The Great Baby Caper (30 page)

“You snake,” she declared.

“Now if that isn’t the pot calling
the kettle black.” M. Billingham wheeled about to Lon, snapping his fingers.
“Run along downstairs and inform my driver we’re on our way with a lady in
labor.”

“Yes, sir.” Lon dashed out of the
office.

Abruptly M. Billingham brightened,
grinning at Mark. “A Christmas baby. Won’t that be jolly, Grandson?”

“Yes, sir.” He took Courtney’s
arm. “You all right, darling?”

“Yes. Can we
please
just
go?”

A secret smile curved Courtney’s
mouth as the group headed out of the office and toward the elevator. Normally
she would have protested M. Billingham’s coming along to the hospital. But he
had spared Vanessa from the hoosegow, at least for the moment, so she wasn’t
about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Besides, she had a much more
important matter on her mind: She and Mark were about to have their baby!

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The ride to the hospital passed in
a blur for Courtney. She felt a small bump or two as they sped along, and was
aware of a light snowfall outside the limousine windows. She and Mark sat
huddled together in the passenger compartment across from Vanessa and M.
Billingham, who looked on in tense silence; Courtney took a moment to marvel at
how panic had forced the two to put aside their mutual animosity.

By now her pains were hard, coming
three minutes apart, and as she cried out, the worried look on Mark’s face
alarmed her even more. Nonetheless, his arms were steady about her, his voice
calm as he murmured, “Easy, darling. Remember your breathing exercises. Slow,
deep breaths.”

“I’m in too damn much pain to
breathe deeply,” she shot back.

“Then try panting and blowing like
our birthing teacher discussed.”

Courtney tried the technique, and
found that it did help somewhat. “I’m so worried about the baby. She’s early.”

“He’ll be fine.” He hesitated. “Do
you want me to call your parents, darling?”

She shook her head. “Not yet. The
whole gang will come down, and I don’t think I can take a mob scene right now.”

When they arrived at the hospital
entrance nearest the birthing wing, M. Billingham sprang to life. Leaning
toward the driver, he barked, “Don’t just sit there, Henley. Go fetch a
stretcher!”

“Yes, sir.”

Even as the chauffeur was exiting
the car, Mark yelled, “Really, Henley, a wheelchair will do.”

Nodding, the chauffeur shot out
the door, returning momentarily with an orderly pushing a wheelchair with a
blanket folded across it. As Henley opened the passenger compartment door,
Courtney felt a blast of cold air and shivered.

The orderly gazed inside,
grimacing at the look of pain on Courtney’s face. “You the lady in labor?”

“No, I am!” declared Vanessa
across from her. “Will you kindly quit gawking, young man, and help my friend
get inside before she freezes to death?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

With assistance from both Mark and
the orderly, Courtney was huddled into the wheelchair and quickly wheeled
inside. At once M. Billingham grabbed the arm of a doctor who was rushing by.
“Sir, my grandson’s wife needs your immediate assistance. She’s having a baby.”

“Sorry, sir, but I’m a brain
surgeon.”

M. Billingham waved him off. “Ah,
what good are you?”

In the meantime Mark had pushed
Courtney up to the registration desk and spoke in a rush to the woman sitting there.
“Hello, my wife is in active labor, and she’s already pre-registered for a
birthing suite. Mrs. Mark Billingham is the name.”

“Just a moment, sir.” The woman
consulted a computer screen. “Courtney Billingham?”

“Precisely.”

She picked up a receiver. “Someone
will be right out from the birthing wing to take her down.”

“Thank you.”

Mark was turning away from the
woman when his grandfather charged up, followed by Vanessa. “Can’t anyone help
us?”

“Someone will be right down to get
Courtney.”

“Well, they’re certainly taking
their sweet time about it. I’ve half a mind . . .” He paused as Courtney let
out a low cry.

Vanessa turned on M. Billingham.
“Now look what you’ve done—she’s in agony.”

He was aghast. “I may be a real
snake, Vanessa, but I’m hardly responsible for that!”

As the two continued to bicker,
Mark touched Courtney’s shoulder. “Darling, are you all right?”

“No, I’m splitting in two!” she
wailed.

“Pant and blow, darling.”

“I can’t!”

“Sure you can. I’ll show you.”

