Expecting a Christmas Miracle Read Free Page B

she’d slept for days instead of mere hours. What time was it anyway?
    She scanned the room, looking for a clock, but quickly realized she wasn’t in the ED. The bright yellow walls and the warm decor, including the snowflakes and “Merry Christmas” written on the windows in white spray-on snow, didn’t look at all familiar. She lifted her head, trying to find a nurse, instinctively placing a hand over her swollen abdomen.
    She smoothed a hand over her stomach, searching for the familiar movements from deep within her womb. After a few moments relief washed over her as she felt the babies moving. She and the babies had managed to survive their swim in Lake Michigan.
    And Ben, too?
    Panic made her suck in a harsh breath. What about Ben? What had happened to Ben?
    “Is someone there?” she called out, searching in her bed for her call-light. No wonder patients felt so helpless when they didn’t have their call-lights within reach.
    “Yes, I’m here.” A pretty nurse entered the room and Alyssa recognized her as Marla, one of the labor and delivery nurses whose husband was also one of the anesthesiologists on staff. “Don’t worry, you’re doing well. And your babies are doing fine, too. We’ve been monitoring them through fetal heart tones.”
    Good news about her babies. “But what about Ben?” Alyssa couldn’t relax, not until she knew what had happened.
    “Ben?” Marla looked perplexed for a moment, and then her expression cleared. “Oh, yes, Kylie and Seth’s son, Ben. He’s doing fine. I believe they kept him overnight for observation as well on the pediatric unit.”
    She relaxed against the pillows. “I’m so glad.”
    “Alyssa, it’s good to see you’re finally awake.” Dr. Rayborn came into the room, standing beside Marla. “And of course you’ve been asking about Ben.”
    “I don’t remember much once I called 911,” Alyssa admitted. “I must have been out of it for a while.”
    Kim raised a brow. “You were. In fact, you’ve been sleeping all night. But don’t worry, Ben woke up muchquicker than you did, and he’s been telling everyone who’ll listen how you saved his life.”
    She flashed a tired smile, very glad to hear Ben was okay. She hoped Kylie would forgive her for putting Ben’s life in danger in the first place. It was her fault he’d needed saving.
    Now that she knew her babies and Ben were safe, she relaxed against the pillows. Through her open door she could hear the lyrical sound of hospital carolers singing “Joy to the World”, one of her favorite Christmas songs. Just hearing the uplifting music made her smile.
    “Alyssa.” Kim’s expression changed to one of concern as she reached for her hand. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
    Her muscles suddenly tensed and her smile faded. “What?”
    “Jadon’s here.”
    “Jadon is here? In Cedar Bluff?” She stared, confused. She vaguely remembered dreaming about Jadon. Was it possible the image of his concerned face hovering over hers hadn’t been a dream?
    “Yes. And he wants to see you,” Dr. Rayborn said. “He’s back from his leave of absence, and was actually doing an orientation shift in the ED when the paramedic crew rushed you and Ben in.”
    Jadon was back. She hadn’t been dreaming his face near hers after all. She could hardly comprehend the news. Why had he returned? And why hadn’t he called, especially after she’d left him a message? Why hadn’t he at least bothered to let her know he was planning to come back?
    Useless questions, as only Jadon could provide the answers.
    She glanced at Kim. “I assume he knows about the babies?”
    Kim nodded. “You told me he was the father. Is that true?”
    She momentarily closed her eyes, wishing things had been different. For her and for Jadon. Resigned, she nodded. “Yes, it’s true.”
    “He was extremely upset when you were brought in,” Kim said gently. “He was literally glued to your side during the rewarming process as