Rapid Response
Page 15
She kissed him gently on the mouth, felt his immediate, rapid response, and it was as though all the fear she’d felt these past few weeks had suddenly ebbed away. They didn’t have a guarantee of long life and happiness but that just made what they did have all the more precious. One day at a time, and each one would be filled with their love.
Two years later…
‘Have you paged my husband? Where is he? He promised me that he’d be here…Ooh, that hurts!’
Holly gasped as another contraction began. She breathed through it, trying to remember everything she’d learned at her antenatal classes, but it was hard to remember the finer points when she was in extremis.
‘Where is she? My pager’s on the blink and I just got the message…’
‘Ben, I’m in here!’ Holly called, then groaned as another contraction began. They were coming really close together now but that didn’t matter because Ben was here at last. She tried to smile when he came rushing into the delivery suite in a mad panic. ‘Don’t you dare pass out on me, Dr Carlisle.’
‘Would I?’ he retorted, grimacing.
He came straight to the bed and knelt down so he could kiss her, his eyes telling her how much he loved her. He’d been thrilled when she’d discovered she was pregnant. It had come out of the blue because neither of them had expected it to happen after what he’d been through. However, the consultant had been very pragmatic when she and Ben had been to see him for Ben’s six-monthly check-up. He’d explained that modern chemotherapy didn’t always result in sterility and that Ben’s case proved that admirably. Nevertheless, Holly knew that Ben felt the same way she did, that this baby was a miracle, and that made it even more precious. The thought brought a rush of tears to her eyes and she saw Ben’s expression change to one of alarm.
‘Darling, is the pain really bad? Do you want some gas and air? Or how about some pethidine?’
‘Ahem, I’m not sure I appreciate you interfering with my patient, Dr Carlisle,’ the midwife cut in, winking at Holly over the top of his head.
‘I’m sorry but she’s in pain!’ he protested, looking so stricken that they both laughed.
Holly lifted his hand to her lips and kissed it. ‘I’m OK, darling. Really. Giving birth is painful but the baby and I are fine—Ooh. Or we will be soon!’
Ben clasped her hand while she rode out the contraction, held it while another one started. They were on a roll now and Holly concentrated on making sure she did her bit and in the end it was a textbook delivery. The midwife laid the squalling baby boy on her tummy while she and Ben just stared in wonder at the new life they’d created. It was a miracle, a seal on their love and a promise for their future.
Ben laid his hand on his son’s wet head and Holly knew it was another precious memory to add to her store. She doubted if she would need to break into it because Ben was so well but it was there to draw on if the time came which, please, God, it never would.
‘Thank you, darling. Thank you for giving me so much to look forward to,’ he whispered, his hand still touching their child as he bent and kissed her.
Holly kissed him back then laid her hand on top of his. There were three of them now to face the future and it had never seemed brighter.
ISBN: 978-1-4603-5795-8
RAPID RESPONSE
First North American Publication 2004
Copyright © 2004 by Jennifer Taylor
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