Do You Take This Child? Read online

  She shrugged, not certain she liked his tone. She definitely didn’t like the way she was feeling right now. A little liquidy and out of it. It was hard to concentrate. “There was no way to reach you, and besides, we’re both adults—”

  His eyes dipped down to the swell of her abdomen. “Obviously.”

  No, she didn’t like his tone, she decided. She didn’t know why she was attempting to relieve him of his responsibility in this. Maybe because she didn’t like depending on anyone for anything. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of a baby on my own.”

  He hadn’t thought she was the type to climb up on a soapbox. He laced his fingers together and continued watching her as she moved around the office. “But it is mine.”

  She supposed she could see why he would doubt it. The hurt that she felt was totally uncalled-for. But it was there, anyway. “Yes.”

  He watched her eyes as she answered. “You’re sure?”

  The hurt mushroomed into anger. She struggled to control it. When she spoke, it was in a measured cadence that only hinted at the fire beneath.

  “We had a very unique situation. You did sweep me off my feet, so to speak.” Literally at one point, as well as otherwise. “But don’t get any ideas. I don’t sleep around.” The fierceness left her voice as she placed a supporting hand against her back. It was really beginning to ache. “These days, I don’t even sleep.” Her throat felt dry. She thought longingly of the bottled water in the snack area’s refrigerator.

  He was still a little stunned. “But I used—”

  Yes, even in the heat of the moment, they had practiced safe sex. That was the irony of it. She shrugged. “These things happen. It is your baby.”

  He believed her. Not because he very much wanted to, but because he saw the truth in her eyes. “All right. Then marry me.”

  Stunned, she was only glad that she hadn’t been drinking water. She would have choked on it. “Excuse me?”

  “If this is my baby—” Slade saw her brow rise and regrouped “—since this is my baby, I have a responsibility toward it. I think we should get married.”

  They weren’t the words she expected to hear from a free spirit like Slade. Now that she had, they annoyed her. Where did he get off, deciding all three of their futures just like that, without even consulting her?

  “The reason I didn’t even try to get in contact with you, Slade, is because I don’t need your proposal or your ‘responsibility.’ I can take care of this baby very well on my own. Financially and emotionally.”

  “But it is mine.” He pointed out the obvious. “You just admitted it. That means I have some say in the situation.”

  She crossed her arms before her. “And what is it that you’d like to say?”

  He’d just said it, he thought. He’d asked her to marry him. Maybe she needed it clarified. “I think a baby deserves to have a family.”

  Mommy and Daddy and baby did not make instant family in her book. She knew better. “When he is old enough, he can have one.”

  “He?” Was she telling him that it was a boy?

  “Or she,” Sheila amended, reading his thoughts. “No, I haven’t had an amniocentesis. Some things, I like being surprised with.”

  Talk about surprise. Slade felt as if he had been hit over the head with a two-by-four. But he wanted to do the right thing. “We have to talk.”

  She felt the twinges growing harder and knew exactly what was going on. She was getting her emergency delivery, all right. She had to get him out of here.

  “Right now, what we have to do is say goodbye. I have rounds to make, so if you’ll excuse me.” Firmly taking his arm, she all but pushed him out into the hall.

  “But—”

  She closed the door in Slade’s face. With a deep sigh, she leaned against it. Chewing on her lip, Sheila counted mentally.

  Yup, no mistake about it. She was in labor. For real, this time.

  Chapter Three

  The contractions were coming hard and strong. There was no comparison between what she’d felt a week ago and what was happening now. This was definitely the real thing.

  Not long now, she thought.

  “Looks like you’re going to be an early bird,” Sheila murmured to the infant in her stomach, “like your mom.”

  She looked toward the door, tempted for a moment to go after Slade. She forced herself to lock the feeling away. Her first decision had been the right one. She was doing this on her own.

  “I have no idea what your dad is like, except for sexy and pushy. Very sexy,” she whispered just before another good-size wave of pain made its presence known.

