Christmas in Texas: Christmas Baby Blessings / The Christmas Rescue

Something was different; she knew it. “Kelly,” she said, forcing her voice above a whisper but having to push against the pain, “having never experienced pregnancy I’m no expert, but I think these babies want to be here in time for Christmas.”

Chapter Five

Seagal figured he’d set a new record for speed by the time he got to the hospital. He sprinted inside, leaving Jack at the curb to park the cruiser.

Capri looked pale, tired and in pain when he jogged into the room the nurse led him to. “I thought I told you to stay still,” he said to his wife, trying to make light of the situation to calm his heart, which was trying to beat out of his chest.

“I listened,” Capri said. “Funny how your children didn’t. Maybe a case of like father, like babies.”

He glanced at the doctor. “What’s happening?”

Dr. Blankenship finished looking over the charts he held. “You’re about to meet your children, Seagal.”

Seagal’s gaze locked on his wife. He’d never wanted to hold her and comfort her so badly. “This is it, lady. There’s no turning back now. We’re going to be parents.”

Capri gave him a very slight smile. He could tell she was really hurting. “There was no turning back when I first met you, Seagal,” she said, then groaned and closed her eyes.

Nurses hustled Capri onto a gurney. He followed helplessly, not sure what to do. His heart thundered. No one seemed to care whether he went in to the big room that looked like an operating room, and then suddenly, a nurse helped him into something she called a birth coach’s shirt. She showed him where to wash and made him put sterile covers on his shoes.

“Are you all right?” the elderly nurse asked him.

He was pretty sure he’d know her if she’d take off her mask, but at the moment his brain was short-circuiting. “I’m fine. Is she going to be all right?”

“Your wife is going to be fine.”

The nurse left him, and Seagal hung at the back of the huge room, watching everything. He didn’t want to get in the way of the medical personnel; he felt so useless. Was he supposed to take pictures? He and Capri hadn’t discussed his role.

Someone nudged him over to Capri’s side, and told him to talk to her in soothing tones.

He wasn’t usually a soothing presence for Capri. But once upon a time, he had known just the right words to say to her.

“Hey, babe.”

Capri’s eyes were huge in her face. He could hardly bear to see her like this. Taking her hand in his, he said, “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”

She made little short puffing breaths, and then suddenly she relaxed.

“A local anesthetic,” the doctor explained.

They were awfully busy under the green sheet. Capri had told him he wasn’t to approach the sheet in any way, so he remained by her side, letting her squeeze his fingers bloodless. He welcomed the pain; it wasn’t nearly what she was going through.

“Seagal,” Capri suddenly said, startling him.

“Yes?” He leaned close to hear her.

“Mrs. Penny called.”

He blinked. “Can we talk to her later? I know she’s one of our town’s revered grapevines, but—”

Capri squeezed his fingers to shush him. She was so pale he sent a worried glance the doctor’s way. Dr. Blankenship seemed busy with whatever he was doing under the green sheet thing, so Seagal looked back at Capri.

“Okay,” he said, “was there something special on her mind?”

“She said you’re sniffing around my flower shop.” Capri’s gaze was on him, accusing. “Do you think somebody close to me may be involved?”

He was on the ropes here—he could hear it in her voice. “I can’t say, honey.”

“You didn’t tell me,” Capri said.

“Keep soothing her, Mr. West. We need to keep Mom calm,” a nurse said, glancing at a monitor.

He leaned close to his wife. “Let’s talk about this later.”

“I need to know,” she said, her gaze on him, haunted.

“I don’t know what you want me to say,” Seagal said, “I’m simply following orders.”

Capri’s eyes widened. Belatedly, Seagal remembered that the night of their worst argument, he’d said the same thing. It had effectively ended their marriage.

“Capri,” he said, “no one knows exactly who is involved. But this I do know. I’m about to be a dad. All I want to do is take care of you and my children.”

“That’s better,” the nurse said, her tone approving. “Whatever you’re saying, keep saying it. We need to keep your blood pressure down, Mrs. West.”

“Snow,” Capri said, and the nurse glanced at her. “My name is Snow.”

“Now wait,” Seagal said, his voice low so the nurses and doctor couldn’t hear. His blood pressure felt as if he needed someone to say soothing things to him. “You’re still Mrs. Seagal West for another two weeks.”

She closed her eyes.

“You’re doing fine,” the nurse said. “The doctor is almost finished prepping you, and then it will be time to meet your new babies.”

Capri released his fingers. He tried to catch her fingers back but she put her hand under the covers. So he stood beside her, staring down at her pale face, wishing he knew what to tell her to make her happy, to keep her his forever.

“Okay, Capri,” Dr. Blankenship said. “I’m about to make an incision. You’ll only notice some tugging sensations. If you notice anything more than that, let me know, all right?”

Capri nodded. Seagal felt all the blood rush from his head.

“Get Dad a chair,” Dr. Blankenship barked, and the elderly nurse led him over to the side.

“Breathe,” the nurse commanded. “Doc’s done this a thousand times. Capri’s in the best possible hands.”

Wasn’t he supposed to be a fearless, tough guy?

Then why was the very idea of his wife being in pain making him weak as a kitten?

“I’m failing at being a birth coach,” he told the nurse.

“We keep this chair in here for dads,” the nurse said, her tone kindly. “You’ll feel stronger in a bit. Don’t worry. Your wife is in good hands.”