Epilogue
“How do I look? Do I look okay?”
Rowan shoved herself out of the chair stomach first and readjusted Laura’s veil. “For the millionth time, you look beautiful.”
“And Mike’s here? Right?”
Stretching the kinks from her aching back, Rowan laughed. “Of course he’s here.”
“Yes, but…”
Rowan placed her hands over Laura’s lips. “Enough already. He loves you and it’s time to get you married.”
It was a wonder she wasn’t more nervous. Laura had certainly had more than her share of roadblocks since Mike’s proposal six months ago. A recent court-martial case that had placed bride and groom on opposite sides had not only threatened to run over into the honeymoon but had also put the two at such odds that it had almost ruined the wedding.
At one point, the groom had even moved in with Phillip and Rowan when the bride had accused him of spying on her case notes. Thankfully, that little incident had blown over in less time than it had taken for Mike to pack his bags.
Two days ago, one bridesmaid had broken an ankle playing flag football. Another was battling the flu. The ring bearer hadn’t stopped crying during rehearsal.
Then there was the shortage of hotel rooms for the out-of-town guests. That meant borrowing space at the homes of friends. Ten of Mike’s relatives were camping out at Phillip and Rowan’s house, adding to Rowan’s tension and shortening her temper. If it weren’t for the help that Claudia, Emma and Phillip’s mother had given these last few days, she might have exploded from the constant crush of people in her space.
Now all that was behind Laura and Mike. The sun beamed a blessing through the high church windows. Everything was finally going smoothly. Even the ring bearer was all smiles as he played tag with the flower girl.
Laura hugged her as close as Rowan’s belly would allow. “You’ve been a godsend these last six months. I swear you’ve missed your calling. When you leave the Marine Corps, you should become a professional wedding planner. With your organizational skills—”
“Stop it. You’ll have my head as big as my belly.” She clapped her hands. “Okay, everyone line up. You know your cues. I’m going to take my seat. You’re on your own from here.”
Rowan tucked the bridal bouquet into Laura’s shaking fingers, pulled the veil over her face then slipped into the church.
As promised, Claudia and Ellen had saved her a seat near the front. It was going to be a relief to finally sit down. She was glad she and Phillip had married quickly in Las Vegas. Big weddings were not for her. Her pregnancy, combined with helping Laura plan this wedding, had exhausted her more than she’d anticipated. Thankfully, Phillip had been there to lean on when she’d needed it.
It seemed they had been blessed the last year. Phillip’d had no difficulty finding a job as a teacher at the local high school. In the evenings, he taught law courses at the community college and extension university. He spent his spare time with the scouts or coaching Ian’s sports teams. Then there was his dedication to her.
He never hesitated to lend a hand, but the instant he’d discovered she was carrying their second child, she’d become a pampered princess. When morning sickness had overwhelmed her, Phillip had been there to hold her head and mop the sweat from her brow. Heavy work was forbidden. Back massages and tummy rubs had become a daily event as she’d grown Through appointments, ultrasounds and during all facets of the pregnancy, Phillip had stayed by her side.
She couldn’t function without him and didn’t know how she’d managed all these years without him. She never wanted to find out if she could again.
The music began, chasing away Rowan’s thoughts. Mike and Phillip filed in and took their places. As he caught her eye, Phillip gave a wink. Rowan blushed.
To hide her smile, she turned with the guests to watch her handiwork unfold. The bridesmaids and groomsmen were all smiles. Zach supported his partner on his arm so skillfully that only those closest to Laura knew the bridesmaid had a broken ankle. Still, the best man stood out handsomely among the rest of the party.
Then the wedding march began. Rowan’s smile faltered as a contraction took her breath away.
Oh, no. Not now.
Her back had been aching for more than a week, plus she had been having tiny twinges of pain for the last several days but nothing consistent. In fact, she had put it down to the stress of last-minute wedding preparations. Now, at the worst possible time, they hit her full force.
She gripped the back of the pew in front of her and focused her gaze on the bride, avoiding Phillip’s gaze. It was a futile attempt at deception. Once Laura walked by, Rowan chanced a look at the head of the aisle.
Concern creased Phillip’s forehead. He knew her better than she knew herself, often anticipating her needs before she could voice them. There was simply no keeping secrets from the man.
She gave a quick shake of her head. His frown grew. The ceremony drew his faltering attention back to the bride and groom. As Mike took Laura’s hand, the contraction passed.
