‘IT’S A GIRL!’
‘It is?’ Sienna and Sebastian spoke in unison.
Ella, the midwife in the labour suite and Oliver’s new fiancée, smiled up at them as she lifted the baby up onto Sienna’s chest. ‘It certainly is. Congratulations, Mum and Dad, meet your beautiful new daughter.’
Sebastian couldn’t speak. He was in awe. First with Sienna and her superwoman skills at pushing their baby out, and now with the first sight of his daughter.
She looked furious with her introduction to the world. Ella gave a little wipe of her face and body as she lay on her mother’s chest and she let out an angry squeal. Ella laughed. ‘Yip, she’s here. Have you two thought of a name yet?’
A name.
His brain was a complete blank.
He still couldn’t process a thought. He could have missed this. He could have missed this once-in-a-lifetime magical moment. That couldn’t even compute in his brain right now.
His daughter had a few fine blonde hairs on her head the same shade as her mother. He had no idea about her eyes as her face was still screwed up.
‘She just looks so...so...big,’ he said in wonder.
Sienna let out an exhausted laugh. ‘Imagine if I’d reached forty weeks.’ She looked in awe too as she ran her hand over her daughter’s bare back. ‘She’s not big. She’s not big at all. Ella will weigh her in a few minutes. But let’s just wait.’
Sebastian shook his head as Ella busied herself around them. ‘I have no idea about a name.’
He wanted to laugh out loud. For years in Montanari, the royal family were only allowed to pick from a specific list of approved names. His mother still thought that should be the case.
Sienna turned to him. ‘I think we should cause a scandal. Let’s call our daughter something wild—like Zebedee, or Thunder.’
Now he did laugh out loud. ‘I think my mother would have a fit. It’s almost worth it just to see the expression on her face.’
Sienna was still stroking their daughter’s skin. ‘Actually, I do have a name in mind.’
‘You do?’
She nodded. ‘I’d like to call my daughter after my aunt. She was fabulous with me when I was growing up and looked after me a lot when my mother and father were busy.’
She didn’t say the other words that were circulating in her brain. Or when my mother and father couldn’t be bothered.
It was an unfair thought and she knew that. But she was emotional and hormonal right now. She’d just done the single most important thing she would ever do in this life.
Her parents had never mistreated her. They just hadn’t been that interested. Her aunt had been different. She’d always been good to her.
‘What’s your aunt called?’
Their daughter started to stir, squirming around her chest and making angry noises. ‘Margaret,’ she said quietly. ‘My aunt was called Margaret.’
It was the last thing he’d really expected. A traditional name from an untraditional woman.
‘Really?’
She looked up and met his gaze. Her hair was falling out of the clip she’d brought with her for the labour. Her pyjama top was open at the front to allow their baby on her skin.
He’d never seen anything more beautiful.
He’d never seen anything he could love more.
He blinked.
It was like a flash in the sky above him. He’d been trying to persuade Sienna to give him a chance for all the wrong reasons. He’d always liked her. The attraction had never waned.
But duty still ran through his veins. In his head he’d been trading one duty marriage for another. But Sienna had bucked against that.
She demanded more. She deserved more.
And it was crystal clear to him why.
He didn’t want to have to persuade her to be with him. It was important to him that she wanted to be with him, as much as he wanted to be with her.
And she’d need to be prepared for the roller coaster that was his mother.
Sienna was more than a match for his mother—of that he had no doubt. But sparks could fly for a while in the palace.
His father—he was pretty sure he would love her as soon as she started talking in her Scottish accent and telling it exactly as it was.
Ella gave him a nudge. ‘Do you want to hold your daughter? Sienna’s work isn’t quite finished yet.’
Sebastian gave an anxious nod as Ella first took their daughter from Sienna, weighed her, put a little nappy on her and supplied a pink blanket to wrap their daughter in. Two minutes later she gestured for him to sit in a comfortable seat she pulled out from the wall. ‘Once she’s delivered the placenta, we’ll do another few checks. Oliver will arrive any minute. And I’ll arrange for some food for you both. After all that hard work you’ll both be exhausted. We have plenty to spare in the labour ward.’
He hardly heard a word. He was too focused on the squirming little bundle that had just been placed in his arms. The smile seemed to have permanently etched itself onto his face. It would be there for ever.
Her face was beautiful. He stroked her little cheek. The wrinkles on her forehead started to relax and her eyes blinked open a few times. He’d been told that all babies’ eyes started as blue. His daughter’s were dark blue; they could change to either green like his, or brown like her mother’s. The blonde hair on her head was downy, it already had a fluff-like appearance and he could see the tiny little pulse throbbing at the soft centre in the top of her head.
