Chapter 11
Mac couldn’t take another minute of watching his beloved wife writhe in pain as she struggled to bring their child into the world. It was, without a doubt, the most excruciating thing he’d ever endured.
Despite the room full of people supporting them, no one could imagine his torment at knowing he was fully responsible for putting her through this.
His mother, Maddie’s mother, Victoria the nurse-midwife, Janey and, of all people, Janey’s deadbeat ex-fiancé Dr. David Lawrence, were tending to Maddie as she worked through something they called transition. Whatever that was. To Mac, it seemed like pure torture.
From his position behind Maddie, he could feel her convulse when every new pain gripped her body. Sweat had long since soaked through her nightgown, dampening his shirt. Even though he couldn’t bear to see her in so much pain, he couldn’t bring himself to leave her either.
“Mac,” Victoria said, possibly sensing his dismay. She was young and pretty with a ponytail of curly brown hair and hazel eyes that brimmed with kindness and calming energy. “Why don’t you get some more ice chips.”
Thankful for the generator that was running the refrigerator and freezer during the blackout, Mac eased himself off the bed and settled Maddie against the pile of pillows that had been propping them up. He kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back, okay?”
She nodded, but he doubted she’d heard him.
Her eyes were glazed with pain, her face red from exertion, and to him, she’d never been more beautiful.
Wanting to get right back to her, he hurried downstairs where his father, Joe and Ned were sprawled out on sofas.
One of them had added wood to the fireplace, which cast a cozy glow over the big room.
Mac went into the kitchen and stopped short when the magnitude of the situation struck him once again.
Maddie was giving birth—two months early—on the island in the middle of a tropical storm that had cut them off from the mainland.
His chest tightened with pain. Fumbling around in the dark, he gripped the countertop and held on as the room spun around him.
Jesus, I can’t flake out on her now. Get it together, man!
Strong hands landed on his shoulders and stopped the spinning.
“It’s okay, son,” his father said. “You’re okay.”
Mac turned into his father’s arms the same way he had at seven when he crashed his first two-wheeler. The embrace was no less comforting at thirty-seven.
“Take a deep breath,” Big Mac said as he ran a hand up and down Mac’s back.
Their father’s effusive love used to mortify his children. Tonight, in the darkness of crisis, it was downright comforting.
“Scariest thing I’ve ever been through in my life,” Big Mac said. “Five times. Never got any easier.”
Mac shuddered at the idea of doing this four more times. No way. He was never going near her again. “I’ll be keeping my distance after this.”
Big Mac let out a great big laugh. “You say that now. Wait until she gets the green light at six weeks. You’ll have forgotten all about tonight.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever forget tonight.”
Big Mac released him but kept a hand on Mac’s shoulder. “She’ll be just fine. I know it. That gal is strong and resilient. That’s why you love her. That’s why we all love her.”
Mac glanced up at his dad. “What about the baby? It’s so early . . .”
“The baby is a McCarthy. He or she won’t give up without a fight.”
Nodding, Mac let his father’s faith and confidence bolster him. “I need to get some ice chips and get back up there.” He set the icemaker on the fridge to crush and filled a plastic cup.
“Mac.”
Turning back to his father, he raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever said this before, but I want you to know how proud I am of the father you’ve become to Thomas. It takes a special kind of man to raise another man’s child. He’s lucky to have you, and this new one will be, too.”
Damn if that didn’t have Mac blinking back tears. “I’ve certainly had the best possible example to follow.”
Big Mac enveloped him in another tight hug and kissed the top of his head. “Go take care of your wife, son. I’m here if you need me.”
Fortified by his father’s love, Mac headed for the door. Turning back, he said, “Thanks, Dad.”
Big Mac nodded and smiled. “Any time.”
On his way upstairs, Mac said a silent prayer of thanks that his father had survived the accident earlier in the summer.
What would I ever do without him? Thankfully, he didn’t have to find out any time soon.
His father had given him the strength to help Maddie through the last stage of labor.
Soon they’d have a new baby to love, and all at once, Mac was excited rather than terrified.
“Oh, good, you’re back,” Victoria said when Mac stepped into the room. “We’re ready to push, Dad.”
Mac handed the cup of ice chips to Francine so she could feed them to Maddie, and resumed his position behind his wife. He was relieved that she seemed to have lost the glazed look and now seemed more focused and determined. He tucked himself in close to her and put his arms around her.
“Are you ready, baby?” he whispered in her ear.
“I think so.”
