Happily Ever All-Star: A Secret Baby Romance (101 page)

M
y team looked exhausted
.

I plunked down in the chair next to Cole. Rosie slept in his lap, Ethan in Piper’s. Dawn coo’ed at me, but even she was antsy. She wanted her momma. So did I.

Jack and Leah took Sammy, but they both stared at the floor. Silent.

Elle had dragged Lachlan from Bast’s room to pick up Nick. He tossed half a packet of M&Ms at her before finally getting a candy down her shirt.

“
Triplets
,” Leah said. “We’re having…triplets.”

“Told you we weren’t having problems,” Jack said. “I was just…saving up.”

“
Cripes
.”

Jack leaned over to me. “I might need a raise, Coach.”

I agreed. “Yeah. And an extra pair of arms.”

“
Arms
?” Leah groaned. “How can I get another breast?”

Elle smacked Lachlan before he made a crude joke.

“Let me have some fun,” Lachlan said. “This day was bad enough. First that surgery, then I told Bast I was his father. I need to let off some steam.”

The room quieted. Everyone turned to stare.

“You’re Bast’s
father
?” Jack asked.

Lachlan pitched his M&Ms away. “Oh shit. You weren’t supposed to know that.”

Elle smirked. “Don’t worry. At least Jude will forget it.”

“Very funny,” I said. I hoped she was wrong. “All right, guys. It’s been a long day. But don’t let it get to you. Leah, Jack? Anything you need, let us know. We’ll help with the triplets in any way.”

Cole gave a surprising shrug. “Yeah. I’m a pretty good baby-sitter, actually.”

And I clapped a hand on Lachlan’s shoulder. “Is your bro—son doing okay?”

“Yeah,” he said. “Got lucky. He’s good though.”

“See? It worked out. It’s a good hospital here.”

Rory snuck in from behind us, tossing her stethoscope and coat down. “Damn right it is. Doesn’t explain why half of the Ironfield Rivets are camping out in the waiting room, but it’s always nice to see you all.”

“Met your mom,” Lachlan said. “She’s…severe.”

“She’s not so bad once you get to know her,” Rory said. “Might take thirty years, but she starts to warm up to you.”

She collapsed in the seat next to me, taking my hand and grinning at the baby.

“Long day?” I asked her.

She shook her head in disbelief. “You guys won’t
believe
the day I’ve had.”

Jack snorted. “Try me.”

“I’ve got a patient upstairs with retrograde amnesia. She can’t remember a thing before she came into this hospital. No name. No one looking for her. No clue as to where she’s from.”

“Wow,” Elle said. “That’s hardcore.”

“And what’s really crazy?” Rory arched an eyebrow. “She’s in
labor
. She’s having a baby
right now
.”

Piper frowned. “But what happens if she doesn’t get her memory back?”

Rory puffed her hair from her face. “It’s going to be
crazy
. She’s a sweet girl, but she’s all alone right now. No home. No place to go. No family…well, except the one she’s currently delivering.”

Lachlan leaned in. “Can we help her out? She’ll need like, all the baby supplies.”

Leah nodded. “Somewhere to stay.”

“Probably help recovering,” Cole said.

Rory shook her head. “What she needs most is her memory back.” She checked her watch. “I’ve gotta head up to see how she’s doing. I’m just waiting for some more scans and tests before I can figure out how I’m going to piece her together again.”

“Tell us what we can do,” Leah said. “The Rivets have a couple charities that could help, if she needs.”

“Thanks. I’ll definitely let you know.”

She stood, but I followed, gesturing for someone to keep an eye on Dawn. The door closed behind us, and Rory rubbed her face. Exhausted.

“Jude, she needs me. I’m so sorry, but I don’t think I can do lunch or dinner or a magical getaway.”

“Don’t worry about us. You need to help her…just like you helped me.”

“You did most of the work. All the physical therapy and cognitive rehabilitation.”

“Doesn’t matter. I did it because of you. For you. And Dawn.” I leaned in close, giving her a quick kiss. “Because of you, I’m whole again. Now I can head back to the team and help these guys out. They need me as much as your patient needs you.”

“How’d I get so lucky with you?” Rory brushed her hand against my cheek. “I love you so much.”

“Crazy how this team brought us all together,” I said. “It gave me you. Changed all the guys in there. It gave us all each other.”

“And I’m never letting you go,” Rory whispered. “Ever.”

“Know what?”

“What?”

“I think we’re all going to live happily-ever-after.”

T
he End

D
éjà Vu

Is it love at first sight…

Or a second chance?