  It left her breathless. She had to wait a moment before she could make her way over to her desk and the telephone. Perspiration, in defiance to the cool temperature in the room, was beginning to bead around her hairline.

  At least the baby had obligingly waited until she was finished with the day’s appointments, Sheila mused as she tapped out the direct number to Harris Memorial’s Admitting desk.

  Someone picked up after the second ring. “Admitting. This is Rosa Martinez. How may I help you?”

  Sheila grimaced as she felt the ghost of another contraction approaching.

  You can have this baby for me.

  She let out a shaky breath. “This is Dr. Sheila Pollack. I think it’s time I made use of that room I’ve been reserving.”

  She heard the staccato tapping of a computer keyboard before the woman responded. Obviously Rosa was pulling her name up from the data bank.

  “Now, Doctor?”

  “Oh, yes, most definitely now.” Sheila held her hand over her belly, as if that could somehow ease the pain. So this was what labor really felt like. She couldn’t say she much cared for it.

  “Terrific. I win the pool,” she heard the woman on the other end exclaim gleefully. Sheila was vaguely aware that a pool had been in existence concerning her due date ever since she’d had the false labor pains last week. “Um, sorry, Doctor. I just got a little excited. I’ve never won anything before.”

  Sheila managed a laugh. She thought about sitting down, but rejected the idea. If she sat down, she might not be able to get up again without help.

  “That’s all right. Nice to know I’ve brightened someone’s day, although I wouldn’t collect just yet if I were you.” The pains made her feel as if she was going to give birth any minute, but she knew better than to assume it would be that simple. “The baby might be slow and decide to hang in until tomorrow.”

  The woman responded to Sheila’s friendly manner, becoming chatty. “Not a chance, Doctor. Not if it’s your baby. Everyone says that you do everything fast. That’s why the nurses all like you. You don’t drag things out. My sister works on the maternity floor, and she says—”

  Sheila pressed her lips together, sealing in a surprised cry. She hardly heard anything the woman was saying. Light-headed, she forced herself to concentrate on the voice.

  “Rosa?”

  The woman stopped rambling. “Yes, Doctor?”

  “I should be there in a few minutes.” She had to catch Lisa or one of the others before they left. The hospital was only down the block and across the street, but right now, she was incapable of walking the distance, and she wasn’t too sure if she could even drive it. “Maybe longer.”

  She squeezed out the final words as she dropped the telephone receiver. It slid into the wastepaper basket. Sheila gripped the top of her desk, bracing herself.

  This one was the papa bear of contractions, she thought as it closed its steely jaws on her.

  The world around her was enshrouded by a milky curtain. Or was she the one encased in it? All she knew was that she felt like fainting.

  Perspiration slid in a zigzag pattern down her spine, leaving a damp trail in its wake to mark its path. Please, don’t let me pass out.

  With effort, she reeled in the receiver and replaced it on the cradle. Sheila didn’t notice the door opening behind her until Slade was in the room
beside her.

  Debating with himself, Slade had made it all the way to the elevator before he’d turned around on his heel and returned. He was going with his instincts, with what he felt was right. His instincts had never failed him before.

  “Look, I’m not taking no for an answer,” Slade said to her back. “I want to give this baby a name.”

  Oh, great, him again. Just what I need right now, an argument.

  “The baby will have one,” she ground out between clenched teeth. “Mine.”

  He placed his hands on her shoulders, wanting to turn her around to face him. The material felt damp to the touch. He was vaguely conscious of thinking that it wasn’t hot in here. Why was she perspiring?

  “I want to marry you, Sheila. I want to marry you before the baby’s born.”

  She let him turn her around because she didn’t have the strength to resist. “Too late.”

  Her complexion was ghostly pale, and she was perspiring. He found himself holding on to her because he was afraid she’d fall if he let go. “Are you in labor?”

  “Nice deduction, Sherlock,” she whispered. “I can see why the paper is so impressed with your razor-sharp mind.”

