The Father of Her Child (The Baby Bet #3)

by Joan Elliott Pickart

  “Hannah? What’s going on, sweetheart?”

  “Oh, Ted,” she said, a sob catching in her throat, “you heard me, you heard ‘Yankee Doodle.’”

  “You bet I did. Talk to me. What’s wrong?”

  “The baby…Patty…I can feel…my water broke and the pains…I have to push, Ted…I…Oh-h-h,” she moaned, clutching her stomach.

  Think, Sharpe, he told himself as sweat trickled down his chest and back. He’d taken a course in delivering a baby at the academy, but that was a century ago.

  He couldn’t do this.

  He couldn’t!

  What if he made a mistake?

  What if something happened to Hannah or Patty because of him, because he did something wrong?

  No!

  “I’ll call for the paramedics.” He snatched up the telephone receiver on the nightstand and punched in 911.

  “Oh, oh, oh,” Hannah said, panting. She raised herself to rest on her elbows. “Oh, God, the baby’s coming right now, Ted.”

  “Not yet! “he yelled.

  He rattled off the information to the person who had answered the telephone, then slammed the receiver back into place just as the woman told him to stay on the line.

  “Ted!”

  “Yes. Okay. Yes. I’ll…I’ll wash my hands. Yes, I need to do that.”

  He ran into the bathroom, emerged moments later, then dashed to the linen closet in the hall. He returned to the bed and dumped a stack of towels on the other side of Hannah. She sank back onto the pillow with a whimper.

  Ted framed her face in his hands. “Hannah, I love you. You’re going to be fine. Patty is going to be fine. I swear it. Trust me.”

  “I do trust you,” she whispered. “I love you so much, Ted.” She paused, then her eyes widened. “Oh, dear heaven.”

  Ted straightened and eased Hannah’s caftan up over her large stomach.

  Stay cool, Sharpe, he ordered himself. Get a grip. This is the most important thing you’ve ever done in your life. This is Hannah. This is Patty. These two are your world, your reason for being.

  From a source unknown, a sudden calmness came over him, accompanied by a sense of determination and confidence. He moved to the foot of the bed as Hannah once again raised onto her elbows, gasping.

  Ted’s heartbeat roared in his ears.

  “I can see her head, Hannah,” he said. “Bend your knees. That’s right. You’re doing great.”

  “Push,” she said, panting. “Push.”

  “Okay, go for it. I’m here with you, Hannah. Patty is definitely ready to say Merry Christmas.”

  “Oh-h-h. Oh, God. No. No more. Stop it, Ted, make it stop. The pain is…No-o-o.“

  “Push, Hannah.”

  “Yes, yes, yes. Push, push…Gran. Gran!”

  Ted extended his large hands and…

  She was there.

  Patricia Elizabeth was born.

  Ted caught her tiny head in the palm of one hand, her little bottom in the other, then laid her on the bed. After swiping a finger through her mouth to clear it, he reached for a towel.

  “Ted?” Hannah said. “Ted?”

  He wiped Patty’s face gently. She opened her eyes, raised her fists, pulled up her knees…and wailed.

  “Oh, my God,” Ted said, his voice ringing with awe and wonder. “A miracle. She’s a miracle. Oh, Patty, you’re so beautiful, so perfect. You’re my daughter. The only one I’ll ever have. You’re mine.”

  “Ted!”

  He snapped his head up to look at Hannah, tears brimming in his eyes. Lifting Patty, he placed her on Hannah’s stomach.

  “Oh, my, look at her,” Hannah said, laughing and crying at the same time. “And listen to her. Hello and Merry Christmas, Patricia Elizabeth. Welcome to the world. Oh, Ted, I…”

  The sudden sound of someone knocking loudly at the door of the apartment broke the magical spell that had woven around the trio in the bedroom. Ted ran to the door and flung it open.

  “Paramedics, Officer,” a man said, acknowledging Ted’s uniform. “You’ve got a baby on the way here?”

  “In the bedroom,” Ted said, stepping back.

  “Uh-oh, by golly,” the second man who entered said. “What I’m hearing says that we’re arriving a tad late.” He smiled at Ted. “Score one for the cops, huh? How’d you get the call?”

