Chapter 15 #2
When no one answered immediately, a curly-haired little girl responded. "By magic." She said it in such a profound manner that it had everyone staring at her.
"No, silly," another little girl said loftily. "My mommy said that she and her husband kissed and had sex and made a baby."
This time the silence went on longer. Thoroughly amused and entertained, Dean leaned on the threshold and folded his arms on his chest.
"Is that true, Auntie Catherine?"
"I think it's time for us to dismiss class for today," Auntie Catherine said in her most authoritative voice.
One boy noticed him standing there and ran towards him. "Are you going to put another baby in Auntie's belly?" he demanded.
Dean straightened as he became the cynosure of every pair of eyes in the classroom, including his wife's amused ones. "I'm just here to take her home."
"To put a baby in her belly?" the boy persisted.
"That's enough, Bobby. Now children." She clapped her hands together and got them going back to their seats. "We'll say our prayers and file out in an orderly manner to the auditorium." She flashed a smile at her husband before turning towards her avid listeners.
Waiting until the children had left, he walked towards her.
"Am I going to put a baby in your belly if I do this?" Keeping one arm wrapped around her waist, he used the other to tip her chin up so he could kiss her.
"You already put one there," she reminded him breathlessly. "You handled that very well."
"What? A bunch of kids talking about sex?" he scoffed. "It's practice for when our time comes. We'll know to tell them that the baby was placed there by magic."
She burst out laughing, eyes twinkling with mirth. "That's absolutely the best answer. Ready, Mr. Collier?"
"Whenever you are, Mrs. Collier."
Wriggling out of his arms, she went to fetch her belongings. "Aren't you going to tell me where we're going?"
"And spoil the surprise?" Taking the large tote from her, he slung it over his shoulder. "Not a chance."
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"Watch your step." Taking her hand, he guided her over the patchy and uneven ground, until they were facing a dilapidated warehouse. "Well?" Standing behind her, he wrapped his arms around her thick waist. "What do you think?"
She stared at the building with uncertain eyes, taking in the holes on the sloped roof and the missing window panes. The area around it was steeped in waist-length grass and surrounded by towering trees.
"It's..." She cleared her throat. "It's a sight."
He chuckled at her effort at diplomacy. "You're looking at the future home of the Eternal Hope Children's Home."
She tilted her head back to stare at him with wide eyes.
"Really?"
His grin widened. "Irene discovered it just a week ago.
We're in negotiations with the owner and the place is going for a very reasonable price.
" He kissed the tip of her nose in an automatic gesture.
"You inspired us with the comment about the area badly in need of a shelter for neglected children. " He nudged her around.
"It will be a playground as well as a home for these children, a multifunctional place where they will learn, play, and call it home.
There will be a basketball court as well as an area for swimming.
There's a lake further back. There will also be a chapel and several workshops where they can learn while they grow. "
She turned to stare at him and the look she gave him made him feel as if he was ten feet tall and had conquered world hunger. His heart swelled inside his chest, and he felt funny all over.
"Oh, Dean." She was so proud of the man he had become that no words could describe how she felt. "You make me so happy."
"That's my aim in life." He turned her to face him, hands framing her face, his eyes darkening.
"I never dreamed I'd meet someone like you.
Never dared hope that my life would feel so complete.
" He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip gently.
"I would do anything to see that look on your beautiful face. Anything."
Tears glistened in her eyes.
"Hormones?" he teased.
"Oh, absolutely." Going on her toes, she took his lips in a kiss that melted his bones.
*******************
"The baby is breech. Nothing to worry about," the doctor hastened to add when Dean paled. Switching his gaze to Catherine, he smiled reassuringly. "I'm going to ask you to stop pushing now."
Dean winced as she dug her fingers into his palm. The labor had been going on for six hours and he knew she must be exhausted.
"How much longer?" He was trying to keep the anxiety from his tone, but doubted he pulled it off.
"Not long now. We just have to go in and reposition the little guy.
" He nodded to the medical team around the bed, before smiling at Catherine.
"Okay, my dear. We've been going through this without a hitch.
.." he laughed as she raised tapered brows.
"Well, mostly. Now we're at the finishing line. Ready to take the last plunge?"
