The Fiancé He Can't Forget by Caroline Anderson Page B

That was right at the beginning, when she first found out. She was sixteen weeks pregnant, and I don’t think she expected to get this far.’
    â€˜I wish you’d been able to tell me.’
    â€˜I wish I could have done. I so nearly did, so many times.’
    The nurse came back. ‘Want to try feeding him? We gave him a bottle an hour ago, and he took a few mils. You could have a go, if you like?’
    He took the bottle—a tiny little thing, with not much more than a few spoonfuls in it—and brushed the teat against the baby’s cheek. He turned his head towards it, the reflex working perfectly, and Matt slipped the teat between his tiny rosebud lips.
    He swallowed reflexively, and then again, and again, and in the end he took most of the small feed while Ben took photos.
    How could something so simple be so momentous? The satisfaction was out of all proportion to the task, and Matt grinned victoriously and felt like Superman.
    â€˜You need to burp him,’ Ben said, pointing the camera at him, and he laughed.
    â€˜What, and bring it all up again?’
    â€˜That’s the way it is. Fairly crazy system but it sort of works.’
    Matt shifted the baby so he was against his shoulder, resting on a clean blanket the nurse had draped over him.‘So how’s my nephew doing?’ he asked as he rubbed the little back gently.
    â€˜Really well. He’s terrific. Daisy’s in her element. Feeding’s going really well, and she’s feeling stronger by the hour, and it’s good.’
    â€˜Does he sleep?’
    Ben’s smile was wry. ‘I have no idea what he did last night. I was either here or out for the count. But Daisy was still smiling this morning.’
    â€˜That’s a good sign.’
    The nurse reappeared and asked Ben to have a word with the lady he’d seen in here before, then she turned to him with a smile. ‘All gone? Brilliant. Has he burped?’
    â€˜Yup.’
    â€˜Nappy?’
    He laughed quietly. ‘I’ll give it a go, now my brother’s not here taking photos to taunt me with, but don’t abandon me. I might stick it on the wrong way up.’
    He didn’t. He wiped the funny, skinny, wrinkly little bottom dry, got the nappy back onto him without sticking the tabs on his skin or cutting off his circulation or leaving massive gaps, and, feeling ridiculously pleased with himself, he went with Ben to see how Amy was doing.
    There was still no change, so after talking to the staff so Ben could catch up on her general progress, they went for a coffee and something to eat, just because he knew he had to keep his strength up, but the moment it was finished he was twitching.
    â€˜I need to get back to her,’ he said, and draining his coffee, he pushed the chair back and stood up.
    â€˜Want company?’
    He shook his head. ‘Not really. Do you mind? It’sgood to touch base and I really appreciate your support, but—I just want to talk to her, say all the things I’ve never said.’
    Ben’s hand gripped his shoulder. ‘You go for it,’ he said softly, and with a gentle smile, he left him to make his own way back. ‘I’ll bring you the photos. Keep in touch,’ he called, turning as he walked away, and Matt nodded.
    He would. Just as soon as there was anything to say…
    Â 
    He was there again.
    She could hear him talking, his voice soft, wrapping round her and cradling her in a soft cocoon. She couldn’t hear the words. Not really, not well enough to make them out, but it was lovely to hear his voice.
    She tried to move, and felt a searing pain low down on her abdomen, and she gasped, the blissful cocoon vanishing. It hurt—everything hurt, and someone was holding her, gripping her hands.
    â€˜Amy? Amy, it’s Matt. It’s OK. You’re safe, and the baby’s safe. He’s doing well. It’s OK, my darling. You’re all right.