The Army Doctor's Christmas Baby Read Free Page B

but she did like some quiet time alone
after a hectic spell in the field hospital. Being an army medic could be
incredibly stressful, often dealing with multiple cases of severe trauma in a
short period of time.
    Just because Sean was not overseas in a conflict zone didn't
mean he was under any less pressure than she had been. The most severe trauma
cases were shipped back to the hospital at Brize Norton for Sean to take care
of with the help of Cameron's brother, Radley.
    Day in, day out, Sean operated on the most severely injured
service personnel from British army theaters of operation all over the world.
That would put any surgeon under pressure.
    "Let's go upstairs. I'll show you your room and where
the twins sleep." He placed Zoe gently on the ground. "Come on,
angel. Big girls walk on their own feet, don't they." She clung to his arm
as he tried to let her go.
    With difficulty, he lifted Annabelle up and stood her on her
feet as well. She leaned back against his leg, staring up at Kelly beneath her
lashes. Sean offered each child one of his hands and they toddled along beside
him.
    "They've been walking for a few weeks. It's a bit of a
mixed blessing now they're more mobile. They can move like greased lightning
when they want to. I need about ten hands sometimes."
    "Well, you have two more now."
    He glanced over his shoulder and she held up her own hands
and wiggled her fingers.
    His amused grin made her heart do a little jig. There was
something incredibly attractive about Sean Fabian and it wasn't just his
handsome face. She liked him, really liked him. She would have to be careful
not to forget she was only here to do a job.
    They made slow progress up the stairs as the two little
girls climbed on all fours in front of him. When they reached the top, they
both dashed into a room and Sean followed. Kelly stopped in the doorway of what
was obviously the nursery. A wooden crib was set on each side of the room and a
baby changing unit sat against the glass sliding doors overlooking the river.
    She would even have a lovely view when she changed the
girls' diapers.
    A colorful mat covered the main section of the polished
wooden floor. Both girls sat down there and fished toys out of a toy box in the
center.
    Annabelle toddled over and held up a doll to Kelly. She was
definitely the more confident twin.
    "Thank you. What a pretty dolly. Is she yours?"
Kelly kneeled and Annabelle sat on her lap.
    "I seem to have made a friend," she said, glancing
up at Sean.
    "Zoe will take a little longer to accept you, but
she'll get there. She takes time to trust people."
    Sean sat cross-legged on the floor amid the toys and built a
tower of bricks for Zoe, which she promptly knocked down. Kelly joined him near
the toy box. Annabelle fetched toy after toy, giving them to her, until she had
a whole heap.
    Sean's phone chimed. "Excuse me a moment," he
said, pulling it out of his pocket. He checked the display and answered.
    He chatted with someone who obviously wanted advice on a
change of medication for a patient. As soon as he ended the call, he rose to
his feet. "Let me show you to your room so you can settle in."
    They went next door to a beautiful bedroom with light oak
furniture and floor and a white bedspread. All clean lines and no fuss. The
front wall was made up of glass sliding doors that opened onto a balcony over
the river.
    "Amazing. I should be paying you to stay here!"
Kelly unlatched the doors and stepped out. Despite the chill the view was
fantastic. The balcony was edged with frameless glass panels to prevent the
babies from falling over.
    "You won't say that after a few days with the
monsters." Sean lifted Annabelle up and blew on her belly, making her
laugh. "Okay, you pong. Time for a diaper change. This is where the extra
hands come in useful."
    Kelly came back inside and shut the doors. "I'm ready
and willing. I'll take Annabelle, since she and I have made friends."
    "Good idea." Sean sat Zoe on his hip, then