Leah
Lee, please. She can't die …
My brother's strangled words crescendo on repeat in my head. He called me in a panic less than an hour ago, barely able to speak, barely able to breathe.
Rachel was being rushed back for an emergency C-section because her placenta detached from the uterus. She was losing a lot of blood, and the baby—my precious niece or nephew who I'm supposed to spoil—was in distress.
I barely let Matt finish before grabbing my keys and heading out into the cold. He and Mom left the conference immediately, but with the roads icing over between Dallas and Houston, there's no telling how long it'll take them to get here.
An older woman with a new-grandma glow holds the unit door open for me as I hurry onto the labor and delivery floor and down the hallway to the nurse's station. With the well-being of my sister-in-law and the baby in the balance, I swallow the sob clawing up my throat and search for a nurse.
Behind the desk, a petite, older woman in scrubs talks into her work phone while keeping a watchful eye on a large monitor mounted to the wall. She ends the call as I approach.
Recognition knocks the breath from my lungs. Her hair is different now, the short braids replaced by natural curls, but there’s no mistaking those kind, deep brown eyes—especially since she was the one who gave me a voice when I didn't know I had one.
“It's … it's you.”
Mrs. Wanda's expression warms as a large smile beams across her face. “Leah.” She abandons her tasks and comes around the desk, pulling me into her arms. “Look at you,” she murmurs, squeezing me tight. “Baby, I have thought about you more times than you know.”
A laugh breaks out of me, tangled with my tears. “Gosh, I've thought about you, too. So much.” My voice cracks as my arms tighten around her, and suddenly, I can't make myself let go.
Mrs. Wanda doesn't move or loosen her hold. She simply rubs a slow hand up and down my back, letting me cling to her for as long as I need.
“Are you safe, baby?” she asks softly.
I nod. “You saved me.”
She immediately draws back, her hands settling on my shoulders. “Baby, you're the one that did that. I just pointed you in the right direction.”
They say angels walk among us, and I'm convinced this woman is one of them. She found me on the darkest day of my life, and somehow, I know this moment isn't a coincidence.
“Listen, I'm looking for—” my lip trembles as I wipe frantically at my cheeks. “Sorry. I'm looking for Rachel Barnett. She's my sister-in-law.”
Every trace of reunion disappears from Mrs. Wanda's face as she takes my hand. “Come with me.”
The PACU is small and dark, the silence broken by the soft tinkering of monitors.
Rachel lies asleep beneath layers of white blankets, an oxygen mask covering her face.
Her skin is frighteningly pale and swollen—I almost don't recognize her.
Wires and IV lines seem to run everywhere, one of them disappearing into a bag of deep red solution that I can only assume is blood.
“This is Larissa,” Mrs. Wanda starts, “one of our finest nurses up here.”
A youthful woman with her hair tucked beneath a scrub cap listens to Rachel's chest with a stethoscope before offering me a gentle smile. “Nice to meet you. Are you family?”
“She's the best sister ever.”
We all turn in shock as Rachel's eyes flutter open.
“Oh my gosh, hi …” I whisper as the tears return. I squeeze into the narrow space beside her bed and search under her covers for her hand. Her fingers are ice-cold, her entire body shivering against mine. “She's freezing,” I say, looking at Larissa.
She nods. “She’s got a warming blanket on, so we’re keeping her nice and warm,” she reassures. “The shaking can look scary, but it’s normal after delivery, especially with her blood loss and all the hormonal changes happening at once. We’re watching her closely.”
I curl both hands around Rachel's, trying to give her whatever heat I have. “Gosh, I am so happy to see you.” My lips quiver. “How are you feeling?”
“Eh … I've been better.”
We share a short chuckle.
“And … um, the baby?” I glance to the nurses. “Is the baby okay?”
“She's in NICU,” Rachel answers.
“She?” My voice cracks. “We have a baby girl?”
“You have a niece, Aunt Leah.” Rachel's grin widens. “I guess I'm gonna have to finally learn how to French braid.”
“No way. That's my job.” I nudge her. “That will always be my job.” I turn to Mrs. Wanda and Larissa. “Can we go see her? Is she okay?”
Mrs. Wanda gives me a reassuring smile. “They're getting her settled in the NICU right now. A team of practitioners and nurses are working quickly around her to do some initial tests and images. As soon as they give us the okay, and Rachel is well enough, we'll get you over there.”
“Which might be a little while,” Larissa adds gently. “Rachel still needs a few more units of blood, and we need to keep a close eye on her for that.”
I look down at our joined hands, my excitement giving way to another swell of worry.
Mrs. Wanda pulls a chair closer to the bed, and I sink into it without letting go of Rachel's hand.
“You were supposed to rest,” I remind her softly. “That's why I dropped you off after unloading all of the paint, so you could put your feet up and do absolutely nothing.”
“I know.” Rachel shifts beneath the blankets, wincing. “I didn't want to worry you. But I was so uncomfortable after you left. Matt suggested I was just being miserable and pregnant.”
“Rach, I've been telling you for years: my brother is an idiot.”
“Well aware.” She chuffs. “I finally called the after-hours line, and they said I was describing contractions. So. I decided to come get checked out—just to make sure, y’know?”
“And you didn't think to call me?”
“I didn't want to bother you.”
“Rach …” I exhale heavily, shaking my head. “Where did you slip?”
“In the parking lot. I stepped on a patch of ice and went down so quickly. I barely even registered what had happened until suddenly it felt like something was ripping through me.”
I wince. “Is that what caused it?” I ask, turning to Larissa. “Her falling? Is that why the placenta separated?”
