The Baby Jackpot

Chapter Nineteen



Since he relied on a digital calendar, by late June Cole had long ago thrown out the free paper calendars that came in the mail or were dropped on his desk by pharmaceutical reps. Even online, he couldn’t find one with photos of gardens—or better yet, babies—and settled for a site that allowed him to print out pages for each month through the beginning of next year. They might not look like much, but they added a touch of personality to his tiny suite.

Most likely Stacy would deliver early, given the potential complications of bearing triplets. Still, Cole circled her due date in February.

During the evenings that week, he filled in details of how her pregnancy was likely to progress. Presently, at week nine—calculated from the first day of her last period—a typical baby was about an inch long, able to bring its tiny hands together over its heart.

The tenth week would mark the end of the embryonic phase and the start of the fetal period. Rapid growth would double the baby’s length by week eleven, with fingernails developing. At week twelve, most likely Stacy’s morning sickness would begin to ease. Of course, with triplets, things might be different.

All the while, Cole recognized that this was an exercise in futility. Each day since Monday, he’d meant to sign the relinquishment form and put Stacy’s mind to rest. He hadn’t forgotten his intention of talking to her first, but once he did, he’d have no excuse to delay further. And he wasn’t ready to abandon all hope.

At the hospital, she kept her distance, except for glancing at him nervously once in a while. Her attitude seemed to be catching. On Friday, although Stacy wasn’t present in the O.R., Cole noticed sideways glances between the nurses, the anesthesiologist and the urologist, one of the hospital’s new fellows, who was assisting him. But when he looked at them directly, each pair of eyes was quickly averted.

Did this mean the press was again pushing some scandal? After a flurry of reports about male suicides, reporters had stopped mentioning Cole. Could his colleagues have heard something he’d missed?

He’d be just as happy to go on missing it. For now, he ignored their irritating behavior.

Later, while cleaning up, he saw that Rod was wearing a red T-shirt under his surgical scrubs. No big deal, except that, seen from the rear, the assisting urologist wore what appeared to be an identical one.

Cole performed a quick mental check. Late June didn’t contain any red-themed holidays as far as he knew. No Valentine’s Day, no red, white and blue Fourth of July, no Christmas.

“What did you guys do, call each other this morning and coordinate your wardrobes?” he asked.

Rod peered over his shoulder, without turning. “Cracking jokes now, Doc?”

“Forget it.” What did he care if the guys dressed alike?

When Cole stepped out of the room, he narrowly avoided a collision with the circulating nurse, who also wore a red T-shirt. At an angle, he saw bold white lettering on the front. Before he could read the words, she folded her arms across her chest.

“I wasn’t staring at...” He didn’t care to finish that sentence.

“Sure you weren’t.” She grinned, apparently unoffended.

Down the hall came Zack Sargent, presumably done with his surgery. He’d buttoned his white coat, but there was a patch of red at the throat.

“I must have missed the memo,” Cole told him.

“Beg pardon?”

“It seems to be red T-shirt day.”

“Oh, that memo.” He paused but didn’t explain. “So, how’s it going?”

“How’s what going?” Cole asked.

Down the hall, the elevator doors opened and Owen emerged. He was wearing something red under his coat, too.

Cole could have kicked himself for failing to sift through his email before heading into surgery. He’d lingered too long over breakfast, jumping up to make notes on the calendar pages for July and August.

Wait a minute. Harper was coming from the stairs, with red under her blue-flowered uniform. What was she doing here? She worked in the medical office building.

Everyone was gathering in the hall, as if waiting for something. Cole decided to wait, too.

The elevator opened again, releasing Ned and Lucky. Both had red T-shirts peeking from beneath their navy uniforms. “Et tu, Brute?” Cole asked, dismayed that his nurse hadn’t let him in on the secret.

“Where’s Stacy?” Lucky responded. “Oh, good, here she comes.”

Around the corner, her sweet face flushed, came Stacy. She wore something white, not red, under the V-neck of her light blue scrubs. Maybe she hadn’t read the memo, either.

