with the cats. But come on, let’s get some dinner and wait for your dad to call us with news.”
“It’s going to be a boy,” Jubie said. She still couldn’t believe the baby wasn’t a girl. She’d felt so sure. She’d even had a dream about a little blonde baby with Aunt Sophie and Daddy’s blue eyes. But the picture-taking thing at the doctor’s office had told them it was a boy. How anyone could tell one way or the other from the weird black-and-gray photo confused her. All she saw was a bunch of speckles.
“Bye, Rafael. Thanks for spending the day with me,” Jubie said.
He knelt to her level and looked into her eyes. “It was my pleasure.”
She put his hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry it’s not going to work out for us.”
“Excuse me?” His deep brown eyes widened.
“I mean, let’s face it. You’re way too old for me. But this Lisa lady sounds pretty good.” She lowered her voice. “I’ll check her out when I go to Maggie’s and let you know.”
“I sure would appreciate that.” Rafael’s cheek twitched.
She patted his arm. “Any time you’d like to come by for cookies, just let us know.”
“I certainly will.” Rafael straightened.
“Come on, heartbreaker. It’s time to go.” Maggie steered her toward the door with a gentle push.
When she looked back, Rafael had his hand over his mouth as though he was trying not to cry. Poor guy. This Lisa better say yes. She’d heard Mama say the best way to fix a broken heart was to find another heart to love.
Kara
KARA AND JANET BOTH jumped when Brody burst into the room.
“Brody!” Kara said.
“I’m here, baby. I’m so sorry I worried you,” he said.
Janet scooted out of the way, and Brody wrapped his arms around her.
“I’m just six centimeters,” Kara said. “We have plenty of time.”
Brody rose to hug his mother next. “Hi, Mom. I’m sorry I worried you as well.”
“We weren’t worried,” Janet said.
“Maybe a little,” Kara said.
“I’ll take my
leave,” Janet said. “And let you two lovebirds have your baby.”
“Janet, wait.” Kara reached out to her mother-in-law.
Janet came to stand on the other side of the bed.
“Thank you for our talk. It meant a lot to me,” Kara said.
Janet smiled and leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Darling girl, I’m always here for you.”
After Janet left, Kara heard her phone buzz with a text. “Oh, dear.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a text from Maggie. They found Minnie. She was under your desk. And, brace yourself, but we’re not the only ones who are parents for the first time. Minnie was pregnant. We now have four kittens.”
“Kittens? But how is that possible? Minnie never goes out.”
“And she was supposed to be fixed. Apparently, the shelter was incorrect about that. Remember when Whiskers came to visit?”
“Sure, yeah.”
“Turns out he wasn’t snipped, either. Whiskers and Minnie got busy.”
Brody looked stunned as he sat in the chair next to the bed. “Well, okay. Didn’t see that one coming. Is Minnie doing all right?”
“Yes, just fine. Rafael said he’ll keep checking on them, but so far so good.”
“What are we going to do with four kittens?” he asked. “Anyway, Minnie’s in trouble. I told her no boyfriends.”
“I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve never been so relieved to see someone in my life.”
A knock on the door drew their attention from each other. It was Jackson. “Hey guys,” he said. “How’s it going in here?”
“Lucy says six centimeters,” Kara said.
Jackson washed his hands at the small sink. “We need to get this party started. How else will your son have the same birthday as Sebastian Hugh Shaw?”
“What? Sophie had the baby?” Kara asked.
“Yes. A beautiful eight-pound baby boy,” Jackson said. “My dad delivered him.”
“How’s Sophie?” Kara asked. During every exam over the last nine months, Sophie had been as positive and well balanced as always. However, Kara worried that the hormones and emotion of the delivery might be harder than she thought.
“My dad says she cried a bit afterward, but they spent some time talking and she’s doing fine now. Dad encouraged her to talk to someone if she started feeling bad. He gave her his cell phone to call him any time.”
“How come Doc delivered Sebastian?”
“Sophie felt more comfortable with him,” Jackson said. “She considers me a friend, so it gets awkward.”
“Not for me,” Kara said with a mischievous grin.
“Yes, but we’re in the medical profession,” Jackson said. “You know this is merely clinical, not personal.”
“Were Zane and Honor ecstatic?” Brody asked.
“They were, although worried about Sophie,” Jackson said. “Sebastian looks just like his dad. Same stubborn chin.”
“And Honor?” Kara asked.
“She hasn’t stopped smiling since Sebastian was put into her arms,” Jackson said. “They’re already on their way home. I’m going to make a house call later.”
“Honor got her baby,” Kara said. “After everything she went through, she has her Christmas miracle.”
“Indeed. Now you two get some rest,” Jackson said. “I’m going home to sleep for a few hours. Lucy will page me when it’s time.”
Brody
IT WAS JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT, making it Christmas Eve. From the room at the hospital, Brody heard the bells of the church ring, one after the other. He wiped his wife’s brow as they waited for another contraction.
“One more push and we’ve got a head,” Jackson said.
Brody held his breath as Kara squeezed his hand and bore down, growling like an animal he wouldn’t want to meet on a dark night.
She’d been pushing for an hour, and he was afraid she didn’t have much left in her. However, blessed be to God, this one did it.
“That’s it, Kara. Great job,” Jackson said. “Push just a little harder. His head’s just about through.”
Kara screamed and squeezed his hand so hard he thought he might pass out from the pain.
