Chapter 389

“We’re at the lake, but we’ll get to the hospital as fast as we can,” I told Justin. “Give Amy a kiss for me, and tell her I’m on my way.”

“The doctors said first babies can take a while, so don’t break the speed limit and drive safe,” Justin replied. “See you when you get here.”

I hung up and leaped out of the boat. “Amy ‘s baby is coming!”

“Is she and the baby okay?” Victor asked.

“They should be,” I replied. “The baby is coming a little early, but the doctor told her at her last check-up that  everything would be fine if it were born soon.”

“Let’s go,” Victor led the way back to my truck. He tossed the cooler into the back and climbed behind the wheel. He knew I was too excited about the baby to drive.

Victor drove as quickly as he could without jeopardizing any lives, but it felt like hours before we arrived at the hospital.

I could barely contain my excitement while we waited for the elevator to take us to the fourth floor. Resisting the urge to run, I clutched Victor‘s hand as we made our way up the hall to delivery room B.

But the room was empty. I went to the nurse’s station and inquired about Amy. A nurse made a phone call before sending us to room 424.

This time, I did run down the hall. Victor caught up with me just before I opened the door. I had to know if Amy and the baby were okay.

My heart was pounding when I opened the door and peeked inside. But the scene in front of my eyes made me cry with joy.

Amy was lying in the hospital bed with Justin at her side. They were both smiling at the tiny bundle in Amy‘s arms.

Amy looked up and beckoned me to come closer.

“Come on in,” she said. “I want Brendra to meet her Aunt Daisy and Uncle Victor.”

“Brendre, for Brenna and Deirdre. I like it,” I said as I slowly approached the bed.” It was sweet that Amy named the baby after her biological and adopted mother.”

I arrived at Amy’s side and looked into the tiny face of Amy’s newborn daughter. She was beautiful.

Amy pulled back the blanket and took off the knitted cap Brendre wore to show me the baby’s blonde curls.

“She looks like you,” I said. I was amazed at the baby’s perfection, from her hair to her little fingers with perfect nails to her tiny feet.

I reached out with one finger and touched her arm, thrilled at the softness of Brendre’s skin.

“She’s perfect, Amy,” I whispered. “Just perfect.”

“Here.” Amy held out her newborn daughter. “Hold her.”

I backed away. “I don’t know how.”

Amy giggled. “It’s easy. Just support her head and let her lay in your arms.”

I took the baby and felt my breath catch in my throat. Brendre opened her eyes and yawned, making my heart swell with an emotion I never felt before.

Suddenly, I would do anything for this tiny individual. I wanted to protect and pamper her. I held her closer and kissed her little fingers.

Was this the maternal instinct I’ve heard about? Whatever it was, it was powerful.

Victor stepped to my side and brushed the baby’s cheek with one finger. “She’s gorgeous, Amy. Well done.”

“Well, I had something to do with it,” Justin objected.

“Of course you did,” Amy giggled. She knew he was teasing.

Justin leaned over the bed and kissed his wife. “But I know you did all the hard work, honey.”

A nurse walked into the room. “I’m sorry, but visiting hours are over.” She took the baby and let Amy hold her for a moment.

Amy let out a big yawn, and the nurse took the baby again.

“You need to rest,” the nurse advised. “I’ll bring the baby back at feeding time.” She walked out the door with Brendre.

“We will come back tomorrow after you’re rested.” I started to move towards the door. “Congratulations, guys.”

“Yes, congratulations,” Victor repeated. “She’s a beautiful baby.”

We left and walked down the hallway in search of the elevator.

“I think the elevator is this way,” I said and turned left at the nurse's desk.

But instead of the two elevators, we found the baby viewing window. On the other side of the glass were rows of newborns sleeping comfortably.

I stopped with my nose an inch from the glass. “Look at them,” I whispered. “They are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,”

That strange yearning came over me, and tears came to my eyes. I wanted to go into that room and hold them. I wanted to keep them safe, warm, and fed. I wanted to teach them and help them grow.

Victor put a hand on my back. “Let’s go home, sweetheart. You can come back to see Amy’s baby tomorrow.“

“Yeah, I said, pulling my eyes from the sight of the dear little ones.

“Daisy,” Victor said and took my hand.

I gave myself a mental shake and silently let Victor lead me from the hospital.

Over the next few days, I visited Amy and the baby at the hospital and her new home. Every time I held Brendre, the feeling returned.

I couldn’t talk about it with Amy or Victor because I wasn’t sure what I felt.

I knew I wasn’t ready for a baby yet. The thought of being a mother was terrifying. But babies were all I could think about, and they seemed to be everywhere.

After my visit one afternoon, when holding Brendre made tears come to my eyes, I returned to the mansion and hurried to the rose garden.

There, I stripped and called for Diana. My roiling emotions calmed as my wolf galloped around the field.

We did several laps through the high grass before stopping at the pond to drink.

“Why does Amy’s baby upset you?” Diana asked. “You enjoy Brendre and seem fascinated by her, yet I know you’ve been confused and troubled since the first time you held the little one.”

“The feeling I have when I hold her is overwhelming,” I admitted. “It’s an intense love, but nothing like the love I have for Victor. I never felt anything like it.”

“You never played with doll babies when you were young,” Diana stated. “I was watching you with Amy one day years ago. You refused to hold her new doll.”

“Dolls reminded me of when my adoptive parents had their own child and pushed me aside,” I confessed. “And I was forbidden to hold Andrea or even touch her when she was a baby.”

“But you said holding little Brendre is overwhelming in a good way,” Dianna said. “You love her and enjoy holding her.”

“Yes,” I replied. “She makes me want a baby of my own. Yet, I don’t think I’m ready, but I can’t help thinking about how wonderful it would be to have a child that’s half me and half Victor.”

“What would make you ready to have a baby?” Dianna asked as we strolled toward the rose garden.

“I don't graduate for a few weeks,” I said. “That’s why Victor and I aren’t married yet. And I know I want to work and do more with my life.”

“That’s why they invented nannies and au pairs,” Dianna teased. “Daisy, you can be a mother and have a full life with a career. Lana did it. Your own mother did it. So can you.”

“Having a child doesn’t mean you won’t be able to achieve your dreams,” Dianna added. “I think the reason why you're so unsettled since Amy had Brendre is because you need to move forward with your life.”

“It’s time to marry Victor,” I said, realizing Dianna was right.

“You’ll have your degree in a few weeks,” Dianna said. “Your life can be whatever you want it to be. You could do that news program or work with the Public Defender or anything else, maybe while you try to have a baby.”

I mulled over Dianna’s words, but I knew she was right. It was time for me to take the next steps in my life.

Victor was due home from the Association any minute. I had to talk to him.

“Thank you, Dianna,” I said before shifting human and dressing in the clothes I’d left among the roses.

I then hurried around the side of the mansion and found Victor in the driveway, getting out of the Lamborghini.

“Hey,” I called and waved.

“Hey, yourself,” Victor said with a smile. “You look brighter. What’s up?”

I threw my arms around him and kissed him. “I’m ready to be married soon. That is if you still want to marry me.”