He couldn’t have imagined anything more wonderful. Less than twenty minutes ago this tiny little person had been inside Sienna, a product of their weekend of passion in Montanari. She might not have been planned but, without a doubt, it was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
They were the best thing that had ever happened to him.
Sebastian shook his head. ‘Sienna did all the hard work. I was just lucky enough to be here.’ He lifted one hand that had been thoroughly crushed for the last few hours. ‘I might need a plaster cast, but I can take it.’
Ella smiled and went back to work.
By morning Sienna was back in a fresh bed with a few hours’ sleep, showered and eating tea and toast. Margaret had finally opened her eyes and was watching him very suspiciously—as if she were still trying to work out what had happened.
Oliver came into the room to check Sienna over. ‘Trust you not to hold on. You never did have any patience. I’m going to relish the fact that your daughter has obviously inherited your genes. Good luck with that, Sebastian,’ he joked. He put his arm around Ella. ‘Seriously, guys, congratulations. I’m delighted for you.’
He gave a nod towards the door. ‘Word travels fast around here. There are a few more people who want to say hello.’
Ella looked to Sienna. ‘How do you feel about that?’
Sienna glanced over at Sebastian, cradling their baby girl. ‘Tell them to come in now. I want to try and give our daughter another feed. I think she’ll get cranky quite soon.’
Ella gave a nod and Annabelle and Max, and Charlie and Juliet crowded into the room. Sebastian held his precious daughter while they all fawned over her, kissing Sienna and congratulating them both.
Charlie nodded at the clock on the wall. ‘If you’d just held off for another few hours you could have had our first Christmas baby.’
Christmas. Of course. He’d almost forgotten this was Christmas Day now.
Sienna looked shocked for a second then threw back her head and laughed. ‘Darn it! I completely forgot about that!’ She looked suspicious for a second. ‘Did any of you have a bet on me for the Christmas baby?’
Juliet shook her head. ‘Not one of us. No one expected you to deliver this early.’ She leaned over Sebastian’s shoulder. ‘But your girl looks a good weight for thirty-five weeks. What was she?’
‘Five pounds, thirteen ounces,’ answered Sebastian. Margaret’s weight would be imprinted on his brain for ever.
Just as this moment would. Now he’d held his daughter, he didn’t ever want to let her go.
* * *
Sienna’s stomach grumbled loudly as she finished the toast. ‘Sorry,’ she laughed to her visitors.
She was trying to pay attention to them—she really was. But she couldn’t help but be a little awed by the expression on Sebastian’s face at the bottom of the bed. He was fascinated by their daughter. He could barely take his eyes off her.
She felt the same. She was sure she wouldn’t sleep a wink tonight just watching the wonder of her little daughter’s chest rising and falling.
‘Here.’ Annabelle thrust a little gift towards her. ‘Something for your gorgeous girl.’
Sienna was amazed. ‘Where on earth did you get a present on Christmas Day?’
Annabelle gave her a wink. ‘I have friends in high places.’
Sienna felt her heart squeeze. Annabelle was the most gracious of friends. Sienna knew how hard she and Max had tried for a baby of their own; it had eventually broken down their marriage until their reconciliation a few weeks ago. And yet here they both were, celebrating with her and Sebastian over their unexpected arrival.
She opened the gift bag and pulled out the presents. A packet of pale pink vests, a tiny pink Babygro that had a pattern like a giant Christmas present wrapped with a bow, matching tiny pink socks and a pale pink knitted hat with a pom-pom bigger than Margaret’s head. She laughed out loud.
She’d bought a few things for the baby’s arrival but, with the rush, she’d forgotten to bring them from home. ‘Oh, Annabelle, thank you, these are perfect. Now we have something to take our daughter home in.’
Sebastian looked up quickly, pulling the little bundle closer to his chest.
‘We’re going home?’
Oliver shook his head. ‘No, sorry. Not tonight. The paediatrician wants to be sure that Margaret is feeding without any problems. I’m afraid you’ll need to spend your daughter’s first Christmas in hospital.’ He glanced at Ella. ‘Don’t worry, the staff here are great. They’ll make sure you’re well looked after.’
Sienna sagged back against her pillows. ‘I don’t care. She’s here, and she’s healthy. That’s all I care about. I might love Christmas. But it can wait.’
Max looked around the room. ‘Let’s say our goodbyes, folks, and leave the new parents with their baby.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘Some of us have Christmas dinners to make.’ Right on cue Margaret gave out a scream that made Sebastian jump.
