The Christmas Baby Bundle: Novella (Windy City Romance 4)

by Barbara Lohr

  McKenna’s eyes were brimming. “Come on, you two. They’re getting Angie settled in her room.”

  Amanda hardly heard what McKenna was saying. Somewhere in this hospital, a little bundle waited for them. A lump swelled in her throat.

  When the three of them reached the unit, a nurse checked the screen. “Angie’s resting but maybe later, if you come this afternoon, you can pop in. She asked to see you.”

  Amanda’s old fears surfaced. “She doesn’t want to talk to us about anything, right?”

  “Honey, she probably just wants to say hi.” Connor looked to McKenna as they reached the consult room.

  “You’re okay, Amanda,” McKenna said. “I know you can’t believe it, but you’re a mother. This is for real.”

  “Okay. It just doesn’t feel real yet.” Felt more like she was in another dream. A good one this time.

  The nurse gave them a mysterious smile. “Want to take them to the consult room, McKenna?”

  “Sure thing.” McKenna led them down the hall. Amanda collapsed into one of the chairs and Connor sat across from her. McKenna stayed in the doorway staring down the hall.

  Amanda froze when Maria entered the room with a very tiny bundle. “Oh, Connor.”

  “Do you want to see your son?” Maria asked quietly.

  Connor was on his feet in a second. “Sean. His name’s Sean.”

  “Would you like to hold him?” Maria asked.

  Amanda looked to Connor.

  “You do it. I’d probably drop him.” His eyes never left the swaddled infant.

  “He’s so tiny.” Heart beating wildly, Amanda held out her arms. Maria settled the baby in them. With his scrunched up red face, he was the size of a loaf of bread. A tiny blue cap covered his head.

  He was the most beautiful baby she’d ever seen.

  “Pretty big, isn’t he?” Connor could not take his eyes off their new son.

  “Oh, Connor. He’s just a tiny thing,” Amanda murmured softly.

  “Eight pounds, four ounces. Healthy little boy.” McKenna beamed.

  Amanda smiled as the baby fanned one hand into the air. “Hey, little guy.” When she nudged one forefinger in his direction, the baby’s fingers closed around it. He opened his eyes and frowned up at her. “Hi, beautiful boy.”

  The frown dissolved. She could swear those shell-like lips tilted. “Oh, Connor. Would you just look at him?”

  Blinking furiously, Connor crouched next to her. “He’s really something, isn’t he?”

  Even McKenna looked mesmerized and she saw a lot of babies. “Lucky little guy to have you two for parents.”

  “Sean Connor Kirkpatrick,” Amanda whispered. “We waited for you so long.”

  Chapter Seven

  The Kirkpatrick house was filled with Christmas music and conversation when Connor and Amanda arrived Christmas Day. As usual, they were late but this time they had a reason. Bundling Sean into his pumpkin seat had not been easy. This was all so new.

  “Are you sure you should be taking that new baby out?” her mother fretted.

  “Connor is warming up the car. Sean should be fine.” Amanda tried to feel as confident as she sounded. After all, she’d checked with Janie, her sister-in-law.

  “Babies are resilient,” Jane had told Amanda. “We took James out when he was two days old to buy a swing. He slept all the way to the store and back.”

  So off they went on Christmas Day. The snow had stopped, and sunlight glistened on heaps of snow as they drove toward Connor’s parents’ house, Donna and Bill following close behind.

  Maureen met them at the door. “Merry Christmas! Donna and Bill, so good to see you. Connor, after I get a close look at my new grandson, you just take him right into the living room where it’s warm.”

  Amanda’s mom handed Maureen a fruitcake she’d made the day before. The two women bustled off toward the kitchen once Maureen had given her new grandson close scrutiny and a smile of approval.

  Connor hung up his jacket and her coat. Then they edged into the group, Connor holding the pumpkin seat. “Make way! Baby’s coming.”

  Amanda followed close on his heels. Sure, she was fussing but she couldn’t help it. Once Connor had Sean secure on the sofa, pumpkin seat under the crook of his arm, she removed the baby’s soft blue traveling suit, a gift from Harper. Everyone took turns getting acquainted with the new member of the family. Connor supervised and Amanda smiled at his rules. No touching the baby and no breathing too close.

