A Season of Angels (Angels Everywhere #1)(83)

Once the task was completed, Michelle relaxed. “Will you be in the delivery room with me?”

“I’m not sure,” Leah said. “Normally I’d stay but I have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon myself. Let’s play this by ear and see how matters go. You’re doing just great so I don’t think there’ll be any problem.”

“Good,” Michelle, said faintly. “I want you to be there if you can. I need someone.”

To have Michelle so alone at this important moment tore at Leah’s heart. She longed to reassure her patient that she’d seen cases like hers often. “Your parents will come around soon enough,” Leah said, gently patting her hand. “They’re going to love this baby. They won’t be able to help themselves.”

“I think so too.”

“Do you have any names picked out?”

Michelle shook her sweat-dampened head. “No, I didn’t want to know if the baby was a girl or a boy. I thought I’d decide on a name later.”

Another two hours passed before Michelle was ready for the delivery room. Leah went in with her, along with the anesthesiologist, Dr. Leon, and the gynecologist, Dr. Beecher. Leah had worked with the anesthesiologist on numerous occasions.

Michelle was a model patient and when the moment came for her baby to be born, she gave a shout of joy. “A girl, a girl.” Leah weighed the squalling newborn, wrapped her in a warm blanket, and gently placed her in Michelle’s arms.

“A girl,” Michelle sobbed. “I’m so pleased I had a little girl. That was what I wanted, but I was so afraid to care.”

“She’s a beautiful baby,” Leah said.

“Thank you. Thank you for your help.”

After she carried the newborn into the nursery, Leah happened to glance up at the clock. She’d need to hurry if she was going to make it to Dr. Benoit’s in time for her appointment. “I have to rush now, but I’ll be by to see you in the morning,” she told Michelle when she returned.

“Please don’t forget,” Michelle said.

“I won’t,” Leah promised. She started to leave, but Michelle grabbed hold of her hand. “I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you.”

“I wasn’t the one who worked so hard,” Leah said, squeezing the young woman’s hand. “Give yourself some credit.”

Michelle beamed her a bright smile. “All right, I will.” She closed her eyes and yawned. “I feel like I could sleep for a week.”

“ ’Bye for now.” On her way out the door Leah realized Michelle was already asleep.

Leah felt wonderful. Her workday had been full and rewarding. She hurried into the parking lot and started her car, driving past the nativity scene on the hospital side yard. A sense of expectancy filled her. The way she felt, she didn’t need Dr. Benoit to confirm what she already knew. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind what he would tell her.

The housekeeper had instructions to place a bottle of fine champagne on ice, and there were two thick steaks in the refrigerator. This evening she and Andrew would celebrate. She’d call her parents and if possible wait until the following evening to let Andrew’s mother know when they got together for Christmas Eve.

This would be the best Christmas ever, Leah was convinced of that.

Dr. Benoit was a kind, older physician with a quick wit and a gentle heart. He’d been a comfort to her in those bleak years, reassuring and confident when Leah felt having a child was hopeless. It was only fitting that he be the one to tell her she was pregnant.

“Leah,” he said, coming into the cubicle. His smile was warm and tender. “It’s so good to see you again.”

“You were right,” she said, holding onto his hand with both of hers. “It’s happened. Andrew and I are pregnant.”

He said nothing, but then Leah gave him no opportunity.

“Kathy is thrilled for me.” Kathy was the nurse who’d collected the urine sample from her.

“Let’s sit down and talk,” he said, directing her to the chair. “Leah, you don’t know how deeply this pains me.”

“Pains you?” she asked. “I’m going to have a baby. How could such wonderful news pain you?”

The doctor’s eyes softened. He took her hand in his. “Leah, the test is negative.”

“There must be some mistake,” she said, leaping to her feet.

“I’d give anything to tell you otherwise.”

“But I’m late and experienced all the symptoms,” she argued. “It isn’t possible for me not to be pregnant.”

“The mind is very powerful. I don’t believe science has a clue of its potential. When a woman wants a child as fervently as you do, she’s sometimes able to convince her body she’s pregnant. That’s what I believe happened in your case.”

It wasn’t true. Leah refused to believe it, and yet she had no choice. Reaching for her purse, she walked toward the door.

“Are you all right?”

“Sure,” she said, but she wasn’t and she doubted that she ever would be again.

Chapter 18

“You’re back early,” Helen Chandler commented when Jody walked into the house after leaving the office party. She took off her coat and hung it in the hall closet.