"More than," she told him feelingly.
"All right, let's do this."
He had warned her that she would feel more than a twinge, but there was no helping it.
Several minutes later, he sat back and swiveled the chair so that he could get rid of his soiled gloves and put on another pair.
"All right, Catherine. Push only when I tell you."
She nodded. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her husband's hands and waited for the signal.
"Now!"
Taking another deep breath, she bore down with all her might, flopping back on Dean's chest limply.
"Is he out?" she asked weakly.
"And squirming with all his might."
A smile curved her lips when she heard the indignant wail from her son. Turning her head, she gave her husband a beautiful smile.
"Our son's here."
Wiping the moisture off her face with a damp cloth, he nodded, the lump in his throat thick. "He is. You did it, darling."
Several minutes later, the nurse brought Nathaniel over to the eager parents, a smile wreathing her face. "He's adorable," she remarked, placing the baby carefully into the mother's arms.
"He's beautiful," she whispered. "Hi there, sweetheart. It's so good to see you. This is mama and dada. And we love you more than words can say."
*********************
"He favors you," Isobel commented as she gazed down at the baby in her arms. The family, including members from Catherine's church and the kids, their parents, and the staff at her school had sent an outpouring of love when they received the news.
Her private room was stocked with gifts and stuffed toys as well as enough flowers to outfit an entire garden.
Catherine was planning to donate everything to the pediatric wing.
"The same shape of the chin and mouth as well as eyebrows.
" She glanced over at the new mother, reluctantly admiring the rosy glow motherhood had put on her.
Once upon a time, she was the same until she discovered that her husband had only wanted her to produce an heir.
If Dean had been born first, he would have insisted on him being an only child.
"He's a beautiful child." The wistful note in her voice had Dean staring at her sharply. He had laid down the rules.
"Here's how it's going to go. My son will not be raised in a depraved manner, the way Irene and I were raised.
If you both continue to have relations outside of marriage, that's your business.
But know that my son will not be spending time somewhere that's loose and with people who have no standards. "
"Now see here..."
"You're right." His mother had cut off his father's blustery argument. "I want to be part of my grandson's life and I'm willing to make that happen." She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. "It's time for a change, Martin, and you know it."
Looking at her now, Dean had a feeling that she had started that change.
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"He's so sweet," she whispered.
The January weather had predictably turned bad, but they were home with their newborn. The snow pinging on the windows was an added bonus to an already perfect day. Yesterday had seen a string of visitors with Irene and Isobel reluctant to leave.
Now it was just the three of them, which made it all the more perfect. Leaning back against her husband, she marveled that she was now a wife and a mother. The only hitch she felt was that her mother was not here to meet her grandson.
"Like his mother." He was so attuned to her moods; he felt when her mood changed and had an idea what had caused it.
Turning her to face him, he studied her exquisite face.
For a woman who had been through the rigors of almost eight hours of labor two days ago, she looked wonderful. "You're thinking of yours."
She smiled, not in the least bit surprised at his intuitiveness when it came to her. They shared a bond which allowed them to practically read each other's thoughts.
"I am over the moon happy." She touched his beloved face gently. "I really am, but I miss her and she was cheated out of all of this. Seeing her grandson. Knowing that I found a great guy, all of it. I cannot help but feel sad."
Taking her hand in his, he kissed the palm, eyes dark. "You know what being with you has taught me?"
"To be more patient?" she asked teasingly.
He remained sober, his eyes holding hers.
"That and a great many other things. You've taught me to believe in the impossible.
To think positive and believe that things are not black and white.
Your mother is here." He placed a hand over where her heart was beating steadily.
"And here." He touched her temple. "She's with you and I have a feeling from what you told me about her, she's absolutely proud of you. "
She simply stared at him and felt the tears starting.
"That's the nicest thing you could ever say under the circumstances," she whispered.
"There's more." He swung her into his arms and after taking another long and contented look at his son lying there with his hands balled into fists, he started out of the nursery. "I adore you, Mrs. Collier. You've made my life worth living."
Taking her to bed, he wrapped his arms around her as she cried softly on his chest. With the snow falling steadily, the fire crackling in the hearth, Dean finally knew what it was like to be home.
The end…