He responded by wagging his tail and trying to climb into her lap and lick her face.
“You don’t seem to be hurt. I’ll get you back to the house and get you some treats.” Morgan stood and felt that her leggings were wet. “Did you pee on me?”
Rowdy gave her a funny look. Morgan felt her up her pant leg, following the source. She’d been hurrying around the stables looking for the pooch, she didn’t realize her water had broken. The lights began to flicker. She paused and eyed the overhead lights as the storm howled outside. The lights went out completely, leaving her in the dark. She took deep breaths and tried to still her rising panic. After what felt like far too long, the lights flickered back on again. They were dim, which meant the generator was supplying the power. But that didn’t stop the baby from trying to get her attention again.
“You’ve got to be kidding me, little girl. I was really hoping it was a false alarm.” Morgan groaned and rubbed her belly. “Don’t you want to be delivered in a beautifully decorated hospital suite when you come out of me?”
She got her answer when the contraction followed. Morgan walked to the stable entrance only to discover the storm had picked up. It was raining so hard she could barely see the truck. She closed the door and went to Seth’s office. The storm had to pass sooner or later. She could wait it out. Now all she had to do was convince her daughter that it was a bad time to get her way. She picked up the phone on the desk, but there was no dial tone. Luckily she had her cell phone with her. As she pulled it out of her pocket, it began to play Seth’s ringtone.
“Hey, babe. I’m at the house. Where are you? Don’t tell me you and the boys are out in this weather?”
“No, the boys are with Teri-Lyn waiting for ice cream. I was on my way home from the ice cream parlor when I saw Rowdy’s distress signal and saw from the GPS app that he was in the stables. He was trapped by a falling board, but I freed him and he’s fine. But now it’s raining too hard, and I don’t think I’ll be able to see in this downpour.”
“OK. I’ll come and get you.”
“There’s something else.” She bit her lip.
“What?”
“I’m pretty sure I’m in labor. I thought it was just bad indigestion, I had some jalapeño poppers for breakfast, but I just had another one. The contractions are different this time around. They started out much milder than the other ones.”
“Are you sure?”
“I hope you have that baby name ready.” She yelped again when another contraction came. Rowdy howled along with her.
“How far apart are they?”
“Let’s just say I hope Rowdy’s had a child birthing class.”
“I’m on my way.”
* * *
Morgan surveyed the office, it had been a while since she’d been in here. Family photos were scattered about and their wedding photo sat on the desk. Colby’s favorite stuffed giraffe, Gerry, was sitting on a shelf in Seth’s bookcase. They’d been looking for it for a month, until Seth finally gave up and went to the zoo gift shop and bought him a new one. Colby loved the new one too, but she was sure he’d be delighted to get this one back. She loved that her kids were sentimental about things. It took a lot of convincing for her son to warm up to Gerry Jr.
She thought about searching home births on the Internet on her phone, but her battery power was severely low. She glanced at the outlets and didn’t see a phone charger anywhere. Better save her battery in case she had to call her husband again.
“Morgan!” Seth yelled from the stable doorway.
“I’m in your office,” she yelled back.
Seth came in wearing a rain parka, but the rain had plastered his hair to head. He marched over and kissed her. “How can this be? She’s three weeks early. Do you think this has something to do with your fall?”
“You mean the fast tumble onto the chair? No. I think you should get used to the fact that this kid does what she wants.” Morgan chuckled to lighten the mood. She needed him focused on the here and now, not thinking of ways to rip Lamont to shreds because the baby was premature. “Why do you think I was going to get my favorite ice cream when I should have been at home? This kid is relentless with getting her way.”
“Well…” Seth raised an eyebrow.
“And that pizza parlor you took me to in New York City, that was all her, too.”
“She can’t help it, she’s got a healthy appetite.”
“Making excuses for her already. Is this what I have to look forward to?” She yelped again as another contraction struck. “Maybe we should call—”
The lights flickered again in the office.
