Daddy by Christmas (7 page)

“Well, I'll be damned,” he murmured, seeing the incredible image. “That's a baby.”

“What did you think it was?” the doctor chided.

Jarrett was embarrassed. “The way she's craved jelly donuts, I wasn't sure.”

The doctor laughed. “Since your weight's okay, I'll tell you to indulge, a little. After the baby comes, you'll be on a stricter diet while you're breast-feeding.” The doctor glanced at Mia, then back at the screen. “The baby's in position. So that's one less thing to worry about. This is a 3D machine so let's get a better look at this little one.” The picture became a lot clearer and a tiny face appeared.

“Oh, my gosh,” Mia cried and gripped Jarrett's hand tighter. “It's crazy but he looks like Brad's baby pictures.” Tears formed in her eyes and a sob came out. “I'm sorry.”

The doctor patted her arm. “It's understandable. Are you ready to know the sex?”

Mia looked at Jarrett. He shrugged, trying to handle his own emotions. “I say it's a boy.”

Mia gave a slight nod and the doctor scanned in for a closer look. He saw all the proof he needed. “Well, hello, BJ.”

Mia gave him a questioning look.

“I take it you're naming this little guy after your brother,” he said. “Bradley Junior.”

 

During the ride home from Grand Junction, Mia had zoned out, not noticing much of the trip until Jarrett stopped in front of the apartment building.

“We're home,” he said, but didn't move to get out of the car. “Mia, are you all right?”

No!
she wanted to scream. She hadn't been okay since the day her brother had died. She looked at Jarrett, seeing his concern. “Seeing the baby today made it seem so real.” Her voice grew softer, more hoarse. “A boy. How can I
raise a boy?” Tears filled her eyes, but she couldn't cry any more. “A boy needs a father. Brad should be here.”

He reached across the console and took her hand. Even with the heater going, her hands were still cold. “Hey, this kid's got the next best thing. You.”

She wasn't the best. “You don't know that. I've done things, made bad choices.”

“I can't believe that, or your brother wouldn't have chosen you to carry this baby.”

“But not to raise his son.” She sighed. “Besides, I've always had Brad to help me, to guide me in life. Now, I'm on my own. What if I make mistakes again?”

He frowned. “Everyone makes mistakes, Mia, but you can't just give up.”

Jarrett had never been the optimistic type, but he was a good salesman. “Don't forget, you have friends to help you. Is there any other family around?”

Mia shook her head. “No. There's no one else.” She wiped her eyes. “God, I hate this. I never cry.”

“I hear it's normal,” he consoled her, hating that he kept getting more and more involved in her life. Not to mention the lives of the other tenants, too.

Once he got off house arrest and they all found other places to live, this time would just be a fleeting memory. They wouldn't be his problem then. They'd move on, and he'd move on. But could he? He thought back to being beside Mia and seeing her baby on the ultrasound.

Damn. He needed to get this apartment building in shape and get the hell out of here. “We'd better get inside and out of the cold so you can rest.”

She grumbled. “That's all I've been doing.”

“From what Kira tells me you won't get much sleep after the baby comes, so enjoy it now.” He started to climb
out of the car when she stopped him with a soft touch on his arm.

She nodded in agreement. “Thank you,” she said softly. “Thank you for being there with me today.”

He caught her pretty blue eyes still glistening with tears and something tightened in his chest. Dear Lord. He was in big trouble.

B
Y
the next week, Jarrett had accomplished several things. He'd finally gotten one of the elevators repaired and a plumber had replaced the rusted pipes in the community room. Somehow, he'd even been talked into helping put up some Christmas decorations. Joe convinced him that since this would be Mia's baby's first Christmas, they should celebrate it.

The major thing he'd wanted to do was keep his distance from Mia. He'd gotten too involved with the expectant mother.

Thanks to Nola, Jarrett knew how Mia was doing, whether he wanted to or not. By afternoon, he'd seen several women going into his neighbor's apartment carrying presents for a baby shower.

Kira and Jenna stopped by his place afterward to see him and tell him all about the gifts Mia had gotten for the baby. His niece also had several things to say about the condition of his temporary home. None were good.

“Unca Jay, I like your other house better.”

“I still have my other house, sweetie. I'll move back there soon.”

She smiled, then looked thoughtful. “But you have to take care of Mia until she has her baby. Promise you will.”

What was going on? “Okay, I promise as long as I live here I'll watch out for Mia and the baby.”

That seemed to satisfy the three-year-old and she smiled. “Then you can come see her at the ranch. She's going to move in with the new baby.” She turned to her mother and was practically jumping up and down. “I can't wait. I get to hold the baby, too.”

Jarrett looked at his sister-in-law. “So, it's definite?”

Kira nodded. “I'm pretty sure I have her convinced it's best for her and the child.”

“Isn't that neat, Unca Jay, she's gonna be in our family? It's almost going to be our baby, too.”

“That's great,” he said.