“Gang’s all here,” Ned called.

“Okay,” Cole said, “what’s the joke?”

As if at a signal—if there was one, he missed it—the people around him pulled back their jackets to reveal white lettering on red fabric. The T-shirts all said the same thing: Will You Marry Me?

“Is this some weird California ritual?” Cole asked.

Then he realized Stacy was pulling off her light blue top to reveal her white T-shirt. In red letters it asked Will You Marry Me?

“What’s going on?” Cole inquired.

“I’m proposing,” she said.

No one moved. From down the hall, he heard the wheels of a gurney rolling along. Other than that, silence reigned.

“To me?” he asked.

Rod rolled his eyes. “You better say yes before somebody else takes her up on it.”

Cole swallowed, desperately hoping this was real. He felt as if he should do something grand in return, like go down on one knee and produce a ring, except he hadn’t bought one.

“You don’t have to say yes,” Stacy murmured.

That was it, the word he sought. “Yes!” he shouted, so loudly the circulating nurse gave a startled jump, and Lucky blinked in surprise.

“Did anyone not hear that?” Owen queried ironically.

“Yes!” Cole repeated. “I love you!”

“I love you, too,” Stacy choked out.

To hell with what people thought. Cole lunged over, scooped her into his arms and kissed her. She melted against him, kissing him back. It felt wonderful.

From behind, he heard people clapping. “Why don’t you guys go eat lunch?” he called, casting a meaningful glare in their direction.

“You can keep the T-shirts,” Stacy added.

“I’m saving mine for April Fool’s Day,” Ned joked.

“I’m saving mine for Halloween.” Rod waggled his eyebrows.

They scuttled off, by stairs and by elevator, and for all Cole cared, by emergency exit and rope-and-ladder.

“Oh, sweetheart.” He refused to let go, afraid that if he did, Stacy might disappear and he’d wake up. He’d had a very vivid dream about her once before, and the result had been triplets. He doubted he’d get that lucky again.

She nestled against him. “Please forgive me for turning you down in the first place. You’re a magnificent man and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“Does this mean I can move back in?” Cole chuckled at his own question. “I guess that’s kind of a given, huh?”

Arms looped around his shoulders, Stacy tapped her forehead against his. “Take as much time as you need to let this sink in.”

She understood him, Cole thought in wonder. She accepted that he needed a few minutes to digest the breathtaking fact that they were engaged. “We are keeping the babies, right?” Another foolish question, but she’d been so determined to relinquish them.

Stacy smiled. “I told you once that there was a couple who were meant to have these children. I finally figured out who it is.”

“Us?” he asked hopefully.

“You got it.”

“We can buy a house where they’ll have room to play,” Cole ventured. “Or would you rather we spent the money on a big wedding?”

“Small wedding, big house,” Stacy affirmed.

“I’m glad.” He’d look for one with space for a garden as well as a play area.

They were drawing curious glances from passing staff members and a patient on a gurney, en route to surgery.

With a sigh, Stacy released him. “You can move your furniture in this weekend. And you’re staying over with me tonight, okay?”

“You bet.” An idea occurred to him. “Is it all right if I put something up on your wall? I started a countdown calendar for the triplets.”

“What a great idea.” She laced her fingers through his. “You’re amazing.”

“I hope you mean that in a good way.” He’d been called amazing before in a variety of contexts, not all flattering.

“Absolutely,” Stacy said. “Let’s have lunch. Our kids are starving and so am I.”

“Did I tell you about eating dinner with Owen and the twins?” Cole asked as they strolled hand in hand toward the elevator. “They do funny things with their food.”

“I can’t wait to hear all about it,” she answered, laughing.

He wasn’t sure what he’d said to amuse her, but it didn’t matter. Because Stacy loved him just as he was, and Cole planned on spending the rest of his life making her happy.

