Her misty gaze feasted on his handsome features. “Was it only a week ago? It seems like we’ve lived a lifetime since I came to join you for the clinic.”
“I know the feeling,” he muttered thickly.
“Well, well—” a familiar voice broke in on them several hours later. “What have you been doing to yourself to get that goose egg on your forehead, Ashley?”
“Dr. Noble—”
He came over to Ashley’s side, smiling down at her. “It’s all right. I know all about the accident. You were given something to speed up your labor, but it hasn’t worked. At this point I’d deem it advisable to perform a cesarean. Don’t worry,” he said when he saw her anxiety. “If another miracle occurs, you and Cord will be able to have a second and a third child without any problem.”
Cord sucked in his breath. “That would be wonderful, but right now all I care about is Ashley.” The wealth of love in his tone humbled her.
When she looked at her husband—how drawn and pale he’d become—she realized that the trauma of the last eight hours had finally caught up with him. He was afraid for her. She could see it, feel it.
Just then she experienced an outpouring of love for him that overwhelmed her entire being. Every step of the way he’d been so strong for her. Now he needed her strength.
“Sweetheart,” she whispered, squeezing his hand. “I’m going to be fine. In a little while we’re going to have that baby we’ve wanted. I’m so happy, I could burst!”
Her blue-green orbs were on fire for the love she had for him. No shadow of fear lurked as her generous mouth broke into a brilliant smile.
“Ashley—” he cried, covering her lips in a trembling kiss.
“As you can see, Cord, there’s nothing to worry about,” the doctor murmured. “Now, if you can relinquish your wife long enough for her to be prepped for surgery, I’ll have an orderly find you a mask and gown so you can watch the delivery.”
At Dr. Noble’s words, Cord lifted his head. Excitement now warred with his anxiety.
“I’ll see you in a few minutes,” she whispered, feasting her eyes on his attractive face and powerful physique before he left the room with obvious reluctance.
“Okay, Ashley,” the doctor said as soon as they were alone. “Let’s go have a baby, shall we?”
“Yes!”
“Dr. Ball will administer the anesthetic. You’ll be awake and feeling fine the whole time. You might experience a slightly dizzy sensation when I take the baby from your womb, but it will be over in seconds. I’ve already contacted your pediatrician, and she’ll be in the delivery room with us. Any questions?”
?
??No,” she answered with shaky excitement.
“When did you last eat or drink?”
“Nothing today. A piece of pizza last night, about nine.”
“That’s good news,” he muttered while he examined her. “I find you in excellent shape for someone who took a nasty fall. Just relax now and let us take care of everything.”
“All right.”
“Between you and me—” he winked “—your husband is the one I’m concerned about. Being a brand-new father is a scary experience for us men, but especially for Cord who didn’t think he would ever be one.”
“I know,” came the shaky admission.
“Capable, protective men like your husband feel particularly helpless at a time like this. He’s in awe of your strength. For the moment he has forgotten that you have a partnership with God. It gives you power beyond your mortal reserves. Every time I deliver a baby, I’m in awe of it.”
Ashley stared up at him. “Thank you for being here for me.”
His eyes shone with sincerity. “It’s a privilege.”
Fifteen minutes later Ashley couldn’t feel a thing from her chest down.
“Okay. Let’s go.” Two orderlies wheeled her out of the room and down the hall through the doors marked delivery. It was one of the strangest sensations in the world to be lifted onto the operating table and not be able to move her legs.