Chapter Fourteen
“I thought you were joking,” Tillie said as she stood on the porch behind the café early next afternoon and watched in amusement as Carl, her main cook, went over the intricacies of cooking a well-done steak.
“I don’t joke about cooking,” Matt said, trying to remember every word his teacher spoke.
“Why don’t you just let Carl grill you a steak and be done with it?”
“It’s not the same thing,” Matt answered trying to get the subject closed.
“Why not?”
Carl spoke up next time. “Geez, Tillie, give the guy a break. He’s going to this much trouble to learn what it takes years to perfect and do it in just hours… It means there is a special woman involved somehow.”
Tillie’s eyes lit up. “Ally? You’re cooking Ally a special meal? How romantic. Why steak?”
“Because I said I was an amazing griller of steaks. Little did I know that she eats hers well done to the point of charcoal if need be.”
“Oh wow,” Tillie said, shaking her head. “You’re in big trouble. Unless you just give her charcoal and be done with it.”
“You are no help.”
That was much the same help he received from his daughter when he went through the same conversation later that evening just before Ally was set to arrive. It did little for his confidence.
“Hello,” Ally said following Jillie out onto the patio where the grill was set. “It smells delicious.”
“Thanks. You look very nice by the way. Jillie, why don’t you see what Ally will drink and get it for her?”
Jillie left with her request for iced tea and his for the same. “I’m glad you could come over and let us try to…”
Jillie ran from the house. “Dad, Uncle Cade called, and your phone was on the kitchen cabinet. They’re on their way to the hospital. We need to go. Hurry!”
Ally saw his hesitation. She stood. “Why don’t you go and I can stay with Jillie so you don’t have…”
“No, Aunt Tori said I could come whenever it happened. Right, Dad?”
“Yes, she did.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize. You both go and we’ll do this some other time.”
“Her labor might be a long one and, Jillie, you have school tomorrow so how about, if Ally doesn’t mind, she could follow us in her car and if we see it’s going to be a long night, then she can bring you back home.” He looked at Ally and she nodded.
“She can even stay with me overnight if needed. So, I suggest you turn off the grill and we get moving.”
Fifteen minutes later, the trio arrived in the waiting room.
Cade was standing talking to the doctor.
He saw them and came over. “I’m about to go back and stay with her.
She’s only about halfway and in pain of course.
So far, the baby is doing good. I’ll come out when I can, or the nurse will let you know what’s going on.
Thanks for being here, all of you,” and he included Ally in his thankful glance.
He left them to make themselves as comfortable as one could in a maternity waiting room.
One hour turned into two and then three.
Jillie had spent her excited energy and was dozing off curled into one of the couches.
Ally had gone and found the cafeteria and came back with soft drinks and some sandwiches.
“This isn’t quite the meal I had planned for this evening. Sorry about that.” Matt shook his head and offered her a bag of potato chips.
Ally grinned and took the bag. “This is still a good evening. Besides, I love picnics.”
“This isn’t exactly my idea of a great location for a picnic.” He grinned, looking around at the small waiting room area. The last few people had been called for the arrival of their babies, but they were still waiting. His smile faded a bit. Ally noted it.
“I can’t help thinking that there’s something on your mind. It might be none of my business, but is there some reason you might be worried about Tori’s labor?”
“You’re very sensitive to others’ moods,” he noted. “Worried? I know my sister is tough. And her doctor is the best. But memories can intrude when they’re least expected.”
“Memories as in what happened to your wife?”
“I try to keep things upbeat around Jillie. But I guess it’s inevitable that those memories of being in this same hospital, waiting for a birth to happen—they’re bound to find their way into my brain.”
Ally laid a hand on his as it rested on his knee. “It’s only human. But you’re right in what you said about Tori. I have a feeling that she will do this beautifully just as she does everything else for her family and the people of this town. You Parkers are a tough group.”
“This is certainly not how I wanted tonight to go…good food, good company…and you get this instead.”
“Sure, a nice location with good scenery is great, but it’s the people, the company, that matter the most. And you gave me a rain check on that steak.”
“I would have to agree with that one. Here’s to great company and a rain check for the next one.”
“Agreed. Poor Jillie.” Ally looked at the sleeping child. “Perhaps I should take her home? I’ll get her to school in the morning and do the regular after-school stuff with her.”
