Revelation of Hearts (Stacey and Shane Mcleod, #3) (28 page)

Mrs. Morrison started laughing.  She hugged Stacey and said, “Thank god for you. I was sure I would never laugh again.  I have been so afraid for my daughter.  I don’t know what I would do if I lost her.” 

“You’re not gonna lose her,” Stacey assured her. “It’s gonna be a difficult road back, but Julia will make it. You have a very determined young woman there. I know because she and I have shared our hopes and expectation for the future.  She’s a fighter. She’ll never give up and neither will you.”

Doctor Rowsell and Doctor McLeod came into Julia’s room. “I’ll step out while the doctors are here,” Stacey said.

Mrs. Morrison grabbed Stacey’s arm and said, “No, please stay.  I may need you to translate.” That started both her and Stacey giggling.  Shane raised an eyebrow at Stacey. Stacey crossed her arms above her expanded belly with that stubborn look, he knew so well. 

“Doctor Rowsell, this is my wife Stacey.  She’s a close friend of our patient, Miss Morrison.”   Doctor Rowsell nodded his head and said in a cool professional manner, “Yes, right very nice to make your acquaintance Mrs. McLeod.”  Then he turned to Mrs. Morrison and started discussing her daughter’s condition.  Shane winked at Stacey and she smiled back at him.

Stacey stayed with Julia while her mother went home to rest awhile. Stacey promised if there was the slightest change, she would call her. Within a week Julia was awake and doing well.  She had been moved to a private room and taken off the ventilator.  When Stacey arrived at hospital in the afternoon Mrs. Morrison was bubbling over with good news.  The army had granted a thirty-day compassionate leave to both Julia’s dad and brother.  The family was extremely happy.

Chapter-46

Matthew Grant

At four ten on the morning, of March fifth the phone rang and woke Stacey and Shane.  It was Hugh and he was exuberant and said, “I couldn’t wait to call.  I have a son!  Well actually, Annie and I have a son. Six pounds, seven ounces, twenty-one inches long. I must tell you he is magnificent.”

“How’s Annie?” Stacey asked.

“Tired, very tired,” Hugh said, “But happy.” 

Shane took the phone and said, “We’ll be right over to see the lad. Kiss Annie for us.”

When Stacey and Shane arrived at the hospital, Annie was asleep, so the three went to the nursery to see this beautiful male child named Matthew Jared Grant. Stacey and Shane stood and watched Hugh with smiles on their faces. Hugh finally took his eyes from the window, looked at his best friend and said, “What?  Why are you two grinning like that?  Have you never before seen a proud father?”

Shane slapped him on the shoulder and said, “I’ve never before seen you look like this.”

Hugh smiled and said, “Well get used to it.  This will be me from this day forward.”

“Have you held him yet?” Stacey asked.

“Yes,” Hugh said. “What a feeling. I was scared to hold such a tiny little person and at the same time I didn’t want to let him go.”

The three happy friends went for coffee and scones.  By the time, they returned to Annie’s room she was awake.  A nurse brought the baby in to her.  There was much oohing and aahing over this perfect male specimen.  Annie had to show them how perfect his little hands and feet were.

Stacey had to hold him, but he started crying.  She handed him to Annie and said, “Maybe he doesn’t like me.”

“Nonsense sweetie, my little man is hungry most likely.”

Shane took Stacey’s hand and said, “We’ll be back later, for now we’ll leave the Grant heir to feast.” 

As Shane and Stacey were getting off the lift, Hugh’s mom and dad were getting in on their way to the maternity floor. They stopped and chatted for a while.  Later in the parking garage they ran into Lord Farnsworth, who was in a state of euphoria and asked,

“Have you seen my new nephew?  I can hardly wait to set my sights on him.”  Shane and Stacey assured him Matthew was a worthy sight to behold. 

As lord Farnsworth disappeared through a door, Shane said, “All this excitement over one baby lad, just think what it’ll be like over our two baby lasses.” 

Stacey smiled at him and said, “You’re too much.”

“I know you’re teasing me lass, but truly I can hardly wait for our lasses to arrive.”

Stacey stopped walking and said, “You know Shane, you sound like they’re coming in on the next train.  I think there’ll be a bit more to it than that.” 

Shane started laughing and said, “Right you are lass. You’re the conductor, you apprise me of the time of their arrival and I’ll be at the station to greet them.”

