Wrapped in Lace (28 page)
“Look, Drew. The baby is bald,” Piper said through ragged breaths.
“I’ll see later,” I said.
“Wimp,” she said, managing a little smile. “Can somebody go tell our family it’s getting close?” One of the nurses quickly excused herself. They’d all been great about keeping our friends and family updated, no doubt because Nana and my mom brought home-baked sweets to bribe them. They really were great, though. Our families had been there waiting so long, the nurses were now on our Christmas card list.
My dad, mom, Nana, Rob, and the kids had all camped out. Even Piper’s mom was here for the event. I know that meant a lot to Piper, especially since her granddad passed away shortly after our second wedding. Neither Piper nor I could imagine having this baby anywhere else, or without our family. Ellie had chosen to stay away, which was how she handled most family events these days. That was difficult on Rob, but that was her choice.
Sabrina and Matt were also spending their Christmas in the waiting room, along with their newborn son. I think Sabrina and Piper might have planned this whole thing, our babies being born within six weeks of each other. Our new mayor came, too. Davis wouldn’t have missed this moment for the world, dubbing himself our baby’s “gay uncle,” which always made Piper laugh. He and I actually became pretty good friends.
They may not have been the family I thought I’d have growing up in McAdenville, but Piper and I had made up our own family. It was a crazy bunch, but they were ours and soon we’d be adding another member.
“I need to push,” she groaned.
“Again.” I pushed on her leg, watching her teeth gnash together as she pushed with everything she had left. Then I heard it, our baby’s first cry.
*
PIPER
His face was
priceless as he stared at our baby. I don’t think he was even aware that tears were rolling down his cheeks. I watched him cut the cord, his hand trembling. He’d been building things his whole life with a steady hand, but not this time. What he made this time rocked his soul. The nurse went to hand me the baby, but I motioned for her to give Drew his daughter.
“I’ve held her for nine months. It’s Daddy’s turn,” I said, watching a few more tears fall down his face. His daughter had him wrapped around her pinky already. I could only hope it took her a few years to figure out what a wimp he was when it came to her.
Drew’s blue eyes caught mine as he held our daughter like a pro. Laying her down in my arms, he kept a hand on her as he leaned over and kissed my forehead. “Thank you,” he whispered. “I can’t believe she was born on Christmas.”
“You can never accuse me of having boring holidays,” I teased him, remembering the first time we made love on Christmas Day, our New Year’s Eve pregnancy scare, our New Year’s Day wedding—and now our Christmas baby.
“Nothing is ever boring with you,” he said, staring down at us. “But this one better be a ‘good girl.’”
I owe every
book to some beverage. Sometimes it’s wine; other times it’s the hard stuff. I owe this book to Coke Icees. I’m not sure if the ice helped me with the winter theme or the caffeine just revved me up enough to get through it. More importantly, many thanks to my dear husband and children listening to me drone on and on about Piper and Drew (whom they now call Aunt and Uncle). A huge shout out to my sister, Kathy, and childhood friend, Dani Lee, for their helpful feedback and encouraging words. I don’t know how I’d survive without those girls. A big thank you to Tania Marinaro at Libros Evolution for the wonderful teasers, and to Rachel Lockwood for proofreading for me. And I can’t thank my editor, Nikki Rushbrook, enough for putting up with my allergy to commas and straight up fear of semi-colons. Thank you to Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations for my wonderful cover, which I just love. Much gratitude to Neda Amini at Ardent Prose for calmly handling my creative quirks at all hours of the day and night. And to all the bloggers (too many to name) who have ever done a post for me, a little shout out, a review, thank you for taking the time to help a relatively unknown author like me. Finally, and most importantly, thank you to everyone who read my first three books:
First Position, Perfectly Broken,
and
Quiet Angel
. I am very grateful and moved by the response they received. Your kinds words and beautiful messages mean the world. You are the reason why I write the stories in my head. Love you all.
P
RESCOTT
L
ANE is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and graduated from Centenary College in 1997 with a degree in sociology. She went on to Tulane University to receive her MSW in 1998, after which she worked with developmentally delayed and disabled children. She currently lives in New Orleans with her husband, two children, and two dogs. She is also the author of
First Position, Perfectly Broken,
and
Quiet Angel
. Contact her at any of the following: