Born Into Love (33 page)

He could only guess at an answer. “The double effect of the plant must have been on his mind. That he had my brother’s ingots another. And the third possibility? That he would find what he wanted—the sacrificial knife knowing my connection to it.”

“
It seems like something’s still missing. He was way more devious than that. When’s the wedding?”

Like
him, Mercedes healed quickly. “As soon as we arrange for the license and the blood tests.”

“How’re we doing that?”

“Skullduggery.”

She raised a pencil-thin eyebrow. “Really.”

“Not quite. You will hack into the laboratory computers and create mine.”

Luz hugged herself. “Cool.”

Now he changed topics. “You have been a good companion.”

“Does that mean I’m leaving? That you no longer need me?”

“You deserve freedom.”

She burst into tears. “You’re dumping me?”

“I committed a wrong in binding you to me.”

“Yes, but now it’s my thing. You’ve molded me into an obedient servant. How can I survive on the outside?”

She slid into pure drama. “We will make arrangements. This is your favorite century. Perhaps you should attend university.”

“Yes, Master.”

Why was she agreeing so easily? “It is the perfect time to free you.”

“Your wish is my wish. I could study law.”

Unsettling as that was, he did not comment. Students changed their majors all the time. “Will you help with the wedding?”

“Of course.”

“Your cooperation is alarming.”

She smiled then hesitated when she reached the door of the crypt. “Just so you know
, trouble’s coming.”

“Unless your psychic abilities improve, there is no way I can prepare.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

After
his rest he set out across the dunes. Windblown and beautiful in the last rays of the red sun, Mercedes waited on the pier. Hungry gulls mocked each other. Anxious sandpipers ran from the waves that perished on the shore. They were home but were they safe?

His
love patted the plank next to her. “I’ve been waiting. I just got off the phone with the doctor. “No poison in my system. No disease of any kind.”

“You are a remarkable woman, smart and brave.”

“And I’m marrying a remarkable man. When I think of all the things that have happened I can’t believe we made it home.”

He
kissed her cheeks that had recovered from the burst of flames. “I have more good news. Luz has agreed to help with the wedding arrangements.”

“I remember. You mentioned that on the plane. What’ll I be wearing? Red leather?”

He laughed. “If anyone is her match, it is you. How is Annie?”

“She had two transfusions. The nurses are monitoring her.”

“And Dave?”

“At her side, pacing like an expectant father. Dr.
Mendez will do a Caesarean tomorrow morning.”

“Will you visit her tonight?”

“Yes. I came home to give them time alone and to have you hold me.”

He
eased his arm around her shoulders. They stared at the breaking waves. Silver tinged the water making it hauntingly beautiful. As if she had read his thoughts, Mercedes cut in.

“I’m ready for peace and quiet.”

He reached into his pocket. “Unwrapping my gift will not make much noise.” She stared at the box.

“What is it?”

“Open it.” She tore into the wrapping.

“A
tupu
!” She held it near her breast then toward the closest lantern. “Is it silver?”

“Yes, a variation on the actual piece. This is lighter, but strong.”

“And much prettier than buttons. Thank you.”

“Would you prefer it in gold?”

“No.”

“The Incas called silver the Tears of the Moon. I prefer to think of it as moonlight on water.”

* * *

Mercedes tiptoed into the hospital room. Annie smiled and rubbed her mountainous belly.

“This boy’s ready.” Annie sipped water. “Tomorrow’s the day.”

“It’s going to be sunny. A good day to be born.”

“Sit. There’s something I’ve got to tell you.”

Mercedes’ mouth went dry. “What?”

“I made a will. Dave and I are getting married soon as the baby and I get home, but if anything happens, you and Dave share custody. The baby gets my share of Aunt Louise’s legacy.”

“Of course, let’s skip the bad stuff and think of how we’re going to spoil him. I’ll be the best aunt.” She bent over her sister to give her a hug. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Want to know something? I surprised myself.”

Mercedes held Annie’s hand, startled to find it cool. “Soon Dr. Mendez will find another treatment and you’ll surprise yourself again.”

“But right now, I’m going to rest, okay?”

“Sure. I’ll sit with you until Dave gets back from the cafeteria.”

At eight o’clock, he peeked in. Mercedes waved. “She’s sleeping.” He remained at the doorway.

“I see your ankle’s still strapped.”

“Pull up a chair.” She waited until he sank onto the cushion. “There are a lot of things I need to say to you but I’ll begin with the easiest. The baby’s room is beautiful. The color’s just the right shade of blue. How long did it take?”

“The preparation was the pain.”

“Annie told me she supervised.”

“Sure did.” He hesitated. “I’ve started to pay back the money I took from her.”

Mercedes’ heart twisted. “I’m glad I was wrong about you.”

“I’m taking things slow. Knowing my boy’s coming made me stop thinking about easy ways out of things. I want to give him the care I never got.”

Annie moaned. Mercedes leaped to her side. “What is it?”

Annie ran her hands over her stomach. “Water broke.”

Mercedes called for the nurse. Dave rubbed Annie’s hand. Fear flared in his eyes.

“We’re going to be a family,” Annie said. Then she looked at Mercedes. “Thanks for being a great sister.”

“Don’t make this good-bye.”

“Where’s Dr. Mendez?” Annie shouted. “My baby’s coming!”

* * *

Mercedes glanced up and found Diego standing next to her in the hospital lounge. She drew him down to the sofa and fell against his chest. “
The baby’s coming any moment now.”

“How is she?”

Mercedes shook her head. “Weak.”

“And Dave?”

“With her.”

Still wearing scrubs, Dave entered the waiting room. A white mask dangled from his neck and tears streamed down his face. “We have a boy.”

“And Annie?”

He shook his head. “We have a boy.”

* * *

She and Diego gathered around Dave and the baby in a private room away from the happy mothers. When she gazed at the baby’s face, she allowed herself a bit of magical thinking. Little Matt sensed his auntie’s presence. He fluttered his eyelids trying to open them, trying to see her, but the world was too new and so was his equipment.

At the nursery the pediatric nurse made certain his blue cap fit then swaddled him in a soft blanket. She placed him in a receptacle that carried his name written in large black letters—Matthew David Walker.

* * *

A hospital representative arrived. His beloved looked at him. “Diego, I have to make arrangements. I’ll be a while. Will you stay with Dave?”

“Of course.”

He and Dave stood in the empty corridor. Dave’s attention rested with the child whose future held only promise. Diego recognized that the person who stood beside him had achieved more than Diego thought possible and he had done it on his own.

Dave humbled
him and that was good.

* * *

A nurse led Mercedes to Annie’s room then quietly slipped out the door.
Mercedes crawled into the narrow hospital bed and stretched out next to Annie now covered up to her neck with a white blanket. In the muted light reminiscent of a chapel, Mercedes searched for words as she gave her sister a gentle hug. “Remember how we used to sleep in Gram’s big feather bed? You on the right side, me next to the wall. I’d always fall asleep first.” She stifled a sob. “But this time, you’ve gone ahead and I want to call you back. This is not the way things should happen.” She kissed her sister’s temple. “I’ll say good-bye now. I know you aren’t really here and that breaks my heart. But I know where you will be. I’ll look for you in my nephew. Meet me there, okay?”

A week later Mercedes sat amid the clothes and memories and listened as Matthew David wiggled around. “Thank God I have you.”

She opened a photo album that followed her and Annie through elementary and junior high. Teen photos were harder to come by. Annie wouldn’t have a picture taken if her hair turned to frizz.

Mercedes talked to the baby. “Yes, photos of me with braces. Just part of growing up.” She rocked the cradle. “I hope you feel like smiling all the time.”

She shifted a pile of clothing closer to a cardboard box, but wasn’t ready to fill it. Upon opening a dusty plastic bag, she discovered dolls. From the pile of white tissue Mary Ellen surfaced, her last doll and the only one with articulated arms and legs. “You’re still pretty with your glossy hair and too red lips.”

Annie’s favorite, a dark haired doll with
a porcelain face and hands wore a Victorian dress and looked demure. “I’m going to keep you.”

She wiped away a tear and fussed with the dress of a third doll with green eyes and impossibly long lashes. After re-wrapping, she returned them to the bag. “I’m going to keep all of you.”

Diego came into the dining room bearing gifts. “Luz baked cookies and I made tea. Is there anything I can do to help?

“No. I’m saying good-bye and reminiscing.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I like your hair swept up. You are
muy linda
.”

“Guess what’s holding it?”

“I give up.”

“The
tupu
, even though it’s meant for holding a shawl closed, mine works as a hair pin and a decoration.”

“Wi
th or without it you are
hermosa
.”

“Can I interest you in some photographs?”

“Not at this time. I have been too active. I must rest.”

“Maybe I’ll do the same, but upstairs and later.”

“Life with me is not easy, is it?”

Mercedes sipped the tea. “It has its rewards.”

* * *

Later the ocean breeze tangled with the curtains. Mercedes stretched and filled her lungs. Then she leaned back in the chair and smelled a sweater her sister had worn. “I miss you, Sis.”

Carefully she folded it and reached for the remaining box. Her mother’s handwriting brought good memories of field trip notes signed by her Mom, birthday cards and even grocery lists.

“Our christening dress! I’m going to stop here.”

She held the outfit to her chest and walked over to Matthew. “I’ve got a beautiful dress for you, buddy. Your mother wore it last.” She wanted him to smile but enjoyed the moment just as much when he yawned.

Chapter 22

Mercedes stepped into her wedding dress of white silk organza. The full skirt rustled soft as blossoms in a windstorm. Mrs. Joyce held Matthew and rocked him gently. He blew a bubble and did not wake.

Luz joined Mercedes at the mirror. “Let me adjust the chignon.” Mercedes waited as Luz gathered a few
stray hairs, reinserted the
tupu
and stepped back. Luz nodded approval. “Now we’re ready for the veil.”

Luz stood on a stool and fitted the headpiece. “Took two months to make and thirty yards of tulle, but it’s perfect. You look amazing. More elegant than the princesses I’ve seen married at court.”

Mrs. Joyce laughed. “Oh the stories you make up!”

Mercedes nodded. “She’s got the gift.” Matthew squirmed. “My nephew’s the little dumpling. All his fingers and toes and a personality sweeter than Annie or I could ever muster.” Mrs. Joyce adjusted the collar of his stretchy. “I love his chubby cheeks.”

Luz darted to the window. “Limo’s here.” She shook her head. “We’re only going next door. The driver probably thinks we’re crazy.”