Chapter 8 #2
Del had been attracted to several girls over the years, but none affected him as Bridget had and he’d certainly never had to hide behind a desk to conceal a raging hard on.
The limited self-control he had over his physical response was embarrassing.
Yes, Bridget O’Malley was trouble with a capital ‘T’ and he planned to stay as far away from her as possible.
* * *
Juliana Kord was born at four forty-three that afternoon, weighing in at seven pounds even and twenty inches long.
Although her father was in the delivery room, he was there as a patient.
Mason’s unfortunate incident as Rebecca was calling it resulted in several stitches and a concussion.
Mason was in a wheelchair under doctor’s orders and was not, under any circumstances, to get out of it or he would be removed from the room.
Rebecca was very sweet and supportive to Mason now that she was no longer in pain and wanting to snatch him bald.
While he’d been able to hold Rebecca’s hand and offer encouragement during the delivery, his view had been somewhat obstructed, for which he would be eternally grateful.
So far, nothing had been what he expected and frankly, he didn’t think he could handle any more surprises.
Mason always prided himself on being a strong and capable man, able to handle any crisis.
Apparently, that did not extend to needles being pushed into the spine of the woman he loved while she screamed bloody murder.
Giving a shiver, he took the small bundle the nurse placed in his arms. Of course, she wouldn’t let him hold her without her assistance, but it was better than nothing.
“Isn’t she beautiful?” Rebecca whispered in awe. “I can’t believe we did it. I don’t think it was so bad. I mean after I got the shot, I felt much better and if you hadn’t .…”
Mason turned and looked at her, his eyes squinting in the bright light and his head pounding.
“It’s a good thing Rory and Nick were here, huh?
” she continued. “I mean they are family, right? It’s not like they laughed right in front of you and really you can’t be sure the laughing you heard coming from the waiting room was actually them, can you?
And even if it was, they did help get you up and onto the stretcher.
I think the ER doctor did a great job stitching you up, why there will hardly be any scar at all .
…” Rebecca rambled on. “I’m so glad we reserved a suite, aren’t you?
Now, at least you will be in the same room with Juliana and me instead of off somewhere on another floor for the night. ”
Mason’s arms were curved as though he still held his daughter, even after the nurse had scurried away with her moments before.
His mouth hung open in shock and his blue eyes stared at his wife, unable to process a single thought.
Not sure if it was the concussion or not, Mason snapped his mouth shut.
Better to not say anything at all, he thought, just before he blurted out.
“Is she on some kind of speed?” he asked Dr. Maxwell, who had his back to them and was making some sort of snorting sound.
“Not at all,” Dr. Maxwell replied quickly, trying to hide his amusement. Finally getting himself under control, he turned back to Mason and Rebecca.
“Women behave differently after a birth. Some women cry. Others are quite euphoric. Some women shake and tremble for several hours after and others fall right to sleep. Rebecca’s behavior is perfectly normal,” he told him. “Especially for Rebecca,” he smiled.
“Let’s finish up here and get both of you back to your room. I’m sure you’re ready to take that pain medication you refused earlier, Mason. At least I would recommend it. It’s been quite a day and I’m sure your family is chomping at the bit to see that little girl. She certainly is pretty.”
“Isn’t she, Doctor Maxwell?” Rebecca chimed in. “I’m just amazed at how perfect she is. I might just never put her down at all,” she continued, looking at Mason out of the corner of her eye and remembering that she still had not found Mason’s book.
“Rebecca, it would not be good for you or the baby to hold her all the time. I’m sure your pediatrician would not recommend it. Infants need time alone in their beds to stretch and move around.”
Rebecca worried her bottom lip. Mason was still squinting at her and she wasn’t at all sure it was from the lighting.
“Well it might not be good for her,” Rebecca agreed, “but I’ll bet it would do wonders for me.”
By the time Rebecca, Mason, and Juliana were settled in their room it was dark outside. Nick and Maggie, Rory and Tess, and Bridget were all waiting patiently. They had already seen the baby in the nursery after she was born, but all of them wanted to see the proud parents.
Flowers decorated the window sill and brightly wrapped packages had started to appear as the aides brought in gifts that had been delivered.
There was much kissing and hugging, and of course the inevitable back slapping, but on a much lighter note due to the unfortunate incident.
Mason took the medication the nurse brought him and seemed in a much-improved mood.
Rebecca had wound down and her lids were starting to droop, so Maggie gathered her things and began to shoo everyone off.
“We should let these two get some rest, Lord knows they won’t get any at home for the first few weeks. Rebecca, you call me if there is anything at all you need, and Mason, if you need help, don’t be afraid to ask.”
“Yes, Mason,” Rory coughed behind his fist. “Is there anything Nick or I can do for you before we leave? Like maybe get you a blindfold, just in case you have to look at anymore needles?”
Nick busted out laughing, while Tess slapped Rory’s arm.
“That is not very nice, Rory. I am ashamed for you. It could happen to anyone on such a day as this,” she told him, her dark eyes flashing.
“That’s nice guys, really nice,” Mason shot back. “Just remember your time is coming and I hope I’m around when it does. It’s okay, Tess, I appreciate you sticking up for me, but believe me I can handle both of these guys on my own.”
“Yeah,” Nick jumped in smirking, “as long as there’s no blood or anything.”
“Just get out of here and let my wife get some rest, will you? You don’t have to bother hurrying back either.”
Rebecca had dozed off and they all trooped out of the room quietly. Nick and Maggie took Bridget as they had to go pick up their kids anyway. Tess and Rory called goodnight as they made their way across the parking lot to his car.
“So, where to now?” he asked softly. The interior lights in the car were not bright enough for her to read his expression.
“I do not know,” Tess answered.
“Tess, I want you to come home. I thought you understood that this morning?”
“I did, I am just not sure it is the right thing to do. We have many differences, Rory. Maybe too many,” she whispered, her head bent forward, her dark hair swinging to block her face.