  She almost whimpered as another pain slammed into her, skimming across her loins with finely sharpened ice skates, but she managed to muffle the sound at the last moment.

  “Yes, I’m in labor.”

  The next sensation she experienced had Sheila glancing down at the carpet. There was a small, almost imperceptible, damp spot directly by her foot. Her water had broken.

  Sheila sighed. “It’s official.”

  He’d been in far more dire situations than this, although he’d never helped a woman give birth before. The thought made him a little uneasy. Slade forced his voice to sound calm.

  “All the more reason to make an honest woman out of you.”

  She rolled her eyes and only partially from the pain. Sheila tried unsuccessfully to gain the door. Her legs weren’t cooperating.

  Frustration elbowed its way into her tone. “You didn’t tell me you had a corny side to you, Garrett.” The next moment, she grasped his hand, squeezing his fingers hard as she tried to steady herself.

  “You never asked.”

  Unclenching her hand, Sheila breathed a sigh of relief. It had passed. With luck, the next few wouldn’t be as intense. All she needed was just a little time to get to the hospital, nothing more. Just a little time. That wasn’t so much to ask, was it?

  Her body told her that it might be.

  Taking charge, Slade slipped a supporting arm around her waist. “Okay, let’s go.”

  She didn’t like being commandeered. Besides, Slade wasn’t the traveling companion she’d had in mind. “Go where?”

  Was she kidding, or trying to prove something? “To the hospital. You’re having a baby.”

  A slight smile curved her mouth automatically. “Thank you for pointing that out. It might have escaped me, otherwise.”

  He looked around for her purse. He didn’t see one and abandoned the thought. They probably all knew who she was at the hospital, anyway. Her nurses could take care of the small details.

  Slade edged her over toward the door, shortening his stride to match the small steps she was taking. “You always this testy?”

  Yes, she supposed she must have sounded that way. “Only when I’m about to give birth.” Her eyes apologized to him, even if she couldn’t say the words. “Look, you don’t have to do this. One of the nurses’ll drive me over. It’s only a block away.” Sheila winced before she could finish. Only pride prevented her from doubling over.

  The woman had a stubborn streak a mile wide. At any other time, he might have found it challenging or even amusing. But not right now.

  “Humor me, Sheila. I always wanted to have a reason to speed in Newport.”

  “For a block? Wonderful. I’m having a baby and you want to try out for the Indy 500.” She wanted to stride out of the office, the way she always did, but she couldn’t. She could hardly walk, although she didn’t want to admit it.

  Slade shrugged good-naturedly as they entered the hall. “Everyone’s got to have a fantasy.”

  The other nurses had left for the night. Concerned about Sheila, Lisa had remained. She wanted to see Sheila leave the office before she went home herself.

  She jumped to her feet when she saw Sheila emerging. One look at Sheila’s face and she was hurrying over to her side. Oh, God, this is it, she thought.

  “Are you all right, Doctor?”

  I’ve been better. Sheila glanced at Slade. A lot better.

  “Actually,” she said as a huge sigh escaped her lips, “I’m going to have a baby.”

  Slade ushered her to the outer door. He glanced at Lisa over his shoulder. “After we get married.”

  “Doctor?” Lisa looked after her uncertainly.

  “Don’t worry, I can take care of myself.” She was referring to Slade, not her condition, when she said it. “I’ve already called Admitting. Do me a favor, tell Dr. Kelly he’s on for tonight.”

  Lisa nodded, running back to her desk.

  “Efficient, even in pain,” Slade commented. “Admirable.”

  “Necessary,” she corrected him. The elevator was only a few steps from her office. Why did it seem so far away? Sheila looked at him suspiciously as they reached the metal doors. “You’re not planning on driving me to a church, are you?”

  Slade pressed for the elevator. He no sooner removed his finger from the button than the car arrived, its doors yawning open. He kept one hand on the gunmetal gray door as he ushered Sheila inside.