“That’s it,” Jackson said. “There he is.”
Brody peeked between Kara’s legs. A head sprinkled with dark hair emerged, then the rest of his face. “Honey, I see him.”
“One more soft push. Nice and gentle,” Jackson said.
Kara took in a deep breath and then did as he asked.
Brody watched as the rest of his son entered the world, along with a lot of blood. He steadied himself by holding on to the side of the bed. “You did it, honey.”
“Is he all right?” Kara asked as she sank back against the pillows.
“Yes, he looks fantastic,” Jackson said. “He’s big. My guess is at least nine pounds.”
His son started to cry. Or, more accurately, made a sound like bleats from a lamb.
Jackson set the baby on Kara’s chest. Brody choked up as his wife sobbed. “He’s so beautiful.”
Brody knelt next to the bed, his long torso draped over his wife and child. My son. Dad, do you see him?
He kissed the baby’s head and then his wife. “Honey, you were amazing.”
“You were a great coach,” she said.
“Ready to cut the cord?” Jackson asked.
“Um, me?” The thick umbilical cord looked like something out of a science fiction movie. Was he supposed to cut that thing? He didn’t have time to ask, because Jackson had thrust a pair of scissors in his hand.
“Go ahead, Dad,” Jackson said. “So we can get him cleaned up.”
“Fine, yeah. I can do this.” He made the quick cut and turned back to his baby. How long until he got that image out of his mind?
He draped himself over them once more and stroked the top of his son’s head and kissed him. He kissed his wife. A wave of nausea rolled over him, as if he were seasick. The room seemed to spin. He gripped the edge of the bed and rocked back on his heels.
What have I done? These two people are completely reliant upon me to love them and care for them. What if I can’t do it? Nothing had prepared him for fatherhood. He might mess it up. There were no rules. No playbook. Why was there no map or guidebook or something?
Lucy took the baby from Kara.
Jackson peered down at Brody. Amusement crinkled the corners of his eyes. “What’s the matter there, Papa? Feeling light-headed?”
“It’s no joking matter,” Brody muttered. “And yes.”
“Honey, it’s okay,” Kara said. “A lot of new fathers feel this way. You’ve gone through the birthing process as much as I.”
“Not really,” Brody said as he rose gingerly to his feet.
“Brody, why don’t you go tell the lobby full of your family the news that all is well,” Jackson said.
“You sure?” He looked at Kara.
She nodded. “Please, go. I know they’re all worried. And Jackson has doctor stuff to do.”
“Yes, there’s some tearing, thanks to your son’s rather large head. I’m going to do a few stitches after I deliver the placenta,” Jackson said.
Tearing. Stitches. That was definitely his cue to leave. “I’ll be back soon.”
“I need food,” Kara said.
“I’ll scrounge something up.” He kissed her and then headed out to the lobby.
The lobby was packed with the Grandparent Brigade. His mother sat with Flora huddled in the corner, both asleep. Doc and Dax were playing chess. The men stood.
“Everything all right?” Dax asked. “It seemed to take so long.”
His mom and Flora, awake now, flocked to him. “Was something wrong?” his mom asked.
“No, nothing. He’s healthy. Not a thing to be concerned over.” He ran his hands through his hair, weary. The excitement and focus of the last few hours had been as intense as a football game. “It’s just that he’s enormous. He weighs over nine pounds and he has a kind o
f big head.”
His mother tented her hands under her chin and grimaced. “Just like you. Poor Kara.”
“She had trouble at the end—she pushed for a good hour but that big head didn’t want to come out of her.” Light-headed, he put his hand on Doc’s shoulder. “Watching her in that much pain was horrible.”
Doc patted him on the back. “It’s over now, son. You guys both did wonderfully. We’re so proud of you.”
“Both of you,” his mom agreed with an enthusiastic nod.
“That’s all well and good, but when can we see him?” Flora asked.
“As soon as Dr. Jackson Waller says it’s okay.” Brody leaned harder on Doc. “There was talk of tearing and stitches.”
“Poor girl. I remember that only too well.” His mother’s brow wrinkled in obvious sympathy. “But don’t you worry. The human body is amazingly resilient. She’ll be good as new before you know it.”
“You’ll have to keep your big gorilla paws off her for six weeks,” Flora said.
“Honey,” Dax said. “Filter.”
Flora smirked and gave an unapologetic shrug of both shoulders. “Brody needs to know these things.”
“I promise to behave, Flora.” After what he’d just seen he wasn’t sure they should ever have sex again. “For now, she’s exhausted. And hungry. She’s asking for food.”
Flora’s face lit up. “I brought her sandwiches and freshly squeezed juice.”
Leave it to Flora to think of food. Something about that gesture made him choke up. “Flora, that’s so...so nice of you to think to do.” His eyes stung from the energy it took to keep from crying like a baby.
“Don’t be silly. It’s nothing—just a couple of sandwiches.” Flora’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears. She may appear brittle on the outside, but inside she was as mushy as they came. “I knew our girl might be hungry.”
Our girl. Everyone in this room loved Kara almost as much as he did. But no one would ever come close to what he felt for her. “You should’ve seen her. She was magnificent. I thought I loved her yesterday, but today I see that was nothing compared to how I feel about her right now.” His eyes filled with tears quicker than he could swipe them away. The adrenaline of the last twelve hours dissipated. He sank into a chair and covered his face with his hands, embarrassed by his sudden emotion.
Cliffside Christmas Page 6