‘Grr. Ahhh.’ Lily’s face screwed up with pain as another contraction tore through her.
Jackson reached for a flailing hand, held it tightly. The contractions were coming faster. All he could do was prepare for the birth and hope like hell the emergency crew would get here first. How fast could they spin those rotors? Where was Jess? She’d be more at ease with the situation than him. It’s what she did, bringing babies into the world. Admittedly not usually this early or with this much danger of things going horribly wrong, but she was still more used to the birthing process.
‘Hey, how are we doing?’ A sweet voice answered his silent pleas. Jess had returned, dissolving the last of the tension gripping him.
Stepping away from the bed and closer to this delightful woman who seemed to have a way about her that quickly relaxed him, he murmured, ‘Remind me to buy you another bottle of champagne when this is over.’
The fudge-coloured eyes that turned to him were twinkling. Her citrus tang wafted in the air when she leaned close to whisper, ‘I might need some of that brunch first. My energy levels need rebuilding.’
Jess would drive him crazy with need if he wasn’t careful. And did that matter? Of course it did. Didn’t it? He’d hate to hurt her in any way. ‘You’ll have to wait. How was that paddock? Any sheep?’
‘Nope, all clear. The windsock is hardly moving so the landing should be straightforward. How’s Lily doing?’
‘Starting to panic. And who can blame her?’
Jess crossed to the woman. ‘We’re all set for that helicopter, Lily. Ever been in one before?’
‘N-no. I—I don’t like flying.’
Jackson groaned quietly. This day was going from bad to worse for the woman. ‘They’re quite different to being in a plane. Perfectly safe. The pilot will probably go around the coastline instead of over the hill so you won’t be too far above ground level.’
Jess added, ‘This is definitely the best way to keep your baby safe. Now, with the next contraction I want you to stand. You might find it easier to deal with the pain.’
Lily’s smile was strained as she clambered off the bed. ‘Thank you. I know you’re trying your best. I’ll be okay.’ Then all talk stopped as she went through another contraction.
This time Matthew held her as she draped herself over him and hung on. ‘You’re doing great, Lily.’
Finally, just when Jackson thought they’d be delivering Baby Carter in the medical centre the steady thwup-thwup of the helicopter approaching reached them inside the hot and stuffy room. ‘Here we go. Your ride has arrived, Lily,’ he said needlessly.
Everyone had heard the aircraft and Matthew had gone to watch the landing. Jackson followed him out and once the rotors had stopped spinning he strode across to meet the paramedic and paediatrician as they disembarked and began unloading equipment.
‘Glad to see that incubator.’ He nodded towards the interior of the craft. ‘You might be needing it.’
‘Baby’s that close?’ the man who’d introduced himself as Patrick asked. His arm badge read ‘Advanced Paramedic’.
‘The mother has the urge to push. But I’m hoping she can hold off for a bit longer.’
‘Let’s take a look before we decide how to run with it. I don’t fancy a birth in mid-air.’
In the end, Baby Carter made their minds up for them. She arrived in a hurry, sliding out into the bright light of the world, a tiny baby that barely filled Jackson’s hand. Handing her carefully to Jess, he concentrated on repairing a tear that Lily had received during the birth.
Matthew stood to one side, stunned at the unfolding events. ‘Is Lily okay? What about my daughter? Is she going to make it? At least she cried. That’s got to be good, doesn’t it?’
The last baby didn’t cry? Jackson looked up and locked gazes with Matthew. ‘The baby’s breathing normally, and Lily’s going to be fine. Have you decided on a name for your daughter?’
‘Yes, but we were afraid to mention it until we knew if she’d be all right.’ Matthew’s eyes shifted to the right, where his daughter was being attached to monitors inside the incubator. ‘Alice Rose,’ he whispered, and brushed the back of his hand over his face.
‘Alice Rose Carter.’ Jess spared the man a sympathetic glance. ‘I like it. Pretty. And so is she. Come over here and see for yourself.’
The paediatrician continued adjusting equipment as he explained, ‘Alice Rose is very small, as to be expected. At thirty weeks her lungs aren’t fully developed so this machine will help her breathe until she grows some. But...’ the man looked directly at Matthew ‘...everything so far shows she’s looking to be in good shape despite her early arrival. I’m not saying you’re out of trouble yet. There are a lot of things to watch out for, but one step at a time, eh?’
Matthew blinked, swiped at his face again and stepped closer to his daughter. ‘Hello, Alice. I’m your daddy.’ Then he sniffed hard.
Jess handed the guy a box of tissues. ‘Hey, Daddy, blow your nose away from your baby.’ She said it in such a soft tone that Jackson knew she’d forgiven the guy for being rather highhanded earlier. ‘You’re going to have to learn to be very careful around Alice Rose for a long time to come.’
Jackson helped Lily into a sitting position. ‘I’m so sorry you can’t hold your daughter yet.’ That had to be devastating for any new mother. During many long phone calls last year Sasha had often told him that she could barely wait for Melanie to be placed in her arms and to be able to give her that very first kiss. Lily and Matthew weren’t going to have that for a while.
‘I’m grateful she’s doing all right so far. Not like last time. We knew straight away little Molly wouldn’t make it.’ Lily’s bottom lip trembled. ‘No. I’m lying. I want to hold her so much it hurts. By the time I do she won’t be a newborn.’ The tears flowed, pouring down her cheeks to soak into the hospital gown that she still wore.
‘You’re going to need to head across to Nelson as soon as possible,’ Jackson told her, shifting the subject to more practical matters. ‘There’s a shower next door, if you want to clean up first.’
‘Thank you. It all seems surreal. I’ve just been through childbirth and there’s no baby in my arms to show for it.’ Tears sparkled out of her tired eyes as she gathered up her clothes and headed towards the bathroom.
His heart squeezed. For this couple who’d blown into their lives that morning with a monumental problem? Or could there be more to his emotional reaction? Since the attack he’d never quite known where his emotions were taking him, they were so out of whack. Coming home had added to his unrest. Having spent so many years being thankful that he’d escaped Golden Bay, it was difficult to understand why regrets were now filtering through his long-held beliefs.
He’d never really given much thought to having a family of his own. It wasn’t that he didn’t want one. It was just a thought that had been on the back burner while he established his career and got over his distrust of women enough to get to really know them. Then his career had grown into a two-headed monster, leaving him little time to
