Accused (Ganzfield) (24 page)

“Oh. We don’t usually need to use pain-reducers.” Hannah frowned. “And the medicines we have in stock might hurt the baby.”

Then let’s get Cecelia here to—

The next contraction hit Rachel—and that meant it hit me, too. I bent double against it as Rachel groaned.
Urgh. Find. Cecelia. Fast.
A wash of cold air flowed over me as Hannah opened the door and ran out into the dark.

Once the contraction passed, I took a long breath and shook my head to clear out the thought-muddling ache. I sat down next to Rachel and elbowed her gently in the arm.

So… this sucks.

She gave a weak laugh and elbowed me back. Anxiety, fear, and mourning twisted within her.
Sean should be here. He should be going through this with me.

I bit my lip and tried to keep the sadness out of my eyes. Yeah, that would’ve been fine with me, too.

Another contraction hit a few minutes later. Rachel dug her fingers into my upper arm. I gritted my teeth and squeezed my eyes shut. One of us whimpered. The shared contraction was even more intense with physical contact. I couldn’t breathe until it’d passed.

Would Trevor mind if we hired a surrogate to carry our babies? I mean, seriously. Right now, the very concept of reproducing in this fashion seemed like a terrible idea. Would he be okay with just getting a puppy or something?

Sienna the Superbaby sent out iridescent tendrils of nebulous distress. I shook my head. Telepathic baby—like life wasn’t complicated enough. I took a deep breath and focused in.

It’s okay, little one. Everything’s okay.

A scattered band of yellow energy reached out, clung to my face for a moment, and then re-wrapped itself around Rachel.

I sensed grumpiness on the horizon.
This would have to happen in the middle of the night.

Cecelia! I’d never, ever been so happy to sense her presence.
Cecelia’s coming!

Rachel managed a weak smile. “Good.”

Cecelia gave a half-smile to Rachel as Hannah shut the door behind them. I had to hand it to her; it seemed like she’d done her homework and knew what to say. However, her words flowed through my mind and right back out.

“… so you’ll feel the pressure and be able to push.”

A light came on again in Rachel’s soul as the pain melted from her. I rubbed my face to dispel the grimace that’d locked into my muscles. I hoped Cecelia had written down what she’d said. Whatever it’d been was
fantastic!

At this moment, I had actual fondness for Cecelia.

Matilda watched with professional interest. “Rachel, we need to know what you’d like to do. If we let things develop naturally, you’ll have several more hours of labor.”

Heather jumped in with bright eyes. “But we can use our abilities to speed along the natural process. You could have the baby within a few minutes.”
I’ve wanted to try this since my obstetrics rotation!

“A few minutes?” Rachel looked from one to the other. “What’s the catch?”

Heather grinned. “Well, the catch
was
that it would’ve hurt like crazy—basically labor-pain concentrate. With the baby’s unique brain chemistry and the fact that she’s dosing you, we didn’t want to risk bad interactions with the pain meds. But, since you’re now charmed not to feel the pain, it’ll be easy.”

“So, my options are painless and quick or painless and slow?”

Heather’s smile widened, like she’d invented babies herself.

Rachel sighed with relief. “No contest.”

Hannah started a silent prayer.

Heather put her hands low on Rachel’s abdomen. Everything went into overdrive and the baby started moving in an inching, wet slide. Sienna’s wordless fear clawed at me as she was pressed tightly from all sides.

I focused in on the little mind—alone and scared, being forced out of the only world she’d ever known—and sent as much telepathic comfort as I could.
Hey, kid. It’s okay. It’s okay.
Warmth. Calmness. Love.

Her panic ebbed.

Then there was a gross bit with private parts and blood and ickiness then suddenly she was out, goo-covered, cold, and naked. She squeezed her little eyes shut and sent a blast of intensity into everyone’s brain, matching it with a vivid scream. We were all wincing and laughing and reverently awed for the whole magical process.

Matilda held the baby for a minute. Her touch sent feelers though the tiny body, checking her over and making sure Sienna was healthy. Hannah followed along with a hand on Sienna’s tiny arm. At the same time, Heather and Morris healed up Rachel. Her abdomen shrank down like a deflating balloon as the loose flesh pulled close to her body again. Even the ugly, purple stretch marks dissolved, leaving her skin smooth.

I shook my head with a grin.
Oh, yeah. G-positive obstetricians are the BEST!