Thank goodness. Nothing should spoil this day for Laura. Rowan refused to let the arrival of one tiny baby set the couple back. In a few hours, everything would return to normal. Mike and Laura would be married. Her house would be her own.
Another contraction seized her.
Rowan tensed and sucked in a breath through clenched teeth.
On either side of her, Ellen and Claudia leaned in close. “Are you all right?” they whispered in unison.
Rowan forced a nod but the smile refused to come.
“I know I said I wanted to be with you when the baby came, but I didn’t mean literally. If I had known you were going to pull a stunt like this, I would have stayed at Emma’s with Ian and the grandmothers,” Claudia said. Her normally cool voice bordered on panic. “Please, don’t have it here.”
Rowan could hear the hidden plea. “I can’t help it,” she whispered back. “He’s not due for another week.”
Ellen raised her eyebrows. “You must have had a back-up plan, just in case—”
“No, I don’t have a back-up plan, just in case,” Rowan snapped.
“Testy, too,” Ellen tsked.
“She’s been that way for a week,” Claudia added.
“Baby must be coming quick.”
Rowan prayed that wasn’t so. It couldn’t be. Her labor with Ian had lasted a good twelve hours. But with the priest’s first reading, her water broke.
Mortification paralyzed her as the puddle beneath her grew. She wanted to burst into tears and would have if she wasn’t afraid doing so would draw attention her way.
The pain intensified with each minute that passed. Only through sheer will did she manage to get through the too-long mass. The wedding was beautiful, but she saw it all through a haze of pain.
She waited, avoiding Phillip’s questioning gaze, until Mike and Laura walked back down the aisle. Once they’d passed, she clutched Ellen’s arm.
“Phone nine-one-one. The baby’s coming. Now!”
What came out as a whisper rippled through the guests like wildfire, reaching Phillip before he arrived at the receiving area outside the church.
A crowd swarmed around Rowan. She saw Phillip pushing his way back up the aisle, but the exiting guests were blocking his way.
She was conscious of the priest plucking at her sleeve, urging her to a side room while Ellen begged her to lie down on the pew. It was a tug-of-war, with Rowan as the rope and the guests as spectators. Madness. Insanity. All she wanted was Phillip.
She heard his barked command. A path cleared and he slipped those strong arms around her.
“It’s okay, honey. I’m here now.”
With a nod, she relaxed against him. Yes, all was right with her world. Phillip was with her just as he had been since the day they’d been married—her partner, her love, her life.
He wrapped his fingers around hers. “Hold on, sweetheart. The paramedics are on the way.”
“Tell that to your son.”
Phillip placed his hand on her belly. Tears glistened unshed in his silver eyes. “Patience, little guy. Your mom and I would like a doctor present.”
Sirens blared from outside. Seconds later, a paramedic rushed in.
“Give her room! Everyone back!” He skidded to his knees beside Rowan. “How close, ma’am?”
“Real close,” she said in a rush of breath.
“Think you can make it to the hospital?”
Rowan nodded, despite her misgivings.
Phillip smiled and brushed a kiss against her temple. “Then let’s go bring James into the world.”
They made it as far as the ambulance.
She grabbed Phillip’s hand and yanked the gurney to a stop. “I can’t. Not in there. It’s too closed in.”
“It’s no different than getting in your van.” He motioned the paramedics on, gripping her fingers tight as they lifted her into the ambulance. “Look at me, honey. Just look at me and everything will be all right. Remember, I’m your coach. I’m supposed be the boss.”
“Not on your best day.” Any further remarks or claustrophobic fears were wiped away by the force of the next contraction. Following his lead, Rowan breathed. Five minutes later, James McKinley Stuart slipped into the world, red-faced and squalling.
Exhausted yet elated, Rowan let the paramedic tuck her newborn son into her arms. One look at the shock on Phillip’s face forced a giggle from her throat.
“What’s the matter, sweetheart?”
“He’s so tiny.” Phillip’s eyes were riveted upon the squalling red bundle.
“And already stubborn. I imagine we’ll have our hands full with this one.”
Phillip relaxed. “Maybe… You know that was easier than I expected.”
Rowan rolled her eyes, and gave an exhausted sigh. “Then next time you can give birth.”
He smiled and dropped a kiss to James’s head, then hers. “Anything for you, love. Anything.”
Tears overwhelmed her. “Then I’d like a little girl next time. Okay?”
“My pleasure.”
“I love you, Phillip.” Her answer was choked but she couldn’t tell if it was from the tears of joy or the loving kiss he pressed to her lips. Always faithful. No doubt about it.