Chapter Twenty-seven

 

James walked out of labor and delivery in a daze. He knew there was a great big goofy smile on his face but it didn’t seem to matter.

“James!” Milla called.

James looked around and found himself outside the nursery, where babies slept with the cutest little woven caps on their heads. James wondered if his little girl would get one.

“James, dear,” Milla said and then laughed. “Is everything all right?”

“Milla! Oh, yes, Milla, everything is wonderful.” James caught her up in a hug. “I’m going to get some ice cream for Jane.”

“Do you want me to get it?”

“No, no, I’m going to do it. Why don’t you go see my daughter?”

“I will,” Milla said and chuckled. “The Mountain Overlook Café is on the first floor. They’ll have some ice cream. I’ve been having a ball watching these babies.”

“Excuse me,” a male voice said.

James saw a blond-haired man in a James Madison University sweatshirt and jeans. “Yes?”

The man held out his hand. “I’m Peter Hathaway. My wife, Denise, was in Jane’s Lamaze class. I guess Jane had her baby early.”

“Right,” James said proudly, shaking Peter’s hand. “A healthy girl. You and Denise had twins, didn’t you?”

Peter beamed. “Yeah, getting ready to take them home today,” he said, pointing at two babies in blue.

“Aren’t they precious!” Milla exclaimed.

James introduced her, then said to Peter, “Jane tells me you want to sell your Ford Explorer. I’d like to buy it if it’s still available.”

Peter nodded. “Sure is. Denise said she hoped y’all might want it. It’s a good vehicle, I promise you. We just need more room. Be glad to work something out with you.”

“Thanks.” They exchanged phone numbers and arranged to meet in three days’ time to finalize the deal.

James took the elevator down to the café. When he walked in the door, he saw Bennett, Gillian, Lindy, and Lucy standing with balloons that read “It’s a Girl!”

His friends surrounded him, each one hugging him and offering congratulations. James felt the tears start again and wondered if he’d ever stop crying from happiness.

“I can’t believe you all came out in this weather,” James said. Lucy must have called the other members of the supper club.

“Of course we did,” Lindy said, smiling. “It’s stopped snowing and the roads aren’t too bad.”

“That Jim Topling really screwed up,” Bennett said. He looked five years younger without his mustache. “We’ve got a total of five inches, and the storm’s moved east to Richmond. No three feet of snow for us.”

“All the better,” Gillian said. “Bennett and I are leaving for a long weekend getaway on Friday.” She smiled.

“We’re going to Sanibel Island, Florida. That was Gillian’s Valentine gift to me,” Bennett said. “I looked it up and you can see groups of dolphins right offshore. Gillian will like that,” he said, looking at his sweetheart.

James noticed they were holding hands.

“Not as much as I love the dolphins on my finger,” she replied. Gillian’s eyelids sparkled with turquoise eyeshadow. “Who knows what might happen down there with the warm sand under our feet and the sun shining down on us. Bennett and I might even elope.”

Bennett shot James a panicked look, and then they all laughed.

“James,” Lindy said, “Luis locked down the deal on the restaurant. Alma is so excited and, I have to admit, so am I. She wants my help picking out what tables and chairs to put in the Mexican Kitchen. That’s what she’s calling the new restaurant.”

“That’s great news,” James said. “You and Luis get your privacy back, and Quincy’s Gap gets its first Mexican restaurant.”

“You must want to get back to Jane. We won’t keep you,” Gillian said. “We’ll come back tomorrow afternoon to see the baby. Have you named her yet?”

“No. I’m getting Jane some ice cream. After she eats, maybe we can talk names. She’s exhausted, though.”

Bennett slapped him on the back. Gillian and Lindy hugged him. Then they left him holding the balloons, standing with Lucy.

“Thanks for giving us an escort, Lucy,” James said. “I won’t ever forget it.”

“It was nothing.”

“I do want to give my statement.”

“I’ll come by the hospital early tomorrow, if that’s okay. You are staying the night?”

“They couldn’t hoist me out of here with a crane.”

Lucy chuckled. “I’ll take your statement in the morning then. That way, Murphy can go home tomorrow.”