* * *

HE’D NEVER SLEPT IN Stacy’s bed before, Cole realized as he eased between the sheets in his crisp pajamas. He loved the lily fragrance and silky texture of the sheets—and the sight of Stacy’s body in a filmy nightgown, silhouetted against the light from the bathroom.

“I always think it’s a shame to save the wedding night for after the wedding,” she teased as she joined him in bed.

“We didn’t,” he pointed out.

“I keep forgetting how literal-minded you are.” Snuggling against him, she kissed the hollow beneath his jaw.

Joyously, Cole rolled onto his side, stroking her hip and waist. When his hand cupped her breast, she gasped.

He waited a second, to make sure she wasn’t objecting, and bent to kiss the tight nub. Her sigh of pleasure tightened his body, making him hard and eager.

Cole wished he was a more skilled lover. Fortunately, Stacy didn’t hesitate to show him what she liked—long caresses, gentle kisses, his bare body exploring and arousing hers.

When he slid inside her, he felt bathed in a glow, as if all his cells were lightly shivering. Every movement simmered through him, and it wasn’t nearly long enough before he lost control, moving harder and faster, urged on by Stacy’s moans.

For a glorious instant, they fused, vibrating at exactly the same frequency. The feeling ebbed slowly, leaving him with a sense of peace and belonging.

“Was that...?” He didn’t know how to finish the sentence.

“Even better,” Stacy murmured.

“How soon can we get married?” While Cole didn’t believe she’d change her mind, he wasn’t taking any chances.

“How about September?” she asked.

“Any particular reason?”

“The weather’s usually good.” She shrugged.

“This is Southern California. The weather’s always good,” he pointed out.

She kissed his shoulder. “And I should still be able to walk down the aisle.”

Cole recalled his image of rolling her down the aisle in a bridal gown with her feet propped up. “That’s a good reason.”

Stacy didn’t seem to want to talk anymore. That was fine with him.

There’d be plenty of time to make plans. All the time in the world.

* * *

BY SUNDAY EVENING, Cole had moved his furniture back in, although he still shared Stacy’s bed. Every time she touched his hair or felt his warmth against her, she reveled in the magic that had caught her unawares. That old cliché about looking for love in all the wrong places...if only she’d listened, she could have had this sooner.

His printed-out calendar, tacked neatly on the wall in the kitchen, told the story of the children growing inside her. While he washed the dinner dishes, Stacy studied the entries, one hand over her abdomen.

Cole had incredibly neat handwriting. Everything about him was orderly and reliable. Yet there was nothing stodgy about the joy on his face when he looked at her.

How incredible that this had happened.

When the phone summoned her, Stacy scooped it from her pocket. It was Ellen. Guiltily, she reflected that she hadn’t called her mother yet. She’d been engaged for two entire days and she had no excuse for not notifying her parents, except that her feelings for them were complicated.

She’d better get it over with. “Hi, Mom.”

“It’s been a week since I heard from you,” Ellen said. “Are you okay?”

“Cole and I are getting married.” So much for subtlety. “Mom, I can’t wait for you to meet him! Well, I guess you’ve seen him on the news. He’s so wonderful.”

Stepping out of the kitchen, Cole gave a pleased wave. He didn’t take the phone to introduce himself, though. Stacy was glad. She’d prefer to prepare her fiancé before he chatted with his future in-laws.

He disappeared into the kitchen.

“I hope you aren’t doing this just to satisfy your father,” Ellen said.

“Not at all.” Had her mom missed the part about how fabulous Cole was? “We love each other. It’s perfect.”

“You may be idealizing,” she warned.

“In this case, it’s justified.”

“Uh-oh.” Her mother lowered her voice to a whisper. “Your dad just came in. He went for a walk after dinner, and usually he’s gone at least half an hour. I thought it was safe to call.” In the background, Stacy heard him ask who it was.

“Tell him, Mom,” she said.

“It’s Stacy.” Ellen’s voice grew fainter as she addressed her husband. “She’s engaged.”

“This isn’t one of those engagements that lasts for years, is it?” he grumbled in the background.

“Put him on,” Stacy insisted.