  “No, but the hospital has a chapel.” He saw suspicion flower into alarm in her eyes. Slade continued mildly, “I know, last year I interviewed the priest who officiates there. He’s usually around somewhere in the building in the afternoons.”

  She wished that there were still metal railings around the inside perimeter of the car. But the elevators had all been renovated. She had nothing to hold on to but Slade, and she wasn’t comfortable about that right now.

  “Good for him,” she muttered.

  The elevator went straight down to the first floor, for once without stopping to pick up any passengers.

  “Can you walk?” Slade asked when the doors opened again. His car was a long way off, and he didn’t want to leave Sheila just standing here alone while he went to get it.

  The pain had temporarily left, allowing her a respite. A little of her strength returned.

  “Right now, I’m thinking of running.” She grew serious. The only thing she knew about Slade was what he had told her. What if it was all a lie? It wouldn’t have been the first time she had been lied to, she thought, remembering her residency. What if she had made love with a crazy man? One of those obsessive-compulsives types? “You can’t force me to marry you.”

  He looked at Sheila as he led her toward his car. She couldn’t read what was in his eyes. “I wouldn’t think I’d have to. I would have thought that your common sense would have prevailed.”

  For a journalist, he’d certainly chosen the wrong phrase to support his point. She laughed softly to herself. At herself. And him.

  “If I’d had common sense, Garrett, I wouldn’t have gone dancing on the beach in the moonlight—” Even as she said it, she couldn’t force herself to regret that night, or anything that had resulted because of it. Her mouth curved as she continued, “Wound up getting sand in my clothes, among other things.”

  Just to hear her talk about it, even in passing, brought that night vividly back to him. His smile was soft, reminiscent. “It’s called making memories.”

  Yes, it was, but saying so would only give him ammunition for his side. And there was no way she was going to marry him. Not because some infinitesimal part of her didn’t long for it, but because it just wouldn’t be right. Not for her.

  The pain was starting again. She could hardly feel her feet making contact with the ground as she walked. Where the hell
had he parked? Portland?

  “Whatever it’s called, I don’t want to compound a mistake by making another one.”

  He noticed she was gritting her teeth again, and he tried to move her along as quickly as possible.

  “Is that what you think this is?” His eyes swept over her abdomen. “A mistake?”

  No, never that. But she wanted to make him understand. “Intellectually, I wasn’t in the right time or place to begin a family. I’m still not,” she added in a moment of weakness.

  Slade stopped by his car, quickly unlocking the passenger door.

  “Well, something obviously was.” He held Sheila’s hands as she lowered herself into the seat. A sports car wasn’t the most comfortable mode of transportation for her. “And I’m not talking about intellectually, I’m talking about emotionally.” He pulled the seat belt out as far as it could go and offered the metal clip to her. “How do you feel emotionally?”

  “Like I’m about to scream.” She grasped his hand as well as the clip and squeezed hard. She held on to him until the wave passed. “Boy, those pains are sharp.”

  Gingerly, he uncoupled himself from her. “So are your nails.” He could see the imprint of all five tips on his skin.

  Sheila waited until he’d taken his seat behind the wheel. “They’re nothing compared to my tongue.”

  Starting the car, he quickly backed out of his spot. “Forewarned is forearmed.”

  His confidence was both charming and annoying. She gave him the benefit of the doubt, knowing her hormones were bouncing around higher than kernels of corn popping in a microwave.

  “Not hardly,” she assured him.

  Slade had a feeling it wasn’t just an idle threat. Something told him that he would never really be forearmed around Sheila. But that was all right, too. That unknown element was part of the attraction.

  Easing his foot onto the accelerator, Slade made it past the only light they would have to take before it turned red. The long, curving path onto the hospital grounds was just ahead on his right.

  Slade realized that he’d undergone a change while overseas. This time around, his perspective on things had been altered. What had been important before no longer was. Conversely, he had a new set of values in place, a new set of goals.