“That would be terrific. I have a feeling that once we leave the hospital, I won’t have a spare minute,” James said, then asked, “Any plans tonight? It is Valentine’s Day.”

“I’m on duty. Those are my plans,” Lucy said, raising her chin. “I’m happy for you, James.”

“Sullie over at the Red Bird?”

Lucy shrugged. “I don’t know. He said something to Sheriff Huckabee about going fly fishing somewhere warm this weekend. Guess he figures that Amber and the rest of the actors will clear out as soon as they’re given the word tomorrow.”

James looked at his friend with concern. “I want you to be happy too, Lucy.”

“I am. My idea of happiness is different from yours. I don’t see a home and family life in my future,” she said and gave him a big smile. “Don’t worry about me, James. Go and get Jane’s ice cream. I’ll see you in the morning.”

James watched as she left the café. He hoped that Sullie would have to eat a lot of crow before getting her back.

Upstairs, James carried the white bag with two small containers of chocolate ice cream and two Godiva chocolate bars along with the balloons. He paused on the threshold to Jane’s room.

Jane cuddled their daughter, who’d been washed and wrapped up snuggly in a pink blanket. A pink and blue cap covered her hair. Seeing him, Jane said, “Her eyes are open, James. Come look. Who sent the balloons?”

James didn’t need to be asked twice. He put the ice cream and the chocolate on the side table next to the bed and wrapped the ribbons to the balloons around the doorknob. “Bennett, Gillian, Lindy, and Lucy gave them to us. They’ll be here to visit tomorrow.” He kissed Jane, then gave his little girl a kiss on her sweet forehead. She smelled of baby powder and a newborn smell that James couldn’t identify but that intoxicated him.

“She was determined to be a Valentine’s Day baby,” Jane said. “Must be a romantic at heart.”

“Speaking of romance,” James said. He pulled out the wrapped infinity necklace.

Jane’s eyes widened. “Don’t tell me you got me a push present. Our little girl is all the present I need.”

Relief coursed through James. “I was going to ask you if you wanted a push present. I thought we had a couple more weeks. This is the other part of your Valentine’s gift.”

“I have your Valentine’s presents in my bag. I didn’t have time to wrap them, but go get it, please.”

James looked inside the bag and found a gray T-shirt and matching socks. Each had due dates stamped on them, like a library card. “These are wonderful. Thank you, honey.”

“Will you open this jewelry box for me?” Jane asked.

“How about if I hold our daughter and you open the box,” James proposed.

Jane transferred the baby over. James held her tight. He’d never held a newborn before. He stared down at her tiny features. “She has my mother’s eyes, Jane.”

“Does she? Oh, my, James, you shouldn’t have gotten me something so expensive,” Jane said, holding up the necklace. The diamonds danced in the light.

James didn’t notice at first, though. His eyes were locked on his daughter’s. Then he looked at his wife. “It’s an infinity necklace. I got it because I’ll love you forever.”

“What a lovely sentiment. It’s beautiful. Now, would you pass our daughter back to me?”

James did so reluctantly. “I bought something else today, but we won’t get it for a few days.”

Jane settled the baby, and then glanced at him. “Oh? What’s that?”

“I spoke with Denise’s husband. The Explorer is ours.” James held his breath. He figured Jane had every right to tell him “I told you so” and more after he almost missed the birth of their daughter. He was certain she knew the Bronco was toast.

But Jane only nodded. Then she said, “Perfect for exploring our lives as a family of four.”

James leaned his cheek against the top of Jane’s head. “Thank you, honey,” he whispered, grateful for her understanding. Then, in a normal voice, he said, “I want to name our little girl after you.”

“Jane is such a plain name. I think we should call her Constance after your mother.”

This was something he hadn’t expected. James’s heart soared. “Constance Jane Henry,” he said.

Jane met his gaze, a twinkle in her eyes. “Constance Jane Austen Henry.”

James grinned, and then laughed out loud. “That’s perfect. Are you sure it’s the name you want?”

“I’m sure. It fits our little Valentine’s Day girl just right.”

“I love you, Jane.”

“I love you, James Henry. Now, would you pass me the ice cream, please?”