“Maybe you should...” Whatever her mother meant to say, she didn’t finish. Instead, random noises indicated the phone was changing hands.

“Stacy?” her father said. “Congratulations. I’m glad you came to your senses.”

A burst of anger nearly sent her into attack mode. She curbed it, not for his sake but for hers and her mom’s. “My senses have nothing to do with it. I’m marrying the man I love. Not for you, Dad. Not for anyone else. For me.”

From the kitchen, a series of bangs and a delicious buttery scent indicated Cole was making popcorn. Suddenly Stacy wasn’t angry at her father anymore. Only sad for him and her mom, who could have had so much more happiness over the years if he’d truly devoted himself to their marriage.

“I’d like to walk you down the aisle.” Was that a note of uncertainty?

“Of course,” Stacy said. “And Dad...” If she chewed him out, it might gratify her sense of justice, but Ellen had revealed his transgressions in confidence. Besides, Stacy loved her father. “I was lucky to find a man who’ll be a great husband. Who puts me and the kids first. Who’ll always be there for us. When you meet him, you’ll understand.”

“He sounds like a terrific fellow,” Al said. “I’m glad for you, baby. Please forgive me for what I said last time. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Stacy was tempted to say more, but had no wish to stir up trouble. “Take care of Mom, will you?”

“Sure.”

“I mean that.”

“What’s she been telling you?” he asked.

“Nothing that I can’t see for myself,” Stacy said. “I’ve learned a lot from Cole about how actions speak louder than words.”

There was a long pause.

“You shouldn’t take the people you love for granted,” she added. “They might not always be there.”

Then he said something that surprised her. “Your mother’s been urging me to go away with her for a marriage renewal weekend. Maybe that’s not such a bad idea.”

“It gets my vote,” Stacy told him.

“Might even be fun,” he said. “I’m pleased for you, honey. I’m sure you’ve picked the right man this time.”

“You’d better believe it.”

After saying goodbye to her mother, Stacy finished the call. She was happy that her father had agreed to invest more in his marriage. In their sixties, her parents might have another twenty or more years together.

Cole walked in with a large bowl of popcorn. “Everything shipshape on the home front?”

She related the conversation. “They’ll have to negotiate their own peace from now on. I’m resigning from that role.”

“Maybe we should go on one of those marriage weekends.” After setting the bowl on the coffee table, Cole retrieved some DVDs from a cabinet.

“I believe you have to be married first.”

“Minor impediment. But it can wait.” He helped her onto the couch as if she was already ballooning. “While we’re on the subject, I thought we might watch a movie about weddings, to get ideas.”

“Oh, fun!” She studied the DVD choices. The Runaway Bride, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Bride and Prejudice. “What’s that one?”

“It’s the Bollywood version of Jane Austen’s novel,” he explained. “Lots of catchy singing and dancing in India.”

“You’re kidding.”

“It’s one of my favorites.”

“I’ll try it.” He was right, she discovered. The classic story translated beautifully into another culture, with the bonus of upbeat melodies and appealing performers.

Afterward, they watched the outtakes, which were hilarious. Her head on Cole’s shoulder, Stacy murmured, “Do you realize we have to choose three baby names?”

“Six,” he corrected. “Since we don’t know the gender yet.”

“We could pick unisex names,” she said. “Or wait.”

“Why play it safe?” Cole said.

“Yes, let’s live dangerously.” As long as they were being silly, she added, “I know! I’ll pick the girls’ names and you can pick the boys’ names.”

“How about Harpo, Chico and Groucho?”

“Never mind,” Stacy said. “I’ll pick all the names.”

“Okay.” Cole’s arm tightened around her. “Want me to get up and put on another movie?”

“Maybe later.” Stacy preferred to treasure their quiet intimacy awhile longer. To bask in the fact that she was living a love story of her own, complete with a happy ending. No doubt they’d commit more bloopers along the way, but sometimes that was the best part.

Or rather, with Cole in her arms, it was all the best part.

* * * * *