Substitute Daddy

by Rose, Dahlia

  The cell phone Matthew had brought for her so she’d have a phone in her room rang. She picked it up and she saw that it was her mother. Grace frowned because she’d called her a day ago to tell her she was in the hospital and only got indifference. Why was she calling now?

  “Hi, Mom,” she said wearily, already tired from a conversation that had not yet happened.

  “I’m coming to get you and the baby. Tell me where in Nevada you are,” her mother said in a voice that was stern and cold.

  “I’m fine, Mom, you don’t need to come here. I told you I have a job, and the baby’s father left her a sizeable amount in his will when he died,” Grace answered. It was easier to tell her that than the scumbag’s best friend was being more of a man than he had ever been.

  “Yeah, sure, the same man who gave you the phone probably wants you in his bed too. Why don’t you ever listen? You are such a willful child,” her mother snapped.

  “I stopped caring what you think of me when I turned eighteen,” Grace answered.

  “You certainly cared when you were begging to come home,” her mother retorted.

  “Thank God I didn’t have to do that,” Grace snapped and then pinched the bridge of her nose. Her mother could always make her lose her patience. “I was obviously wrong in thinking my mother would give a damn about me or a grandchild except to throw it in my face.”

  “I am trying to help you, girl. There’s a perfectly good couple in my church willing to adopt the baby and give her a better home than you could,” her mother explained.

  Grace saw red. “Excuse me? You’re auctioning off my baby to your church friends because those hypocrite fools would be a better parent than me? The same church where Reverend Porter tried to feel me up in one of his private bible lessons?”

  “Don’t you dare. You know you tempted that good and righteous man!” her mother shouted.

  “I was sixteen, Mama. How did I tempt him? By being a young girl?” Grace cried out. “You wouldn’t stand up for me then, and you won’t now. Don’t pretend you’re doing this for me. You want to look pious in front of your friends. Mrs. Reid took her sinful child’s baby and sent it to a good home. Who are you kidding?”

  The phone was plucked from her hand and she looked up to see Matthew frowning as he put the phone up to his ear.

  “Mrs. Reid, how are you?” Matthew said, but his voice held no warmth. “Well, I’m sorry to hear about your willful child and all, but she’s fine. Right now, if you were any kind of mother, you’d stop trying to upset her while she’s on bed rest in the hospital. From the conversation I heard when I walked in, you are trying to pressure her to give up her child. This will not be happening, and you will not call this phone again unless she wants you to. Good day to you, ma’am.”

  He held the phone to Grace’s ear and said, “Say goodbye to your mother.”

  Her mother was screeching in anger, and Grace winced at the sound. “How dare he talk to me like that? Just like you to shack up with some rude, white—”

  “Bye, Mom,” Grace said, cutting off her words. Matthew pressed the disconnect button and tossed the phone on the bed.

  “Are you all right?” he asked. She could hear the anger in his voice, yet the slight country twang gave it some charm.

  “I’m fine. That was actually a nice conversation. They can be much worse.” Grace gave him a smile even as her hands trembled. She picked up her crocheting again, but let it drop back in her lap. “Carol Reid is my mother and I love her, but I don’t like her. It’s always been a piss and vinegar relationship with her. Why do I expect it to be any different?”

  “Because you’re a daughter and a soon-to-be mother. You wouldn’t want to have a relationship like that with the baby. And, in the long run, we all want our families to be perfect,” Matthew said simply.

  Grace laughed. “How very astute of you, Dr. Phil. You’re here every day, Matthew. Aren’t you letting your business slide? World domination takes time.”

  Matthew pulled up a chair. “Nope, I have my minions watching over that aspect for me. I come bearing lunch.” He picked up the blanket in her lap and ran his hand over the soft wool. “Wow, this is nice. My mom used to knit. She could make those needles in her hands work in a blur. I used to get a sweater each year for Christmas.”

  “I like knitting too, but I’m not as good at it as I am at crocheting,” Grace said. “I didn’t get much but a bible and maybe a new pen here and there and some books for Christmas. My mom wasn’t big on holidays. I plan to be completely different. I was hoping to decorate for Lilah before Christmas came along. I guess I won’t get to this year if I’m stuck in here.”

