AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A scream rips from her chest as she pushes a beautiful baby girl out into the world.
The room is quiet as everyone holds their breath, waiting for that first, miraculous sound.
“She’s not crying,” Hudson says in concern.
But I don’t answer. I just massage her back and look at the clock on the wall. I rub harder than any parent ever realizes is necessary until the beautiful baby girl gasps and cries for the very first time.
I love this moment.
I quickly perform an APGAR test to determine how well she tolerated the delivery, then lay her down on Maddie’s chest and clamp the umbilical cord with the chip clip. “She’s perfect. Do you want to cut the cord, Hudson?”
Hudson holds his crying wife, and they both stare in awe at their new baby while I grab a few extra towels and lay them over Maddie. “No. Not even a little, Wren.”
Happy tears stream over his cheeks as he kisses his wife. “You’re an amazing warrior, sunshine.”
I find my surgical scissors and cut the cord, then tug on it slightly as I massage Maddie’s abdomen, working to deliver her placenta. “How far out did the ambulance say they were?”
Hudson looks around, then points to the phone. “Uh, I think 911 is still on the phone.”
Sawyer picks it up and asks for an ETA at the same time there’s a knock on the door, and a loud voice announces, “Paramedics.”
Sawyer lets them in, and I cover Maddie and the baby with a fresh towel.
“Hi, I’m Dr. Davenport. Baby Girl Kingston was born at sixteen ten. APGAR at one minute was eight. Placenta’s been delivered. No hemorrhaging. Strong heartbeat.”
The paramedic thanks me, then moves past me to take Maddie’s vitals, and I step out of the way and remove my gloves as Sawyer approaches. He cups my face in his hands, and the look of awe in his eyes isn’t lost on me. “You were amazing.”
“Maddie was amazing. I was just doing my job.” I lay my head against his chest for a moment. “I’m glad I was here.”
“I got your text earlier. Can I take you out to dinner tonight?” He looks so hopeful, I hate to shoot him down.
“I’m on-call tonight, and I want to follow up on Maddie and the baby. I’d say I could meet you after that, but I don’t know if I’m going to be called in. I probably will because it’s a full moon. Raincheck? I’m not on-call Monday.”
One side of his mouth tips up, and then he kisses me. Deep and hungry and so promising, I feel it down to the tips of my toes. “Monday. I’m going to hold you to that, Red.”
“Promise?” I whisper, suddenly nervous.
“Yeah.” He runs a hand over the back of my head. “Promise.”
The paramedics get Maddie and the baby up on a gurney and wheel her over to us with Hudson behind them. “We’re taking them to Kroydon Hills Hospital.”
I trail a finger over the baby, then smile at Maddie. “I’ll be right behind you.”
Hudson grabs my hand as they take Maddie through the door. “I’ll never be able to thank you, Wren.”
“You just did, Hudson.” I push him to the door. “Go. I’ll see you there.”
I turn to Sawyer. “Do you still have my keys?”
He pulls them from his pocket and places them in my hand before he covers it with his. “Maybe we could grab a cup of coffee at the hospital later?”
I kiss his cheek. “I’ve got to go, Kingston.”
“See ya, Red.”
SAWYER
Ijump in the shower after Wren leaves, then shoot Hudson a text.
