Chapter 2

“Where are your brother and sisters?”

“They’re with Dad, down in the gift shop. The flowers are supposed to be from all of us, but this is from me—just from me.” He handed her a small, floppy little bear. “His name is Brownie.”

“He’s lovely, Matthew. Thank you.” Just then her other children burst into the room, followed by their father, holding what looked like a virtual garden. Magdalena looked at the flowers and smiled at Ben.

“How are you feeling, sweetheart?” He crossed to the bed and leaned down to kiss her.

“Fine.” She knew by his expression he didn’t believe her. “Better.” He still wasn’t buying it, and she capitulated, admitting in spite of herself it was nice not to have to be strong all the time. “A little sore. Tired.”

“All right, kids.” He put the flowers on the bedside table. “Mom’s tired. Give her a kiss good night and go wait by the nurses’ station. I’ll be along in a few minutes. And behave! If I hear even a hint that the nurses had to send for security, I’m gonna sell you to the Martians.”

“Sure, Dad.” They laughed at him, Ben had been promising forever to do that if they misbehaved, and the children thought it was very funny, especially since, as Luke took great glee in pointing out, no Martians lived in their neighborhood.

Magdalena frowned. She had worried they’d be traumatized and was relieved when they weren’t. However, she didn’t like when her husband said things like that where other people might hear. They’d think she and Ben were bad parents, and they weren’t. Her children did as they were told—she was always pleased when people complimented her on how well-behaved they were—and they excelled in school and sports and all the after-school activities they were involved in: dance and Scouting and various crafts.

“I’m glad you’re okay, Mom.” Matthew lingered at the door. “G’night.”

“Good night, Matthew.” She waited until he was gone before turning to Ben. “So they’ve seen the baby. What do they think of him?” Tyrell hadn’t been planned. They were happy with their two boys and two girls and had been certain their family was complete. In fact, they’d given all the baby clothes and furniture to Goodwill. She’d felt so awful through much of this pregnancy, the task of getting new things for the baby had fallen to Ben. Maybe that was why this whole experience seemed so surreal.

“They weren’t too impressed. He was howling his head off.” Ben’s blue eyes crinkled with amusement, and her heart gave a little flip.

She loved him so much sometimes it scared her. She’d married him against her parents’ wishes—they had wanted her to marry one of her cousins—but Ben’s blue eyes and dark good looks had swayed her to disobey her father for the first time in her life.

In addition, Ben had promised everything would be fine, and it was. He was a good provider and a wonderful husband. And he was so good with the children.

“Was he all right? I don’t remember any of the others doing that.”

“Dr. Margoles said everything is fine.”

She sighed in relief. Dr. Margoles had been the children’s pediatrician since Matthew’s birth.

“Ty’s weight is a little low, and Dr. M. wants to keep him here until he hits six pounds. The minute he does, we can take him home.”

“Will the insurance cover it?” Although she wasn’t really worried. Ben’s union offered excellent benefits.

“Sure, sweetheart.” Ben stroked her hair, and she leaned into him.

A nurse walked in just then, wheeling a bassinet. “Here’s the newest member of your family.”

Ben picked up the tiny bundle with competent hands. He wasn’t like some fathers who were only comfortable with their children once they reached the age of reason. He’d pitch in and help her, walking the floor at night if necessary.

And she could see from the besotted expression on his face he was already hopelessly in love with their newest son.

Magdalena held out her arms. “Let me have him.”

Tyrell was swaddled from his neck to his feet, and a blue and white cap covered his head. A few wisps of black hair stuck out.

With the baby cradled in her arms, she lowered the front opening of her nightgown and put him to her breast.

“Ouch! He’s a greedy one!” She began to sing softly to him, and he opened his eyes, staring up at her with seeming wonder. She ran a finger over his cheek—it was so soft—and smiled up at her husband. “He has your coloring, Ben, your eyes as well as your hair.”

“Do you think? All babies have blue eyes, don’t they? The others did, but now they all have gray eyes, just like their mom.”

“No, I know this little boy will be the spitting image of his daddy.” She burped Tyrell and put him to her other breast. “Ben, the children are going to get restless. You’d better take them home.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay? The nurse won’t be back for a while. I can wait and put him back in his bassinet.”

“No, I think he’ll be eating for a while longer.” Actually, she wanted to have some time alone with this new baby. She would have been told if anything was wrong, but she needed to reassure herself, just as she had with each of the others.