CHAPTER 35
The next morning, Quinn left Mrs. Middleton’s, whistling off-key. The elderly woman had insisted he move back into the room he had occupied after the wedding, and Quinn had gratefully accepted.
On the way to the hospital, he stopped to buy some chocolates he knew Julia liked. The clerk tied the package with a bright red ribbon. He smiled, imagining how she would enjoy the sweets. He also had a book in his pocket that Mrs. Middleton had lent him, saying Julia would love the story. Reading it together would help pass the time; it felt so long just sitting and waiting.
When he arrived on the third floor, a nurse waylaid him before he reached Julia’s room.
“Mr. Aspinall. Thank goodness you’re here. Your wife has gone into labor and has been asking for you.”
“What? When?”
“About an hour ago.”
“Why didn’t anyone call? I would have been here sooner.”
“I did, sir. I left a message with the housekeeper, who assured me she would pass it on.”
Quinn frowned. He hadn’t seen Mrs. Banbury this morning since he’d skipped breakfast, intent on getting to the hospital as soon as he could.
“Where is Julia?” he barked, immediately regretting his curt tone.
“I’m sorry, sir, but fathers are not allowed in the delivery room.”
“I promised my wife she wouldn’t be alone. Now, you can either show me, or I’ll search every room until I find her myself.”
The young nurse bit her lip. “Very well. Follow me.”
She led him down one corridor after another until he was lost in the maze of the hospital. Finally, they passed through a set of double doors marked Labor and Delivery.
The woman came to a stop in front of a nurse’s station and pointed to a door. “Your wife is in there. Let me go in and make sure the doctor is not examining her. I’ll come back and get you.”
“Fine, but if you don’t return soon, I’m coming in.”
The nurse quickly disappeared through the door.
Before it shut completely, Quinn strained to see inside, but other than some equipment and a steel table, he could see nothing.
Frustration coursed through his veins. He realized he was clutching the now-battered box of chocolates, so he set it on the nurses’ desk. He could always buy more tomorrow. If Julia made it safely through the delivery, he’d buy her a dozen boxes.
The door opened, and the nurse emerged. “You may go in for a moment, but then you must stay in the waiting area.” She gave him a smile. “Everything is going to be fine.”
“Thank you.” Quinn paused to gather his wits, then entered the room. The smell of antiseptic and other mysterious medical odors hung heavy in the air. He ignored everything except for the woman in the bed. “Julia. I’m here, love.”
Her hair was plastered against her head, soaked either with perspiration or from someone wiping her brow. Her forehead was wreathed in lines of worry, but they relaxed the moment she saw him.
“Quinn. Thank heavens. I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to find me.”
He reached out to take one of her hands in his. “Nothing could keep me from you. Now that I’m here, you can relax and—”
She grunted and squeezed her eyes shut.
“Breathe, Mrs. Aspinall.” An older nurse stood by the bedside. “Slow and steady. That’s it.”
“Where is the doctor?” Quinn demanded. Surely with his wife’s tentative condition, the physician should be here.
“Oh, he pops in and out. But he’s not needed till the end. We have hours to go yet.”
“Hours?”
Julia gripped his fingers so hard his bones ached.
“How will she endure the pain for so long?”
The nurse raised a brow, and her lips twitched. “Your first child, I take it?”
He nodded, his gaze fused to Julia’s face.
“Every baby is different, but most firstborns take a long time to appear.”
The pain must have subsided, for Julia relaxed her grip on his hand and the tension in her face lessened.
“Kiss your wife good-bye. The next time you see her, she’ll be holding your son or daughter.”
Quinn scowled. Every nerve in his body twitched. How could he leave, knowing she was in such distress?
“Trust me,” the nurse said as she moved toward him. “She’s in good hands. I promise.”
“If there’s any way I can be of help, I’ll be right outside.”
“Help?” The nurse chuckled. “Expectant fathers aren’t much help at a time like this. It’s the woman who does all the work.”
“I wish I could do it for her.” Quinn turned to Julia and squeezed her hand. “I know you’ll get through this, love. I’ll be in the waiting room, praying for you both.” He felt the sting of tears behind his eyes as he leaned down. “Remember, you’re not alone.”
She opened her mouth as if to say something, but instead her face contorted with pain, and she grasped his hand in another bone-crushing grip.
Once the contraction ended, the nurse smiled. “You did well, Mrs. Aspinall. Rest until the next one.” Then she turned to Quinn. “All right. Off you go and let us do our work.”
He only had a moment to kiss Julia’s cheek before the nurse literally pushed him out of the room.
When the door shut in his face, he stood staring blankly at the gray windowless slab. Never in his life had he felt so helpless.
A hand touched his arm. It was the younger nurse from before. “Let me show you to the waiting area,” she said gently.
With no other recourse, he allowed her to lead him away.
Fourteen long hours later, a man in a blue hospital gown appeared in the doorway of the waiting area.
