Ross 04 Take Me On (33 page)

The last nurse who’d checked Gabby had told them she was halfway there.

Kelsey stroked Gabby’s hair, her other hand holding Gabby’s tight. “You’re doing great. Remember to breathe through it,” she told her, leaning down to be close to her face. He felt that was where he needed to be, but Kelsey had been through this before and was no doubt a much better coach than he could ever be. So he rubbed Gabby’s back, trying to let her know any way he could that he was here for her.

The Rosses had all shown up a few hours after Ian and Gabby reached the hospital. It was now early afternoon. Brian and Evan had come in periodically, but Gabby had shooed them out when the worst of the pains began. She’d said she couldn’t maintain her “scary big sister” status with them if they saw her beaten down. Candace had fearlessly remained even though she was due at any time. Brian had tried to talk her into staying home, but she’d said she wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Ian had called his own mother and let her know the day was upon them. She hadn’t answered, but he’d left her a message. Whether or not she cared she was about to be a grandmother, it was on all her head now. He’d done all he could.

It would’ve been nice to have family of his own bloodline here for the birth, but it didn’t matter. Gabriella was working hard, going through hell, to give him that. Today.

She couldn’t lie still. From her back, to one side, to the other, finally back to her original position, she writhed and moaned. He fed her ice chips; he told her how strong she was and how well she was doing. How beautiful she was and how much he loved her. But if he could take every bit of pain away from her and bear it himself, he would.

Especially when she looked up at him with agony in her eyes and said, “Ian, I can’t do this.”

All right. He was gonna find the fucking doctor and drag him in here by the scruff of his neck. He’d have gone right then too, if she hadn’t had such an iron grip on his hand. “Yes, you can, baby. But let me go see what’s going on.”

“Don’t leave me.”

He cast a helpless glance up at Kelsey, who nodded and left the bedside. Mrs. Ross and Candace followed her out, and Gabby sighed with relief. “I hate to say it, but I’d rather them stay out,” she said.

“Are you sure?”

“I only want you.”

Jesus, he didn’t know if he could handle this. He’d gone to the birthing classes with her, but now that the situation was here, it felt like throwing a rookie cop into a roomful of crossfire or something. He gently stroked her forehead. “Tell me what I can do for you.”

She cringed and squeezed his hand as another contraction wrenched her, forcing a pained growl from her throat. “Breathe, baby, breathe,” he said, for lack of anything better. Besides, even he could tell she wasn’t doing it—she was fighting the pain. But at his prompting, she began taking slow breaths. He watched the readouts on the fetal monitor connected to her. Her contractions were getting more intense.

“Did every
fucking
woman in the city go into labor today?” she demanded suddenly through clenched teeth, and he had to laugh, though he quickly clamped down on it. A demon could’ve been speaking through her voice. “Is it a full moon?”

“I don’t know. You’re doing awesome. Have I told you lately how beautiful you are?”

It was true, even if she was bathed in sweat and pale with her hair plastered mostly over her face. “I’m gonna throw up.”

“Well, damn, I’m sorry—”

“No, I mean I’m gonna literally freaking
throw up
, Ian.”

“Oh.” Shit. He made a grab for the wastebasket by her bed, but after she breathed steadily for a few minutes, her wave of nausea passed.

“I can’t believe my mother went through this three times,” she said finally, as her contraction eased. “All for us to be little shits to her at one point or another. She must’ve wanted to slap the crap out of us. Especially Brian.”

“My mom always said there’s a reason I’m an only child. Apparently, I nearly killed her.”

“Great. You’ve probably put some kind of monster baby in me or something.”

“Nah.” He stroked her belly as best he could around her monitor belt. “He or she will be perfect.”

“Do you have any regrets that we didn’t find out the sex?”

“Nope.” It didn’t matter to him in the least. Boy or girl—his only hope was for health and happiness. Besides, the anticipation, the not knowing, was exciting.

