Page 65 of My Highland Fling
“We’ll see you later, Tilly,” Ramsay said.“I want Gabrielle to rest.”
He guided Gabrielle to their table.“How are you and baby doing?”
“Baby is a rugby player,” she said, her tone dry.“He or she is active today.”
Ramsay grinned as he placed his big hand on her belly.Immediately, their baby settled as if happy to recognize their father.Gabrielle didn’t mention the pains that had started.Although she thought Ramsay would remain calm, she’d wait until they became worse and closer together.She’d talked to Gavin, and he’d told her to drop by if the pain became severe or if she had other concerns.He’d also told her he was reasonably sure she was in the early stages of labor.Once her waters broke, she was to go straight to the birth suite.
“Are you hungry?”Ramsay asked.
“Not really, but Tomasine is bringing me a ginger beer.”
“I made cinnamon scones,” Ramsay said, well aware of her weakness for anything cinnamon.
“You might persuade me to eat one.”
He grinned.“That’s what I thought.”
A sudden surge of moisture had her glancing at her feet.A puddle formed, and she stared at it for a fraction longer.
But her mate was already standing, moving to help her to her feet.Tomasine appeared beside them, her gaze and sense of smell taking in the situation with one glance.
“Tomasine, can we take that to go?”
“Sure,” Tomasine said.
“I’ve made a mess,” Gabrielle said, heat flooding her cheeks since customers were staring.
Tilly appeared at her elbow.She patted Gabrielle’s hand.“Let me know the minute something more happens.”
“You’ll be the first to know,” Ramsay promised.
Tomasine returned with a bag of food and an unopened bottle of ginger beer.“Keep us up to date.Felix and I will drop by to see you later.”
“Thanks,” Gabrielle said, her heart full even as a pain tore through her.“We should go now.This baby wants to meet us.”Even though Gavin had warned them labor took time, every instinct told her that this baby wanted out as much as she wanted to see her feet again.
Gabriellewasamazing,andthe labor progressed faster than everyone had assumed.Ramsay held her hand and helped where he could, amazed at her strength.Throughout the hours she labored, Gavin was unflappable, and it reinforced how lucky their community was to have a doctor such as Gavin at their disposal.
During the months of her pregnancy, they’d decided on names.It was easy, given that neither of them had parents around.Felix and Tomasine stood as adopted parents for him and Gabrielle, and they’d wanted to honor this support by naming their child after them.While he and Gabrielle didn’t know if they were having a boy or a girl, their name choices were simple.They hadn’t told Felix or Tomasine, but he thought they’d be excited.
A baby’s cry rent the air, and he squeezed Gabrielle’s hand.She smiled at him, and although it was obvious she was tired, she’d never appeared more beautiful.
“You have a baby boy,” Gavin said with a grin.
“Tomas Felix,” Gabrielle whispered.
Gavin did whatever he needed to do with the baby before handing him to Gabrielle.
Gray eyes blinked up at them, and Tomas’s tiny face scrunched up in a frown.With his heart so full, his chest ached, Ramsay smoothed his finger across his son’s silky cheek.
“Look what we did,” Gabrielle said, sounding in awe.
“He’s beautiful,” Ramsay whispered, confident he was feeling the same stunned amazement his mate was experiencing.It made him determined to live a good life and do right by their child, encouraging Tomas and teaching him right from wrong.“I love you so much, Gabrielle.And I adore our son.You’ve done good.”
“It’s been an adventure,” she said.
Ramsay understood what his mate meant.“Sometimes, you have to endure before you get to the sweetness.”
“We have a lot of that.Love.Good friends.A beautiful child.”
“We do.”Ramsay cocked his head, hearing visitors arriving.“Tilly is here.Felix and Tomasine, too.”Ramsay bent closer and kissed their son on his wrinkled brow.Then, he kissed Gabrielle, and she kissed him back with tenderness.They were a family now, and he’d never, ever experienced such joy.
After one last kiss, he pulled away from Gabrielle to greet their support team.“Just in time,” he said.“Come and meet our son, Tomas Felix.”