  “You named her Lilah?” Matthew asked quietly.

  “Yeah, Lance picked the name. I guess one day he was feeling nostalgic,” Grace explained. “I loved it, so I agreed. Her name is going to be Lilah Danielle Reid.”

  “Lilah was my mother’s name. She was the only mother Lance really knew. When she died, he was as broken up as I was,” he explained.

  Grace’s heart constricted at the news. “It’s your mother’s name? I can go with Danielle instead. You should be able to name your daughter that one day when you get married.”

  Matthew shook his head and cleared his throat. “No, it’s an honor that she’ll have my mother’s name. Don’t change it. Besides, I doubt I’ll ever be at the point to name my own kids.”

  “You’re a bachelor and you’re wealthy. The ladies are probably lined up for a chance with you,” Grace said.

  “Not the right ones,” Matthew answered and changed the subject. “I brought you a fresh made burrito bowl and something else.”

  “What?”

  He pulled the containers of food and a board game out of the bag. “Battleship. You said you were a whiz at it, and I plan to challenge you. I’m undefeated.”

  Grace laughed. “Game on, but lunch first. Little Miss in here heard burrito bowl and started doing backflips.”

  “She can hear us?” Matthew asked.

  Grace saw the curious look on his face. “They start to hear sounds from the outside at about five months along. Here, give me your hand.” Before he could decide what to do, she grabbed his hand and put it on her stomach over her T-shirt. “See, that’s her playing kick ball in there.”

  “Holy hell.” Matthew gave an amazed laugh. “Oh, my God, I think I can feel a tiny foot pressed against my hand.”

  Grace winced between a smile. “Yup, it’s a foot. She is stretching and showing off.”

  He looked at her in alarm. “Are you in pain? Should I get the doctor?”

  “No, she does that a lot. It’s getting crowded in there the bigger she gets. She wants out soon,” Grace explained.

  His hand was still on her stomach, and he began to rub it in slow circles that felt entirely too good. Lilah seemed to enjoy it too because she stopped kicking. Suddenly, as if he finally noticed what he was doing, Matthew pulled his hand away and the silence stretched between them. Was that a spark? she wondered. Grace pushed that thought aside because she wasn’t ready to jump into a relationship with anyone right now and probably never again. She’d been burned one too many times, and the wounds were still very raw. This was about his connection to Lance’s baby and nothing more.

  “So we should eat before it gets cold.” Matthew stood up. “I’ll be right back.”

  “You just said we should eat. Where are you off to in such a rush?” Grace asked.

  “I need to step outside and make a call,” he answered on his way out the door.

  Weird. Grace shook her head and dug into her burrito bowl. She closed her eyes in food ecstasy at the taste of jalapenos, cilantro, and cheese over steak, lettuce, tomato and rice with red beans. It was fresh and delicious, and she ate it with delight. She was in food heaven. Matthew came in a few minutes later and sat down in the chair he’d vacated earlier. He had a smile on his face, and he took up his food and began eating.

  “You look like the cat that ate the cana
ry. What are you up to?” Grace asked curiously before taking another bite of her food.

  “Nothing at all,” he said innocently.

  She soon found out because the nurse she’d affectionately nicknamed “Nurse Sunny” because she was always so upbeat came running in. She threw her arms around Matthew as he was sitting, and he almost dropped his food.

  “Mr. Ryder, you are so amazing, I could kiss you and I will!” Nurse Sunny said and planted a kiss on his lips.

  Grace said nothing and continued chewing. She gave Matthew an amused look and a raised eyebrow.

  Nurse Sunny continued to talk. “Do you know what he did?”

  Grace shook her head. “I have no clue. Facilitated world peace?”

  “No, better!” Nurse Sunny shook her head. “Well, not better than world peace, but he’s outfitted the hospital for Christmas. Toys for the children, Christmas trees, holly, mistletoe, elves and toy soldiers. It looks like controlled chaos out there, but the trees and lights are going up quickly, and everyone is loving it. Even the people in the ER get gift cards, I hear.”

  “Well, you are certainly the man of the hour,” Grace said with a smile.