The girl's eyes lit up more. “Maybe if you ask, Mia will share her baby with you, too.”

Jarrett looked at Kira for help, hoping she didn't read anything more into his relationship with his neighbor. “Where does she get this stuff?”

Kira only smiled. “Sounds like a pretty good idea to me.”

 

The next day Jarrett drove to his office, McKane Properties, and started two of his staff working on finding affordable apartments for some of the tenants. He needed to get this over and done with.

He needed everyone to move on, but if Mia and the baby moved out to the ranch, he'd still see her. Would that be so bad? With Kira and Trace looking out for her, at least he wouldn't worry about her so much.

That way he could go back to business as usual and a life without Mia in it. He turned his thoughts to the day at the doctor's office and seeing the ultrasound. He'd had no business sharing that with her. Just as he'd had no business kissing her Thanksgiving Day.

He had to stay away.

There were other things he needed to think about, like the Fulton plant project. It had been a big cause of his loss of sleep. He'd been working on some changes, changes to the factory site that might help everyone.

For him to survive financially, Jarrett knew he had to finalize this deal, or he might be living in the Mountain View Apartments permanently.

 

A few days later Jarrett was awakened in the middle of the night by his ringing phone. He grabbed it off the bedside table.

“Hello,” he groaned.

“Jarrett,” a familiar voice said. “I'm sorry to bother you, but could you come over?”

“Sure.” He hung up, got out of bed, pulled on jeans and shirt along with boots. He crossed the hall, but before he could knock she opened the door.

At 3:00 a.m. in the morning, she looked fresh and dressed for the day. Her dark hair lay in waves around her shoulders and she even had on makeup. “I take it the call wasn't for a donut run?” he joked.

“I need you to take me to the hospital. My water broke.”

He froze, then his heart began to race. “You're in labor?”

She nodded. “I've only had some light contractions, but Doctor Drake said I need to come in now.”

“Of course.” He pointed to his apartment. “Let me grab my car keys.” He rushed back, slipped on a coat and hurried back to find her waiting with a small bag.

“I hated to ask you, but Nola's daughter is sick and she's helping with the grandkids,” Mia apologized.

He took her by the arm and they slowly made their way
to the elevator. “I'm glad you asked me, I don't want Nola to drive at night.” He gave her the once-over. “You okay?”

She smiled. “Outside of being a little scared, I feel pretty good.”

“I think it's normal to feel scared.”

They rode down one floor and the doors opened. “Thank you for helping me out, Jarrett. I know this isn't in your landlord duties.”

“Hey, I told you it's not a problem.” They stepped off the elevator and walked outside. “Is there anyone you want me to call?”

Mia shook her head. “Nola was supposed to be my coach, but I can't take her away from her grandkids.”

“Is there a backup?”

She stopped and looked at him pleadingly. “You?”

“You're kidding?”

“Do you think I like asking you again?”

“I didn't say I mind doing it, I just don't know what to do.” He wasn't making any sense.

“Join the club. This is my first time, too,” she began, then suddenly groaned.

He saw the pain etched across her face, but it was her fingernails digging into his arm that told him what was happening. Labor had begun.

“Looks like you're getting an early Christmas present.”

 

Thirty minutes and five labor pains later, Jarrett pulled up at the emergency-room door. An attendant brought out a wheelchair, and Mia took the seat. Then Jarrett drove off and she was wheeled inside to get admitted.

After minimal paperwork, she was taken up to the maternity floor and into a labor/delivery room. Once dressed
in a gown and in bed, she was hooked to monitors to watch her progress.

“Looks like you lose the bet for a Christmas-day baby.”

Mia looked up as Dr. Drake walked in and nodded to the other doctor leaving. “December fifteenth seems like a fine birthday to me.”

“How are you doing?” Lauren asked, checking the monitor.

No sooner were the words out than Mia felt a contraction begin to build.

“Breathe,” the doctor instructed her as she came to the bedside. “It's almost over. There. Take a cleansing breath.”

Mia sighed and lay back against the pillow. “That was stronger than the others.”

“They're going to get even stronger before the baby comes. Don't worry, the anesthesiologist should be here soon with your epidural.” The doctor glanced around. “Do you have someone here with you?”

“Will I do?”

They both turned to find Jarrett standing in the doorway. He hadn't gone back home.

“Jarrett, you don't have to stay. This could take all night.”

He came in anyway. “I called Kira and she's on her way. So how about I be a stand-in until she arrives?”

“Kira's coming all the way here?”

“I didn't ask her to, she just said she's coming to help you.”

Mia had to blink back tears. She wasn't going to be alone. She managed a nod at Jarrett. “Thank you.”

“I know my limitations. My only experience is birth
ing calves.” He shook his head. “And that was a long time ago.”

“I'd like to see you all decked out in Western gear, cowboy hat, chaps.” Mia found herself saying, feeling oddly relaxed in between pains.