  “I belong here,” Ted said. “They’re mine. Hannah and Patty are…I helped deliver Patricia Elizabeth.” He grinned. “Yeah, son-of-a-gun, I did.”

  “Good for you, Daddy,” the man said, hurrying after his partner. “Congratulations.”

  Daddy.

  “Whew,” Ted said aloud as tears once again filled his eyes. He looked heavenward. “Thank you.” He nodded. “Thank you.”

  Daisy lifted her head from where she’d been sleeping beneath the Christmas tree, meowed, yawned, then went back to sleep.

  “Not enough excitement for you, Daisy?” Ted said, smiling.

  One of the paramedics came into the living room.

  “Everything is fine,” he said to Ted. “We’ve tied and cut the baby’s cord, and checked her over. She’s A-OK and mad as blue blazes for being disturbed. Your wife is fine, too. We’ve called for an ambulance to take them to the hospital. You can follow us over. Your little girl was sure in a hurry to get here, wasn’t she?”

  “Yeah, she was. She actually sort of delivered herself but, man, I’ll never forget witnessing that event. It was really something. Awesome. Humbling. You know what I mean?”

  “You bet I do.”

  “I knew Patty was going to be born on Christmas,” Ted said. “I just…knew.”

  “Well, she got the message, all right. I’m going down and wait for the ambulance.”

  “Yo,” Ted whispered a few minutes later as the ambulance driver stepped into the bedroom where Hannah and Patty slept quietly.

  “Santa Claus bring a baby here?” the driver asked with a smile.

  Ted grinned. “He sure did, and she’s the most beautiful baby girl in the world. She’s fantastic, unbelievable. She looks just like her mother.”

  “Hey,” the man said, laughing, “you’re not a cop, you’re a proud new father.”

  “You’ve got that straight,” Ted said. “Hustle up, you guys, my ladies are waiting.”

  When Ted reached the hospital, he was told by a nurse that both Hannah and Patty were being examined, and that then mother and daughter would be put to bed.

  “Can’t I see them for five seconds?” he said.

  The nurse smiled. “Not tonight.’’

  “But I only waved at Hannah when they put her and the baby into the ambulance.”

  “Go home, get some sleep and come back in the morning. You’ve had quite an experience. I—” The telephone at the nurses’ station rang, and the woman answered it. “Maternity…Yes…Wonderful… I’ll tell him.” She replaced the receiver.

  “Tell who him?” Ted said. “Me?”

  “Your daughter weighs six pounds nine ounces, and is perfect. Your wife is fine, and is being tucked into bed for a very well-earned rest. Please stop at the admissions desk and give them the information they need for their forms, then off you go.”

  “But—”

  “Shoo, Daddy, and Merry Christmas to you. This is certainly one you won’t ever forget.”

  “No,” Ted said quietly, “I certainly won’t. Thank you and Merry Christmas. Good night.”

  By the time Ted returned to Hannah’s apartment, the rush of adrenaline that had been coursing through him had ebbed and was replaced by total exhaustion.

  He changed the sheets on the bed, gathered the towels and the soggy bathrobe, and set the bundle by the door to be washed and dried. After feeding Daisy, he checked the apartment once more to be certain everything was shipshape, then headed down the hall to his own place with the load of laundry. Once in bed, he willed himself to shut down his mind and get at least a few hours’ sleep. At a decent hour, he’d call the MacAllister clan to inform them
of Patricia Elizabeth’s arrival.

  “Hey,” he said aloud, “I won The Baby Bet. Eat your heart out, Forrest. You’ve finally been unchampioned, hotshot.”

  Ted took a deep breath, let it out slowly, then mentally ordered sleep to numb his senses. But echoing in his mind was an amalgam of voices, snatches of words spoken by various people who had taken part in the miraculous events of the night.

  Good for you, Daddy. Congratulations…You’re not a cop, you’re a proud new father…Your daughter weighs…Your wife is fine.…Your wife…Your daughter…Wife…Daughter… Wife…

  “Oh, God,” Ted said, dragging his hands down his face.

  If only it was true. If only Hannah was his wife. If they were married, then Patty’s birth certificate could read: Patricia Elizabeth Sharpe; Mother…Hannah Sharpe; Father…Theodore Sharpe. They would be a family, the three of them, together.

