about to go look for a place to sit when she felt her insides twist with so much intensity that she nearly doubled over from the pain.
The shock of it was followed by bone-numbing fear. Nothing was supposed to hurt that much. What if something had happened to the baby?
She no more than thought the question when the pain returned, sharper this time—a rip cord circling her belly, wrapping tighter and tighter. Panic joined fear. This was bad. Really bad.
She looked around at the party going on and had no idea what to do. She didn’t want to create a scene but knew she couldn’t stay standing much longer. She was breathing in pants and she’d broken out in a cold sweat. She had to—
Her mouth literally dropped open as the truth dawned. Nothing bad had happened. She was in labor!
Her dad walked up and put his arm around her, while smiling at the guys. “This is about the prettiest wedding I’ve ever been to. You did good, kid. Holly’s going to remember this day for the rest of her life.”
Joylyn stared at him. “That’s true, Dad, and for more reasons than you think.”
He frowned. “What are you talking about, sweetie?” He studied her more closely. “Are you all right?”
Before she could answer, she felt a rushing wetness between her legs. It was as if she’d peed herself, only she hadn’t had to go to the bathroom. She stared down at the dampness on her pink dress, then at her father.
“I’m in labor.”
His eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “What?” he demanded in a loud voice. “Now? Are you sure?”
His freak-out had a calming effect on her. She motioned to the front of her dress and managed a smile. “Pretty sure, Dad.”
“Okay.” He put his still-full glass of champagne on a table. “We can do this. It’s early, but not too early. You’ll be fine.”
“I know.”
“Your mom’s in Phoenix. We’ll call her on the way to the hospital. Chandler’s on a plane, so that’s more complicated.” He took her hands in his. “Joylyn, I’m going to be here for you. I want you to believe me. We’ve taken the classes together, and we both know what to do. I won’t leave your side, little girl. I’ll be right here, taking care of you.”
She smiled. “I know, Dad. I trust you to take care of me. Now let’s go home so I can change and get my bag, then we’ll drive to the hospital.”
* * *
GARRICK HELD HIS newborn grandson in his arms. Despite the swaddling and the cap, he was so small. Technically, he was perfectly healthy and a good weight at seven pounds, nine ounces, but all wrapped up like that, he was impossibly little.
“You’re going to be growing,” Garrick told him in a low voice. “One day we’ll all look back at the pictures of you, and we won’t believe how much you’ve changed.”
He glanced across the room where Chandler lay stretched out beside Joylyn in the hospital bed, their arms wrapped around each other. He knew he should get going and give the new family some time together, but he wanted just a few more minutes with his grandson.
“Your mom did an incredible job,” he continued. “She was so strong. I was the one who was scared.”
Giving birth was not for the faint of heart, he thought, remembering how Joylyn had clutched his hands, breathing and pushing, delivering her first child with more bravery than he’d ever seen before. As promised, he’d been with her every step of the way. During the various exams, he’d offered to step out of the room, but she’d asked him to stay by her side and he had.
It didn’t make up for what they’d lost—nothing could do that—but it had given them new memories.
Chandler carefully slid off the bed and joined him.
“She’s asleep,” he said in a low voice. “She’s got to be exhausted.” He looked at Garrick. “I want to thank you for taking such good care of her.”
“I’m her dad. Taking care of her is all I ever wanted to do.” He smiled. “Now it’s your job, and I expect you to do a good one. Just remember that I loved her first.”
“I will.”
Garrick kissed the baby’s forehead, then passed him to Chandler. “Years from now it will be your turn to tell someone you loved this little guy first.”
Chandler held the baby gingerly. Garrick wanted to offer advice, but told himself the kid would figure it out