Beyond the Storm: Quilts of Love Series by Carolyn Zane

Author:Carolyn Zane
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781426745973
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Published: 2012-06-04T22:00:00+00:00

13

Atta girl. That’s right,” Bernie said, as he coached Jen from over Justin and Abigail’s shoulders. “One more and you’re done. Justin, get ready.”

Try as she might to wait for the professionals, after midnight, Jen finally had to give in to her urges to push. And scream. They’d all scrambled to assemble a bed of sorts from the PetSmart pile and Chaz had run back to the cleaners for another load of battered, but still usable, dry cleaning. Abigail was holding the flashlight, and Justin was supporting her baby’s head.

Jen tensed, her entire body bunching. Then, with one amazing shriek, she pushed her son into Justin’s hands.

“I got him! I got him!” Justin was laughing and his smile was huge. “He’s a slippery cuss. What should I do now, Bernie?” Arms waving in the sudden lack of confinement, the baby was squirming and bleating like a lamb.

“Put him up on mama’s tummy and let’s get his nose and mouth cleared out and get him covered up. Chaz? Get that blouse you got from the cleaners?” Bernie pointed to the plastic-wrapped garments Chaz had brought over earlier. “That cotton blouse oughta do the trick. Zuzu? Wipe him down real good with that. Do his nose, like I showed you. Chaz, let’s get something we can wrap him in when she’s done. Abigail, hold the light up a little higher, that’s right. Good.”

“Oh my goodness!” Abigail stared at the baby, suddenly overcome with emotion. “Oh, Jen!” she breathed. “He’s so . . . beautiful!” She laughed and cried and tried not to drop the flashlight as she moved the beam to the baby’s face. Abigail glanced around and could see that everyone was brimming with happy relief, just as she was. Mother and baby were alive! It was a miracle. “Do we need to cut the cord?” Abigail asked Bernie.

“No hurry on that. Let him get used to breathing on his own first.”

“How is he?” Jen asked, peering down at the top of her baby’s head. She was exhausted, but smiling.

Bernie leaned forward. “Looks like he’s pinking up real nice. Good job, team. You’re all quick studies.” He slapped his thighs with the palms of his dirty hands. “Looks like you got a healthy, strapping boy, far as I can tell. Hard to perform an Apgar out here, but I don’t think you have anything to worry about with him being a preemie. He’s gotta be a six- or seven-pounder, easy. Chaz, bunch up some of that laundry, will ya? Put it behind mama’s head so she can get a look at her boy. Justin, grab that blanket and put it over mama and the baby now.”

As everyone quickly and efficiently did their job, long-awaited help finally emerged from the shadows. A policeman led two EMTs through the rubble and over to their group, his radio crackling with cross traffic. “We got some reports of screams coming from this area and—” The officer stopped talking when he saw the baby and laughed. “Well, if this isn’t a pleasant surprise after everything else I’ve seen tonight.

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