  Maybe it could still happen that way. If the hospital would hold up the birth certificate long enough for Hannah and him to be married, then…

  But first he had to talk to Hannah. He had to tell her the truth about his being unable to give her more babies. After his conversation with Ryan, he’d decided to tell her in the morning.

  Well, he still would. He’d go to the hospital, sit down by Hannah’s bed, take her hand and pour out his heart and soul.

  “Hannah, please,” he said, his voice gritty with emotion. “Please, my beautiful Ms. Doodle, please agree to marry me, be my wife, allow me to be Patty’s father. Please, Hannah?”

  With a weary sigh, Ted drifted off into a restless slumber, tossing and turning through the remaining hours of the night.

  Early in the morning, Hannah stirred and opened her eyes. Her heart quickened as she realized she had no idea where she was. In the next instant, she smiled, placing her hands on her relatively flat stomach.

  Patty. Patricia Elizabeth had been born, she thought. Let it not be said that her daughter was among the ordinary. No, not Patty. She’d been in such a rush to grant the world the honor of her presence, she’d arrived on the bed in the apartment. And on Christmas, no less.

  Ted had been wonderful. He’d actually heard, somehow heard, her cry for help as she’d mentally sent him the “Yankee Doodle” signal. She’s been so frightened, so alone, but then Ted had come with his quiet authority, calm demeanor and his strength.

  And Patty was born.

  Hannah sighed in contentment as she envisioned the beautiful baby and the magnificent man who were filling her heart to overflowing. Patty and Ted.

  She frowned slightly as she came fully awake.

  Something niggled at her, disturbing her blissful state of mind, hovering in a shadowy corner just beyond her comprehension.

  What was it? What could possibly be wrong on this glorious Christmas Day?

  Concentrating even harder, she narrowed her eyes, then slowly they came, the haunting words that Ted had spoken to Patty immediately after the baby was born.

  Oh, Patty, you’re so beautiful, so perfect. You’re my daughter. The only one I’ll ever have. You’re mine.

  “Dear heaven,” Hannah whispered. She hadn’t really comprehended at the time what Ted was saying.

  You’re my daughter. The only one I’ll ever have. You’re mine.

  A chill swept through her and she shivered as she pulled the blanket up to her chin.

  What had Ted meant? A part of her mind was insisting that she should be thrilled that Ted considered Patty his daughter, that he loved her that much.

  But another part of her felt threatened somehow, very frightened. Why was Patty the only daughter Ted would ever have? And there was something so ominous about the words, You’re mine.

  Oh, stop it, Hannah, she admonished herself. She was overreacting. Ted’s emotional outburst had occurred at a highly charged moment. The man has just taken part in delivering a baby, for heaven’s sake.

  But still…

  No, she wouldn’t think about it anymore. She’d tuck it away, then discuss it with Ted when he came to see her. Yes, that was exactly what she would do. Fine.

  You’re my daughter. The only one I’ll ever have. You’re mine.

  Hannah pressed trembling fingertips to her lips and fought against threatening tears.

  “Merry Christmas,” a nurse said, bustling through the doorway.

  “What? Oh, yes, Merry Christmas to you, too.”

  “You certainly received a special gift, didn’t you? Your baby is just a doll, and such a good girl. Fill her tummy, and she’s right back to sleep.”

  “When can I see her?” Hannah said.

  “It’s breakfast for you first, then a wash. By then, it will be time for the little ones to come visit their moms. You can count her fingers and toes,’ hold her, sing her a lullaby, whatever suits your fancy. It will be an hour of bonding between you and your daughter.”

  You’re my daughter. You’re mine.

  “Yes,” Hannah said. “My daughter. Patty is my daughter.”

  “Is something wrong, dear?”

  “I hope not. Oh, God, I hope not.”

  “Pardon me?”

  “Nothing,” Hannah said, managing a small smile. “I’m just so eager to hold Patty. So much of last night is a blur, and I need to see her, touch her.”

  “Of course you do, and you will. That will perk you right up, and you’ll realize what a marvelous Christmas Day this is.”

  “Yes,” Hannah said quietly. “Marvelous.”

  Ted telephoned the hospital as soon as he awoke and was informed that he could visit Hannah at noon. He then called Ryan and related the amazing series of events of the previous night.