To Courtney’s amazement, Mark began
panting and blowing, quickly turning red in the face, and she was so amused and
amazed by this, she almost forgot her pain. She uttered a laugh that ended in a
new moan.

Now an attractive middle-aged
blond woman in a pink uniform strolled up. “Courtney Billingham?”

“Yes!” the four cried in unison.

“I’m Edith Milberry, your midwife.
I’m going to take you to the birthing suite.”

“Thank heaven,” uttered M.
Billingham, mopping his brow.

They proceeded down several
corridors, then stopped outside a private room in the birthing wing. The
midwife paused and spoke to Courtney. “Do you want all of these people to go in
with you?”

Courtney gazed at Mark, at her
friend Vanessa, and finally at M. Billingham. Even though she had thought her
heart was hardened toward the latter, the look of desperate anxiety on his face
made her relent. She addressed the nurse. “I want Mark and Vanessa with me.”
Her gaze shifted to M. Billingham. “He may visit, if he stops barking at
everyone.”

M. Billingham grinned. “Courtney,
I assure you my barking days are over. You just concentrate on delivering my
great-grandson, and I promise you I’m a changed man. You can have anything you
want.”

This opportunity was too good for
Courtney to resist. “Really?”

He nodded.

Courtney glanced lovingly at
Vanessa. “Then don’t put my friend in jail.”

Vanessa squeezed Courtney’s hand,
and tears thickened her voice. “Darling, please, you don’t have to—”

But before Vanessa could finish,
M. Billingham smoothly interrupted. “Done. Is there anything else you need,
Courtney?”

Vanessa glanced at M. Billingham,
her jaw dropping open.

“Well, I’d like to have my
suitcase,” Courtney told him.

“I’ll have the chauffeur go fetch
it. Just give me your apartment key.”

Mark handed his grandfather the apartment
key Courtney had given him. “Tell Henley Courtney’s bag is sitting just inside
the doorway.”

“Will do.”

He strode off, and the midwife
wheeled Courtney into her room, which was large, with low lighting. Off to the
side stood a hospital bed including various monitors, and opposite it was a
large sunken tub.

The midwife helped Courtney get
undressed and into her hospital gown. Once she was in bed, the nurse checked
her progress then hooked Courtney up to a fetal monitor. “You’re already more
than halfway dilated and the baby’s heartbeat is strong,” she pronounced. “But
with the baby early, we’ll see what the doctor says. He may want to transfer
you upstairs to maternity.”

A few moments later, Courtney’s
doctor came in, examined her, then confirmed the midwife’s verdict. “Unless you
want an epidural, I see no reason to transfer you. This baby may be a bit
early, but he’s a good size and his heartbeat is very strong. In fact, I wonder
if we got your date of conception wrong.”

“No, we got it right,” Courtney
and Mark said in unison, and everyone laughed.

After the doctor left, Courtney
allowed M. Billingham in for a brief visit. Setting down her suitcase next to
the bed, he clasped her hand and gazed at her with genuine concern. “How are
you doing, my dear?”

“Just swell,” she managed, then
cried out as the most powerful pain yet hit her.

The midwife stepped forward and
spoke to M. Billingham. “Sir, you may want to leave. I’m going to start the
water now. I think Mrs. Billingham may be entering transition.”

“My, my, that sounds grave,” he
uttered. “Good luck, my dear.”

“Thanks,” Courtney panted.

M. Billingham leaned over and
kissed Courtney’s brow. He was heading for the door when Vanessa spoke up.
“Hold up, Ham. I’m coming, too.”

“You’re leaving?” Courtney asked
Vanessa.

Vanessa turned to Courtney,
kissing her cheek. “Darling, this part should be just for you and Mark. I’d
only spoil it.” She paused, winking gravely. “Besides, someone must keep old
Ham from terrorizing the staff.”

“I heard that!” declared M.
Billingham.

“Thanks, Vanessa,” said Courtney,
giving her a hug.

“Thank you, darling. And good
luck. You’ll do great.”

After she left, Courtney all but
doubled up with the next contraction. Mark worriedly patted her back. “Darling,
are you sure you don’t want medication?”

Courtney violently shook her head,
panting, “Better—for her—if I don’t.”

The midwife, who had been filling
the bathtub, hurried back over to Courtney. “You okay, Mrs. Billingham?”

“I—think this baby wants out,” she
managed.

