Wanted: Parents for a Baby! by Laura Iding

normal, and her breath sounds are definitely clearing up.”
    â€œWonderful news,” she said in relief. “I’ve been so worried about her.”
    â€œI know.” Ryan stepped closer and dropped his voice. “I was worried about you, too. Why didn’t you return my call?”
    He was so close she found it hard to breathe normally. She took a hasty step back, knowing she didn’t owe him any explanations, but feeling compelled to tell him anyway. “I spent time with my friend, Gloria. You remember her, she’s the one who took care of Emma in the ER until we got down there.”
    â€œSo she came and picked you up?” he asked.
    â€œI actually ran into her and she offered to drive me home. We live in the same apartment complex but in different buildings.” The alarm on Daniel’s vent went off, indicating a high peak pressure, one of the signs that he was trying to overbreathe the vent. “Have you had a chance to examine Daniel? I think he’s ready to be extubated.”
    â€œLet me double-check his weaning parameters.” Ryan crossed over to Daniel’s warmer. She followed, determined to keep things on a professional level between them.
    No more mooning over him. And definitely no more kissing.
    â€œYou’re right, these look good. Call the respiratory therapist to help me extubate him.”
    Grateful for something productive to do, Cassie did as Ryan asked. Jason was the respiratory therapist on duty today, and he promised to be right over.
    Cassie concentrated on documenting in Daniel’s chart, silently admitting it was an easy way to avoid Ryan.
    â€œHi, Cassie,” Jason said as he approached. “I hear Daniel is about to get rid of that nasty tube.”
    â€œAbsolutely,” she agreed. “Dr. Ryan wants to extubate whenever you’re ready.”
    The procedure of removing a breathing tube didn’t take long and Daniel let out a loud cry as soon as the tube was gone. Ryan picked Daniel up and propped the baby against his shoulder. Ryan rubbed the boy’s back as if he had a dozen children of his own.
    â€œThere, now, you’re going to be much happier now that you can yell at us, aren’t you?”he said with a wry smile. “Trust me, that crying is good for your lungs so don’t hold back. Just let it all out. We can take it.”
    Cassie stared at him in shock, her heart melting like butter on a griddle as she watched Ryan caring for Daniel. Did he want children of his own? Or not? He should, because he’d make a great father.
    Daniel quieted down, resting against Ryan’s chest.
    â€œYou’re a natural father,” she murmured. “You must want children of your own.”
    The light in Ryan’s eyes dimmed a bit, although he nodded. “Someday,” he agreed.
    Someday? What did that mean? Someday, as in once he was ready to risk having a relationship? Or someday, as in a long time from now?
    Was he still grieving over his dead wife?
    Her stomach clenched with worry. Ryan wanted children, babies she probably wasn’t able to have. But did that desire extend to Emma? She had no idea.
    Weary of her mental tug-of-war, she turned away. Staying away from Ryan was better for her in the long run.
    When Emma’s monitor alarm went off, she hurried over, relaxing a bit when she noticedthat the baby had somehow dislodged one of the heart leads.
    â€œFalse alarm,” she said, when she saw Ryan had returned Daniel to his warmer and was crossing over to Emma. “One of her leads came loose.”
    He nodded, but didn’t look in a hurry to leave. She took a breath, wishing he would just go away and leave her alone. She didn’t want to feel all torn up inside like this. When the phone next to Emma’s computer rang, she pounced on it. “This is Cassie in the NNICU, may I help you?”
    â€œCass? It’s Gloria.” Her friend’s voice was thick with tears.