  The children gave Sean a quick look and disappeared downstairs. Babies were nothing new in this family. Their parents, however, took their time admiring the new addition. The only thing Sean seemed interested in was the bright tree lights. Before long his delicate eyelids flagged. He gave in to sleep, tiny lips moving in a sucking motion.

  “You look exhausted,” McKenna told Amanda, getting her in a corner for a tight hug.

  “I’ve hardly slept. Not that I mind.” Amanda pushed her tangled hair back. Was she even wearing lipstick? She glanced over at Connor watching Sean doze. “Will you just look at him, McKenna? Is Connor the proud dad or what?”

  “So good to see him like this.”

  “He insists on handling some of the night feedings. Said he wanted guy time with his son. Do you believe it?”

  “Best Christmas present ever for this family. I can tell you that much.” McKenna had every reason to be proud. What would they have done without her? “Did you see Angie while you were in the hospital?”

  Amanda nodded. “We stopped in. She looked relieved.”

  “She told me she was glad the baby came early. She’ll be ready for the second semester of night classes. She’s excited about her new life, Amanda. You gave her that peace of mind.”

  “The gift she gave us was so much more. We have no problem with her seeing Sean whenever she wants.” That decision had brought unexpected relief for Amanda. “Hey, wait a minute. What’s this?”

  McKenna blushed as red as her sweater when Amanda grabbed her sister-in-law’s left hand. “Did you get a diamond for Christmas?”

  McKenna nodded, wiggling her fingers and smiling as her diamond caught the light. “Tell you all about it later.”

  “Oh, I’m so happy for you.” Amanda gave her a tight hug. “You two deserve each other.”

  “I think so.” McKenna sighed with satisfaction. “Isn’t this just the best Christmas ever?”

  “The very best.” Amanda could hardly wait to tell Connor the news.

  Soon Connor carted Sean into the family room, as if he were one of the guys. Donna and Bill drifted to the back room, not about to let Sean out of their sight and Amanda followed.

  Connor was so darn sweet. He even made a point of introducing Sean to Bella, Cameron’s little girl.

  “Hello, baby.” Standing there in her red velvet dress, Bella studied the sleeping infant. “We’re going to get a baby too someday.”

  Cameron jerked and Amanda sucked in her cheeks to keep from laughing. Had Harper heard the comment? She was deep in conversation with Selena.

  Connor swallowed a chuckle that ended in a cough. “Why, that sounds like a great plan, Bella,” he finally said.

  Bella went back to playing animal dominoes with the other children, and Connor joined a spirited Super Bowl discussion. He’d lifted the baby from the seat, and Sean lay content on his shoulder while Connor swayed, like he did this every day.

  Now where did he learn how to do that? Brought tears to Amanda’s eyes. After all their parenting worries, Connor was a natural.

  Wandering out to the kitchen, Amanda offered to help but Maureen wouldn’t have it and neither would any of the other women. “You just tend that baby, now. We’ll handle the meal.”

  Pans and serving plates crowded the counters. The women stirred, seasoned and sliced. But the smell of that turkey wasn’t making her hungry. She always loved Maureen’s green bean casserole or the sweet ham scored with cloves. This darn stomach virus. She sure hoped the baby di
dn’t catch it.

  Her mom was playing checkers with one of the little boys, and Amanda circled back to the family room to watch, keeping one eye on the baby. She hated to miss one flutter of those long eyelashes or one dreamy smile. Connor looked like he needed a break. At least, that’s what she told herself. “Mom time,” she told her husband, lifting the warm, sweet smelling baby from his arms.

  Connor kissed her forehead. “Glad to share, Mom.”

  She stiffened. “No way. To you, I’m babe or Amanda… not Mom. Not to you. Let’s keep things, well, straight.”

  The outburst made Sean shift in her arms and she dropped her voice. But she had to make this point clear. She never wanted to be “Mom” to Connor.

  Mark chuckled. “You’re in trouble now, Connor.”

  “You better believe it.” Her husband was smiling, like he wanted her to keep babe status.

