could only nod, feeling his emotions rushing to the surface. “Yeah, it’s a boy. Mia and the baby are fine.”
She nodded. “And it looks like you did a good job as a stand-in.”
He didn’t even bother to deny it. “I couldn’t leave her.”
Kira took his hand. “Be careful, Jarrett. People might mistake you for a good guy,” she teased.
“I don’t think I have to worry about that.” He turned away, wondering when he could see the baby again. “Mia will probably want to see you.” He stripped off his cap. “I need a cup of coffee.” He started to walk away, but stopped. “Tell Mia I’ll be back in a little while.”
His sister-in-law studied him for a long time, then said, “Don’t look now, brother-in-law, your feelings are showing. It’s about time.”
Thirty-six hours later, Mia was nearly ready for the trip back home. She and her baby had been checked out, deemed healthy and could be discharged from the hospital.
There was one thing left. She had to put a name on her son’s birth certificate. During the night, she’d taken out the letter her brother and sister-in-law had left for her, not to be read until after the birth of their baby.
Mia sat up late to read it and let the tears fall—for the parents who would never know their son, and for the baby who wouldn’t have the chance to know them, either.
She opened the envelope.
Dear Mia,
Words can never express the joy and love we feel for you at this moment—the moment we learned that you were pregnant.
Joy and love not only for your unselfish act, not only for giving up a year of your life, but for carrying our child. For that Karen and I will be eternally grateful.
We don’t care if this baby is a boy or a girl. But like all mothers, Karen has chosen names for the child. Bradley Preston for a boy or Sarah Margaret for a girl.
Our son or daughter will know what a special person you are. To make sure of that, you will always be a big part of his or her life. Karen and I would like you to be the godmother to little Brad Jr. or Sarah.
If, God forbid, anything should ever happen to either of us, we want you to be the child’s guardian. After all, you carried this little miracle in your womb and in your heart for nine months. So who better? Our only other wish is that you find the happiness you truly deserve.
Love always, Brad and Karen.
Mia had sobbed most of the night after that, then the baby was brought to her to be fed. The second she held him in her arms, she knew that she loved him. Yes, BJ was her heart. And he was her son now.
Two hours later, Jarrett parked outside the apartment building and Mia glanced back at the baby. She still had trouble thinking of herself as a mother.
It didn’t take long for a welcoming party to open the door and wave. “Looks like everyone is anxious to see the new resident,” Jarrett announced.
That made Mia smile. “BJ’s going to have many surrogate grandparents, that’s for sure.”
“Let’s get him inside before they start the inspection,” Jarrett said.
He climbed out and came around to the passenger side. He opened the back door and unfastened the baby carrier from its base. “Come on, fella. You’ve got people to meet.”
He raised the carrier’s hood and used a blanket to protect the baby from the cold, then lifted him out of the car.
Mia was waiting and took his offered arm as they made their way up the shoveled walk to the door and went in.
“Welcome home, Mia,” Nola called along with several other tenants as they walked inside.
“Thank you. It’s good to be back.”
She glanced around the large entry to see it had been decorated for the holidays. A large tree sat in the center of the area and lights and garlands had been strung along the wrought-iron stairway.
She went to one of the grouping of sofas and Jarrett placed the baby down on one of the now slip-covered sofas. Mia pulled back the blanket and everyone gasped.
“Oh, he’s perfect,” Nola cooed and glanced at Mia. “And so handsome, like your brother. What’s his name?”
Mia swallowed. “Bradley Preston Saunders, Junior. That’s the name Brad and Karen chose. I’m going to call him BJ.”
Nola smiled. “It’s perfect.”
She felt Jarrett’s presence behind her. It seemed so natural for him to be there. Too natural.
“I think these two need some rest,” Jarrett told everyone.
Normally, Mia wouldn’t like him making decisions for her, but she was tired. “Maybe you can come up later.”
“Of course, but you need to rest now,” Nola added. “If you need someone to watch this little guy, I’m available.”
Jarrett picked up the carrier and placed a hand on her elbow as they made their way to the elevator. She was glad she didn’t have to climb the stairs. They stepped into the small paneled compartment. He punched the second floor button and the doors closed.
“This is nice,” she said.
He frowned. “What, the elevator?”
She nodded. “You have to remember it’s been a while since we’ve been able to ride upstairs.”
The doors opened and Jarrett motioned for her to step out first. “Well, only one’s working,” he said. “The other has multiple problems. I’m going to have to mortgage my home just to fix it.”
“You’re kidding?”
He suddenly grinned and her heart tripped.
“Almost. These old parts aren’t easy to find. But all I need to do is make sure it runs for the next few months.”
They reached her apartment and she unlocked the door. Once inside, she tried to take the baby, but Jarrett had already walked into the other room. Her bedroom.
She went after him, knowing it would be best to end this…dependency. She had to do this on her own. No distractions. And Jarrett McKane was definitely a distraction.
“I can handle it from here.” Besides she wanted time with her son. Alone.
He set the carrier on the bed and stepped away. “I just didn’t want you to lift anything yet.” He shrugged. “You just got out of the hospital.”
“The baby isn’t heavy. Besides, I need to get used to carrying him.” She worked to unfasten the straps and he began to stir, then made a little whimpering sound. She lifted him into her arms, feeling the tiny body root against her shoulder. If Jarrett would just leave.
Even
