Baby, Our Baby!

Ali studied the brunette sitting across from her. They’d been friends since junior high school. When Ali had discovered she was pregnant as a result of her night with Jake, Margo was the friend who had stood by Ali’s decision not to reveal the identity of Joanie’s father. She had even been Ali’s labor coach, and after her daughter’s arrival, Margo had moved in with Ali and helped her through the first two weeks of her child’s life.

Being godmother didn’t cover all that her friend had done. Ali knew that if anything happened to her, Margo would love Joanie as if she were her own child. But now things had changed. Jake was home.

“Am I going to lose Joanie?”

Margo smiled. “Of course not. But you are going to have to allow Jake to get to know his daughter.”

Guilt plagued Ali, as it had since the day she’d discovered she was pregnant. This was her fault. She was the one who had kept father and daughter apart. She wouldn’t be surprised if Jake did hate her. Sometimes she hated herself.

The next morning, Ali awoke to gray snow clouds threatening overhead. She hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Gran June was fixing breakfast. Since her grandmother’s stroke, Ali had tried to take over most of the household chores. Her grandmother had relented on all but the cooking.

Thank goodness, because Ali couldn’t quite get it together in the mornings. She sat down next to her daughter, who was seated in a high chair, and took a long sip of orange juice.

“Morning, sweetie.” She leaned over and kissed the baby’s cheek.

“What time are you taking Joanie to the hospital?”

“About ten. Why? How many times has Jake called?”

Gran June put a plate of bacon and eggs in front of Ali and smiled. “He hasn’t. Cliff phoned while you were in the shower. Jake was pretty upset you couldn’t make it last night.”

“With the snowstorm warnings, I thought it best not to take Joanie out.”

“Jake understands. He’s just anxious to see his daughter.” Gran June turned to her granddaughter. “There’s another person who should know about Joanie. Darcie needs to be told.”

Ali lifted her fork to her mouth, but changed her mind. Her grandmother’s words caused her appetite to disappear. She didn’t want to think about her sister now. She glanced at her daughter, who was busy stuffing her mouth with scrambled eggs. “Nothing wrong with your stomach, huh?”

Joanie let out a happy cry and kicked her feet.

“We’re going to see your daddy today. I want you to be on your best behavior.”

Joanie smiled sweetly, as if she’d understood her mother’s words.

“That’ll do it,” Ali said. “Your daddy won’t stand a chance.”

“Stop worrying,” Gran June soothed. “Jake is going to love her. And all girls are crazy about their daddies. I know your father disappeared from your life when you and Darcie were young, but at least you had your grandfather. You used to follow him around all the time, dog his steps. You would even go fishing with him.”

The older woman took another swallow of her coffee. “The relationship between a father and daughter is special, Ali. Don’t deny either Jake or Joanie the chance to form one.”

Ali thought back to how wonderful her grandparents had been to her and Darcie. Ali still remembered the years she’d felt abandoned by her parents—parents who had cared more about themselves than their daughters. After their parents’ divorce, it had been her grandparents—her dad’s parents—who had given her and her sister a loving, secure home. But the emotional scars were still there. Darcie seemed unable to settle down, always seeking the next thrill, needing attention like an addict craving drugs.

All Ali wanted was a home and a family. A town where she knew everyone and the man she loved, loved her back and cherished the children they created.

She wanted it for herself—and for Joanie. Joanie would never know the agony of being left behind. Ali would make sure of that.

The hospital was quiet when Ali carried Joanie into Jake’s room. She stood back while Jake and his father finished their conversation—or, rather their heated discussion. She heard Darcie’s name mentioned just as Joanie let out a loud cry that immediately got everyone’s attention.

Both Hawkins men looked at her. Ali’s heart thumped in her chest as she moved across the room. “I’m sorry to disturb you.”

“Heavens, no,” Cliff said as he limped to her. “Jake’s been waiting all morning for this little one to arrive.” He touched his granddaughter’s hand, and Joanie turned and hugged her mother.

Cliff started to touch the child, but slowly drew his hand back. Ali reached out, took the older man’s hand and held it in front of her daughter. “Joanie, this is your grandpa.” The baby smiled shyly at Cliff.

“I’ll get to know my granddaughter later,” he promised, and silently left them alone.

Jake was sitting up, his gaze riveted on the child in her arms. “She’s beautiful,” he breathed.

“Thank you. I’ve always thought so.” Ali made her way to the bed. “Johanna June Pierce, this is your…daddy. Jake, this is your daughter—Joanie.”

Ali noticed the tears in his eyes, and her chest tightened. Her daughter leaned forward, obviously recognizing Jake from her first visit.

He reached out to touch her. First her hand, then her rosy cheek. “She’s so tiny,” he whispered in awe.

“Not if you’re carrying her around all the time. May I sit down?”

Never taking his gaze off his daughter, Jake nodded toward the side of the bed. “Sure.”

Ali sat and Joanie clasped his finger.

“She’s so strong. I want to know everything about her.”

“As you can see, Joanie has your hair and eyes. Your dad said that she looks just like you did as a child. I kept a baby book. I’ll bring it in next time.”

Joanie pointed at something on the wall and began to babble. Ali laughed and Jake smiled as he held his bandaged ribs. The child liked the attention and let out a joyous squeal, then pulled Jake’s finger toward her mouth and tried to nibble.

“No, Joanie.” Ali shook her head. “Don’t bite.”

“Maybe she’s hungry,” he suggested.

“She’s always hungry. But believe me, Joanie ate a hearty breakfast.”

“Do you breast-feed her?”

Ali’s face turned hot, but she couldn’t pull away from Jake’s penetrating gaze. Her breasts tingled at the very thought of his watching her feed their child. “I did—I stopped three months ago. She still takes a bottle at night. But she is attempting to drink from a sippy cup.”

Jake moved his hand, and Joanie latched on to it again. “You brought Joanie in to see me while I was still in the coma, didn’t you?”

“You knew she was here?”

His dark eyes captured hers, refusing to free her. “Ali, I remember almost everything you said to me. Your voice was just about all that kept me going. Then when I felt Joanie against me, I knew I had to fight harder to wake up.” He stroked his daughter’s head as tears filled his eyes. “I couldn’t leave her.”

Joanie cooed at him.

Jake smiled. “Joanie, do you think you can give your old man a hug?”

Ali’s stomach ached at the tenderness in his voice. He was asking for so little. She carefully placed her daughter next to Jake. “Give Daddy a hug.” The nine-month-old crawled up to Jake’s side, her small arm resting against his bandaged chest.

“Daddy…I never realized how wonderful that word sounded.”