Radclyffe - Safe Harbor 02 - Beyond The Breakwater
Page 21
Bri reached for Carre and did as she was told. The three of them were sitting pressed together in silence when K.T. appeared in the doorway. Reese jumped to her feet and rushed across the room. The surgeon murmured something and Reese sagged, then steadied herself with a hand against the doorjamb. After a seconds hesitation, K.T. put a hand on the back of Reeses neck, leaned close, and spoke into her ear. Reese nodded, squared her shoulders, and disappeared around the corner.
“ Oh fuck. Bri stared at Carre. Her voice was high and tight. “What do you think is going on?
“ It will be okay, baby, Caroline said gently, putting an arm around Bris waist. She kissed her temple. “Nothing will happen to Tory.
Bri closed her eyes and leaned into Carres certain strength. “Im so glad youre here, she whispered.
“ Me, too, Caroline murmured. And I always will be.
*****
Tory was the only patient in the small recovery room. Reese stepped inside, a yellow cotton cover gown over her uniform, and swallowed hard when she saw how pale and still her lover appeared.
"Tor?" she whispered softly.
Tory moaned faintly and opened her eyes with effort. Her pupils were dilated and unfocused. "Reese?"
With her free hand, Reese smoothed Tory's damp hair back from her forehead. "We have a baby daughter," Reese informed her gently. "K.T. says everything went fine.
Tory and the baby are stable. Tory bled heavily but the hemorrhage has stopped for now. If we can keep her pressure down, she might make it without a transfusion. The baby was a little slow to breathe but she seems okay now. The neonatologist is evaluating her.
"Whatwasher...Apgar?"
"I don't know, love. The pediatrician has her right now."
"Have you...seen her yet?" Tory blinked, and her eyes seemed clearer.
"I'm going to go see her in a few minutes. The doctors have to check her out first." Reese leaned over and kissed Tory's forehead. "You did great, Tor."
"Might have been betterif I'd waited a bit longer," Tory said with a weak smile. "You okay, sweetheart?"
"Yeah, fine," Reese said huskily. "I love you."
A nurse approached with a practiced smile. "I'm sorry. Dr. King needs some rest. You can come back in a little while."
"All right," Reese replied, although she made no move to leave. She was uncertain if she would be able to force herself away from Tory's side. She wasn't yet convinced that something wasn't going to happen to take her away. "You'll be okay?"
Tory smiled again and squeezed Reese's hand harder. "I'll be fine. Go see our daughtercome backand tell me."
"I love you," Reese whispered again.
"Love you too," Tory murmured as she closed her eyes.
*****
In yet another sterile anteroom, Reese scrubbed her hands and donned a green gown.
"Can I help you with something?" a dark haired, middle-aged nurse in pale blue scrubs asked just a bit suspiciously.
"I'm looking foruh babyuhbaby girl King."
"And you are?"
From behind them, a deep alto voice answered, "The other mother."
"Oh," the nurse exclaimed brightly, her smile genuine. "She's in the isolation room with Dr. Newman."
"The isolation room?" Reese repeated. Now the knots in her stomach tied themselves into yet another layer.
"Relax, Reese." K.T. put her hand on Reese's shoulder. "Its standard, especially with a baby this small. Come on. I'll take you back." She hesitated a second. "Unless you don't want me to."
Reese met K.T.'s eyes. "I owe you. And I think Tory would like you to see the baby."
K.T. blushed, an almost reportable event where she was concerned. When she spoke, her voice was low and thick. "I'd like that. I was too busy earlier to do more than hand her off."
A minute later the two of them stared wordlessly into the heated, plastic-enclosed bassinette at the tiny red face, nearly obscured by the small knit cap on her egg-sized head and the cotton receiving blanket dwarfing her miniature body. An IV ran into her impossibly small foot, which was taped to a wooden tongue blade no bigger than a Popsicle stick for support.
Reese blinked and then unselfconsciously wiped at the tears that suddenly appeared on her cheeks. “Shes beautiful.
“ Yes. She is. K.T. cleared her throat. “Ill check with the pediatrician and give you an update in a minute or two. Congratulations, Reese.
“ Thanks, Reese said, her eyes still fixed on the baby. When she looked up, K.T. was gone.
*****
When Tory awoke, the first thing she was aware of was the sharp pain in her abdomen. She drew a surprised breath. Then she remembered. C-section. Incisional pain. Okay. Not too bad.
She opened her eyes. Reese was in a chair by her bedside, her head back, eyes closed. There were circles under her eyes. She wore jeans and a scrub shirt. She was gorgeous. “Sweetheart?
Reese jumped, her lids flew open, and she blinked. Then she grinned, a blazing smile that set every worry in Torys mind at ease.
“ Is she all right?
“ Shes great, Reese exclaimed, sitting forward and taking Torys hand. “She weighs almost four pounds. The doctor says her lungs are mature, and shes absolutely perfect.
Tory bit her lip but she couldnt stop the tears. Reese eased onto the edge of the bed and put her arm behind her lovers shoulders. She kissed Torys forehead, her eyes, her lips. “You want to go see her?
“ God, yes.
Reese rang the bedside bell and when a nurse appeared, she asked for a wheelchair. Very carefully, the two of them helped Tory from the bed and into the chair.
“ Ready? Reese asked as she leaned down and smiled at Tory.
“ Lets go lights and siren for this trip, Sheriff.
