Page 79 of Fame And Secrets
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Julian
For the rest of my life, I’d never forget a single detail of how she looked.
Her hospital gown clung to her like a second skin, and her damp hair matted around her face. Mascara ran down her cheeks, and dark circles rimmed her eyes. Her flushed face puffed out with exertion, and her fingers gripped her own thighs to the point of bruising.
She’d never looked more beautiful.
In the doorway with the phone cradled against my ear, I watched as she turned her blue eyes, pinning me where I stood.
“You’re late,” she rasped.
Beside her, all the air rushed from Ryker’s chest in relief. “Julian, you bastard.”
I dropped the phone onto the chair and sank to my knees by her side. A similar exchange popped into my mind when I found her bleeding on the floor of her apartment in New York.
“Traffic,” I responded, kissing her hand. “It won’t happen again.” My hand stroked her wet hair. I raked a thumb across her cheek. I’m so sorry, baby.”
“Mmmhmm.” She finished the familiar banter as she leaned her cheek into my hand.
Pushing myself up onto one knee, I kissed her. I was unsure of everything—what would hurt her, what had happened—but I knew I had to connect with her. I made no move to pull away, my heavier beard dusting across her cheek.
Glancing up, a balding man in a white lab coat wiped his brow with his shoulder. “I hate to break up this impromptu reunion, but it’s time to have a baby, people.”
Phoebe’s eyes brimmed with tears as she pulled away and mouthed, “I love you.” I returned all three words as Ryker lightly touched her shoulder.
“Pheebs, last one. You can do this,” he paused and glanced at me with a smile, “now.”
She inhaled deeply and grabbed my hand, entwining our fingers as she brought them both back to her thigh. Squeezing our hands, she pushed and grunted.
“…Six, seven, eight, nine, ten…good! Perfect Miss Ryan!” Through wide eyes, I glanced from the doctor back to Phoebe. The entire scene seemed unreal to me. “One more is all we need! No rest, another breath…push!”
A brutal scream tore from deep inside her as I heard the words I’d sold my soul to make it in time to hear.
“There we go! Piece of cake from here, kids. Hold tight for a minute, Miss Ryan, I need to suction.”
Focused on Phoebe’s shocked face, I had no time to wrap myself around the words before she clamped down on my hand and twisted the fuck out of it.
“I can’t…I can’t hold it…” Her head shook violently.
Finally, the doctor gave the green light. “I’ve got it. One last push.”
I held my wife as she groaned one final time and collapsed against the pillow.
“You did excellent. Kids, you have yourselves a small but healthy baby girl.”
With sweat dripping in her eyes, she turned to me, tears rolling down her face. Releasing my hand, she trailed a finger across my bottom lip. Blowing out a breath, I caught her wrist in my hand and bowed my head. Kissing her palm, I rested it against my cheek. Unfamiliar dampness rolled between our skin.
I wanted to say something amazingly eloquent to her. If any moment called for me to be amazingly eloquent, this was it. But all I could do was lift my head and stare into her eyes as we both waited for it.
Within seconds, the sounds fill the room. The most beautiful sound I’d ever heard. As her cries got louder, I finally let it consume me and dropped my forehead against the side of the bed.
“Hey.” She ran a hand over the top of my head, burying her fingers in my hair. I rolled my forehead against the rail. I needed a moment. I’d never felt anything like the emotion ripping through me. This couldn’t be described with words.
Minutes passed, the magnitude silencing me.
I have a daughter.