Expecting the SEAL’s Baby by Katie Knight
Twenty-Nine
Jeremy stood with his hands on his hips in front of the hospital cafeteria. The place was closed up tight, which put a crimp in his mission. Giving birth was apparently hungry work. God knows the process had taken long enough. He didn’t know how women did it. Gina had been in labor for over twenty-four hours before their daughter had been born.
He felt shaky just recalling the moment when he first saw his baby girl. She had dark hair and eyes like her mama. And she’d proven that she had her mother’s spirit, too, when she immediately let out a scream to announce her entrance into the world. That had made Gina smile. He’d been overwhelmed by the entire experience, especially when the nurse handed the baby to Gina and he saw them together for the first time.
He loved Gina so much that he felt his heart was full, but their little girl, Angelica Camilla after the woman who predicted her birth and Gina’s mother, was going to own a chunk of his heart as well.
He gave himself a shake, remembering his objective. Gina had told him to get food. The toast and crackers that the nurses offered wasn’t going to do it, she’d declared, and sent him off to forage. The closed sign caused him to reevaluate his plan.
“Hey,” he said to an orderly who was walking past. “Is there any place I can get food in the hospital at this time of night?”
“Sorry. The cafeteria won’t reopen until morning,” the man said. “There’s a strip mall across the street. Something over there might still be serving if you’re lucky.”
The orderly hurried on as Jeremy checked his watch. It was almost eleven, which was late for restaurants in this part of the city, and he didn’t want to be gone that long from Gina and the baby. He opted for some reconnaissance work, checking the nearby corridors where he found a few vending machines, but the choices were unappealing.
He took a turn and spotted a food cart. That looked more promising. He stole closer, checking his surroundings as if he were on a SEAL mission. No one was around, and the cart had some possibilities. Pudding cups, apples, bananas, and danishes. All untouched. He slid a tray off the cart and loaded it with food before darting away back toward the maternity ward.
“It looks like Daddy was successful,” Gina murmured to the baby who lay in her arms when he entered the room. “You’ll soon learn that he has special skills.”
The word Daddy got him, and he nearly dropped the tray. He’d been preparing to be a father for months. He’d painted the nursery a sunny yellow, assembled baby furniture, and gone to childbirth classes with Gina. Nothing had quite readied him for the reality of seeing Gina holding their baby.
“We won’t tell her that I stole this until she’s old enough to understand that sometimes you do what’s necessary,” he said, recovering himself.
“You stole it?” Gina eyed the array of food when he put it on the bedside table. “My hero.” She caught his arm and gave it a slight yank, bringing him closer to her for a kiss. “Now can you take this little bundle while I eat? She’ll be hungry herself soon, so I better be quick.”
“Sure, I…” He felt sweat break out on the back of his neck. He hadn’t held Angelica yet. She was so small and fragile that it terrified him that he’d be solely responsible for her. What if he dropped her or held her too tightly?
“Jeremy Quinn.” Gina shook her head at him, but she was smiling. “You were in Special Forces for most of your adult life. This baby can’t scare you.”
“Shaking in my shoes,” he admitted, but reached for his daughter.
“Just nestle her in your arm like that.” Gina guided his hand so he supported the baby’s head. A second later, he was looking down at Angelica’s sweet face. She was truly a miracle, maybe all babies were, but he’d never realized until then how amazing having a child was. “Sit with her,” Gina gently encouraged. “She’s content for the moment.”
He settled into the bedside chair while Gina ate. He kept looking between the baby and the incredible woman that he fell more deeply in love with every day. He had to be the luckiest man on earth. He had a beautiful family and home. He’d found fulfilling work with a private security company doing risk assessment. Even his parents had been excited about the baby and welcoming in their own way.
Everything he wanted, even things he hadn’t known he wanted—he lightly touched the baby’s soft cheeks—was his. He had just one thing left to do to make his life complete.