Everyone laughed. They quickly gave Sienna and Sebastian hugs and left the room. Sienna pushed the table across the bed away and held out her hands. ‘I think she must be hungry. Let’s see if she’s ready for a feed.’
Ella came back a few minutes later and helped Sienna position their daughter to feed. The first feed had been a little difficult. She gave Sienna a cautious smile. ‘Sometimes babies that are born a little early take a bit longer to learn how to suck. They all get there eventually, but it can take a bit of perseverance.’
Sienna’s eyes were on their daughter. ‘It seems Margaret doesn’t like to wait for anything. As a first-time mum I expected to have one of those twenty-hour labours.’
Ella shrugged. ‘You might have done, if you’d reached forty weeks. You might be quite tall, but your pelvis is pretty neat.’ She smiled up as Margaret latched on. ‘Just remember that for baby number two.’
Almost in unison Sebastian and Sienna’s heads turned to each other and their wide-eyed gazes met, followed by a burst of laughter.
Sienna waved her hand at Ella. ‘Shame on you, Midwife O’Brien, mentioning another baby when the first one is barely out. You haven’t even given me time yet to be exhausted!’
A warm feeling spread throughout Sebastian. His daughter’s little jaw was moving furiously as she tried to feed. Sienna seemed calmer than he’d ever seen her, stroking her daughter’s face and talking gently to her.
Ella looked up and met his contented gaze with a smile. ‘I’ll leave you folks alone for a while. Come and find me when you want some food, Sebastian. I take it you’re staying all day?’
‘Can I?’ He hadn’t even had a chance to discuss with Sienna what happened next.
Ella nodded. ‘Of course. All new dads are welcome to stay with mum and baby. This is Teddy’s. We’re hardly going to throw you out on Christmas Day. This is a time for families.’ She winked and left the room.
* * *
Sienna lifted her head and looked at the clock. ‘I can’t believe we had her on Christmas Eve. It all just seems so unreal. I thought I would spend today lying on my sofa, like a beached whale, watching TV and eating chocolates.’
A special smile spread across her face. ‘I thought I wouldn’t see you until next Christmas,’ she whispered to their daughter. ‘I’d planned to buy you one of those Christmas baubles for the tree with your name, date of birth and baby’s first Christmas on it. I guess you’ve ruined that now, missy.’
Although she loved Christmas dearly, she’d been edgy about this year. Worried about what the future would hold for her and her baby. Sebastian showing up had brought everything to the forefront.
He was sitting in a chair at the end of the bed. Ever since her first labour pain he’d been great. After that first flicker of panic he’d been as solid as a rock. He’d rubbed her back, massaged her shoulders, and given her words of constant encouragement during the few short hours she’d been in labour. All without a single word of preparation. They hadn’t even got around to the discussion about whether he would attend the labour or not.
He hadn’t even blinked when she’d turned the air blue on a few occasions, and chances were he’d never regain the feeling in his right hand. She hadn’t had time to think about whether he should be there or not. And the look on his face when he’d first set eyes on their daughter had seared right into her soul.
She’d never seen a look of love like it. Ever.
And that burned in ways she couldn’t even have imagined.
‘Seb?’
‘Yes?’ He stood up. ‘Do you need something?’
She shook her head, trying to keep her wavering emotions out of her voice. ‘I wouldn’t ever have kept her from you. I would have told you about her as soon as she arrived,’ she said quietly. She blinked back the tears.
She saw him swallow and press his lips together briefly. They were both realising he could have missed this moment. Missed the first sight of his daughter. Was it really fair that she’d even contemplated that?
She licked her lips. ‘Your mother—what has she said about all this?’
For a few seconds he didn’t meet her gaze. ‘She’s disappointed in me. That I didn’t do things in a traditional way. She thinks I treated Theresa badly. She hasn’t quite grasped the fact that Theresa was marrying me out of duty—not of love.’ His eyes met hers and he gave a rueful smile. ‘I think it’s just as well I’m an only child. She would have tried to disown me at the beginning of the week because of the scandal I’ve caused.’
‘But what does that mean? What does that mean for you, for me and for Margaret?’
Something washed over her, a wave of complete protectiveness towards her daughter. She wasn’t going to let anyone treat Margaret as if she were a scandal—as if she weren’t totally loved and wanted.
Sebastian sat down on the edge of the bed next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. ‘It means that I’ll have to phone the Queen and tell her about her new granddaughter. She thought there would be a few weeks to try and manipulate the press. I guess our daughter had other ideas.’
The thought of the press almost chilled her. ‘Can we keep her to ourselves for just a few more hours?’ She hated the way that her voice sounded almost pleading. But this was their daughter, their special time. She wasn’t ready to share it with the world just yet.