“I agree.” She turned to Mark.
“Sir, are you planning to join your wife in the birthing pool?”

“Indeed.”

“Then you need to change now.”

“Righto. I’ve a swim brief in
Courtney’s suitcase.”

He grabbed the suitcase and dashed
off for the bathroom.

The midwife squeezed Courtney’s
hand. “Are you having another pain?”

She nodded.

“As soon as it subsides, I’ll
examine you again. But I think it’s time to get you into the warm water.”

“Sounds divine.”

The midwife examined Courtney and
confirmed that she was fully dilated. She actually giggled at the sight of Mark
returning from the bathroom in his swim brief. “All you need is goggles and
some flippers,” she teased.

“Funny, love.” He helped Courtney
change into the exercise bra she’d brought along to wear while in the pool,
then he and the midwife helped Courtney out of bed and across the room. Mark
stepped into the pool first, settling Courtney in front of him and wrapping his
arms around her.

“I’m here, darling,” he whispered.
“We’ll get through this together.”

Courtney sighed ecstatically at
the feel of the warm water surrounding her. But Mark’s arms were an even
greater comfort. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I love you so much.”

Tears burned Courtney’s eyes, and
she was on the verge of telling Mark she loved him too when the next pain all
but tore her apart. “I can see his head,” the midwife pronounced.

“Oh, and I can feel it,” Courtney
groaned.

“Time to push, honey,” the midwife
said.

Courtney pushed with all her might
while Mark comforted and held her. Just as she could feel the baby’s head
breaking through, the midwife cautioned, “Wait—stop.” She examined Courtney,
then pronounced, “Okay, there’s no cord around his neck. You can push again.”

Courtney gave a mighty cry and
pushed again, then seconds later she saw the midwife holding her baby aloft—a
tiny gray creature locked in a fetal position, with a cap of dark hair.

“Congratulations, you have a boy,”
the woman announced proudly.

Tears blurred Courtney’s eyes as
she stared at her son, so beautiful and perfectly formed, but also gray and
barely moving. “He’s not breathing.”

“Don’t worry, honey, he will be in
a minute.” The midwife clamped off and cut the cord, then took the infant away
to a nearby cart. Courtney watched anxiously as the nurse suctioned out the
baby’s mouth, then she heard her son’s first strong cry. She thought her heart
would break with joy at the sound of it.

Seconds later when the midwife
slipped the baby back into Courtney’s arms, he was pinking up, whimpering
softly, and struggling to open his eyes.

“Oh, look, Mark—he looks just like
you!” Courtney cried. “Look how pink he’s turning. And—oh, my God—look, he’s
opening his eyes and staring at us!”

“He’s beautiful—just like you,
darling,” Mark murmured back in a breaking voice. “Thank you for my son. The
best Christmas gift you could ever give me.”

Overwhelmed by feelings of joy,
she twisted about to gaze up at him. “Merry Christmas, Mark. I love you.”

She saw tears in his eyes then. “I
love you, too, darling. You and this child are my world.”

The three cuddled together, their
worlds united by love.

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A week later Courtney was at home,
in bed, nursing her tiny son. Mark Billingham III looked exactly like his handsome
dad, with Mark’s dark hair and blue eyes. He’d weighed in at six pounds six
ounces, and seemed intent on doubling his weight during his first week of life.
Even now he was gulping down breast milk like a champ, his tiny fist clenched
about Courtney’s index finger. Everyone in Courtney’s family had come to visit
the baby and bring him presents, and all were already in love with him.

Courtney loved her child more than
she could bear. She had never expected to be so fascinated by her son, or to
adore him this way. In just a short week he’d become her world—he and Mark,
too, of course. In that brief time all her priorities had shifted. Maternity
leave would no longer be enough for her—she wanted time with her baby, lots of
time. She didn’t want to leave the corporation in a lurch; but her heart was no
longer there. It was here, with Mark and her son.

As if he’d heard her thoughts, the
door creaked open and Mark stepped inside, grinning proudly at the sight of his
wife and baby. “How are you two doing?” he whispered.

“Great.”

“Vanessa and my grandfather are
here—along with scads of gifts for the little one.”

“Here? You mean they came here
together
?”

“Astonishing though it seems. They
want to say hello to you, and see the little guy. Should I ask them to return
later?”

She stared down at the baby and
smiled. “No. But he’s already asleep.”