Annie and little Matthew were home by the end of the week.  Stacey was there to help in anyway, she could.  Lord Farnsworth had sent a nurse to help with the baby. Annie didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but neither did she want the nurse. When her mother showed up at her door that was the last straw.  Annie sent both the nurse and her mother packing.  It had been her mother’s idea for the nurse not her uncles. Her mother had never changed a nappy on any of her own children and now she thought she was going to step in and tell her daughter how to take care of her child.

No, way was Annie about to put up with that. She told her mother, “If you want to be a part of your grandson’s life, you’re welcome to visit, but don’t try to take over my child’s life. I wouldn’t want a dog treated the way I was.  There’s more to being a mother than giving birth.”

Annie’s mother grabbed her fur coat and said, “What a wicked thing to say Victoria Anne Marie. If that’s going to be your attitude, I will leave the premises immediately. On her way out, she stopped and looked at Matthew in his bassinet, she turned to Annie and said, “I know I made unpardonable mistakes with you Anne, but I was hoping to be a better grandmother.” 

“Oh, for Christ sake,” Annie said. “If you want to be a part of your grandson’s life, then don’t come in here like the Granddame giving orders left and right. Just be a grandmother and leave the decision making to Hugh and me.” 

“Very well,” she said. “I will call you in a day or two my dear.” 

As she was leaving, she turned to Stacey and said, “I beg your pardon Stacey.  It was nice to see you again.” 

“Yes, ma’am, you too.” Stacey said. 

As the door closed, Stacey turned to Annie and said, “Victoria Anne Marie?” 

“Yes,” Annie said. “Isn’t it awful?  You can imagine who I was named after, not that it ever did them any good, thank god.”

Stacey laughed at the expression on Annie’s face, then asked, “Have you heard from either of your brothers?” 

“Yes, as a matter of fact I have,” Annie said. “Charles came by the hospital yesterday to admire his nephew.  Lionel called from Hong Kong to congratulate me and Hugh. He’ll be visiting this summer and is looking forward to making Matthew’s acquaintance, as he put it.” 

“You know, they’re not bad people, Annie, just misguided.  You saw them at Christmas, right?  Are they both still acting contrite about the past?”

“Yes, they both seem genuinely sorry about the way they treated me, but Stacey it was so hurtful, it’s very difficult for me to forgive and forget.” 

Stacey was smiling. Annie asked, “What are you smiling about?  Tell me, after Mother’s visit I could use a laugh.”

“I was just remembering when I first met your family and how your mother was lamenting on how your grandfather had, ‘reduced your family to trade.’ You would have, thought, they were on their way to the poorhouse.”

“Yes,” Annie agreed, “If not for grandfather’s good sense to go into business and uncle’s right along with him, I’m not sure what would have happened to our family. Father and Charles don’t seem to understand, you can’t live on a title. Lionel is very sensible, but Charles is much like father. If he wasn’t in the Queen’s regiment, I dare to think how he would live. All he and father know is horses.”

Six weeks later, they were all together again, at little Matthew’s christening. Annie’s mother was a little nipped because Hugh and Annie had chosen Stacey and Shane for Matthew’s godparents instead of some of their aristocratic relatives. The woman just never knew when to leave well enough alone. Annie’s uncle took his sister aside and gave her a good dressing down.  At the Christening, she was very quiet and resolved. 

Hugh’s parents were delightful people. They were so happy just to be grandparents again.  Hugh’s sister, Michelle already had two precocious little girls.

Chapter-47

Precautions

Stacey had just finished a class when she noticed she was spotting.  She called Doctor Shaw immediately.  The doctor advised her to come in right away.  Stacey called Shane’s office and left a message.  After the examination Doctor Shaw said, “It’s not as bad as I thought, but we must mind ourselves.  The babies are in the birth position. It will be best if they wait a few more weeks yet. I think it’s prudent if you stop school and lay about more.”

“You mean stay in bed?” Stacey asked.

“No, not necessarily,” Doctor Shaw said. “I’m not suggesting you make an invalid of yourself, just cut back on your activities and I think it’s time for no more intimacy. We have two little girls to consider.” 

“Are my babies okay?” Stacey asked anxiously.

“Yes, for now,” Doctor Shaw said, “And we want to keep them that way.”

By the time, Shane arrived at Doctor Shaw’s office Stacey’s exam was over. When he asked how it went, Stacey said, “If you’re so interested you should’ve been here.”

Shane was shocked at her attitude and said, “I’m sorry sweetheart. I wasn’t aware you had an appointment today.  I was with a patient when I received your message. I got away as soon as I could.  Are you going to share with me what Doctor Shaw said?” 

