Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
He jumps out of bed and starts toward the closet. “We need to get to the hospital.”
There’s never an inkling of hesitation for him to include me. It’s always “we” together. God, I love this man.
I get dressed and then slip into the guest room where my mom’s been staying to let her know we’re going. We wanted to be able to dash at a moment’s notice, and she volunteered to stay this week just in case the baby came. Since it’s only three o’clock, Max can sleep in and join us after breakfast. I tell her, “Thank you for being here.”
“Of course, any chance I get.”
Noah and I make our way to the elevator just as the adrenaline starts to wane. I look at him, and he looks at me. We exchange smiles, but we don’t need a bunch of talking to know how we feel about each other. I tuck myself against him. His arm comes around my back, and after we step on the elevator, he says, “I’m excited.”
“Yeah?”
“I’ll be an uncle.”
I smile to myself. “A new baby in the family is so special.”
He kisses my head and says, “They’re really something special. We’re so fortunate that Max is healthy and happy. He’s going to love his new baby cousin.”
“I’m so surprised she didn’t find out the sex. I had to know all the details so I could plan.”
The doors open, and we cut through the lobby. “Have you ever done anything spontaneously, or is everything in your life always perfectly planned?”
I start laughing. “Yes. I was spontaneous once in my life.” Glancing over at him, I add, “I ended up pregnant. You and that super sperm of yours weren’t going to let my birth control stop your plan.”
He chuckles, taking my hand as we head outside. “My plan, huh?” He hails a cab.
“Your plan to tie us together forever.”
“You’re giving me ideas.” My knees get a little weak just from the innuendo alone.
It’s not the time . . .
Standing beside him, I say, “For the record, you were never a rebound, Westcott. I truly believe we came into each other’s lives when we needed each other most.”
He turns to me and runs his palms over my shoulders and the sides of my neck. “If you’re trying to romance me, Ms. Bancroft, it’s working wholeheartedly.”
“Good.” I lift on my toes and kiss him just as a cab pulls to the curb. Figures. It’s the only time in history of the city that a taxi volunteers to pick us up.
We share our disappointment in our mutual sighs but get in the back seat and go to the hospital.
With her arm around the back of Harbor, Delta is in tears, taking in the sight of the baby in her mother’s arms. “She’s so beautiful.”
Harbor clears his throat. “Like her mom.”
Delta smiles. “Beautiful like her mom.”
On the other side of the hospital bed, Lark’s father says, “She looks just like you did when you were born.”
Although she looks tired, Lark can’t stop smiling while staring at her baby. “Really?”
“Yes,” he replies. “You had that same tuft of hair on top but were bald for months everywhere else.”
Lark’s laughter sounds like a melody whistling through the air.
Delta touches that little tuft, and adds, “Her name is so beautiful, too. Mavie. Mavie Westcott. So pretty.”
Harbor comes around, and Lark hands her to him. Tucked in his big arms, this baby couldn’t be smaller or more perfect. “You aren’t upset that it’s not water-based?”
“No, not at all,” Delta replies. “I love that you’re starting your own traditions. Mavie follows in the tradition of Lark.”
Harbor places a kiss on her little head, and adds, “And it means my life in French.”
I say, “It’s so pretty.”
“Thanks, Liv,” Lark says, smiling from the bed.
We’ve all been in rotation for quick visits, but it’s our turn to hold her. I can’t wait, but I’m more excited to see Noah and his niece together. I get my phone ready to take photos.
“I’m kind of nervous.”
“Why?” I ask, watching his brother place baby Mavie into Noah’s arms. My heart soars seeing him hold such a sweet little thing. “Other than my sister when I was two years old, I’ve never held a baby before.”
My soul shatters.
I move to the nearest wall, needing the support. If I could run out of here, though, I would. I can’t leave without being noticed. Holding my phone up, Noah catches my eyes. I see how the light dances with joy inside his irises and the way he holds the baby with so much care in his cradling arms.
Flashes of Maxwell in my arms or my mom’s return. That was it. The two of us. It was enough . . . I always thought it was until now. A tear escapes the threshold of my lower lid as I stare at him, wishing Maxwell had had the same opportunity, feeling gutted that Noah should have been there for him.