“I’m right here, and I love you so much.”
“Love you, too. Sorry I didn’t listen to you. You were right.”
Normally, he’d jump all over that. “None of that is important now. All that matters is you and the baby.”
“Okay, Maddie,” Victoria said from her position between Maddie’s legs. “On the next contraction, let’s give it a big push.”
Janey and Linda were holding Maddie’s legs. David was across the room preparing to receive the baby, and Francine seemed to be in charge of pacing from one end of the room to the other.
While they waited for the contraction, Mac ran a cool cloth over Maddie’s face and neck.
“Feels good,” she murmured, sounding sleepy.
He felt the tension seep back into her body as the next contraction made its presence known. “Here we go, honey.”
She gripped his arms so tightly he was sure there’d be bruises, not that he cared. “Mac,” she said, sounding frantic for the first time.
He focused on remaining calm for her. “I’m here, honey. I’m right here.”
“Scared. The baby . . .”
“She’s a McCarthy,” he said, borrowing his father’s words. “She’ll be just fine.”
The next hour was a blur of contractions and pushing and sweating. Mac had no idea how Maddie could withstand the pain. Watching her go through this was beyond unbearable.
“One more good push,” Victoria said, endlessly cheerful.
“I can’t,” Maddie said, her voice noticeably weaker. Tears streamed down her face.
Mac wiped them away with another cool cloth. “Yes, you can. I know you can.”
She shook her head, whimpering as the next contraction began.
“Here we go,” Victoria said. “Big push, Maddie.”
With both arms around her, Mac gave her everything he had, wishing he could do it for her.
Maddie let out an unholy shriek of agony as the baby emerged into Victoria’s waiting hands. “It’s a girl!”
The room erupted in excitement as the baby’s grandmothers and aunt got a first look at her.
“Oh, God, Maddie,” Mac said. “Look! There she is! She’s beautiful.” She was also small and blue and silent. A stab of fear caught him in the belly. They couldn’t lose her now. Not after all that Maddie had gone through to give birth to her.
As soon as Victoria cut the cord, David took the baby from her and went to work across the room while the midwife tended to Maddie.
With tears running down his face, Mac held Maddie, kissing her face and then her lips when she turned into his embrace. “You did it, honey. I’m so proud of you.”
“Baby,” she said between panting breaths. “Why don’t I hear her?”
“David’s with her. He’s taking care of her.
” Mac’s heart pounded as one minute became two, then three and four, the silence deafening.
Desperate to take Maddie’s mind off the silence, Mac said, “What’ll we name her?
” They’d bandied about a variety of names but hadn’t settled on one since they’d thought they had two more months to decide.
“How about Hailey, after the storm?” Maddie said.
Even though Mac would prefer to forget about the damned storm, he couldn’t deny that the name seemed to fit. “That’d be perfect.” He kissed her again, glancing at David, who was bent over the baby. “David? Is she okay?”
After another charged moment of silence, David straightened and turned to them, holding the baby wrapped in a receiving blanket.
“She’s pink and perfect, with ten toes, ten fingers and from my guess, weighing in at just under five pounds.
I suspect you were further along in your pregnancy than you thought. Congratulations, Mom and Dad.”
As David put the baby in Maddie’s arms, Mac experienced a moment of gratitude so profound it hurt. They were fine. They were both fine. Thank God.
“Oh,” Linda said, “she’s so beautiful! Welcome to the world, Hailey McCarthy!” She bent to kiss her new granddaughter’s forehead.
Wiping away tears, Francine followed suit.
“Let’s give the new family some time to get acquainted,” Victoria said, ushering everyone from the room.
When they were alone with their new baby, Maddie tugged at her nightgown. “Will you help me get this off?”
Since taking off her nightgown was usually one of his favorite pastimes, Mac was glad to help out. As soon as she was free of the gown, he watched in stunned amazement as she guided the baby to her breast.
Tiny pink lips rooted around frantically.
Maddie stroked the baby’s cheek, whispering words of encouragement until she finally latched on.
“Oh,” Mac said, filled with amazement. “Look at that!”
Maddie glanced up at him, a victorious smile gracing her gorgeous face. “We did it.”
“You did it.” He reached for her free hand and brought it to his lips. “I’ve never loved you more than I do right now.”
“Were you scared?”
“Nah. I had complete faith in you.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Sure, you did.”
Mac laughed at her skeptical reply. He could fool a lot of people, but no one knew him the way his beautiful wife did. “I’m just glad it’s over.”