Cade wanted to sprint down the hallway, but he didn’t want them to throw him out either, so he measured his strides to Joe’s rapid walk as he followed the older rancher down the white hall.
Cade’s chest ached so much he could hardly breathe as they entered the maternity ward and stepped up to the front desk.
“This is the father,” Joe said to the nurse behind the desk.
She glanced at Cade as she got to her feet. “Please leave your hat and coat with Mr. Baker and follow me.”
Cade practically threw the clothing at Joe as he jogged to catch up with the nurse. “How is she? How’s my wife?” he asked as they hurried down the hall.
“Her labor has been hard, but she hasn’t given birth yet.”
Cade sighed, but the knot in his chest tightened.
A scream echoed down the hall that made Cade’s heart thump painfully against his breastbone. He recognized that voice. His feet moved faster and the nurse caught up to him before he could rush inside.
“You need to put on a gown and wash your hands before going in there.”
“Why is she screaming like that?” His voice cracked with the panic that pulsed through him. “Is she hurt? In danger? What?”
“She’s fine,” the nurse said as she pulled him toward an alcove with a sink. “It’s just a contraction.” She pulled a gown off the shelf and held it open, gazing back at him with kind eyes. “Put this on and then wash your hands.”
Cade shoved his arms into the sleeves then went to the sink while the nurse fastened the ties behind his back and pulled a cloth hat over his head. He scrubbed until she told him to rinse and dry his hands, his stomach twisting and tightening the whole time.
Addie’s screams had died off once and started up again before he’d finished, but the nurse reassured him that was normal. “Her contractions are very close now, your wife must be almost there. You made it just in time.” Her gentle smile didn’t help him relax. He was too anxious to see Addie.
When they pushed into the room and he met Addie’s tired eyes, something inside him untwisted a little. She was alive. Her face was flushed, sweat rolled down her cheeks, and her hair was a matted mess, but she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
“This is the father,” the nurse said as Cade hastened to Addie’s side.
He took her outstretched hand and she smiled. “You made it.”
“Of course, I did. Did you really think I’d let you do this alone?”
“I knew you wou…ahh…!” Addie’s happy smile turned into a grimace of pain as she squeezed his hand and screamed in what sounded like agony.
“Breathe, sweetie,” he said, remembering his training from the Lamaze classes they’d attended. “Is she ready to push, doctor?”
“Almost,” the doctor replied without looking up. “The next contraction should be it.”
“You’re doing so good,” he told her as he used a piece of cloth to wipe the sweat from her face. “I’m so proud of you.”
“I know,” she murmured tiredly. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.”
Another contraction came. “Now,” the doctor said. “Push!”
Several minutes passed while Addie struggled to bring their child into the world. Cade was worried about her, but anxious to meet their newborn.
“Push,” the doctor shouted and Addie did as instructed. Cade was amazed by her strength and daunted by her pain. He had caused this. He’d been the one who wanted a big family. It killed him to know that his desires brought her this agony.
“Push, Addie,” the doctor said again. “I can see the head, it’s almost out. The next push should do it.”
The next contraction hit and Addie pushed while Cade held and encouraged her. “I love you, sweetheart. I love you,” he whispered in her ear.
A piercing cry suddenly filled the room and Cade’s heart jumped into his throat. Addie’s hand clung to his as they waited for the doctor. They hadn’t wanted to know the sex of the baby, so it was time for the big reveal.
“It’s a girl,” the doctor said as he quickly handed the red, wailing, wiggling bundle to the nurse. Cade’s eyes followed the tiny creature as the nurse cleaned her and wrapped her in a fluffy pink blanket. Tears burned his eyes as he stared at his daughter, unable to look away.
Then Addie screamed again and the doctor took a steadying breath. “Okay, now for the other one.”
Cade’s mouth went dry. “The other one?”
“Surprise,” Addie said between breaths.
“You knew?”
“I suspected,” Addie breathed. “But the doctor confirmed it a few months ago. Remember that appointment you missed in October?”
He nodded dumbly as another contraction hit and she pushed.
“One more,” the doctor said, “and you’ll meet the twin.”
“Twins?” Cade’s brain seemed to be stuck in neutral. He’d known it was a possibility that he and Cord could produce twins, but it hadn’t occurred to him to ask about it until now. He’d just assumed Addie would tell him if they were, and maybe she had tried.
“I tried to tell you,” she said right before the next contraction, confirming his suspicion. He should’ve guessed, what with the amount of clothing she’d brought home alone, not to mention Addie “accidentally” purchasing two cribs.
“Good job, Addie,” the doctor said a long moment later. “You now also have a son.”
“A son?” Cade said stupidly, still trying to wrap his head around not only being a father, but to having a daughter and a son.
“Are you upset?” Addie asked quietly.
He looked down at her tired face and saw worry in her weary brown eyes. “No, sweetheart, I am not upset. You’ve done so much. Given me everything I ever wanted. You rest now, and when you’re feeling better, we’ll celebrate however you want.”
“Hmm,” she purred, closing her eyes. “I think I’d like to start with some kissing, and then I’d like to strip you naked and have my way with you.”
When her
