Entangled: Sequel to Awakened (16 page)

Chapter Sixteen

2 Years Later

Aline sat on the lounge facing her parents. The anxious expressions on their faces almost breaking her. “Dad, daddy. I promise, Dr. Milton said everything is fine. He assured us he will have blood on hand, after what happened to mother, and a theatre at the ready.”

“We can’t help but worry, sweetheart.” Alistair said.

Aline moved to sit between her fathers and gathered their hands into hers. She rested them over her swollen belly. She needed to put their minds at ease. “I have had a great pregnancy. No morning sickness, no excessive weight gain. My skin glows. One more month and you’ll both see all this worry is for nothing.”

“Xavier knows to call us the minute you go to the hospital, doesn’t he?” Linc asked for the tenth time.

“Dad, you’ve told him at least a hundred times. We will call you from the hospital.”

“We’ll be in the waiting room. Did you tell Dr. Milton we want to see you the minute the baby is born?”

“Yes, I did, daddy. You two have got to stop worrying, you’re nervous wrecks.”

“We know, baby girl and we do try. It’s terrifying to think something might happen to you.” Tears flowed over Alistair’s cheeks.

Aline pulled him into her arms. “Daddy, this has to stop. It upsets me to see you so anxious and distraught and Xavier is threatening to make you stay away if it continues.”

“Not fucking likely,” Linc spat.

“Dad, I’m his wife. He’s worried about me being upset by you and he has every right to protect his child. Please, for me, try not to show your worry.”

“I tell myself it’s irrational. The doctor told me that what happened with your mother was extremely rare but it’s difficult to accept everything is okay.” Alistair was worrying himself into a frenzy and Aline was concerned with his fragile state of mind.

Linc patted Alistair’s thigh. “It’s time we were going. Your face is swollen and red. If Xavier arrives home he’ll know you’ve been upset again.”

The men stood and helped their daughter to her feet. She was pulled in to a hug and showered with kisses by first Linc then Alistair. As Alistair pulled her close, the baby kicked. He stepped back and lowered his lips to her belly. As he kissed her, the baby kicked again.

“Feisty little tacker, aren’t you?” The baby kicked again as his hand rested over Aline’s bulge. Alistair burst into laughter. “I guess it agrees.”

Xavier stepped into his apartment in time to witness his wife and her parents laughing. He smiled at the relaxed, happy scene. “What’s so funny?”

Aline waddled toward her husband and he gathered her into his arms for a passionate kiss. “Daddy has been getting beaten up by your child.”

Xavier quirked an eyebrow in query. “My child?”

Aline giggled. “It’s my child when it’s quiet. It’s yours when it kicks and carries on like a footballer.”

Xavier joined the laughter. It felt good to see her parents happy. They had been far too worried and anxious in recent times.

“I wish we knew what it was. I’m tired of calling the little tacker, it.” Linc fixed his gaze on Aline.

“All in good time, dad. We want it to be a surprise.”

“I still wish we knew. We have to go. The new gym has doubled the city membership and we have so many more personal clients. We’ll see you again tomorrow.” Linc gathered Alistair’s hand.

Aline thought about how successful the new gym was. The opening had been attended by the cream of city elite and with their endorsements, the membership had exploded. Xavier had told her the rest of the center was equally as successful. The three of them were now discussing other joint ventures. She kissed and hugged her parents again before showing them out.

“It’s good to see them both happy and relaxed.” Xavier removed his jacket and tie as Aline waddled back to him.

Thank heaven you weren’t here five minutes earlier.
“I think they are still extremely worried but they are trying to keep it under control. I worry about daddy though.”

“I hope they try to control it. I don’t like you being upset at this stage of your pregnancy.”

“I’m fine but there is something I would like to talk to you about.” Taking his hand, she drew him to the lounge and they sat.

“Sounds serious.”

“A little. You know how dad and daddy are insisting you call them when I go to the hospital? They reminded me again several times today.”

“Yes. I said I would call them the minute you got there. Why?”

“I don’t want you to.”

“What! They’ll be furious.”

“Hear me out. I spoke with Dr. Milton this morning.”

“On the phone?”

“No. I went to see him.”

“On your own? Without me?” Xavier’s eyebrows drew together.

Aline squeezed his hand. “I didn’t want you there because I wasn’t sure you’d agree with what I was going to suggest. I also wanted to see if the doctor would permit it before I spoke with you.”

“You need to spit it out, princess. I’m not liking what I’m hearing so far.”

“If I go in to labor naturally, it could be hours before the baby arrives. It could be 30 or more. I can’t bear the thought of dad and daddy pacing the waiting room floor for that long.”

“I can’t see how that is avoidable. The baby will come in its own time.”

“That’s the thing. It is avoidable.”

“How?”

“Dr. Milton has agreed to admit me to the hospital one week before my due date.”

Xavier opened his mouth to protest but Aline placed her fingers to his lips.

“He said the baby is big and he’s concerned about me going to full term. He’s going to break my waters and put in a drip with medication in it. It will progress labor much faster. It could last as little as four hours. Hopefully, baby will arrive quickly and you can call dad and daddy to come to the hospital when it’s all over.”

“No.”

“What do you mean, no?”

“It’s not natural and it sounds dangerous for you and the baby.”

“Xavier, Dr. Milton said he was going to suggest this at my next visit. He said the baby is growing so quickly, he’s concerned. He assures me this is a safer option for me and our baby.”

Xavier stood and, as he paced, he dragged his fingers through his hair. “It scares me, sweetheart.”