“I talked to the Regency staff at the front gate and the ambulance has already been called, but it may take some time because of the weather. Mama and the boys are fine.”
“Good. But we need to accept the fact that she may come before the storm goes.”
“OK.” Seth ran a hand through his hair and started pacing. “We need to boil some water and—”
“Or we can call Penny. She’ll know what to do.”
“Penny?” Seth gave her a quizzical look.
“Ex-girlfriend or not, she’s a doctor. A good one. She can help.”
“Right.”
“The office phone lines are down, so you’ll have to use your cell phone. My battery is low, I forgot to charge it this morning. How’s yours?”
Seth glanced at his phone. “I’m at fifty percent.”
Morgan watched as Seth nervously scrolled through his contacts and found Penny’s number. He hit speaker and as soon as she came on the line, he started rambling like a madman. Surprisingly Penny was able to understand him. She calmly asked for some information, such as how close the contractions were, and then conferenced in Brad Shields, the head of obstetrics at the hospital. Once Brad was brought up to speed, he told the couple that thirty-seven weeks was premature, but the good news was that Morgan was closer to thirty-eight. The baby could possibly need specialized attention as soon as she arrived if one of her organs hadn’t fully developed yet, but her last ultrasound and checkup had been great, with both mother and baby in top health. He gave Seth a list of things to retrieve around the stables to make Morgan more comfortable until the ambulance arrived. Seth’s cell battery was draining as well, so they said they’d call back if they had any more questions and disconnected.
“I’ll be right back.” Seth kissed her.
“We’ll be here.” Morgan smiled and rubbed her belly.
The rain beating heavily against the window showed no sign of letting up any time soon. She was getting hungry and wished she would have thought to bring the ice cream with her into the stable. If only the baby could hold on a little while longer, they could be a lot more comfortable. But another contraction came like a tidal wave. Morgan did her best to breathe through it. She smiled as Seth came back fifteen minutes later with supplies and closed the office door. The lights flickered again.
“How much time do we have left with the generator?”
“Enough.” Seth tried to flash her a reassuring smile and held up a box of candles and matches. “But I’m going to light the candles anyway.”
She knew from the look in his eye. He was hiding something. “What’s wrong?”
Seth scratched at his eyebrow. “I called Regency again to see if they had an updated ETA on the ambulance. There’s a lot of trees down and it may take longer for the paramedics to get here.”
“Oh.” She gulped.
He caressed her face. “But don’t worry. Remember what we learned in Lamaze class? Breathing is important and we have to keep your stress level down. We’re going to get through this. We’re old pros at this.”
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Where’s Rowdy?”
“He’s in Bo’s office sitting on his doggie bed. I gave him some treats and a few of his toys.” Seth lit the sixth and final candle and set it down on the end table by the couch.
“Are you sure he’ll be all right in there by him
self? You know he doesn’t do well in stormy weather.”
“Unless he can help time your contractions, he’s not getting into this office.” He raised an eyebrow. “How are you feeling?”
“Let’s see. I’m in a stable spread eagle on the leather sofa bed in your office about to give birth with none of the good drugs they give me in the hospital. I’m feeling wonderful.” She rolled her eyes.
“You can do this. You’re the strongest person I know. Our daughter knows you’re ready or she wouldn’t be coming right now.”
“I hope you know being born on a stormy night is prelude to her personality.” Morgan let out a yelp as another contraction came bearing down on her.
“I’m sure she’ll be beautiful, strong, and willful just like her mama.” He caressed her leg.
“She’s going to love you.” Morgan sniffed. “What girl wouldn’t want to have you as their dad?”
