Guarding Me (8 page)
Maya gritted her teeth. No time for an epidural! What the hell? She gripped the arms of the maternity bed and groaned. She’d never felt pain so bad in her entire life.
“Don’t push, honey, but breathe,” Molly said. She wiped the sweat off Maya’s forehead. “You’re doing fine.”
Don’t push.
Maya continued the breathing exercises, but whispered a curse. Where the hell was Levi? Another wave of pain hit and she doubled over as much as possible. Damn Nicky for doing this to her. Where the hell was he? Probably in a hot tub with four hotties. She wished his junk would shrivel up and fall off in the scalding water.
Clad in scrubs and wearing a mask, another figure was herded into the room. She knew that walk. Levi. Thank God. Maya reached for his hand.
“I’m here for you, babe.” He squeezed her fingers. “Always.”
The pain hit hard and she dug her nails into his palm. She tried to remember the breathing exercises, but damn. The harder she concentrated, the more she swore her body would rip in half. Molly dotted Maya’s forehead with a rag.
“There’s the head,” her doctor said in a calm tone. “You’re doing well. We need one more good push.”
“I can’t,” Maya wailed. She didn’t have another ounce of strength left in her body. She’d never be able to do this. She gritted her teeth. “I hate you, Nicky, and I want you to rot in hell.” With all her might, she pushed. “Oh. My. God.” She clenched her eyes shut. If her lousy ex couldn’t take responsibility for the child, the least he could do was disappear into a mammoth hole in the ground. The pressure in her lower torso swelled, then released.
“It’s a girl.”
Maya opened her eyes. She wasn’t sure who spoke, but she knew what they said. Molly draped the baby across Maya’s chest, then covered them both with a sheet.
“You make pretty babies,” Levi said. He kissed Maya on the temple, then trailed his fingers over the little girl’s peach fuzz head. “Really pretty.”
“You take some of the credit. We’re a family.” She rubbed her nose along the baby’s forehead. “I’m your mommy and this is your daddy.”
“Maya?” Levi gripped the rail along the side of the birthing bed. “Are you sure?”
“Let’s clean her off and run the tests while we get you settled in your room.” Molly wrapped a new wristband around Maya’s wrist, then added one around the child’s ankle. “There. Daddy?” She secured a third band around Levi’s wrist. “Now no one can remove the baby from this floor without you or the father’s approval.”
Reality sank in as Molly wheeled Maya to a recovery room. Maya blinked back tears. She had a baby. She’d done it, and now she had the love of her life by her side and the job of her dreams. She’d have to marry Levi—not that marrying him would be a hardship. She couldn’t wait to be his wife. But so many changes in less than a year...she wouldn’t change a moment.
Five minutes later, Levi knocked on her door. He held a pink teddy bear and a bouquet of pink roses. “Would you like some company?”
“You know I would.” She smiled and sagged against the sheets. Damn, having a baby took the strength right out of a person. “Come here.”
He crossed the expanse to her and settled on the armchair beside her. “You’re a brave solider,” he said and kissed her. “Brave under fire.” He handed her the flowers. “These are for you and the bear is for the peanut. Thought of a good name for her?”
“I don’t feel brave,” she murmured. “I was scared.”
“Fear is healthy. Coming to Ohio was scary as fuck, but I’m glad I did. Brought me to you.”
“I love you, too.” Maya breathed in the sweet scent of the flowers. “I’ve got a couple of ideas for her. What is your mother’s name?”
“Jill...well, Jillian.” The tips of his ears burned. “Why?”
Molly knocked on the door. “Hey, you two. You’ve got a visitor. Are you ready?”
Levi brushed a lock of her damp hair from her forehead. “The kid is lucky to have you.”
“And you, too.” She folded her hands. “I’ve decided on the baby’s name. Grace Jillian McCombs. When Molly brings her back, that’s what’s going on the birth certificate. I don’t have to list him, and if he’s not going to stick around, I don’t see the need. I’ll show her pictures and won’t keep her from him, but this is the best option.” Her heart lightened as she voiced her decision. Things with Nicky were all out of whack, and she couldn’t count on him for anything, but she wouldn’t have to go it alone. She had Levi and Grace, as well as her sisters. Life couldn’t be better.
“This is one visitor I know you’re going to want.” Molly grinned in the doorway. “She’s all ready for you.” She wheeled the bassinet into the room. “Here’s your mommy and daddy.” Once she parked the bassinet, Molly scooped the infant into her arms, then handed the baby to Maya. “Congratulations. Family portrait time!”
