Two Weeks (The Baxter Family #5)(41)

The infant’s chest trembled and shook with every mechanical breath. Lucy blinked back tears. “She’s a fighter.” She turned to Brooke. “What’s her situation? If she makes it?”

“Same as always.” Brooke lowered her clipboard and her shoulders sank a little. “Mom’s in rehab—wants to fix things, wants her baby. Grandma’s willing to help.”

“Something has to change.” Lucy stood and touched the baby girl’s foot again. “It’s not fair.”

“No.” Brooke checked her notes. “I’ve got to do some tests on Nathan.” She gave Lucy a sad look. But before she turned away she hesitated. “Oh . . . I’ve been meaning to tell you. I gave Aaron the number of an attorney a few weeks ago. The father of a patient of mine.” She paused. “He handles adoptions.”

Lucy nodded. “He told me.” She wasn’t sure what to say, how to react. “Thanks, Brooke. We’re talking about it.”

For a moment, Brooke only studied her, as if she could see the deeper pain in Lucy’s soul. “We’ll catch up later.”

“Okay.” Lucy waited till she was gone. Then once more she sat down next to the sick baby girl’s bed. Aaron had showed her the attorney’s card last night. Lucy didn’t realize he’d had it that long. But at least Aaron was honest with her.

“I’ve held on to this thing for a while now. In fact . . . I almost threw it away.” He had looked deep into her eyes. “You asked for a break. I want you to have one—no matter how I feel.” He studied the business card and then handed it to her. “But don’t you think this could be a sign, Lucy? From God?”

She hadn’t known what to feel. Whether she should scream or hug him and never let go. Yes, she wanted a break and she loved Aaron even more for being sensitive to the fact. But his undying genuine belief that God was still going to bring about a miracle, that He was going to give them a baby, was so heartbreaking Lucy could hardly be angry.

Their lives were a trail of broken moments and closed doors when it came to having a baby. First baby Rio, then little Sophie. And one more child, a time when it seemed certain God Himself had moved heaven and earth to give them a baby.

The news had come at ten-fifteen in the morning on a Tuesday, just eight months ago. The last summer they were in Atlanta. Lucy had been at work, but the call came to the nurses’ station.

One of the doctors had found her treating a sick baby. “Lucy, you need to come. Now!”

At first she had thought something happened to Aaron. They had worked at different hospitals at that point, his fifteen miles on the other side of the city. She could remember the blood draining from her face, her heartbeat in her throat.

She hurried to the phone, but instead of Aaron, it was a familiar voice. The woman’s words came fast and excited. It was Bonnie, a nurse Lucy had worked with until the previous Christmas.

“There’s a baby boy here, Lucy,” the woman said. “You need to come right now. Tell Aaron.”

Then the woman had done her best to explain the story. A teenage girl had given birth. Not just any girl, but the daughter of a pair of attorneys from Highcastle Royal—the wealthiest housing enclave in Atlanta. Apparently she had given birth by C-section. Something her parents insisted on so that she wouldn’t hear the baby cry. Wouldn’t have any possible bonding with the infant. “If you can imagine.” Bonnie sounded outraged.

Lucy couldn’t fathom it.

“Anyway, the poor little mama never even held her baby. She and her parents have all signed off, giving up their rights to the child. I told the attending doctor about you and Aaron. She wants the two of you and your social worker to meet us at the hospital in an hour.” Her voice brimmed with elation. “And the baby’s yours.”

It felt like a tragedy and miracle all at once. How could parents treat their daughter that way? As if prestige and money and reputation mattered more than the girl’s heart. But maybe Lucy was looking too deeply into the situation. It could be the teenage mother wasn’t being pressured by her parents.

Maybe she didn’t want to raise a baby.

But why not at least make an adoption plan for the child? Lucy would never understand. Still, she didn’t dwell on the question for more than a few seconds. The bigger reality was exploding through her.

With no warning whatsoever, she and Aaron were going to have a baby of their own! A little boy who would never know anything but the two of them, never feel the uncertainty of foster care, never know a life other than the one he would have with them.

Lucy could barely hit the numbers as she called Aaron and explained the situation. “We have a baby boy!” she blurted out.

“What?” Aaron sounded ready to run from his office to find the child. “Where? How do we . . . What do you mean? Lucy, talk to me.”

She laughed, part disbelief, part otherworldly joy. A happiness she had known only a few times in all her life. They were going to be parents! She shared the details with Aaron and they called their social worker. The plan was set.

At one that afternoon, they’d meet at the hospital with the baby’s medical team. Paperwork would be signed and that night their son would be sleeping under their roof. In the nursery that had been waiting for him as far back as Lucy could remember.

Lucy didn’t know what to do. She asked for the rest of the day off, drove home and ran to the baby bedroom. The crib was clean, changing table ready. A quick trip to Target and she had a car seat, a selection of newborn outfits. Diapers. Wipes. Baby bottles. Pacifiers.