The anesthesiologist came shortly after, and Ian helped her through getting a needle in her spine—one of the hardest things he’d ever had to watch in his life. But as she lay back afterward and sighed in absolute relief even when her next contraction was damn near off the chart, he was glad for it. Gabby still didn’t feel well, so her family was gracious enough to retreat to the waiting room.

And finally, as the day advanced into evening, it was time. Ian held her as she pushed, watching in astonishment as his child, their child, came into the world. Cheers went up from the staff. Tiny, pink, wrinkled, perfect…and, after a brief moment during which Ian held his breath, squalling with a strength that made him nearly collapse in relief.

His daughter.

He wasn’t the only one ready to collapse. Gabby’s head rolled onto his shoulder, her chest still heaving from her exertions. She laughed breathlessly, and he wrapped his arms around her. His voice was half strangled with emotion. “You did it, sweetie. I love you so much.”

“I love you,” she whispered.

“Can you see her?” he asked, watching as the nurses…did whatever they did to the poor little angel. If he hadn’t been so near tears, he might have laughed at his tiny daughter’s outraged cry.

“I can. She’s beautiful.”

“Like you.”

It seemed forever before the nurse brought her over and laid her on Gabby’s chest. Ian crawled onto the bed as best he could, arms around them both, staring down at their miraculous little creation. Already, she looked so much like her mom, but he could see a resemblance to some of his own baby pictures too. Her eyes opened and peered at the world around her; she grasped their fingers in turn with surprising strength.

Gabby unwrapped her blanket and touched her miniature, almost transparent toes in wonder. “Oh my God,” she said, tears in her voice. “She’s so perfect. So incredibly perfect.”

Ian placed a gentle kiss on the side of his wife’s damp forehead. Besides his daughter, she was still the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Then he stroked the baby’s forehead, marveling at the softness of her skin.

“Are we still good with the name?” Gabby asked.

“Lia? I think it fits her. I love it.”

“Me too.” She spoke to the baby in a cooing voice. “Hi, Lia, sweetheart. Mommy loves you.” She turned her head and kissed Ian on the lips. “And Mommy loves Daddy.”

Daddy. Wow. He’d contemplated the moment when he could truly consider himself a father, but nothing,
nothing
had prepared him for it. The absolute awe and wonder and love and mind-numbing terror.

He couldn’t promise he would never let this little girl down, but he could damn sure promise that nothing would ever,
ever
hurt her while he had breath in his lungs. Her, or the wonderful woman who’d given him the only thing he’d ever truly wanted in his life.

A family.

It was a rare thing, really, for all of the Rosses to be in the same place at the same time. Holidays and births…that was pretty much it. But Gabby was thankful for each and every time. Especially this one.

She was exhausted, sore, still a little woozy, and her epidural hadn’t worn off yet…and she’d never been happier in her life than she was right now. Snuggling her daughter close in her recovery room while Ian snapped picture after picture—yeah, he’d really taken to the photography thing, and he was a natural at it. He’d taken too many pregnancy portraits of her to ever count.

“Ian! That’s enough.” She laughed when it seemed the sound of the shutter would never stop.

He grinned at her and snapped one more of baby Lia’s sleeping little face. “I can’t help it.”

“But you aren’t in any of them,” Gianna said.

“She’s right,” Gabby told him.

“Here, dude, I got it.” Brian stepped forward and took the camera from Ian. “Get over there.”

They posed as a family, and Brian turned out to be quite the photographer himself. Naturally, he thought himself better than Ian, which resulted in a brief, good-natured cut-down contest that had everyone laughing.

“I’ll return the favor when the time comes,” Ian said, gesturing to Candace. She’d long since sat and put her feet up. Poor thing. Her ankles were so swollen. Gabby could sympathize.

“Let’s hope that’s sooner rather than later,” she said wearily.

“Really?” Kelsey asked. “Today didn’t scare you to death?”