‘Of course.’ He smiled. His fingers threaded through the hair at the nape of her neck. It was a movement of comfort, of reassurance.
Her hormones were on fire. Her heart felt as if it had swollen in her chest, first with the love for her daughter, and next for the rush of emotions she’d felt towards Seb in the last few hours.
Everything that had happened between them had crystallised for her. His sexy grin, twinkling eyes and smart comments. The way his gaze sometimes just meshed with hers. The tingling of her skin when he touched her.
The way that at times she just felt so connected to him.
All she felt right now was love. Maybe she was a fool to expect more than he already offered. She could live in Montanari. He had no expectations of her giving up work—she could work with the staff she’d trained in their specialist hospital.
Margaret could be brought up in a country she would ultimately one day rule. And although that completely terrified Sienna, it was a destiny that couldn’t be ignored.
Did it matter if Sebastian didn’t love her with his whole heart? He respected her—she knew that. And he would love their daughter.
This might be simpler if she didn’t already know the truth.
She loved Sebastian. She’d probably loved him since that first weekend—she just hadn’t allowed her brain to go there because of the betrayal that she’d felt. How hard would it be to live with a man, to stand by his side and know that he didn’t reciprocate the love she felt for him?
Could she keep that hidden away? Would she be able to live with a neutral face in place in order to give their daughter the life she should have?
She pressed her lips together. Having just a little part of the man she loved might be enough. Having to look at those sexy smiles and twinkling eyes on a daily basis wouldn’t exactly be a hardship.
And if he kept looking at her the way he did now, she could maybe hope for more. Another child might not be as far off the agenda as she’d initially thought.
She looked up at those forest-green eyes and her whole world tipped upside down. ‘Your mother’s name—it’s Grace, isn’t it?’
He nodded but looked confused.
She stared back down to her daughter’s pale, smooth skin. ‘I’ve had the name Margaret in my head for a while. But I had never even considered any middle names.’ She looked up at him steadily. ‘That seems a bit of a royal tradition, isn’t it?’
He nodded again. She could see the calculations flying behind his eyes. ‘What do you think about giving Margaret a middle name?’
The edges of his lips started to turn upwards. ‘Seriously?’
She nodded, feeling surer than before. ‘I chose our daughter’s first name. We never even had that discussion. How do you feel about choosing a middle name?’
She’d already planted the seed. Maybe the Queen wouldn’t hate her quite as much as she imagined.
He looked serious for a second. ‘Our family has a tradition of more than one middle name—how do you feel about that?’
She frowned. ‘You mean you’re not just Sebastian?’
He laughed. ‘Oh, no. I’m Sebastian Albert Louis Falco.’
She leaned back against him. ‘Okay, tell me what you’re thinking. Let’s try some names for size.’
He took a few seconds. ‘If you agree, I’d like to call our daughter Margaret Grace Sophia Falco.’ He turned to face her. ‘Unless, of course, you want to call her after your mother.’
Something panged inside her. But the tiny feelings of regret about her relationship with her parents had long since depleted over time. ‘No. I’m happy with Margaret. I think it’s safe to say that my mother will play her grandmother role from a distance.’ She glanced at the clock. ‘I’ll let both my parents know in a while about their granddaughter. I doubt very much that either of them will visit.’ She gave a sad kind of smile. ‘I might get some very nice flowers, though.’
She looked down at Margaret again, who’d stopped feeding for now and seemed to have settled back to sleep. ‘Who is Sophia?’
Seb smiled. ‘My great-grandmother. In public, probably the most terrifying woman in the world. In private? The woman I always had the most fun with. She taught me how to cheat at every board and card game imaginable.’
Sienna couldn’t help but smile. ‘You mean that the Falco family actually had some rogues?’
He whispered in her ear. ‘I’ll show you the family archives. We had pirates, conquerors and knights. We even had a magician.’ He leaned over her shoulder and touched their daughter’s nose. ‘Happy Christmas, Margaret, welcome to the Falco family.’
Sienna turned to face him just as his lips met hers. ‘Thank you, Sienna. Thank you for the best Christmas present in the world.’
She reached up and touched the side of his face. Her head was spinning. He was looking at her in a way she couldn’t quite interpret. Her heart wanted to believe that it was a look of love, a look of hope and admiration. He hadn’t stopped smiling at her—and even though she knew she must look a mess, he was making her feel as if she were the most special woman on the planet.
‘Thank you,’ she whispered as her fingers ran across his short hair. ‘We made something beautiful. We made something special. I couldn’t be happier.’
‘Me either,’ he agreed as he pulled her closer and kissed her again.