For Ivy, celebrating meant trying for a baby that night. It just so happened she was in her most fertile days–her chances of conceiving were better than usual. Every time she played with Halley, it awakened in her a longing to have a child of her own. Sure, she wanted a career, too, but that didn’t diminish her yearning for a family. She truly believed that, with the way Jamison cherished her, she could have both–a thriving career and a loving home.
Jamison looked at her, puzzled and a bit surprised. “You want a baby that much? When we first got married, you said you weren’t ready. You were worried you’d be like your parents and not know how to treat a child well. What’s changed? You seem pretty enthusiastic all of a sudden.”
Ivy sighed softly and thought for a moment before answering with real seriousness. “People change over time, you know? Back then, I never expected that a whirlwind wedding would bring me someone like Dr. Ludwig–a husband as wonderful as you. I didn’t know I’d meet a kid as funny and adorable as Halley, either.” She turned to him, wrapping her arms gently around his neck, and smiled warmly. “Even if I don’t make the perfect mom, I know you’ll be an amazing dad.”
Jamison smiled and arched an eyebrow, that look on his face saying, Here we go again with the sweet talk. Ivy laughed, but she was earnest. “Look at your family–everyone seems to have the parenting thing down. Your parents, your brother and his wife, even your sister. Sure, I don’t always agree with her, but as a mother, there’s no denying the love she has for Micah Shepherd.” Growing up in a family like his, she knew their child would never lack for love. On the contrary, if they really had a baby, she felt certain that little one would be the darling of the entire clan, cherished and adored by so many. When she finished, her eyes dreamy with hope, Jamison leaned in and kissed her. Finally, he relented. “All right, let’s give it a shot tonight…” Ivy blushed, smiling shyly.
Chapter 655
With their minds made up, after dinner at the family home that evening, the two of them barely set down their forks before announcing they were heading home. Thad Ludwig glanced at his younger brother, a little confused. “You working late tonight?”
“Nope, not tonight.”
“Then why-” Thad started, but Davina nudged him, cutting him off. “Honestly, can’t you mind your own business? Let them have their evening.”
Chastened, Thad caught on and waved them off. “Go on, go on.” Once they’d left, Thad muttered under his breath, “So what did he do before he was married?”
Davina kicked him under the table. “The kids are still here–watch what you say!” Back at home, Dr. Ludwig and his wife barely made it through the door before they were wrapped up in each other’s arms.
For days, the shadow of Emma had hung over them like a storm cloud, making every thought heavy and uneasy. Now that the trouble had finally passed, it felt like the sun had come out and cleared the sky. Clothes began to come off almost immediately, and Ivy’s cheeks turned pink–after all, they were still in the living room. She cleared her throat. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
Jamison grinned, all charm. “Of course not. Come on, I’ll carry you.”
“I’ll go to the master bath to shower,” Ivy protested. “You stay out here.” He leaned in, whispering something wicked in her ear that made her frown in suspicion. “Are you sure? Is that really more likely to work?”
“I’ve never tried it myself,” he replied, “but I did once watch a lecture on reproductive medicine that mentioned it.”
Ivy’s face flushed. “Your hospital even covers that in lectures?”
“It’s medicine, Ivy. The process of creating life. It’s one of humanity’s greatest achievements–don’t tell me your mind’s in the gutter.” She didn’t bother to argue. It really was an incredible thing, bringing new life into the world–though the process itself…. She didn’t have much time to reflect. Jamison swept her up in his arms and kissed her as he carried her toward the master bath. The baby–making project had officially begun.
Emma’s bed was the one farthest from the door in a triple–occupancy room, the other two beds taken by mothers at different stages. The woman next to her was seven months pregnant and on bed rest for early labor symptoms. The bed by the door belonged to a woman who had already delivered, but complications after her surgery meant she was still being treated. Emma’s surgery had been major–a hysterectomy. Even though she was awake and lucid, she wasn’t allowed much movement and spent most of her time lying in bed, staring off into space. She often watched the husband of the woman near the door. Every day, he gently wiped his wife’s hands and face, helped her drink water, and fed her meals. They already had a child–a little girl around three, sweet–faced and well–behaved. Sometimes Emma found herself staring at the girl, lost in thought. She remembered the two pregnancies she had lost, and a wave of grief would well up inside her. Maybe women are just born with a mother’s love. She had once felt nothing but resentment for the mysterious child growing inside her. But now, with both the baby and her womb gone, the realization that she would never have children again made her ache for that little life she’d lost.
“Mommy, here, you eat it…” The little girl pressed a lollipop insistently to her mother’s lips.
Her mother smiled, brushed a hand gently over her daughter’s hair, and coaxed softly, “Thank you, sweetheart. But Mommy doesn’t want candy–you eat it, okay?”