The other expectant fathers in the room looked up.
“Mr. Aspinall?”
Quinn rose, his knees and back stiff from sitting so long. He’d been praying harder and harder as time wore on, loath to move from his seat lest he miss the doctor. “Yes?”
He struggled to gauge the man’s demeanor to determine if he came bearing bad news or good.
The man’s face broke into a wide smile. “Congratulations, sir. You have a fine baby girl.”
Quinn allowed himself to breathe, his chest swelling with relief. We have a daughter. A little girl to spoil. He stumbled a few steps closer. “And my wife? How is she?”
The man’s smile dimmed. “She had a hard time of it and lost a lot of blood, so naturally she’s quite weak.”
Quinn fisted his hands at his side. “Will she be all right?”
“Barring any unforeseen complications, I’m confident she will make a full recovery.”
Quinn released a breath. Thank you, Lord. “Can I see her?”
“The nurses are just finishing up. Give them about fifteen more minutes, and you can go in and meet your daughter.”
“Thank you, doctor.” Quinn shook the man’s hand. “I appreciate it very much.”
The men in the waiting room congratulated Quinn. He thanked them, all the while watching the clock for the moment he could see Julia. He would not relax fully until he saw her with his own eyes.
Julia leaned back against the pillows, grateful for the nurse’s ministrations. The woman had washed Julia’s face and neck with a clean washcloth and re-braided her hair.
“We must look our best when that handsome husband of yours comes in.” The nurse winked at Julia. “Where is your shawl? Oh, here it is.” She draped the cloth around Julia’s shoulders. “Now, let’s get that little angel.”
From the bassinet in the corner, she picked up a swaddled bundle. Then she came over and held her out to Julia, lowering the head into the crook of Julia’s arm.
Tears sprang to her eyes as she gazed down at her daughter. The tiny rosebud lips, the button of a nose, the impossibly small lashes against porcelain skin.
My daughter.
Julia’s chest swelled with a rush of the fiercest love she’d ever known. At the same time, a deeply protective instinct rose inside her, and she knew she would die to protect this tiny life. “She’s perfect.”
“Yes, she is.” The nurse smiled down at her. “I’ll let your husband know he can come in now.”
The door opened, and almost immediately the woman returned. “He was waiting right outside. I’ll give you two a little time alone. If you need anything, just call.”
Julia looked over to see Quinn hovering in the doorway, a look of concern darkening his features. Waiting for such a long time, not knowing what was happening, must have been terribly hard on him. She held out her hand. “Come and meet our daughter.”
Quinn took a hesitant step forward, his gaze never leaving her face. “How are you? The doctor said you had a difficult time.”
“I’m tired and a little weak. But I’ve never been happier.” She smiled at him and moved the blanket away from the tiny face in her arms. “This little one made all the pain worthwhile.”
Quinn walked over and leaned in to take his first look. His brow furrowed, then all at once, the tension in his face eased. “She’s so small.”
“Actually, she’s a good size, the doctor said. Seven pounds, three ounces.” Julia ran a finger over the baby’s velvety cheek. “Do you want to hold her?”
Quinn’s eyes grew wide. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Of course it is.” Julia set her jaw. It was important that he bond with the baby as soon as possible. To feel the same incredible connection she did. “Bring a chair over.”
He hesitated, then did as she asked, taking a cautious seat. “Now what?”
“Hold out your arms and make sure to support her head.”
Julia placed the baby in his arms, adjusting the blanket around her face. The little girl scrunched her perfect little nose, then settled in with a soft sigh.
Julia could tell the exact moment Quinn’s heart expanded with love, exactly as hers had. His entire face softened, and tears shone in his eyes.
“She’s beautiful.” He raised his head. “Just like her mother.”
Their gazes held until the baby squirmed in his arms, claiming his attention.
“So, Mrs. Aspinall,” he said, “what do you intend to call her?”
Julia wrapped her fingers around the end of her braid. “If you have no objection, I was thinking of Evelyn. After my mother.”
“Evelyn Aspinall.” He smiled. “That has a regal sound to it.”
“Do you have a suggestion for a middle name?” Julia glanced at his profile as he stared down at the baby, mesmerized.
“You want me to choose a second name?”
“Yes.” She reached over to lay a hand on his arm. “I want you to feel that she’s your daughter too. Because she is—in every way that matters.”
Quinn’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he cleared his throat. “My mother’s name is Mary. If it suits you, I know Mum would be honored.”
“Evelyn Mary Aspinall. That’s perfect.” Julia smiled at him, her heart filled to the bursting point.
Doubts about the future still plagued her, but in this moment, Julia chose to focus on her blessings, to give thanks to God for the safe birth of her beautiful baby and for bringing Quinn back to her. Whatever else God had in store for her, she would discover as time went on.
For now, she’d simply bask in the joy of this most special day in her life.