Page 81 of Doc Rock
“So in love,”Sadie swooned, then winked.“Although I do agree with Clara. Take it again, Taylor. This time, everyone do their best pouts.”
Mai glanced over at Sadie, who had a ridiculous look on her face, then channelled Sie and pulled the face she always had in Midnight Thunder photos.
Clara examined the image.“Much better. Mai, if you make faces like that, everyone willknowwho you were in a previous life. I can’t believe we didn’tseeit before.”
Sadie snatched the phone and peered at the screen. “Shit, yeah. With the makeup and the expression, you look just like…“ she trailed off.
“Me?” Mai said.
“Yeah. I’m still getting my brain around that one.”Sadie shook her head and turned to her phone, sending the picture through to her friends.
Mai’s phone buzzed in her pocket as the message arrived.It wassuch a nice thing to be part of a group again; she hadn’tfeltpart of anything since Midnight Thunder. Her mind strayed to Ford, sitting outside waiting for her.
Lily, popping her head over the drapes, interrupted her thoughts.“All done here. We’llgetyou cleaned up and out to recovery.”
“Thanks, Lily,” Clara replied.
Lily stepped away from Clara and walked over to the desk, a slight limp noticeable in her step. The surgeon sat down with a huff and started typing up the operation report on the computer.
Mai smiled regretfully at Clara. “I’m going to take Hayes to the nursery, check his sugars and keep an eye on him overnight. He looks great, but being only thirty-four weeks,it wouldbe safer for him to be monitored overnight.”
Tears sprang into Clara’s eyes, even as she nodded her agreement.“That’s alright. I understand. Taylor, can you go with Hayes?”
Taylor stared at his wife for a long time, clearly not wanting to leave her.
“I’ll stay with Clara. I came in from home anyway, I’ve got the time,”Sadie offered.
“And you won’t have to do bedtime?”Clara chuckled through her upset.
“That is a bonus.”Sadie shrugged and patted her friend’s shoulder affectionately.
As the drapes were pulled off Clara, Mai reached down and took Hayes.“Give your mummy a kiss.”She positioned Hayes so he snuggled into Clara’s cheek. Then lifted him up safely into her arms.“I’ll take care of him for you.”She met her friend’s eyes, who nodded.“Come on, Taylor. Let’sgetyour son settled.”
“I’ll bring Clara up as soon as the recovery guys are happy,”Sadie said.
Taylor leaned over and touched his forehead to Clara’s, then kissed her.“We’re parents.”
Tears welled in Clara's eyes again.“Iknow. I’m scared shitless.”
“Me too,” Taylor agreed.
Mai stood watching them, grinning as she rocked their baby in her arms. A small part of her hoped that one day she would have this with the man she loved.
Chapter 30
Ford
Ford’s cheeks were aching from smiling, and he thought he might have taken a selfie with every person who worked in Burra hospital and most of the visitors, as a crowd had gathered around him while he chatted with the police officers.
After three hours, he called time and excused himself to go to the hospital café and grab something to eat and drink, which took him more time than he wanted, as he had been accosted for more photos.
He was relaxing in his car when he finally got a text message from Sie.
‘Heading out now.’
Ford grinned and sent her back.‘I’ll meet you at the front door.’
By the time he'd started the car and pulled it around to the hospital's entrance, Sie was standingtherewaiting for him. She looked tired, but had a smile on her face.