Reese laughed. “Anything you say, Dr. King.
*****
Reese squatted on her heels, scarcely breathing. There were some things in life so beautiful they hurt to look at. Torys face as she gazed at the baby in her arms was one of them.
When Tory finally raised her head, her eyes were filled with wonder. She reached out her free hand and stroked Reeses cheek. “Can you believe it?
“ No, Reese whispered. She edged closer, resting one hand on the babys back as Tory cradled her. “I cant. If I look at her too long, Im afraid something is going to explode inside of me, the feelings get so big.
Tory brushed her fingers through Reeses hair. “I love you so much.
At that moment, the infants eyes, unfocused but a brilliant blue, opened wide.
Tory stroked the babys cheek. “Hello, Regina.
Reese grinned. “Hey, Reggie.
Epilogue
August, Provincetown, MA
Nelson looked up as the door opened, then frowned in surprise. “What are you doing here?
“ Chief? Reese appeared equally confused.
“ I thought you were going to get the baby.
“ Oh! Reese grinned. “We are. But they arent signing her out until after morning rounds, so Ive got a few hours. Bri around?
He hesitated. “Took Caroline to the airport.
“ Right, Reese said quietly. “She leaves--what? For Boston now, then tonight for France?
“ Uh-huh. He cleared his throat. “I already said my goodbyes early this morning. Hate to watch the plane take off.
Reese checked her watch. “You think I have time to catch them? Things have been so busy since Reggie was born, I completely forgot Caroline was leaving so soon. What with Tory needing to be at the hospital so much of the time, and then the pediatrician telling us that the baby was going to be able to come home two weeks sooner than we thought, I dont know which end is up.
“ You should make it if you use the siren.
She stood and grabbed her hat. “Ill call in later.
A few minutes later, Reese pulled her cruiser into the tiny airport parking lot beside Torys Jeep and sprinted toward the small terminal. Once through the doors, she easily picked out the group she was looking for. To
ry and Kate stood with Bri and Caroline on the far side of the room. Bri and Caroline appeared to be glued together.
“ Hey, Reese called as she hurried over.
“ You just realized, too, huh? Tory remarked as she kissed Reese on the cheek.
“ Yeah. Reese turned to Caroline. “You all set?
“ Yes. Carolines eyes were red-rimmed and her voice feathery. One arm was wrapped tightly around Bris waist, her thumb hooked over Bris belt at the hip.
The PA system crackled to life and the flight to Boston was announced.
“ Thats you, babe, Bri said unnecessarily, since it was the only departing flight scheduled. She had her hand on Carolines neck, stroking her softly.
“ Well, Tory said with a smile, stepping forward and sliding an arm around Caroline. “Have a wonderful time, sweetie. Send us pictures.
To Reeses surprise, Caroline released Bri and threw her arms around Reeses neck. In a voice too low for anyone else to hear, Caroline murmured, “Take care of Bri, okay?
Reese hugged her, then kissed her cheek. “You bet I will. Dont worry.
Then Bri and Caroline were in each others arms, and Tory, Kate, and Reese all studied the tarmac while the two young lovers kissed. Finally, Bri stepped away and reached for one of Carolines bags. “Ill walk you out.
“ Dont forget how much I love you, baby, Caroline whispered as they approached the small plane.
“ I wont. You neither, okay?
“ Ill miss you so much.
Bri bit her lip, then forced a grin. “The time will go fast. Youll be so busy. Work hardand have fun. Okay?
At the base of the steps leading up to the cabin, they faced one another.
“ Ill be home for Christmas, Caroline stated.
Bri held her gaze, then traced a finger down her cheek. “Ill be right here waiting.
*****
“ Are you sure shes okay back there? Reese asked anxiously as Tory slid into the passenger seat of the Jeep.
They both turned and surveyed the tiny bundle in the car seat belted into the rear. The pale yellow blanket moved faintly as their daughter kicked and stretched her miniature limbs.
"She's fine."
“ Maybe you should sit with her, Reese muttered. “In case she needsanything.
“ I just fed her. Tory rested her palm on her lovers thigh. “Shes fine, sweetheart. Its safer back there, and shes going to go to sleep as soon as you start driving.
“ Okay. Reese pulled out onto 6 and wished for the hundredth time that shed brought the patrol car so she could put the lights on and make the traffic ahead pull over. She didnt like having moving vehicles anywhere near them, not with Reggie in the car. What if some idiot ran into them? “This is awful.
Tory laughed. “Honey, shes not made of glass. Shes one strong little girl. Look how quickly she made her minimum safe weight. Almost three weeks early.
“ You think shes gonna do everything early? Reese dared a quick glance at Tory. “Cause Im still playing catch up. Am I ever gonna be prepared?
“ Probably not. Thats part of the fun. Tory linked her fingers through Reeses.
“ Yeah, right. But Reese was smiling.
“ I was thinking that Womens Week might be a nice time, Tory mused. “Regina will be settled in by then.
“ For what?
Tory brought their joined hands to her lips and kissed Reeses fingers. “For the wedding you promised me.
“ Oh. Reese slowed for a light, then met Torys eyes. Her voice was husky when she added, “That.
“ Mmm hmm. Torys face was soft with love and contentment. From behind them came a small hiccough, and then what sounded very much like a tiny laugh.
“ And they say honeymoons dont last forever, Reese whispered.
The End
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