Page 79 of Doc Rock
When he was done, he handed the scissors back and stared down at his son.“He’s perfect,”he murmured.“Thanks for coming, Mai.It wasturning into a mess.”
“Yeah. Iheard. I’m glad I was close by.”Mai checked the baby again, who while small, had pinked up nicely, was breathing well and had a normal heart rate.
“What’s going on?”Clara called out.
Taylor glanced down at his son and across to where his wife was hidden behind the drapes. His eyes snagged on the surgery that was happening on Clara, and he went green.
Mai put her hand on his shoulder and turned him so he wasn’t facing his wife, who currently had two sets of surgeons’ hands inside her abdomen.
“Your baby’s fine,” Mai spoke loudly so Clara could hear.
“Is Taylor still on his feet?”Clara replied.
Mai snorted with laughter.“Just about.”
Taylor didn’t seem to care that he was being teased as he swallowed over and over, breathing deeply.
Sadie popped her head around the corner of the drapes again.“I’m not coming over. I’m not allowed toseethe baby before Clara does.”
Mai looked back down at the baby. He was looking good enough to go across for a quick cuddle, but she definitely wanted him in the nursery overnight for monitoring.
The midwife, who had finally broken out of her stupor, slipped around to the front of the resuscitaire and efficiently put a nappy on Clara and Taylor’s baby.
Taylor had sensibly decided he should keep his eyes on his child, not his wife, at this point and reached out a tentative hand to touch his baby’s finger, which reflexively clasped his. His eyes opened wider in amazement, and for a second, Mai imagined whatit wouldbe like if Ford was standingthere.
They had always talked about having a kid, but they had been so young, despite their talk about big families, neither reallyknewif they wanted one or not. But now that she was in her thirties, if Ford wanted one, she would agree. Her mind ground to a halt.Where had that thought come from?
From the hopeful part of her that wanted Ford to forgive her.
Anyway, this wasn’t about her; this was about Clara, Taylor and their baby. She shoved thoughts of her potential family out of her head.
The midwife had wrapped up the baby tightly in a swaddle—Mai always thought it made them look like burritos—and was about to take the baby over to Clara when Mai stopped her.
“Do you mind if I do the honours?”Mai held her arms out for the baby, grinning when Taylor tracked every move of his child.“Come on, Taylor. Let’sgetyour baby across to your wife.”She led the way, Taylor following in her wake, averting his eyes from the surgery.
“Hey, Clara!”Mai exclaimed as she brought the baby into her friend’s view.
Sadie stood with her hands over her eyes.“Let meknowwhen I can look.”She was taking her promise not toseethe baby before Clara very seriously.
“I have a visitor for you.”Mai gently placed the baby onto Clara’s chest, then indicated for Taylor to sit back in his chair and put his hand onto the baby to support him, asit wastoo awkward for Clara, lying flat on her back, to do it.
“Hi,”Clara said as a tear trickled down her cheek.“You gave us a scarethere, little man.”Her eyes rose to Mai.“Thanks. I don’tknowwhat we would have done without you.”
“That’s no problem.”Mai grinned. She loved moments like these.
Clara’s eyes drifted down to the baby, then shot back to Mai in surprise.“What’s with the makeup?”
“I’m looking now. You’ve had your chance!”Sadie said, then uncovered her eyes, which immediately locked on the baby.“Oh my, he’s adorable, guys.”
Clara, though, wasn’t going to be deterred.“He is the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen. But please tell me you’ve seen Mai’s makeup?”
And now Sadie and Clara were both staring at Mai. Taylor, however, was in his own world, gazing in adoration at his wife and baby.
“What’s with the rock chick look?”Clara asked.
Mai shrugged and muttered,“I had a photoshoot with the band.”
“What?!”Clara exclaimed so forcefully that Lily called over the drapes.