Seth was happy he’d paid attention both times he was in the delivery room with Morgan because all that knowledge was about to come in handy. When he was told the ambulance couldn’t get to the ranch due to downed trees and powerlines on the main road leading to the ranch, his heart sank. But he had to be strong for Morgan and the baby. They were both fighters and he had to believe the baby’s lungs were developed enough to be born right now. He didn’t want to admit it, but it was totally fitting that the baby would choose today of all days to join the family. She wasn’t even born yet and she had her own personality. There were plenty of nights when Morgan was asleep that his daughter would kick and move around when he put his hand on her mom’s tummy, letting him know she was aware of his presence. He even dreamed about her, and she had Morgan’s smile and the cutest giggle.
Regency called every fifteen minutes with updates. They coordinated a rescue effort with some of the ranch hands who were holed up in the cottages who volunteered to go help clear the trees off the main road so the ambulance could get through. That was a small comfort, but he knew time was not on their side. He called his mama to check on the boys and to let her know they were OK, but he had to conserve battery life on his cell. Teri-Lyn was frantic at the idea of the baby coming early, but he assured her that he and Morgan were going to do as Penny and Dr. Shields instructed and rely on the Lamaze techniques they learned in class. She talked to John Jacob, and he and Bo were cutting the fishing trip short and rushing home. She promised to keep the family up-to-date.
He could tell she was exhausted, but Morgan was doing fine. Sure, she missed her epidural, but she’d still managed to keep her sense of humor about it. She insisted he go check on Rowdy, and the dog was fast asleep. The horses had calmed down since the storm had subsided slightly. They’d taken a break after the last push. She looked drained but not ready to give up. He went into the bathroom connected to his office and came back with a warm, damp hand towel. He wiped her face and neck and adjusted the pillows.
“Is your back hurting?”
“A little, but I’ll live.” She breathed and looked around. “Do you remember that time we made love on your desk after we found out I was pregnant with Jake?”
“How could I forget? That’s where we started negotiations for the number of kids we were going to have.”
“Yes, you wanted a dozen, but I ignored you because I think you have a fixation with the number twelve.”
He grinned. “It’s my lucky number.”
Morgan caressed his hand. “She may be coming early, but she’s ready. She’s going to bring so much joy to this family.”
“I know.” He tugged on her braid. They sat that way for a moment, enjoying the silence. It sounded like it was letting up outside.
“I think I can push again.”
“OK.” Seth got back into position at the end of the sofa bed. Morgan began to move and he could see the top of the baby’s head. “I can see the top of her head. Come on baby, you can do it. Give me another strong push!”
Seth cheered Morgan on to make one last push as hard as she could. He had towels ready to wrap the baby in as she came out of her mother with a roaring scream. She had a strong set of pipes on her and she seemed to be breathing fine, but they needed to get her medical attention as soon as possible. The sound of their daughter making her presence known was music to his ears. Seth looked at Morgan, and he wanted to remember the expression of sheer, unbridled happiness on his wife’s face for the rest of her life.
“Perfect catch.” Morgan let out an exhausted sigh.
“I think she’s breathing OK. She doesn’t seem to be in distress.” Tears fell from Seth’s eyes as he bundled her into the blanket and cleaned her up then handed her to Morgan. “Our baby girl is ready for her debut.”
“She’s beautiful.” Morgan sniffed as she cradled her daughter.
“Just like her mama.” He grinned and touched the baby’s hand. “Hey Sweet Pea, you sure know how to make an entrance.”
“What name did you decide on?”
When the baby tried to focus her eyes on him, which were green just like his, he knew he would be putty in her hands. Seth looked at their daughter for a moment, then a grin flashed across his face. “I was thinking Mackenzie Reed-Lyn. Mackenzie is a strong name like yours. Reed to honor both her grandmothers Elizabeth and Sydney. And Lyn for mama.”
“Mackenzie Reed-Lyn Blake?” Morgan thought about it for a moment. “I like it.”
Seth’s cell phone rang again. It was Regency saying the debris had been cleared for the ambulance. Seth punched his fist in the air in celebration as he watched Morgan caressing Mackenzie’s hand.