Aline struggled to her feet and gathered his hands. “Dr. Milton explained everything to me, darling. I trust him and he said regardless of my parents feelings, he would not have agreed to do this if he didn’t feel it was the safest option. The hospital is booked for three weeks’ time but, if you are strongly against it, I’ll let the doctor know and we’ll take our chances.”

“No. You’re right. The doctor would not have agreed if it wasn’t what was best for you both. How will you keep your parents from finding out?”

“You know we haven’t got the crib in the nursery yet because no-one carried the one we liked and we haven’t been able to decide on an alternative?”

“Yes.”

“I found the crib in a store over in Ropemore. I rang and they told me they have it in stock. I have paid for it and they agreed it could be collected on the day I go in to hospital.”

“I’m beginning to get the picture.”

“With you in important meetings that just can’t be avoided and me too close to the due date, dad and daddy will just have to pick it up for me.” Aline batted her eyelashes, pleased with her plan to keep her fathers busy.

Xavier kissed her forehead. “You, my sweetheart, have a fiendishly clever mind. With it being more than two hours to Ropemore and two hours back, it should keep them busy while you give birth.”

“Exactly.”

Xavier kissed her again. “I love you so much.”

***

“Push, sweetheart. Almost there.” Xavier held Aline forward with one arm and clutched her hand tightly in his. The labor had progressed much faster than anticipated. They had been at the hospital for less than three hours.

Aline felt her face heat as she grunted and pushed with all the strength she had left.

“One more push with the next contraction and you’ll have your baby.” Dr. Milton sat ready between her spread legs.

Xavier dabbed at the beads of sweat on her forehead and lips. “I love you so much, princess.” He kissed her gently.

Her stomach distorted as the next contraction hit. Aline sat forward and with another almighty push, she felt the baby slip from her.

Dr. Milton lifted the screaming bundle on to her stomach and the nurse handed Xavier scissors to cut the cord.

“We have a son, princess.” Xavier cut the cord where the nurse had indicated and kissed his wife tenderly. “He’s quite a bruiser.”

The nurse gathered the baby up for the doctor to check, to be cleaned, weighed and measured.

“He has a rather good set of lungs. I hope our neighbors are understanding.” Aline was tired but overjoyed when the nurse returned with their clean, swaddled son and placed him in her arms. He quieted immediately.

“He knows his mama already.” Xavier couldn’t take his eyes off his perfect child.

“All done. The afterbirth is complete.” Dr. Milton stood. Congratulations. Everything went perfectly, if a little quickly.”

“Thank you doctor.” Aline smiled as their son wrapped her finger in his tiny hand.

Dr. Milton leaned over and peered at the baby. “Does he have a name?”

“He does but we would like my parents to be the first to know.” Aline answered.

“I understand.” Dr. Milton removed his gloves and the nurse finished disposing of the used instruments. “I’ll see you in my office in six weeks.”

The doctor left and the nurse moved to the bedside. “We’ll get you into a clean gown and have you moved upstairs.”

Aline handed the baby to Xavier.

“He’s a big boy. 9lbs 12ozs and 22 inches long.” The nurse stripped Aline out of one gown, washed her with warm soapy water and placed her into a clean one. She then helped her into a chair beside the bed so the sheets could be changed.

Xavier’s eyes did not leave his son.  He was mesmerized.

“Will you call dad and daddy now please, darling? They should be on their way back.”

“Do you think it’s wise to have them driving a long distance and worrying about you?”

“Good point.”

“I’ll call them and let them know I’m out of my meeting. I’ll ask them to call me when they arrive back in town. I’ll say I want to be with you when you first see the crib. When I hear from them, I’ll ask them to come here. It should be less than a five minute drive and hopefully they will be okay.”

“Mr. Pierce, you are not only devilishly handsome but devious too. Thank you.”

Xavier leaned over and kissed her.

The nurse settled Aline back into bed and the baby in a crib ready to be moved to their private room.

***

Alistair and Linc exploded through the hospital entrance doors and glanced around frantically. Xavier knew the minute the men sighted him. They dashed toward him.

Alistair grabbed his arms. “Where is she? How is she?”

“How long has she been here?” Linc asked.

It was like a tennis match as the men peppered him with questions about their daughter. He held his hands up. “Aline is fine and if you stop firing questions at me, I’ll take you to her.”

“We can see her? Now?” Alistair asked.

“Yes, you can.”

“Why are we standing here then? Take us to her,” Linc demanded.

“I couldn’t get a word in to tell you.” Xavier led Linc and Alistair to the lift. Once they were all inside he pressed the button for the sixth floor.

“You’re sure she’s okay?” Alistair shifted nervously.

“She’s perfect.”

The lift stopped and Linc clutched Alistair’s hand as they followed Xavier along a corridor.

“She has a private room and she can’t wait to see you both.” Xavier stood to one side and encouraged Linc and Alistair to enter their daughter’s room first.

Alistair pushed the door open. “Oh my God. Oh my God.” He dropped Linc’s hand and rushed to Aline. She was now dressed in a pretty nightgown, propped up on pillows and holding a bundle in her arms.

Xavier thought his wife had never looked lovelier.

Alistair hugged and kissed his daughter and stumbled over his words. “How? When? What happened?” He gazed adoringly at his grandchild, tears of happiness rolled down his face.

Linc joined them, hugged and kissed his daughter and, fixed his gaze on the baby.

Tears filled Aline’s eyes as she watched tears flow from both her fathers.

“You’re okay,” Linc whispered.

“We’re perfect, dad.”

Aline explained everything to her parents and although they were both a little annoyed, they were grateful. She had spared them a great deal of worry and anguish.

“Can I please hold him?” Alistair asked.

Aline placed her son into his arms.

“What’s his name?” Linc played with the baby’s fingers.