Page 82 of The Blessings of Christmas
“Connor, what is it? Did something happen to Angie?” His wife looked terrified.
“Yes. No.” Somehow he got out of bed, glad for the cold floor. Might knock some sense into him. “Angie’s having the baby. That’s why she couldn’t meet us last night.”
“Oh, my goodness.” Amanda stumbled to her feet.
“She was feeling funny, I guess. Didn’t know what it was.”
“Didn’t know what itwas?” Amanda was rooting around on the floor, tossing her pajamas onto the bed. “Are you kidding me?”
“I’m just telling you what McKenna told me.” He pressed one finger to his lips and then stabbed it toward the wall. The last thing he wanted was her parents in on this circus. “You’ll wake your folks up, honey. Let’s get dressed.”
“Sorry.” She started pulling on clothes.
He shook his head to clear it. “Anyway, took Angie a while to figure out what was going on. Then she waited. Had some crazy idea that maybe she’d have the baby at home.”
“No way. She’s so young.” Amanda struggled with her bra.
“She got the idea from McKenna, if you can believe it. I guess my sister mentioned we were all delivered at home. ” He jerked his jeans on.
“Oh, my gosh. You did tell me that. What was she thinking?” Amanda tried to jam both feet into one leg of her jeans.
Connor grabbed her shoulders so she didn’t fall. “Honey, we’re having a baby.”
She glanced up, eyes glistening in the soft light. “I can’t believe it.”
He kissed her cheek. “Believe it. Let’s get cracking.”
“Okay. Right.” Pulling on her blue hoodie, she zipped it up.
“We’ll have to go slow. The roads are icy. At least it’s not rush hour yet.” He was talking to himself while he rammed his head into the gray sweatshirt.
“Is she that close?”
“She’s been in labor all afternoon, but it was slow. She wasn’t sure. But McKenna says all systems are go now. Angie didn’t want to tell us until she knew for sure.”
“Oh, Connor.” Amanda’s hand clutched the doorknob.
Pressing one finger to his lips, he eased the door open.
Too late. When he stepped out, Amanda’s mother stood there, one of those plastic things on her head. “Is everything all right?”
“Mom, our baby’s coming.” Disbelief lifted Amanda’s voice.
The blood drained from Donna’s face. “Oh, my goodness. Where?”
“Montclair Specialty Hospital. Where my sister McKenna works.” Connor detoured around her, taking Amanda with him. “We’ll let you know, okay?”
When Connor looked back, Amanda’s dad had joined Donna at the head of the stairs. “Anything you want us to do, son?” he asked.
“No, sir. Think everything’s just fine. The room’s ready.” Connor stumbled on the last step, and Amanda rammed right into him. They both nearly ended up on the floor.
Turning, he grabbed Amanda’s shoulders and kissed her forehead. She smelled all warm and cuddly, like sleep. “Honey, we’re having a baby.”
“I know. You keep saying that.” She shot him a dazed smile.
“We have to remain calm.”
“We have to get out of here.”