“She’ll be really upset if she misses her cousin’s entrance. But she is too tired. If anything happens, I’ll stop by your house and let her know. The nurse did say it could be another few hours.”
“Don’t worry about a thing. And Tori will be fine. She is a tough lady—as you know.”
He carried Jillie outside in his arms. She was struggling to wake up but losing the battle. He placed her in the seat and buckled her in. Then he made sure Ally was settled inside. Her window was down, and he placed palms on the doorframe. His tone was low and full of sincerity.
“Thanks for being such a good sport about all of this tonight. It didn’t go like I had hoped with the dinner and all, but it means a lot that you understood.”
“You and your family have welcomed me and made me feel like part of this family and town in so many ways. Annie was right about this place and the people. So, there’s no need to thank me.”
Then Matt did something that felt right. He leaned in and placed a kiss on her lips, and they met his in unison. The kiss was brief, but it lasted far beyond that moment. It wasn’t just a thank you. It was wrapped in a promise of much more still to be named. But for the moment, it was everything.
No more words were spoken, and he stood for a few moments watching the red taillights grow dimmer in the distance until they were not visible. Hands in pockets, he re-entered the building with purpose in his steps and a hope in his heart that had been missing for a very long time.
An hour later the swinging doors opened, and a tired but exuberant Cade strode out, seeming to be walking on air. Matt jumped up and the men embraced without speaking. Then the dam broke and laughter mixed with some manly tears.
“She’s amazing.”
Matt wasn’t sure who was amazing, so he had to ask. “Which she? Tori or…?”
“Tori! The determination and the strength—she’s just incredible.”
“So, what about the reason we’re here? Get to it, man. The baby!”
“Perfect!” Cade beamed. “Seven pounds, eight ounces, twenty-two inches long, all fingers and toes, and got a great set of lungs.”
“And…” Matt prompted. “What is it?”
“Oh…that’s right. I forgot to tell you.”
“I swear you’re doing this on purpose… Spit it out!”
The man’s smile broadened as did his chest. “A boy. A son. I have a son. Come see him.” Cade was already halfway through the doors when Matt got over the shock of surprise and fell in line behind him. Tori was in the room just down the hall and Cade held the door open for Matt to enter.
Tori looked great with a huge smile on her face and a little bundle wrapped in a blue blanket in her arms. “It’s time for you to meet your uncle Matt.
” She adjusted the fold around the newborn’s face and Matt approached slowly, trying to focus.
For some odd reason there seemed to be some moisture crowding his vision.
“Oh my, Tori. He is amazing.” Matt laid his finger on top of the blanket fold to better see his new nephew’s face. It was claimed as if on cue, by a little fist that held on to it. And that little fist had reached right into his heart and staked their claim.
“This is Joseph Caden Lockwood. And this is your uncle Matt, and he will always watch out for you, too. Just like Momma and Daddy, will.”
“Hey, little man. What a grip. You’re going to be a baseball player.”
“A quarterback,” his dad corrected.
“A little boy with a mind of his own to choose for himself, gentlemen,” Tori corrected, already being the mother hen.
“He will be a little boy with awesome parents,” Matt added. “And a cousin who gave it up and crashed about an hour ago. Ally took her home to bed. But she’ll be here bright and early, I’m sure.”
“Speaking of bed—” the nurse stood just inside the door “—it’s time this youngster and his mom got some rest.”
Matt met his sister’s gaze. “She’s right. You won’t get much sleep for the next eighteen years or so. If your raising of us three is any indication.”
“What do you mean eighteen? I keep an eye open for you three… Always will.”
Matt leaned over and placed a kiss on her forehead.
He needed to make his exit before the darn moisture became blinding.
“See you in the morning, sis.” He gently squeezed the little fist that had let go of his finger.
“Take care of Mom, Joey. Big job you have ahead of you.” He turned to Cade and shook his hand.
“And you have the watch over them. Congrats, Dad.”
Matt dialed Ally’s number as soon as he was in his vehicle. She answered on the second ring. Her voice was lowered but sounded good to him even at a distance.
“It’s a boy. Perfect and so is Mom. Dad looks a little shaky,” he said with a laugh, “but they’re all settling in for sleep. Is Jillie awake?”
“No, she was out like a light almost before her head hit the pillow. That is great news—and congratulations, Uncle Matt.”
“Thanks. I’m very happy for us all.”