  “Well, I’ll be damned,” Ryan said. “Hannah really did send you a message with that ‘Yankee Doodle’ bit. Is that weird?”

  “No, it’s communication in rare form, Mac-Allister.” Ted paused. “Man, the whole thing was beyond belief, Ryan. Seeing Patty born was…Helping to deliver her was…Hannah was so brave and…man, oh, man.”

  Ryan chuckled. “You’re very articulate this morning. Merry Christmas, Dad.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Ted, did you get a chance to tell Hannah that you…No, I suppose you didn’t.”

  “No, but I’m going to the hospital at noon to see her and I’ll tell her then. When I come to your folks later, I hope I’ll be announcing that Hannah and I are getting married. Correct that. I hope and pray I’ll be saying that.”

  “Right on, buddy.”

  “Listen, will you pass the word along to the family about the baby?”

  “Sure thing, but don’t you want to call Forrest yourself? The Baby Bet champion has been dethroned.”

  Ted laughed. “It’s about time. I’ll leave the pleasure of informing him of that fact to you.”

  “I’ll enjoy every minute of it. Give Hannah a Christmas hug from us.”

  “I will. Thanks, Ryan.”

  “Good luck, Ted. I sure hope that…Well, go for it. Everything will work out great.”

  “It has to. God, Ryan, I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose Hannah and Patty, I really don’t. Well, I’ll see you later.”

  “Yeah. Bye.”

  Ted slowly replaced the receiver, then took a deep breath.

  “I love you, Ms. Doodle,” he whispered.

  When Ted entered Hannah’s room at the hospital, she was sitting up, flipping idly through a magazine.

  “Merry Christmas, Hannah,” he said quietly as he walked toward her.

  “Merry Christmas, Ted,” she said, meeting his gaze.

  Neither smiled, nor hardly breathed, as Ted stopped next to the bed. He lifted one hand to gently cradle her cheek, then leaned over to claim her mouth with his.

  The kiss was exquisite; tender, loving and filled with hope.

  Ted reluctantly broke the kiss, then sat down in the chair next to the bed. Hannah placed the magazine on the side table, then clasped her hands in her lap.

  “You look very festive,” she said.

&n
bsp; Ted glanced down at the bright red sweater he wore over dark slacks.

  “My mom made this for me last Christmas. She’s a whiz with a pair of knitting needles.’’

  “It’s, um, it’s a very nice sweater.”

  Ted leaned back in the chair and stared up at the ceiling for a long moment before looking at Hannah again.

  “I need to talk to you about something important, Hannah,” he said. “I realize I’m tense right now, and I know why. The thing is, I get the feeling that you’re uptight, too, and that I don’t understand. Patty’s all right, isn’t she?”

  “Oh, yes, she’s wonderful,” Hannah said, smiling for the first time. ‘’They brought her to me and I burst into tears when they placed her in my arms. She’s so beautiful, so tiny and perfect. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for being there for me, for helping bring Patty safely into the world.”

  “I’ll never forget it. It was an incredible honor to—” Ted stopped speaking and shook his head. “I can’t find the right words. It’s too big, too…I guess there’s no way to describe being a part of a miracle like that.” He paused. “Hannah, what’s bothering you? What’s on your mind?”

  Hannah sighed. “I wish I could forget it, Ted, put it out of my mind and just concentrate on my blessings. I wish I could declare this a daffodils-and-daisies day, as well as the most fantastic Christmas I’ve ever had.”

  “But?”

  “But I can’t. I have to ask you what you meant by what you said to Patty when she was born. I need to understand it.”

  Ted frowned, then splayed one hand across his chest. “What I said to Patty?” He shook his head. “I don’t remember speaking to her. I talked directly to her?”

  “Yes.” She drew a shuddering breath. “You said, ‘Oh, Patty, you’re so beautiful, so perfect. You’re my daughter. The only one I’ll ever have. You’re mine.’ Why, Ted? Why did you say that?”

  Dear Lord, no! Ted thought frantically. He’d said all that aloud? He didn’t remember doing it, saying it. He’d come to the hospital to explain things calmly and carefully to Hannah, but now he was in the position of having to defend himself. Damn it.