As soon as Matilda finished her assessment of the baby, she wiped her down, wrapped her in a square of pink flannel, and placed her on Rachel’s chest.
I need to get the birth certificate paperwork started for her.
Sienna’s little wisps of strawberry blonde hair stuck up in spikes and her eyes were shut.

Rachel’s chest heaved silently and tears flowed down her cheeks.
Beautiful baby. I love her so much.
The burst of new mom, hormonally-intensified emotions set me off, as well. Hannah bowed her head and sent up a huge, reverent prayer of gratitude. Even Cecelia seemed moved—her normally world-weary emotions softened with about as much sense of wonder as she probably ever got.

Sienna opened her eyes and her face reflected wordless surprise.
Blue.
Her vision filled with images that were bluer than anything she’d ever experienced. Rachel’s face was clear to her, but the rest of the world was fuzzy and out of focus, so she just looked at Rachel’s face; her mind swirled green and white as she realized it was awesome. Sienna touched Rachel’s cheek with the tendril of energy and her eyes widened as she recognized Rachel with her RV ability. She also felt the unfamiliar sensation of cold air against her face—and she didn’t like it.

Ellen? The baby’s a little cold. Can you—?

The fire flared up before I could finish the thought.

I found myself smiling like a fool at this little princess.
Hi, Sunshine,
I thought to her—possibly coining a lifelong nickname. I couldn’t help it—the bright-yellow energy just set my mind that way.

Her mind glowed pale-pink as she wordlessly recognized the sensation of my voice in her mind.

Rachel, let her hear your voice.

“Sienna, you’re beautiful,” she whispered, and little Sienna glowed. At that moment, I wouldn’t have been overly surprised if three guys on camels had shown up at the door with some myrrh. Tears dripped down Rachel’s face as she added, “I wish your daddy was here to see you.”

I still felt the giddy, wondrous joy as we all left Rachel and Sienna alone. Well, semi-alone, since Ellen was there to babysit the wittle-bitty firestarter. The still-dark sky surprised me—we’d been there less than three hours. It wasn’t even 7 a.m.

I crunched through the snow back home, thrilled that Trevor was awake when I approached. I gave him a teary smile.
It was amazing!
Curling up in his arms, I shared the wonder, the joy, and the fact that charm-stuff made having babies bearable and healers made recovery instant. The whole thing just filled me with hope. I was even feeling general benevolence and goodwill toward Cecilia.

I noticed that.
Trevor savored my happiness—soaking up my joy like he was pulling it in through his roots. I wrapped myself in the warm sunshine of his mind and pictured little dark-haired babies with chocolate-brown eyes. Trevor laughed aloud.
Let’s hold off on that for a while. I want a few more years with you all to myself.

Excellent plan, Mr. Laurence.
I rolled over to lie across his chest.

So, what do you want to do… last-name-wise?

I thought over the various options.
Maddie Dunn
. I really wasn’t that attached to the Dunn name. My father and grandparents were gone, so my mom was the only person I cared about who was still using it.
Maddie Laurence-Dunn. Maddie Dunn-Laurence. Wait, do you know which way the combo last names go? Is it old-hyphen-new or new-hyphen-old?

Old-hyphen-new.

Is it okay with you if I just go with Maddie Laurence?

Is it really caveman of me to like that one best? There’s something really… I don’t know… about you taking my name.

I grinned.
Primal?

Possessive
. Trevor tightened his arms around me. He needed that sense of connection.
But in a good way, you know?

I know.
I kissed him.
And I have a real retro thing for your caveman side.

Oh, yeah?
His brows rose.
What does it do for you?

I enveloped him in a wave of tingly, lust-filled, red energy. His eyes widened as he caught his breath. I suddenly felt desirable—beautiful—because that’s how Trevor saw me. I wasn’t plain, or mousy, or too-short, or disabled in his mind. Seen through his thoughts, my light skin was smooth porcelain; my green eyes were emeralds; the scent of my hair was an aphrodisiac, and my mind and soul were vivid and exciting and gave his life meaning.

Pure adoration welled up within me in return and white energy flared between us, burning off the red and forging our souls together once more.

CHAPTER 14

Wow.

The simple, green dress hadn’t seemed like anything special until I heard Trevor’s reaction. I touched my gold earrings self-consciously. It’d been so long since I’d worn a dress in real life…

I feel like I’m in drag.