“It doesn’t matter much,” Candace replied, shifting uncomfortably. “It’s happening whether I want it to or not. I’m just ready to get it over with.” Brian moved to her side and stroked her hair. She beamed up at him. “I’m sure it’ll be worth it.”

Lia cooed in her arms, and Gabby kissed her forehead. She couldn’t stop kissing her—she just wanted to gobble her up. So precious swaddled in her pink blanket, which matched her tiny pink lips. “Totally worth it,” she said softly.

A knock sounded at the door. Evan, who was standing closest, opened it and peeked around, exchanging brief words with a female voice outside. Gabby expected one of her friends, but as Evan pulled the door the rest of the way open, a petite, unfamiliar gray-haired woman walk timidly into the room, flowers and a pink gift box in her hands.

“Mom?” Ian said.

A gasp left Gabriella’s lips before she could stop it. He’d told her earlier that he’d let his mother know they were at the hospital. Against his expectations, she’d come.

“I hope it’s okay,” she said, looking uneasily around at the Rosses standing around the small room.

“Yeah, it’s great. I’m happy to see you.” Ian moved to her and wrapped his arms around her. He couldn’t see his mother’s face, naturally, but Gabby did. Right there was everything that Ian probably needed to see but most likely never would. Sorrow, regret, immense love. By the time they parted, she’d gotten control. Gabby would be sure and tell him about it later.

“Everyone, this is my mom.” Introductions were made. Gianna even embraced her and welcomed her to their family. By the time Mrs. Rhodes came over to meet Gabby and Lia, there were tears in her eyes.

“Oh…” she said, putting her free hand to her chest. “She’s beautiful.”

“Would you like to hold her?”

The older woman looked back to her son as if seeking his permission. He nodded and took the gift and flowers from her. Mrs. Rhodes sat on the edge of Gabby’s bed, and she carefully handed Lia over, cooing at her to meet her grandmother. Lia opened her eyes, gazing up at Ian’s mom and pouting her little lips, and the floodgates really opened.

And she immediately knew Ian wouldn’t have to worry about his mother not being a part of his life anymore. Never underestimate the power of a baby to bring family together. The woman was in love. They had a lot of years to repair, Gabby knew, but she was ready to take the journey with him if it was what he wanted. From the look on his face as he watched his mom with Lia, she knew it was.

Conversations struck up around the room. Gabby looked around at her family with absolute love and happiness. They got on her nerves. They pissed her off. But damn if they didn’t rally when one of them was threatened or in trouble, even if the one they were defending was perfectly capable of taking care of him or herself. She loved them fiercely.

“So, not to steal Gabby’s thunder or anything tonight, but we have something to tell you guys,” Evan spoke up suddenly. Kelsey, who stood in front of him in the circle of his arms, grinned widely.

Candace, Gabby and Gianna shrieked all at once. “You’re pregnant!”

The happy couple both burst out laughing. “Can’t get anything by you guys,” Evan said.

“How far along?” Candace asked.

“I’m due in late October,” Kelsey said. She turned her excited smile on Gabby. “What can I say? I guess I drank the water.”

Congratulations, hugs and handshakes made the rounds. Candace, with Brian’s help, pushed herself up out of her chair to walk over to them, but she froze and her hands flew to her stomach before she took the first step. “Oh God,” she said, looking up at Brian with wide eyes.

“What?” he asked, tightening his hold on her. “Baby, are you okay?”

“Um…I don’t know.” She winced, slightly bent over, and put her hand out on the nearby dresser for more support.

“The baby?”

“You’re in labor!”

“Oh my God!”

“You always have to one-up me, don’t you?” Evan said to Brian, punching him in the shoulder.

“Talk about stealing your thunder, dude.”

Gabriella wanted more than anything to be able to jump out of her bed and help as her family excitedly hustled Candace out of the room, but she would’ve landed on her face. She could only call out, “Good luck!” to her sister-in-law as she was taken away. Brian ran back to give Gabby a quick hug; then he was off like a shot, leaving only her, Ian, his mom and Lia in the room.