  Mark’s wife Janie and Amanda had talked about the “Mom” label while they registered for baby necessities before the shower. They agreed on this point. Being called Mom by your husband could make a girl feel downright unsexy. That wasn’t going to be Amanda.

  Mark moved into the kitchen and she was alone with Connor.

  “You look so happy.”

  Connor’s arms went around them. “I am. You’re the perfect mother, even though you don’t want to be called Mom.”

  “Do you want me to call you Dad?”

  Connor paled. “Heck no. That’s Bill.”

  “Well, there.” Tipping her face up, she kissed his chin. “You’ll always be my main man.”

  “Don’t forget that now.” His eyes danced with mischief.

  “Oh, Connor.” Her heart lifted into her throat, and she couldn’t say another word.

  Logan joined them, eyes glued to the baby. “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?”

  “Want to hold him?” Amanda asked.

  “Ah…sure. Why not?” He looked flustered.

  Why not? Too late, Amanda remembered the sad story about Logan’s own son. Would McKenna and Logan have a baby one day? “Connor, I didn’t have a chance to tell you. Logan and McKenna are engaged.”

  “No way. That’s terrific. Welcome to the family.” Connor clapped Logan on the shoulder.

  “Thanks, Connor. Trust me, I’m lucky. Your sister’s something.”

  “But not easy to handle.”

  “What a thing to say about your own sister.” But probably true. McKenna had a lot of spirit.

  Maureen stuck her head out of the kitchen and called Connor to carve the turkey just as Amanda settled Sean into Logan’s waiting arms. McKenna strolled over, eyes focused on Logan and the baby as if she were taking a picture.

  “He’s absolutely beautiful. And I see a lot of babies.” The good doctor couldn’t get enough of him.

  McKenna touched Logan’s elbow. “Almost time for dinner. Think I’m going to help Mom put out the food.” She turned and left, leaving the two of them alone.

  “Ugh. I couldn’t eat a thing.” Amanda’s stomach was still on a roller coaster ride.

  “What, you don’t overeat over the holidays?” Logan asked, returning her precious bundle. Sean was still sound asleep—a good sign.

  She shook her head. “Not me. I’ve still got this bug. Hope the baby doesn’t get it.”

  Logan studied her. “Sure it’s a bug?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Hasn’t it been a month since you were in the office?”

  Legs weak, she leaned against the back of the sofa. “Are you saying…”

  “I’m asking.”

  “Logan, I don’t know. It’s been so crazy.” Sure, they’d gone through the in vitro procedure. She’d expected it to fail. The nausea? To her, it always meant the flu or ulcers. “Oh, my gosh.”

  “Everything okay, babe?” Connor appeared at her side.

  Her lips opened and closed like Sean’s when he was hungry. “Great. Fine. Can you hold the baby? Think I need to use the rest room.”

  Connor didn’t need any persuading.

  Backing away, she caught Logan’s eye and pressed one finger to her lips. She wanted to be the one to spring the news if this crazy idea were true.

  There was a line for the first floor powder room so she dashed upstairs. Her father was just turning off the light in the second floor bathroom when she arrived.

  “Well, here’s the new mother.” Her dad settled back on his heels, looking pretty pleased.

  “And here’s the new grandfather. You doing okay?”

  “I’m doing great. You married into a terrific family, you know that? Bill is making me feel right at home. Even showed me his collections of fishing lures and Evenrude motors in the basement. I told him all about my Lionel train collection. Told him he’d have to come down and see it sometime.”

  “Looks like you’ve joined his inner bundling circle, Dad. Congratulations.” Amanda gave her dad a hug and inhaled his Old Spice when she rested her cheek on the fuzzy red V-neck she’d given him for Christmas. “Thanks, Dad. For everything.”

  “For what? You’re the one who made me a grandfather.” He patted her back.

  “Yes, but we couldn’t have done this without your support. You know that.”

  “Listen, this is what it’s all about, Amanda.” Her father spread his arms so wide he nearly knocked over the Christmas elf on the hall table. “Family. What else could your mother and I wish for? Sure, Florida’s a great place, but I can tell you, we’ll be coming up to see this baby.”

  “You’ll always have a place in our spare room,” she assured him.

  “That’s real nice to hear, little girl.”

