Baby By The Book

“I don’t want to have a debt to you the rest of my life,” she retorted. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m very grateful for everything you’ve done. But I have to draw the line at your paying my bill. I’m sure the hospital will work out payments.”

“The hospital wouldn’t have admitted you if I hadn’t given them my credit card,” he said gently. “And you don’t have to pay me back.”

She slumped back onto the bed. “Okay, okay. I’ll stay here one night. But I will pay you back.”

“If it will make you feel better.”

“Yes, it will. My daughter is not coming into this world as someone’s burden.”

“She isn’t a burden, and neither are you.” He reached for her hand, then thought better of it and stopped himself. “Once upon a time I needed help, and someone gave it to me. Now I’m passing it along to someone else. And someday, you’ll do the same. Or maybe you already have.”

With that he turned and left the room.

ONCE UPON A TIME I needed help… That sentence ricocheted around Susan’s head in her sleep, and all the next day, which she spent mostly gazing through the neonatal nursery window at tiny, helpless Penny.

When had Rand needed help? He seemed so strong, so capable, an unstoppable force. It was hard to imagine him needing anything, depending on outside sources for support of any kind.

Not money, obviously. He lived in that wonderful old house, practically a mansion.

What was his story? she wondered. And who had helped him?

Penny wiggled, and Susan stared, fascinated. Had any so entrancing creature ever been born? Of course she was red and wrinkled, and her head was still a bit squashed looking, something that had alarmed Susan the first time she’d seen Penny, until Arnette had reassured her it was normal and would fix itself before long. She was still the most beautiful child ever conceived.

But beautiful or not, the child would need food and clothes and a roof over her head. Susan knew she’d not planned as well as she could have for the birth. She had bought a crib and some newborn clothes and diapers, but she hadn’t set anything up, as she’d been planning to move it all to her new apartment right after she finished Rand’s bookshelves—before Penny made an appearance.

She had only a few days to get everything ready. Which meant she had to get started now. Whether anyone agreed with her or not, she was going home today.

LATER THAT AFTERNOON, Susan lay on her couch, feeling overwhelmed and miserable, and regretting her decision to leave the hospital. Arnette had picked her up from the hospital and brought her home, but the short trip had completely exhausted her. Plus, she missed Penny. She’d already called the hospital twice to check on her. Luckily Susan had plenty of milk, so she’d left behind enough supply for quadruplets.