April frowned. “Are you sure, Matt? I know how much you like the idea of having children. I’d hate for you to rush into this without giving it proper thought. You won’t be able to change your mind later without causing a lot of hurt to the both of you.”
Bradley had said the same thing. “I’m sure. I’d rather not be a father than miss out on being with Mia. My mind is made up and I won’t change it. But if she decides she wants to go another route, I’m all for it.”
“Well. She’d be mad not to accept having a child another way if she’s keen to be a mom, wouldn’t she?”
“You really mean that? You’re not just saying it to make me happy?”
April shook her head. “No, I mean it. What woman could turn down that kind of love? You’re prepared to give up something really important to have her. I think that’s very sweet.” She went to pick up her coffee cup and dropped it back onto the table with a groan.
“What is it?” Matt grabbed her hand. April squeezed her eyes and gasped. “Is it the baby?”
A flood of liquid pooled on the cobblestones under her seat. April stared at it then smiled at Matt. “Oh my goodness. Yes. About time, too.”
Calmly, Matt pulled out his cell phone. “Let me call Liam and he can tell Drew. Then I’ll get you up to the clinic, okay?”
April bit her lip and nodded, both hands cupping her bulge.
Five minutes later, Matt pulled April’s car up to the clinic, where Liam was waiting and Drew was pacing up and down the parking lot.
April grabbed Matt’s arm when he went to help her out of the car. “Come in with me, Matt. Please.”
Drew pushed him out of the way and took his wife’s hand. “April, we should get you to the mainland. There’s still time.”
She batted at him, scowling while he fussed. “Drew, stop it. Matt, take your brother away and make him calm down.”
Drew stood indignant on the pavement. “I’m staying with my wife. This is my child too, you know.”
Liam helped April out of the car and tried to calm his friend and business partner. “Let me get her settled inside and then you can come in. You need to breathe or I’m going to insist you stay out.”
Matt pulled Drew by the arm. “Come with me. Liam will call you when April’s settled and you can go in then.”
By the time Matt and Drew had walked around the parking lot and down the street and back, Liam was calling them in. “April’s ready now.”
Drew clutched Matt’s arm. “Oh, god. I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Get a hold of yourself, brother. You’re a doctor. How many babies have you helped into this world?”
Drew cursed a string of profanities. “This is different. I’m not a clinician in this case—I’m the daddy! That’s my wife and child in there.”
“Drew, calm yourself or Liam won’t let you in.” How on earth was he going to be able to get his brother to relax enough to enjoy the birth process?
“You gotta come in with me. Please, Matt. Don’t make me go in there by myself.”
Matt chewed his lip. “But April…
“Adores you. You know that. Please, man. I’m a freaking wreck right now.”
Matt grabbed his arm. “If April is okay with it, I’d love to, but I’m telling you now, you need to calm down or Liam won’t let you in the door.”
Moments later, Matt donned a gown and helped his brother into the room they’d set up as a birthing suite. April stood beside the bed, the nurse in attendance rubbing her back. She glanced at Drew and shook her head. “Oh dear. I knew this would happen.” She groaned and pressed a hand to her belly.
Matt watched his brother’s face pale even more. “Anything I can do, April?”
“Just keep him from passing out, Matt.”
* * *
“It’s a boy. April had the baby this afternoon and I was with her.”
“Really?” Mia’s stomach took a dive and then did a double somersault. What a special moment. Just one of the special occasions she wouldn’t be able to give him. She wouldn’t take that away from him.
“Yes. Drew lost it.” Matt laughed. “I’ve never seen my big brother such a mess. He couldn’t even make coherent conversation. Talk about panic. Poor guy. He’ll never live it down.”
“It must have been amazing to see.” Sadness swamped her and she thanked her lucky stars she’d had the foresight to spare Matt the disappointment of not going through it with her.
His excitement crackled through the phone. “It was. I’m a lucky guy. Not many uncles get such an honor.” He blew out a breath. “Anyway, now I’ve shared that news, tell me how things are going, dear friend. What’re the plans and how are they going?”
He was so sweet going along with her idea of keeping in touch. She should be grateful that he wasn’t pushing for more, but the loss of Matt as more than a friend was playing on her mind. Had she made the right decision? Could she live on the island and see him and not lose her mind over not having him? She doubted it, but what choice did she have? With a disease she refused to pass onto her children and an uncle she adored living on Hope Island, she had little choice but to be there.
Ryan came out on top every single time. After what he’d done for her growing up, she’d walk over hot coals for him. Being close to him was her main focus. Besides that, she just needed to keep herself busy enough so she