Trevor laughed. “I’ll need to take you out more, once all this stuff is over.”

I’d rather stay in and be alone with you.
I shared a few images that’d crossed my mind on seeing him all cleaned up in a jacket and tie.

He closed his eyes and groaned. “If you don’t keep those thoughts to yourself then we’ll definitely be late.”

The early December morning bit into me as we opened the door and I winced. Ugh. Girl clothes. Pantyhose versus a New Hampshire winter? It wasn’t a fair fight. I looked down at my nice shoes and back out at the snow-covered path. Should I change into boots? The ones I had didn’t go with this dress—or any dress, for that matter.

Trevor swept me up. “Allow me.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck with a grin and a sigh.
If you insist.

“Father Rufus, this is Maddie, Sienna’s godmother.” Rachel’s mom didn’t even wait until Trevor had set me on my feet on the porch.

The man next to her had kind eyes, gentle thoughts, and little tufts of white hair sticking out of his ears.

I concentrated. “Hew… woh.” Greetings from Elmer Fudd.

“So nice to meet you.”
Oh, the poor thing has a speech impediment.
He peered closely at me, appraising me.
She seems very close to the young man with her. I hope she’ll be an appropriate moral influence for the baby.

In my mind, a little red cartoon devil popped up on my shoulder.
“Ooh! Tell him you’re shacking up together—in a church! I bet you could get him running for the holy water in under a minute if you said it right into his head!”

Trevor’s eyes widened.
You wouldn’t.

My lips twitched and Trevor paled. I turned back to the priest. “Pweessss… meee… t… “ I paused for another breath. “Muh—mhheee… hu… husssbuh.”

Trevor took a step forward and shook Father Rufus’s extended hand. “Trevor Laurence, Maddie’s husband.”

Father Rufus relaxed back into his smile. “Delighted to meet you both. I’ve known the Fontaines since before I baptized Rachel.”

Trevor just lied to a priest. He’s so going to hell.
Cecelia smirked behind Father Rufus as we stepped inside the main building.

 I swallowed hard. I wanted to fry her for even
thinking
something so… so wrong. It wasn’t a lie and the idea of Trevor going to hell made a lump form in my gut. He was so good—how dare she insinuate that such an incredible soul would ever—

Trevor’s arm tightened around my waist.
Relax. I’m pretty sure it’s not up to her.

I bit my lip.
Maybe I should just fry her a little.

He gave a tiny headshake.
The priest and Rachel’s parents will need her to charm the Feds at the gate again when they leave.

Stupid, useful charms. I still couldn’t believe Williamson had okayed this, but he felt that having events go on as though things were normal couldn’t hurt.

My attention slid back to the conversation.

“… normally takes place in a church.” Father Rufus frowned as he surveyed the room.

“But that’s not a problem today.” Cecelia’s voice resonated with charm.

Father Rufus nodded. “That’s not a problem today.”

I frowned.
Who’s
going to hell?

“Children are usually baptized with a saint’s name, as well.” Father Rufus turned back to me. “You are a baptized Catholic, yes?”

I swallowed, suddenly not a hundred percent sure that lying to a priest wasn’t a hell-worthy offense.

After an eternal second, Cecelia gave a sigh that blew a few loose strands of hair away from her face. “The name is fine. And Maddie is… acceptable as a godmother.”

I rolled my eyes.
A ringing endorsement.

“And here’s the godfather.” Rachel’s mom continued the introductions.

A tie? Drew? I hardly recognized you.

He looked up from the tiny white bundle that he held like a football and flashed me a wide grin.
Back atcha, dress girl!

“Rachel and the godparents up front. We’re ready to start.”

The crowd formed a loose circle around Rachel, me, the priest, and the about-to-be-baptized Sienna Fontaine McFee in Drew’s arms. Drew’s mom, Viv, kept taking pictures with an annoying, stuttering flash that was probably intended to prevent red-eye. It made me feel like I might have a seizure. Rachel watched Drew hold the sleeping baby and imagined he was Sean. Her parents stood behind her; her dad had a hand on her shoulder. My mom’s eyes brimmed and she kept sniffing. Williamson stood back by the door and watched the proceedings with crossed arms and guarded thoughts. Harrison, Ellen, Mel, and most of the other McFees at Ganzfield displayed a mix of respect and discomfort as the priest spoke.