  “You said you wanted Christmas, so here it is,” Matthew said.

  “I’m going to go back to work and watch it all go up. Maybe I can help decorate some of the Christmas trees!” A laugh bubbled out of Nurse Sunny, and she practically ran out of the room.

  “Well, you don’t do things small, that’s for sure,” Grace replied. “I was scared she’d explode and confetti would come out.”

  Matthew burst out laughing. “Really? Confetti?”

  “She’s like a red bull and espresso rolled into one plump package,” Grace said. “I don’t think she’s human. No one can be that perky.”

  “A Christmas tree is coming in here for you as well and some lights so don’t freak out,” Matthew warned.

  She reached over suddenly and took his hand. “I won’t, but thank you, Matthew, for the tree and for making everyone here happy. Low-income hospitals need more charity like this. I guess I was meant to be here.”

  “Maybe, but I’d still rather you be at the house waiting for your baby to arrive,” he said.

  “Me too, but she’s going to be fine, and that’s all that matters,” Grace answered.

  They ate the rest of their meal, and from her opened door she could see the dull hospital gain some life with the colorful holiday decorations. People dressed as elves did the decorating and handed out candy canes. A four-foot tree with all the decorations was brought into her room, and a string of lights was hung by the window. Plastic snowflake decals were stuck to the window, and a small village scene was placed on the windowsill. She had to admit that it all made her feel so much better, and it was because of Matthew. He was so unlike Lance that it was like night and day.

  Lance wouldn’t have cared about any of this or the tiny details. Thanksgiving had been a nightmare because she wanted to cook a nice meal, but he never came home, and deep down she didn’t expect him to. She ended up eating a turkey dinner frozen meal. Her mother was a trip, but at least she did it up for the holidays.

  With the decorations complete, the hospital quieted down to a low hum, and Matthew set out Battleship for them to play. Outside the window, the sun was going down behind the horizon, and the Christmas lights twinkled merrily in the dimming room. Even when he put the lights, the holiday feeling did not diminish.

  “I don’t know how you’re hitting every one of my ships. They are strategically placed,” Matthew muttered from his side of the board. “A-9 to B-14.”

  “Miss,” said the game’s automated voice.

  Matthew looked up at her, and she grinned. “C-7 to A-9.”

  “Destroyer sunk.”

  Grace clapped her hands in delight, reveling in the fact that she was winning.

  Matthew threw his hands up in defeat. “How are you doing this? Do you have a photographic memory and can remember all the coordinates?”

  “I wish.” Grace snorted in glee and tapped her temple. “I have a strategic mind, sir. It’s your turn but be prepared. I know where your battleship is.”

  “Uh-huh, time for war,” Matthew said and rubbed his hands together. “D-5 to C-10.”

  “Oh, oh, shoot!” Grace felt a sudden gush of wetness between her legs and knew that the wait was over. Lilah was on her way.

  “Ah, finally, the tide has turned!” Matthew was oblivious to her problem and thought her comment meant he’d hit her game pieces. “I’ve got an offensive grid going on—”

  “Matthew, no, not the game. You need to get a nurse,” Grace said. “My water just broke.”

  He looked at her blankly. “What water? You’re not drinking any… Oh, shit, you mean that water, the baby…”

  Grace nodded. “Yes.”

  “But you’ve been here for only a little over a week, so it’s thirty-three weeks. It’s still too early.” Matthew stood and panic was written all over his face.

  “I know, Matthew, please go get the nurse, and she’ll get the doctor.” Grace asked gently.

  She was scared to death but surprisingly calm. She almost expected this to happen. Maybe her women’s intuition knew. But she was ready; she’d been reading up on premature babies. The first tightening of her stomach heralded Braxton Hicks contractions. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply through the initial pain. She could almost smile hearing Matthew frantically call a nurse and imagining him running up and down the hall. She swore she heard him knocking on doors, disturbing other patients to tell them she was in labor. You’d think he’s the daddy, Grace thought, and her heart ached. Lilah would have been blessed with a father like him. Instead, she’d be a single mother. She comforted herself in knowing that Matthew would make a great uncle and her daughter would have a strong male figure to look up to. The nurse came in with a gentle smile on her face. It was Nurse Sunny but right now she had on her serious face.