“It's likely,” she says gently. “A hard fall can sometimes cause the placenta to pull away from the uterus. I hate that this happened to you, but I'm so glad you were already here.” Larissa steps closer to the bed. “Alright, sweetie, I need to rub on your tummy and check your bleeding.”
While the nurse takes care of her, my phone vibrates in my purse. I pull it from a side pocket, and the name COWBOY glows across the screen. I smile, but now isn't the time. My thumb taps ignore.
“Was that Matt?” Rachel asks.
“No. I texted Mom when I checked in downstairs. I'll call them in a minute.” I shrug off my coat. “That was actually Nick. He's probably just now getting home.”
The corner of Rachel’s mouth curls. “I … don't think he is.”
“Why?”
“Because he just left here.”
I stare at her. “What do you mean?”
“He's the one who found me, Leah. Out in the parking lot. He found me and called for help. Then he came up here with me, did my anesthesia for the C-section.”
“Nick did? My Nick?”
She nods, hiding her budding smile. “He never left me. Even after they brought me in here, he sat with me.”
My heart flutters behind my ribs, and for a moment, happiness pushes through all the fear. I almost feel guilty for letting myself feel it.
You're a good man, Nick Crawford.
“I'm … not sure if he knew I was related to you. If he did, he didn't mention it. He was completely focused on me and the baby.”
“Dr. Crawford?” Larissa chimes in. “He's the best. He bends over backwards for his patients.” She lowers her voice. “I've seen him go toe-to-toe with some doctors to advocate for his patients. He's good people.”
Rachel squeezes my hand again and hums. “I get it now.”
“Get what?”
“Why you're falling in love with him.”
“Rachel.” Heat rushes into my cheeks as I catch Larissa sneaking a glance in my direction.
It's too soon—I know it is.
But … is it possible to love someone even when I'm not ready to be in love?
Gosh, admitting that would make it so real, like this is actually happening. A secret part of me is terrified that the second I do, this beautiful little fairy tale I've stumbled into will burst.
I just managed to fit what was left of me back together.
My thumb brushes over Rachel's hand as I gather myself. “So … can we finally talk names, or are those still a secret?”
***
“Lee?”
My brother’s voice pulls me from my sleep. I lift my head from the side of Rachel’s bed, momentarily confused by the dim room and the ache running from my neck into my shoulder.
They moved Rachel into a quiet, private room after her extended recovery in the PACU. She's still receiving blood and will more than likely get two more units over night, but her coloring has improved.
Nurses have been in and out all evening, checking monitors, pushing medications into her IV, and making sure she's comfortable. Whatever they gave her for the pain finally pulled her into a deep sleep.
I guess exhaustion must've caught up with me, too. I yawn, stretching my back as I push myself out of the chair.
My brother instantly hugs me, holding on so tightly I can feel him shaking. “Thank you,” he whispers into my hair. “Thank you for being here with her. With both of them.”
“Of course.” My throat closes as I squeeze him harder. “You don't ever have to thank me for that.”
He stays there another moment before finally letting me go, and I wipe beneath my eyes. “What time is it?”
“Little after midnight.”
I cover another yawn, looking at my phone.
Two missed calls from COWBOY.
“Wow, y'all made really excellent time.”
“God really put a hedge of protection around us. All of us.” He exhales heavily. “I dropped Mom off at the house because the roads are awful.”
“I'm sure she loved that.”
He chuckles. “She’s already texted me six times about freezer meals and a church meal train and that I need to post something on social media.”
“Priorities, Matthew.” I mimic my mother’s voice as we share a knowing look.
His gaze shifts to Rachel. “How is she?”
“Stable. She’s been sleeping for a while. Have you heard anything about the baby?”
“You mean my baby girl?” Matt's expression softens. “I briefly talked with the nurses. They say she’s doing okay. I decided to drop off my bags and change.”
“So you haven't seen her yet?”
He shakes his head. “I was about to. You ready to go meet her?”
“Me?” I stare at him. “Matt, this is the first time you’re meeting your daughter. I’m not barging in on that.”
“You're not barging in.”
“Yes, I am. Go meet your baby.”
“Lee.” His smile grows. “Seems like the perfect time for her to meet her namesake.”
Everything inside me stills.
“What?”
“We're still deciding on her first name,” he says, suddenly looking a little sheepish. “But her middle name was never really up for debate. We want it to be the same as yours. Grace.”
For once, absolutely nothing comes out of my mouth.
“I don't think you were supposed to tell me that yet.” I finally manage, pressing my fingers to my lips as fresh tears fill my eyes.
“Oh no, that was our deal. That I got to tell you first.” Matt wraps an arm around my shoulder. “So, Aunt Leah. You coming or what?”
“Let's go meet our girl.”
***
The NICU is another world compared to the rest of the hospital. The rooms are warm and dimly lit, some with soft glows of neon blue. Machines whir and chirp in every direction. Matt stays close as we scrub our hands and follow a front desk clerk through unit.
“Mr. Barnett?”
A woman in a white coat approaches us. “I'm Dr. Amina Rahim, one of the neonatologists caring for your daughter.”
Matt's face changes at the word daughter. “How is she?”
“She's a tough one.” Dr. Rahim smiles gently. “She's had a difficult start—an early one at that—but she's exactly where she needs to be. Come on. I'll take you to her.”
Matt reaches for my hand as we follow Dr. Rahim farther into the unit. She stops at a set of sliding glass doors marked BARNETT, GIRL and leads us inside, pulling back the privacy curtain around her bed.
I make it one step before all the air leaves my lungs.
Someone is already beside her, hunched forward in his scrubs, quietly talking to her through the incubator in his charming drawl.