“Hey, I didn't look bad.” She knew he was nervous about his role as coach and trying to distract her. “I had a few girls following me around when I did some rodeos. Calf-roping was my event. I was known for my quick hands.”

Mia couldn't hide her smile. “I bet you were,” she said as another contraction grabbed her. “Ooh…”

The doctor looked at Jarrett. “Do your job, coach,” she told him.

Jarrett took Mia's hand as Lauren instructed him on what to do.

Over the next hour, Mia's contractions grew more frequent and more intense. It helped if she focused on Jarrett's encouraging words and gentle touch, even his humor. She did her breathing, and he wiped her brow.

After another series of strong contractions had eased, she noticed him watching her. She had to be a mess. Her hair was matted down and she was sweating as though she'd run a mile.

His dark eyes locked on hers. “You're amazing. And you haven't even complained once.” He spooned her some ice chips that soothed her throat. “You're going to make a great mother.”

“You're not doing so bad yourself. A great stand-in coach.” She started to say more when the door opened and the anesthesiologist walked in.

It didn't take the doctor long to work his magic, and soon Mia was relaxed and feeling no discomfort, just pressure from the contractions.

Jarrett stood beside the bed. “Is it better now?”

Smiling, she nodded. “Isn't medication wonderful?”

He laughed. “I'd still have to be knocked out to go through what you're doing.”

Over the next hour things began to move a lot faster. Mia's contractions started coming faster and harder, and they were different. She felt more pressure, lower.

Dr. Drake came in and checked the monitor. “Could you step outside a minute, Jarrett?”

He squeezed Mia's hand. “I'll be right back,” he promised as he walked out.

The doctor checked her. “You're close, Mia,” she told her. “It won't be long now.”

“Really?” She glanced at the clock. She'd only been here a few hours.

Lauren smiled. “Sometimes it happens like this, short labor is rare with the first baby.”

Mia's thoughts turned to Brad and Karen and sadness swamped her. They should have been here.

Outside the room, a nurse handed Jarrett some paper scrubs. “But I'm not her coach. My sister-in-law is supposed to be here.”

The nurse frowned. “Well, if someone plans to be with her, they'd better get inside because she's ready to go.”

Jarrett paused momentarily. He didn't want to leave Mia to do this alone. She hadn't complained, but there wasn't anyone else here. He quickly slipped on the scrubs and walked back into the room.

“If you want me to leave, I won't be offended. Just say the word.”

Before Mia could speak a contraction seized her and she grabbed his hand. Things happened quickly after that. The doctor instructed him to stand behind Mia. He continued to coax her through each contraction, and held his breath
with each push. When she became exhausted, he made her focus.

The next thing Jarrett knew he was witnessing a miracle as Mia's son made his noisy entrance into the world.

“Here's your son, Mia.” Doctor Drake held the baby up for inspection.

Jarrett found he was counting fingers and toes and other male body parts. He swallowed hard. “Well, I don't think you're going to have any trouble hearing this guy.”

He looked down to see Mia's tears. “He's so beautiful, don't you think?” she asked.

“Well, he runs a close second to Jenna, so yeah, he's a good-looking kid.”

A nurse took the baby, carried him to a table and began to clean him up. “He's seven pounds and ten ounces and twenty-one inches long,” she announced.

Mia gave him a tired smile. “Jarrett, thank you.”

He leaned closer to her. “Hey, you did all the work,” he said, brushing back her damp hair. He suddenly felt the urge to kiss her. To signify this special moment.

“Yeah, I did, didn't I?” She looked sleepy. “I hate to ask, but would you call Nola? Let her know that I'm okay?”

Jarrett expected she wanted some privacy. He nodded and left. Outside the room he saw Kira hurrying toward him.

“Sorry I'm late.” She studied his face and smiled. “I take it the baby's arrived.”

He could only nod, feeling his emotions rushing to the surface. “Yeah, it's a boy. Mia and the baby are fine.”

She nodded. “And it looks like you did a good job as a stand-in.”

He didn't even bother to deny it. “I couldn't leave her.”

Kira took his hand. “Be careful, Jarrett. People might mistake you for a good guy,” she teased.

“I don't think I have to worry about that.” He turned away, wondering when he could see the baby again. “Mia will probably want to see you.” He stripped off his cap. “I need a cup of coffee.” He started to walk away, but stopped.

“Tell Mia I'll be back in a little while.”

His sister-in-law studied him for a long time, then said, “Don't look now, brother-in-law, your feelings are showing. It's about time.”

 

Thirty-six hours later, Mia was nearly ready for the trip back home. She and her baby had been checked out, deemed healthy and could be discharged from the hospital.

There was one thing left. She had to put a name on her son's birth certificate. During the night, she'd taken out the letter her brother and sister-in-law had left for her, not to be read until after the birth of their baby.

Mia sat up late to read it and let the tears fall—for the parents who would never know their son, and for the baby who wouldn't have the chance to know them, either.

She opened the envelope.