Page 150 of The Bachelor Spy
Her eyes went wide. Searing, but not different than the ones she’d had before. Then another with increased intensity. She gasped from the suddenness after a reprieve.
Her gaze locked with that of Dr. Ross, who rounded to the end of the bed again.
She was going to die!
“What is it?” Frederick was back at her side, his attention shifting from her to Dr. Ross.
“Take the baby,” Dr. Ross ordered, his face solemn as he looked up from the foot of the bed.
Grace’s palm pressed against the tiny bundle on her chest. If she was going to die, couldn’t she do it with her baby in her arms? “Why?”
The doctor’s entire expression softened into a faint smile. “You’re going to need your strength for a little longer, my lady.” One of his brows crooked. “There’s another baby on the way.”
Another? On the way from where?
Which seemed a ridiculous question, but … well … her thoughts weren’t entirely in order.
“What?” Frederick blurted, even as Mrs. Powell took their wriggly son from Grace and placed him in Frederick’s arms.
Grace shook her head, attempting to gather her wits. “Another baby?”
She knew what twins were. Had read about them. Seen a few. Understood the concept, of course.
But how on earth could one more fit inside of her?
It seemed impossible.
“But you never … in all the examinations.” The words barely made it through Grace’s parched throat. “You never said—”
“The second baby must have been positioned behind the first,” Dr. Ross responded calmly, though he moved nonstop in preparation. “It happens sometimes. But, Lady Astley, there will be a few more contractions like before.” His gaze held hers. “I need you to push again.”
Her body was so tired. Energy spent. “I … I don’t …”
“You can, darling.” Frederick was back at her side, their little son in his arms. His smile so warm and wonderful. And somehow she caught courage from his smile as she had the first time. Strength too. He tilted their son toward her so she could see him more clearly, his little face scrunched in a yawn. “You just did this once. You can do it again.”
And she did. The pain. The pushing. The moan of release.
And … another baby’s cry split the silence.
Another boy. And this one boasted a head of sparse red curls.
Somewhere in the distance, mingling with the cries of their second son, the sound of carols drifted from deep within the house. Male voices. Harmonies.
“Joy to the World.”
Grace sniffled out a laugh as Dr. Ross placed their second son into her arms. The Christmas song, even at a distance, somehow filling the room. The sweetness. The truths.
The joy!
“And wonders of His love. And wonders of His love.”
Love. God’s love. Grace looked down at the baby in her arms and then raised her gaze to Frederick, tears shining in those dark eyes of his, his hair in disarray from the way his glasses pushed it back in all directions, and their firstborn son cradled against his chest.
She’d never imagined loving him more, but … she did.
Wonders of love? Certainly!
An hour later, when the babies had been fed and Grace somewhat situated to receive visitors, Zahra and Lily came first, both in awe of their new siblings. But then a very special request was made to invite Blake and Brandon into the room. Evie, of course, accompanied Blake.