  She beamed. Doesn’t every woman want to know that for her dad, she’ll always be his little girl?

  “And listen, while we’re talking about all this, tell Connor not to worry about returning any help we offer. You can’t take it with you and who else do we have?”

  “Oh, Daddy.” She hugged him again.

  With a quiet smile, he headed for the stairs, and she slipped into the bathroom. As Amanda stared at her pale face in the mirror, it hit her. Would they even have a spare bedroom in eight months or so? She had to make a quick trip to a drugstore. Disbelief and excitement made her downright dizzy and she grabbed the cool edge of the sink.

  When she got back downstairs, the buffet line had formed. Taking the baby from Connor, she urged him to fill a plate. “Could you just fix something small for me? Maybe plain turkey to nibble?”

  “Your stomach has me worried.”

  “Maybe we can stop at the drugstore on the way home?”

  “That bad, huh? I want you to see a doctor if this doesn’t stop.”

  “Oh, I will.” So hard to squelch her grin.

  Dinner ran long. Eventually the mincemeat and pumpkin pies pushed them all into a food coma. Some had to work the next day so families reluctantly began packing up. On the way home, Connor pulled into an all-night drugstore. The parking lot was almost empty. Her parents waited in their own car, exhaust curling into the darkness. Connor had insisted they follow, not wanting them to get lost.

  Cold night air nipped her cheeks as Amanda rushed inside. Two clerks chatted over their registers. Her footsteps echoed in the empty aisles. Took some searching but she found what she needed and bought three.

  “Merry Christmas.” The words bubbled to her lips when she was checking out.

  Slipping her purchase into a bag, the clerk smiled at her. “Well, Merry Christmas to you too.”

  Amanda didn’t miss the knowing grin the girl gave her friend at the next register.

  When they reached the house, her parents quickly said good night. “Best Christmas ever, Amanda,” her dad whispered.

  “I don’t know when I’ve had a more exciting holiday, do you, Bill?” Still perky as all get out, her mother followed her dad up the stairs. “Now don’t forget to turn off all the lights, you two. See you in the morning. I just might make pancakes.” The bedroom door closed behind her chat
ter.

  “I’ll be right back,” Amanda told Connor, handing him the baby, who was squirming. He’d been so good. “I want to heat a bottle for Sean.”

  Sean. Just saying his name lifted her steps on the way to the kitchen. She stopped in the powder room on the way.

  When she returned to the living room, she handed Connor the bottle. “Have you ever seen my parents so crazy about anything?”

  “Wish they’d been that thrilled when I came alone.”

  “They’ve always liked you.”

  He settled back with the baby, pleased grin on his face. “I think my stock just went up now that Sean’s in the picture.”

  The two looked so natural together. She could sit and gaze at them forever. Amanda flicked on the tree lights, and the baby stopped sucking, eyes searching.

  “Looks like we’re going to be pretty busy from now on, isn’t that right, little guy?” Connor smiled down at the baby, who’d gotten back to business.

  “I’ve been thinking maybe I won’t go back to school after my maternity leave.”

  “Really? You sure that’s wise?”

  “Yeah, just a thought.” She searched for the tiny statue hidden under the white sheet. Time to add the baby to the nativity set. Her fingers found it and she gently lay the small figurine in the hay. The infant just looked so right in the manger. She could swear Mary and Joseph were smiling.

  When she turned, Connor pinned her with his eyes. “Just a few days with Sean and you know you want to stay home?”

  Amanda shrugged a shoulder. “It feels right. For a while at least. Best thing for us.” She pulled something from her pocket and stared at the line.

  “What’s that, Amanda?” Connor paled. “A thermometer? Are you that sick?”

  She gave her husband a mysterious smile, enjoying the delicious waves of excitement washing over her as she joined them on the couch. Amanda marveled at her own restraint. “How do you feel about bundling?”

  Connor looked wary. “What? Like my dad’s fishing lures?”

  “Not exactly the kind of bundling I see in our future.” Tapping the pregnancy test against her palm, she fixed him with an excited smile. Sean wailed when his dad dropped the bottle.

  Reaching down, Amanda scooped up the bottle and got the feeding back on track.