“She told me no more school and no more making love,” Stacey said with a voice of steel. 

Shane could sense Stacey was turning away from him.  He looked at his watch and said, “Come sweetheart, let me take you home.”

“No, I’m sure you have patients. I’ll take a cab.”

Shane went straight to Doctor Shaw’s office.  He said, “A word with you please Doctor Shaw. What did you tell my wife? Is Stacey are the babies in jeopardy?”

“No, not yet, Doctor McLeod, but Stacey must cut back on her activities. She needs rest. Sit down and put her feet up, type of rest.  She is young and healthy, but she is carrying twins and she has a small frame, therefore we must take precautions. We may need to deliver the babies by cesarean.” 

“Is there anything more I should know?” Shane asked. “Stacey mentioned, intimacy.” 

“Right,” Doctor Shaw said, “It’s time to fore-go intimacy.  You do understand why, don’t you?”

“Of course, I do. We’ve been expecting that.  It doesn’t come as a surprise. I am a doctor, remember.”

“Of course, Doctor McLeod.  I’m sorry, I don’t mean to offend.  Do you have any more questions?”

Shane shook his head, ‘No,’ then turned and left Doctor Shaw’s office.  He saw his last three patients then hurried home to Stacey.  He was concerned about her attitude. She had never before talked to him that way.  He was worried, more than just a little worried. 

When Shane arrived home, he went straight away upstairs. Stacey was laying on the bed with her feet propped up on pillows.  Shane sat on the side of the bed, reached out to Stacey and took her in his arms.

Stacey said, “How can you still love me when I was so mean and unfair to you. I’m sorry Shane, I didn’t mean to take it out on you.  This is all my fault. You told me last night, making love wasn’t a good idea, but I wouldn’t listen. Now I may have jeopardized our babies and it’s all my fault for being such a wanton.”

Shane smiled, wondering where she came up with that word. “As I recall you weren’t alone, I was a bit lustful too,” he kissed her and said, “Steady on lass, I talked with Doctor Shaw, and she said, ‘No harm done.’ She just wants us to take precautions. The little ones are in the birth position.  We don’t want them to come prematurely, now do we?

“No, of course not,” Stacey said. “Shane, I promise I won’t leave this flat until our babies get here and no more hanky-panky either.” 

Shane held her tight and chuckled his low sensual laugh.

On the morning of June seventh, Stacey woke with a nagging pain in her back.

She went downstairs to fix Shane’s breakfast.  On her way back upstairs a sharp pain hit her and her water broke.  Stacey screamed for Shane.  Half dressed, he grabbed his shirt and shoes.  He carried Stacey to the car and raced to the hospital.  Shane called ahead and was met at the emergency entrance.  Stacey was taken immediately up to maternity

Stacey was in a lot of pain, but was trying to hold it back.  Doctor Shaw arrived shortly after Stacey was admitted.  Parts of Stacey’s delivery seemed like a dream. She remembered seeing Shane in scrubs and him holding her hand and talking to her. There was a man in the delivery room. Stacey became very agitated and demanded he get out. 

“I’m sorry Mrs. McLeod, but I’m a nurse and I need to stay.” 

As she had another contraction, Stacey said, “I don’t care if you’re Saint Peter, I said, get the hell out of here.” Stacey turned to Shane, and grabbed the neck of his scrubs and said with confidence, “Throw him out, Shane.”

Doctor Shaw didn’t want her patient more agitated than she was, so she asked Nurse Todd to leave. Stacey’s contractions came and went.  One minute she was sweet as pie, then with the next contraction, she would become an aggressive harridan. Shane had been right beside Stacey the entire time, sponging her face and arms. Stacey lay for a few tranquil moments, then another hard contraction took her breath away.  Again, she grabbed Shane by the neck of his scrubs and said through gritted teeth, “I’m not ever doing this again. Do you hear me? Never again.” 

With the next hard contraction, out came a baby girl. Stacey lay back breathing deeply.  Shane cut the cord and the nurse took the baby to clear her airway and note her vital statistics, then wrapped her up and handed her to Shane.  Stacey was quietly watching as Shane took his daughter and was telling her how beautiful she is and that he would take her to her mommy.

Stacey took her in her arms and kissed her little head, then she unwrapped her so she could count fingers and toes.  All of a sudden, Stacey screamed, “There are supposed to be two of them.  Where’s my other daughter?  Where’s my other baby? What have you done with her?”