“The ambulance is on the way. They should be here in ten minutes.” He put the phone down.
“Thank goodness.” Morgan smiled.
Seth could hear the sirens of the ambulance getting closer to the stables. He went to the door and ushered them in, and paramedics got to work on mother and daughter. He whipped out his phone and called his mom, who cheered into the phone when he told her that her granddaughter had arrived. She promised to get the word out to the family and meet them at the hospital.
* * *
Morgan was never so happy to see a hospital in her life. When the doors of the ambulance opened, she could have sworn that it was the first breath Seth had taken since they were loaded into the vehicle at the ranch. Morgan and the baby were immediately taken to the in-room nursery to be evaluated and given preventive care. A nail-biting half hour later, the pediatrician informed them that although she’d just made the five-pound marker, she was doing fine. The nurses brought her to Morgan’s room dressed in her pink cap and covered with a blanket. It was good news, but she couldn’t stop the tears from streaming as Seth tried to comfort her.
“This has to be our craziest adventure yet. Mackenzie narrowly missed being born in a manger and delivered by Rowdy.”
Seth laughed. “Well that would have made for a more sensational story.”
“I love you, so much.” Morgan sniffed.
“I love you too.”
By the early evening, the entire Blake family had navigated debris-filled roads and had finally made it to the hospital. The newest addition to the family was already having a soothing effect on the Blake men. The family wasted no time giving her the nickname Kenzie, though Seth and John Jacob were more partial to Sweet Pea. Morgan thought it was nice to see gruff, manly cowboys acting all soft and gentle while holding Mackenzie, making promises to protect her. She noticed her newly married uncles Tyler and Channing wanting to hold her a little longer than the rest of the family. Teri-Lyn was so moved by the baby’s name, she began sobbing. John Jacob wiped her tears away and offered to buy her a cup of tea.
The Titans were celebrating the newest member of their team too. Mackenzie’s birth was trending on social media as soon as the world found out that Seth had delivered his baby girl on his own. Morgan wasn’t surprised it got leaked, he’d sent Patton a text saying his goddaughter had come into the world early, and Patton told everyone who would listen. Any other time she woul
d be upset that a special moment of theirs was subject to lighthearted media satire, but she knew Seth was over the moon about getting them through that harrowing moment safely. Nina was sad she couldn’t be there, but assured Morgan that her baby shower was still going to happen.
By the time the ladies helped her freshen up and change into pajamas, Morgan was exhausted. Reed was sleeping so everyone vacated the room so she could take a nap. She woke up an hour later to find the room empty with the exception of John Jacob, sitting in the rocking chair with a sleeping Mackenzie in his arms.
“Hi, Grandpa.” Morgan smiled.
“Hello, darlin’. You’ve had quite a day. How are you feeling?”
“Good. Leave it to your son to deliver his own daughter.”
“That’s definitely a good story to tell at the country club.”
Morgan glanced around the room. “Where’s the family?” There were a slew of presents and a huge teddy bear in the corner.
“Seth took the boys down to the cafeteria for a celebratory chocolate milk. The rest of the family went home to change for dinner. I pulled some strings and got a private room so we can all eat together.” John Jacob said as he smiled at his granddaughter.
“And of course they agreed to it.” Morgan sipped on some ice water.
“I can be charming when I need to be.”
“It’s a family trait. I bet this is from you.” She opened the black velvet box sitting on the hospital table next to her bed and found a piece of paper with a ribbon wrapped around it. She opened and read the document. “You’re a little early with this. I thought the tradition was the grandkids getting their first property at one-year-old.”
“I couldn’t wait.” John Jacob placed his granddaughter into the baby bed, took a seat next to Morgan’s bed, and caressed her hand. “I hope you know I intend to give her everything she wants.”
“I figured as much.” She sighed. “Just promise me in between all the spoiling that you let her learn some independence.”
The Final Play Page 8