Mark stepped closer and extended
his arms. “So he is. You just rest, love, and I’ll go show him off then put him
down for his nap. I know you must be tired with all of your family stopping by
so much. Are you up to seeing Grandfather and Vanessa?”

“Yes, I’d like to. I’ve actually
been worried about Vanessa ever since we caught her in the act at corporate
headquarters.”

He took the baby, then gently
kissed her brow. “For shame. I forbid you to worry. You just sit there and take
it easy. I’ll bring them in shortly.”

Courtney straightened her nursing
bra and buttoned her bed jacket. A few moments later Mark ushered Vanessa and
M. Billingham into the room. Both appeared inordinately happy, Vanessa in a red
wool dress and M. Billingham in a sharp black suit.

“Courtney, dear!” he declared,
rushing over to kiss her. “We’ve just seen the little one, and a more handsome
baby was never born.”

“Thanks,” she replied.

“He’s beautiful, darling,” gushed
Vanessa.

“The spitting image of my
grandson,” M. Billingham added proudly.

“Don’t forget that Courtney was in
on the production of this perfect little angel too,” Mark chided.

“Oh, of course, never,” M.
Billingham assured him.

Vanessa stepped over to the bed
and hugged Courtney. “How are you feeling, darling?”

“I’m fine.” Quizzically, she
studied the high color in her friend’s cheeks, the sparkle in her eyes. “And
you’re looking positively radiant.”

“Indeed,” seconded Mark. He raised
an eyebrow at his grandfather. “I take it you and the lovely Mrs. Fox have
mended your fences?”

M. Billingham laughed. “Better
than that.” He winked at Vanessa. “Do you want to tell them, Van, or should I?”

Her lips twitched. “Be my guest,
Ham.”

“Vanessa and I plan to marry,” M.
Billingham announced proudly.

“
What
?” Mark and Courtney
cried in unison.

“Explain that sir,” added Mark.

Appearing pleased as punch, M.
Billingham stepped over to take Vanessa’s hand, and spoke with uncharacteristic
humility. “The truth is, I think I’ve loved Vanessa since the very day I met
her. Ah, she was always a thorn in my side, but her beauty, intelligence, and
spirit fired my blood. Unfortunately when we met, she was married. I considered
Floyd my friend, so of course I was aghast at my own feelings, which also
seemed disloyal to my late wife’s memory.” He gave a sigh. “After Floyd died, I
felt terribly guilty for his death and couldn’t bear having Van around then either.”
He gazed at her lovingly. “Too much temptation.”

“But you never even considered
being honest about your feelings,” Vanessa scolded.

“True—but were you honest about
yours?”

“To tell you the truth, Ham, I
didn’t even realize I had feelings for you until you admitted yours.” She
turned to Courtney and grinned. “Do you know what this old tyrant said to me
when he proposed?”

“Now, Van, you know I was only
kidding,” blustered M. Billingham.

Ignoring him, Van told Courtney,
“He said, ‘My dear, it’s either incarceration for you, or wedlock with me for
the rest of your life.”

Courtney gave an outraged cry.
“Why, you old rascal!” she scolded M. Billingham. “And after you promised me
you wouldn’t press charges against my friend!”

“I already told you ladies it was
a bluff.” M. Billingham gazed at Vanessa, and for once his emotions were stark
on his face. “I just couldn’t risk her giving me the wrong answer. It was
taking quite a chance.”

Vanessa took his hand and regarded
him lovingly. “I’m glad you took the chance, Ham.” She turned to Courtney.
“Funny how close anger and hurt can be to love.”

Mark and Courtney exchanged a
knowing glance. “Well, congratulations, you two,” he said with a grin.

“Yes, congratulations,” added
Courtney.

“Are you two off to some exotic
locale for a honeymoon?” Mark asked.

The old man chuckled. “Actually,
we’d like to have a small private wedding here, as soon as Courtney and the
baby are up to attending it. Then we’ll be off for a three-week cruise of the Mediterranean. Afterward . . . well, Vanessa will be joining our company as senior product
designer.”

“Oh, Vanessa, that sounds
wonderful!” cried Courtney.

“You see, it’s not true that I
never appreciated Vanessa’s talents,” M. Billingham explained. “I just couldn’t
take the torture of having her around.”

Vanessa winked. “And now I get to
torment you for the rest of our lives, eh?”

