Page 80 of Dark Destiny: The Turning Of The Loom

Bridget chuckled. “It’s okay, Victor. Even you are allowed to feel overwhelmed when your first baby is about to be born.”

He walked out.

The waiting room had six chairs and a water dispenser with small paper cups. Through the glass doors, he could see the edge of the café seating area.

Kian had taken the chair nearest the door and was reading on his phone. He looked up when Turner sat down beside him.

"She threw you out?"

He nodded. "She will ask for me when she needs me."

They sat in silence. Kian was going over his emails, and Turner contemplated doing the same, but he could do nothing but stare at the closed door to Bridget's room.

Like every building in the village, the clinic was superbly soundproofed, so he couldn't hear what was going on inside, which made him feel even more helpless and useless.

Merlin came out a little after seven. "Mommy and baby are doing great. Contractions are five minutes apart." He went back in before Turner could think of anything to ask.

He let out a breath.

"Does Douglas know?" Kian asked. "That he's about to be a big brother?"

"He knows we are expecting." Turner looked at the door. "I'll call him once labor is over."

"Perhaps he would want to visit," Kian said. "With his wife and son."

"It's too complicated." Turner leaned his head against the wall. "Bridget suggested we plan a vacation together. That way, there will be no memories to thrall away." He cast Kian a sidelong glance. "I still can't thrall worth anything."

"Bridget can."

"She can, but not so well. I'd rather avoid having to do that."

"I'm sure you want to see your grandson."

"Yeah, I do." Turner closed his eyes.

He wanted to see his son and grandson, even though they weren't his. Not really. His name was on Douglas's birth certificate, but he wasn't the biological father.

Finding out that Douglas wasn't his hadn't changed anything. Turner had given the speech at the wedding, bought the young couple a house and flown out when the grandson was born, and Douglas sent him pictures.

He had never held the boy.

This baby Bridget was pushing out in the other room would be his first child.

Merlin came out again at nine. "Eight centimeters dilation. Not long now."

"How is she doing?" Turner managed before Merlin could duck back in.

Merlin lifted both thumbs. "Beautifully. Bridget is a trooper."

He went back in.

Turner stood, walked to the glass door, looked at the outdoor café, then walked back to his chair.

At nine-forty, the door opened, but it wasn't Merlin this time. It was Gertrude.

"Bridget wants you. Wash your hands and put this on." She handed him a folded surgical gown and a bonnet.

He shot to his feet, rushed to do as she instructed, and then followed her inside.