  “Mr. Ryder said your water broke?” she asked. “Not just leaking, but a full break?”

  Grace tried to smile but felt tears threatening. “Full sploosh. She’s an early girl.”

  Nurse Sunny smiled comfortingly. “She’s thirty-three weeks. She’ll be small, but they do so well at this stage. Sometimes they’re just here a few weeks before they go home.”

  “But her lungs and…” Grace took a slow breath and tried to force back the fear.

  “I won’t tell you she’ll be as perfect as if she was full term,” Nurse Sunny said firmly, “but premature babies are fighters, so she’ll be one too.”

  “Okay, okay.” Grace nodded and winced as another contraction started.

  “Let’s get you showered and cleaned up and into bed. We’ll get you comfortable so Dr. Atwater can check you, and we’ll go from there. Do you want Mr. Ryder in here?”

  He’d been her friend now for about a week—her only friend, she realized—and coming in every day to see her. Grace wanted his support and nodded her head. “If he wants to be, yes, but it’s his choice.”

  Nurse Sunny nodded. “We’ll get you in the shower and get you all set before I go ask him.”

  Grace nodded and together they got her out of her wet clothes and into a hot shower. It helped to relax her back that had begun to ache and even when she was breathing through a contraction, the hot water did miracles to soothe. She was almost disappointed to get out when the nurse came back, but she realized she needed to lie down more than wanting the shower spray. Who am I kidding? I want drugs, she thought as the nurse helped her over to the bed. Looking forward to lying down she felt happiness surge through her when she saw Matthew standing next to the bed. Gone was his suit jacket and his tie. His sleeves were now rolled up like he was getting ready for a long night of work.

  “I’m the one who’s going to be doing the work, Matthew,” she teased as Nurse Sunny helped her into bed. She sighed in delight when she felt the warmth of the mattress. “That feels amazing. What kind of bed is this?” />
  “New Tempur-Pedic warming labor beds for the delivery suites.” Nurse Sunny grinned. “Compliments of our generous benefactor here. You’re the third to give birth on one of these beds. Everyone loves them.”

  She settled back. “You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?”

  “I watched a video a few days ago when I went home. Pregnant women need all the comfort they can get.” Matthew took her hand and looked at her worriedly. “How are you doing?”

  Grace was honest. “Worried about Lilah since she’s too early, but I trust everyone here, and Nurse Sunny says she’ll do awesome.”

  “Who?” the nurse looked at them blankly, and grace bit her lip when she realized they used her secret nickname in front of her.

  Matthew was quick on his feet. “We call you that because you have such an upbeat and sunny personality.”

  Nurse Sunny beamed. “I like you two. Grace is one of the best patients I’ve ever had.”

  When she left, Grace held up her hand to give him a high five. “Good looking out.”

  Matthew laughed. “I try.”

  “Lilah will be fine, won’t she?” Grace asked softly.

  “She will be perfect. We’ll make sure of it.” Matthew cupped her cheek, and she let herself enjoy the sensation. “She’ll be more than perfect. She’ll be amazing.”

  Dr. Atwater came in with a smile on his face. “So I hear this little one decided that what we were doing wasn’t enough and wants to make an early arrival.”

  Grace nodded. “I guess so.”

  “Tell me, Doctor, what should we expect?” Matthew asked.

  She heard the seriousness in his tone, and the way he said “we” made her feel less alone. It was a serious thing. A baby being born at thirty-three weeks was not unheard of, but it did mean some problems could be present.

  Dr. Atwater sat on the side of the bed. “I’m not going to lie to you and say everything will go one hundred percent smoothly. The biggest thing we’ll be concerned about is her lung function because they will not be developed as much as they would be if she was full term. When she’s born, you’ll get a quick look and a kiss and that’s about it because we’ll need to work quickly to assess her condition. Worst-case scenario would be that she is having trouble breathing and we need to get her to the neonatal unit stat. If her condition is worse than what we are expecting, and if she needs more than we can provide here, we’ll need to send her to a facility that has a better neonatal intensive care unit.”