M. Billingham chuckled. “I’ll
anticipate the torture with great relish. And one more thing,” he added, to
Courtney. “I don’t think we should take the company public, after all.”

“We shouldn’t? But the deal
promises to be so lucrative—”

“I don’t care about that anymore.
I don’t want to answer to stockholders, nor to make a Bootle’s Baby Bower a
household name. I think smaller, more intimate, more family-oriented, is
better.”

“I see,” murmured Courtney. “In
that case I think you need a new CEO.”

“What?” cried M. Billingham.

“I resign,” declared Courtney
happily. “And I want Vanessa to have my job.”

“Me?” cried Vanessa.

“You’re absolutely capable of it.
You and M. Billingham can run the company together. Especially if you don’t
have to tackle all those SEC filings.”

“Courtney, are you sure about
this?” asked Mark.

She nodded. “I’ve been thinking
about this ever since the baby was born. The only thing that held me back was
our plans to go public. I didn’t think it would be fair to bail out at such a
critical time.” She smiled at Vanessa and M. Billingham. “But now I know the
company will be in excellent hands.”

Vanessa appeared both shocked and
flattered. “Why, thank you, dear, that’s quite a vote of confidence—I mean, if
you really are sure.”

Courtney nodded solemnly. “Don’t
worry, Vanessa, I won’t spend my life being bitter like . . . well, like you.
Sorry if I sound blunt there, but—”

“No, darling, you’re absolutely
right,” Vanessa cut in firmly. “Life is much too short for bitterness. If only
Ham and I had learned that lesson long ago.” Brightening, she turned to him.
“Well, what do you think, Ham?”

He raised and kissed her hand. “My
dear, you’ll make a world-class CEO, and the two of us an excellent team. Now
let’s leave these two alone and go plan our wedding.”

The two hugged and kissed
Courtney, then left. A silence descended, and she realized Mark was staring at
her in awe. “What is it?”

He came over to the bed, sat down,
and took her hand. “Why would you want to quit your job now, love?”

Seeing the love and expectation on
Mark’s face, Courtney felt tears stinging. “Because I want to live with you in London.”

His eyes lit with wild hope, then his
expression sobered again. “But—are you sure? I’m perfectly willing to liquidate
my holdings and live here with you. I’ll even become an American citizen if you
want me to.”

She shook her head. “No, Mark,
that won’t be necessary.”

“But what changed your mind?”

“You—and our baby.” She threw
herself into his arms. “Oh, Mark, it used to be I had such a chip on my
shoulder, with so much to prove. By damn, I’d show my family that a woman was
meant to be so much more than just a little housewife. When your grandfather
pulled that stunt on me, then both of you seemed determined to turn me into a
Stepford Wife, it only made matters worse. You were right. I was too caught up
in my pride to decide what was really important—at least, not for a while.”

“But Courtney, I didn’t make
things easy for you, either,” he admitted humbly. “I did try to control you—I
guess because I was just so afraid of losing you.”

“As you lost your parents,” she
added wisely. “You know, I think we both had some issues relating to our lives
as children. Remember how left out we both felt?”

He nodded. “Me with the socialite
mother, you the fourth of five children.”

“I think I always felt like an
outsider, so different from my sisters and mom, my ambitions out of step with
their domestic values. I think I came to see home and family as synonymous with
losing my identity. That was so silly of me. Now I’ve found it with you.”

“Oh, Courtney.” He pulled her
close and buried his face in her hair.

She clutched him tightly. “When
our baby was born, I realized nothing mattered more than him, and the three of
us. I want him never to feel left out, or not supported in whatever he wants to
achieve in life. And I have nothing left to prove—except how much I love you
and him.”

“Done. I’m convinced.” Tenderly he
kissed her.

“Can you forgive me?”

“For what?”

“For not coming to my senses
sooner?”

“Darling, there’s nothing to
forgive. But have you really thought all this through? Moving to London is a big step. Can you really leave your family, your job behind?”

“We can fly back and forth and see
everyone. As for my job, if I ever get bored, I’ll manage one of your
companies, or start up one of my own. Right now I just want to be with you and
our baby. And I want our son to be brought up in England.”

“Courtney, if you ever change your
mind . . .”

“I won’t. Now come here,
handsome.”

She pulled Mark close and kissed
him, again and again and again, until she had him thoroughly convinced.