Maya snuggled Grace against her chest. Tears burned behind her eyes. “Levi? That means you, too.” She couldn’t see her life without him.
“Are you sure?” He froze in his seat. “We keep saying daddy, but—”
She silenced him with a look. He had second thoughts? She worried he might. Babies tended to put pressure on even the strongest relationships. “Nicky provided the semen, but you’ve provided so much more. You’re my best friend, soon to be my husband and you’ve been there for me when lots of other guys would’ve walked. I love you. You’re her father and my lover forever. If you’ve got any doubts, you need to tell me now.”
“No doubts. Just overwhelmed.” Levi perched on the bed beside her and draped his arm around her. “You’re a strong woman, and I was afraid you’d decide I wasn’t good enough. I love you, too.”
Not good enough? She couldn’t find a better man. “You’re exactly who we need and the one I want.”
“Cheese,” Molly said with a giggle. “You two are so adorbs.”
The flash blinded Maya for a moment, but she didn’t care. She blinked back more tears. She rested her head on Levi’s shoulder. “I’m glad I’ve got you to fall back on when I come apart. You’re my rock.”
“I’ll guard you both forever.” He smoothed his hand over hers in the baby’s blanket. “But now you do have to marry me.”
“I’m ready right now.” No matter what happened, she had exactly what she needed—the dog, the child and the man. Perfect.
Levi draped his arm around Maya’s shoulders. The last three years had been filled with days he’d never trade. Seeing Gracie grow up and discover the world opened his eyes to so many things he’d dismissed, like butterflies, the bright yellow of dandelions and the soft fur of kitties. Peaches trotted up to the three-year-old and flopped down beside her. In the last thirty-six months, the little dog had learned how to get along with the stinky, noisy addition to the house. He snorted. Hell, Peaches loved Gracie like she would her own child and got along with Gracie’s kitten, Pickles. But the best part was witnessing Maya come into her own as a parent. Her patience with both Peaches and Gracie knew no bounds some days.
He’d been there through the ups and downs. The teething troubles, the all night cry-fests, the giggles and the smiles were all worth it. Being able to sign his name on the adoption papers ranked near the top of his accomplishments list, right below marrying Maya. He watched his adopted daughter squealing and running around the new plastic playhouse.
“Daddy! Love!” Gracie clapped her hands, then darted into the play house. “Adorbs!” Peaches stood, shook, then galloped beside her little human. Pickles lay stretched out on the patio at Maya’s feet.
“She picked up on that phrase pretty quickly,” he remarked. “Wonder where she learned that?” He massaged Maya’s shoulder. “We should con Adaline into teaching her another phrase.”
“Molly didn’t help matters much. We visited her at the hospital the other day and that’s all she kept saying.”
He watched Gracie open the plastic doors to the windows, then dart out the front door. “Think we should tell her?”
“It’s time.” Maya rubbed her stomach. “If we wait much longer, she’ll see my belly and figure it out.” She turned her attention to their daughter. “Gracie?”
“Mommy!” The two year old sprinted across the lawn.
Of all the things he’d been able to give the both of them, he prided himself on buying a house with a backyard in a good neighborhood. Grace deserved a place to grow up and enjoy her childhood.
Maya led Gracie to the patio chair and tugged her onto her lap. “Daddy and I need to tell you something.” She slid the package across the table. “Since it’s your birthday, we’ve got another surprise for you.”
“Open it, baby girl,” Levi coaxed.
Gracie grinned, then tore the paper on the box. Soon, the cardboard landed in a heap with the paper at Maya’s feet. “A shirt.” Gracie frowned. “I have shirts.”
“Look at the picture.” Maya smoothed the garment out on the table. “See? A big girl and a baby. You’re going to be a big sister.”
Gracie stared at the image for a moment, then looked at Levi. “I want a brother.” She folded her arms and notched her chin in the air. “Yep, a brother.” The little girl slid off Maya’s lap and raced back to her playhouse with the dog at her heels. Go figure, the three-year-old knew just what she wanted—precisely like her mother.
“I hope you made the right combination.” Maya waved her hand. “I’m just the oven.”
Levi tipped his head back and laughed. No matter what they had—boy or girl—he got what he wanted. He reached across the table and twined his fingers with hers. Of all the diners in the world, he walked into hers and hell, yeah for deciding to eat there. He’d found his heart and his wildest dreams in her arms. Best deal of all.
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