Catching Fire (Hometown Heat 2)

Eight weeks early.

The baby is at least eight weeks early, which means…

“I’m not the father,” I say, wondering why I’m not more relieved.

“No.” Jake puts an arm around Naomi. “But Bridget wanted you to believe you were. That’s why she did what she did.”

“But it’s obvious the baby is premature,” Naomi says, her eyes welling with tears. “The poor thing is so tiny. We saw her as the nurses wheeled her down the hall, so little but with a full head of hair and the most beautiful little hands.”

Jake hugs Naomi to his chest, silently offering her comfort. This has to be hell for her. Her own daughter was born premature, but too premature for Grace to have a hope of survival.

Naomi’s rebounded from her grief, but her expression makes it clear this night is hitting her hard.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, feeling like shit. “I’m sorry to drag all of you into this, and out of your beds in the middle of the night.”

“Oh, stop it,” Naomi says, sniffing as she blinks her tears away. “We’re happy to be here. And I’m glad this is off your plate, but I have to admit I’m worried about the baby. That woman isn’t ready to be a mother. I shudder to think what’s going to happen to that sweet little girl.”

I sigh. “Yeah. I’m not nearly as relieved as I thought I’d be.”

“It’s scary,” Faith agrees. “I mean, I’m guessing the real father wants nothing to do with the baby or Bridget wouldn’t have come looking for you, so…”

Silence falls, during which we all stand staring helplessly at each other.

This is a terrible situation, but there’s nothing any of us can do. Bridget is the birth mother. Now that it’s obvious I’m not the father, I have no legal rights.

“Guess we’ll just have to say a rosary,” Naomi says, tilting her head back to look up at Jake. “But I want to stay for a while if that’s okay. I’d like to get another update from the nurse and know the baby’s still doing well before we leave. I’ll sleep better.”

“Of course.” Jake kisses Naomi’s forehead with such obvious affection it makes my chest a little tight.

And then I turn to see Faith looking up at me with the same loving, unguarded expression, and it squeezes even tighter.

I’m so fucking lucky. And so grateful.

I hate that Bridget’s baby is going to have a rough start, but I’m so relieved that from here on out it’s just Faith and me.

And maybe, someday, if I’m lucky, I’ll get the chance to be a dad with a woman I love. Maybe even this woman because I sure as hell can’t imagine loving anyone more.

“You want to stay too?” Faith asks, proving she’s one in a million. “I don’t mind.”

“Yeah. I’d like to know that the baby is out of the woods,” I say. “And Bridget, too. I should call her parents and let them know what’s happened. They live in D.C., but they can probably get here by tomorrow evening.”

“That’s a good idea.” Naomi pulls her cell from her purse. “I’ll step outside and call Maddie.”

“Maddie’s here!” Maddie rushes breathless into the room. “I’m sorry, I was stuck in traffic from hell. What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

By the time Naomi fills Maddie in on all the news, the nurse has returned to the waiting room.

“How is she?” Naomi asks, her fingers twined together. “Is the baby still okay?”

“She’s doing fine,” the nurse, an older woman with tightly curled gray hair and kind blue eyes, says. “She’s stable and sleeping. She’ll need to stay in the NICU for at least a few weeks, but that’s probably for the best. It’ll give the mother time to decide on an adoptive family.”

I frown. “Bridget’s putting the baby up for adoption?”

The nurse’s gaze flicks uncertainly from me to Naomi and then back again. “Oh, no, I…assumed you knew.”

“No, we didn’t,” Naomi says. “But that’s great news. We’re glad the baby’s going to have a stable family. That’s probably best for everyone involved.”

The nurse nods, but her expression makes it clear she’s worried she’s said too much.

“It’s fine,” I say softly. “We won’t mention this to anyone. It’s Bridget’s private business.”

“Thanks.” The nurse backs away with a tired smile. “All right then. Bridget should be able to receive visitors this afternoon. If you want to go home and get some rest, you can come back then.”

“Thank you, we will.” Naomi waits until the nurse leaves the room, before turning back to the rest of the family. “Well, that’s amazing news. You think her parents are going to be okay with Bridget putting the baby up for adoption, Mick?”

I nod. “I’d imagine so. They’re both older. They had Bridget when they were in their forties, so I’m pretty sure they’re not up for raising an infant at this point in their lives.”