* * *
Gina ate the apple, followed by the cream cheese danish. She’d been starved after not eating during the hours of labor, so the purloined food tasted wonderful. She stole a glance at Jeremy. He was staring in wonder at Angelica. Meeting their child for the first time must have been different for fathers. Gina had felt the connection to the baby throughout the pregnancy as the child moved and fluttered in her womb. She didn’t doubt that Jeremy already loved the baby girl, but his relationship was just beginning whereas hers was already forged.
He was going to be a good father. She had no doubt of that. During their months together, he’d made Gina feel so loved, and their house was filled with their love and that of their families. It was going to be a good life.
“She’s perfect,” Jeremy said, glancing up at her. “She looks just like you.”
Gina smiled at that. “I’m convinced she’ll have the best qualities of both of us, so I agree that that will make her perfect.” Angelica let out a squall at that moment. “And probably stubborn and demanding, too. I think she’s hungry. She only took a little earlier.” Gina’s first attempt at breastfeeding shortly after the baby was born hadn’t gone well, but she was determined to try again. “Bring her to me.”
With exaggerated care, Jeremy transferred the baby to her. “Remember what the lactation nurse said.” His voice was soft and soothing since he’d seen her frustration earlier.
“It’ll go better this time.” If it didn’t, they’d have to start the baby on formula soon. Gina wanted the bond that breastfeeding created between mother and child as much as she wanted the health benefits. Gina forced herself to relax. Being tense wouldn’t be helpful. “Let’s see if we can get this right,” she cooed to the baby as she brought her to her breast. After a minute, the baby latched on. “She did it.” Gina felt happy tears in her eyes.
Jeremy came and sat next to her on the bed with his arm around her shoulders and one hand stroking the baby’s head. “I still can’t quite believe she’s here.”
“She’s ours forever now.” Gina gazed at the child at her breast. “I wonder what she’ll be like in five years? Or in twenty-five years?”
“I guess we’ll get to find out,” Jeremy said. They went silent then, watching their baby, until Angelica drifted off to sleep. Jeremy carefully stood. “I can put her in the crib.”
“I’d like to stretch my legs. I’ll get up.” Careful not to wake the baby, Gina shifted until she could put her feet on the floor and slowly stood up. The crib was just a few feet away, close enough to be easily seen from the bed, but Gina wanted to hold the child until the last possible second. She placed a kiss on Angelica’s forehead and made herself lower the baby into the crib. “Sleep well, little one.”
She turned to go back to bed and gasped when she saw Jeremy on one knee in front of her. With a quick glance, she checked to make sure she hadn’t woken the baby before giving Jeremy all her attention.
He held out his hand for hers and she gladly gave him it. “Today was the most amazing day of my life,” he said, keeping his voice low, “because you are the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. I love you so much, Gina, and I can’t imagine ever being without you. Please say that you’ll marry me.”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, yes, yes.” She crooked her finger at him, indicating for him to rise, and stepped into his arms when he did. “I love you more than I ever thought a person could love another.” His hands cupped her face before he kissed her.
“Do you want to see the ring?” he said, when the kiss ended.
“You brought it with you?” she asked.
“I’ve had it on me since last night, when we were supposed to go out to dinner. I had it all planned, but someone decided she wanted to be born instead.” He nodded to the sleeping baby and reached into his pocket, pulling out a jeweler’s box.
Gina had been getting ready for their date when her water had broken, and they’d rushed to the hospital. “You were going to propose at dinner?” That would have been a romantic evening, but this was even more special to her.
“I was. I wanted to be engaged before she was born to prove to you how committed I am to our relationship.” He flipped open the box to reveal a round cut diamond solitaire in a platinum setting. She gasped again, quickly covering her mouth with her hand to silence the sound.
“It’s beautiful, stunning, but you didn’t have to prove anything to me, Jeremy. I know we’ll be together for always,” she said and held out her hand while he slipped the ring on her finger.
Angelica whimpered softly in her sleep, making them both turn toward the child, their hands clasped together, the connection between them strong enough to last a lifetime.