OTHER R. E. BRADSHAW TITLES:

OUT ON THE SOUND
(Adventures of Decky and Charlie, # 1)

SWEET CAROLINA GIRLS

THE GIRL BACK HOME

RAINEY DAYS
(Rainey Bell Series, #1)

RAINEY NIGHTS
(Rainey Bell series, #2)

WAKING UP GRAY

BEFORE IT STAINS

COMING APRIL 2012…
MOLLY: HOUSE ON FIRE

RAINEY’S CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

R. E. Bradshaw

© 2011 by R. E. Bradshaw.
All Rights Reserved.
R. E. Bradshaw Books/FEB 2012

www.rebradshawbooks.com

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This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters, and events portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblances to actual persons living or dead or events are entirely unintentional.

Rainey’s Christmas Miracle

Christmas Day, 2011

Rainey Bell stood toe-to-toe with some of the nation’s most feared serial killers and several almost killed her. She was always armed, always prepared for the worst. Former FBI Special Agent Bell had faced death and come out the winner, but nothing in her law enforcement background had readied her for the task she was about to face. Rainey thought she would rather be alone in the woods with a madman stalking her, than have to do what was required of her today. At least she would have a fighting chance of coming out unscathed in a life or death situation. Rainey knew this was going to be like walking through a firing range with a target on her back. She was already covered in a thin layer of cold sweat as she sat motionless on the couch in the den, staring into space. The time was rapidly approaching when she would venture forward into the waiting disaster she knew this day would turn out to be.

“Honey, could you please help me?” Katie Meyers, the extremely pregnant love of Rainey’s life, waddled into view.

Rainey’s mood lightened at the site of Katie teetering down the two steps from the hall to the den. She was so big now she approached them sideways to keep her balance. Katie was holding one boot in her hand and wearing the other unzipped, the top of the boot dragging on the floor behind her. Rainey broke into a wide smile. It was true what they said about pregnant women; they glowed. Katie was radiant, although she seemed more tired lately. Carrying triplets for thirty-three weeks was beginning to take its toll. The doctor said they would look at a C-section delivery after the Christmas holiday. No way was Katie going full-term. Rainey’s life was about to take a drastic turn and she couldn’t have been happier.

Katie half sat, half fell down on the couch with a loud sigh. The frustration was evident in her voice, when she said, “I can’t reach the zipper.”

Rainey knelt in front of Katie, grinning up at her. “You sure you don’t want to wear something you can slip off? Your ankles are going to be swollen by this afternoon.”

Katie was near tears, as she often was these days. “I’m not wearing bedroom slippers, if that’s what you’re suggesting. I’m big as a house and wearing a tent for a dress. At least I can wear nice shoes.”

“Okay, okay,” Rainey said, calming Katie before she started crying again. “It’s a very pretty velvet tent and you look beautiful.”

Katie glared at Rainey, her crystal blue eyes darkening. Rainey recognized the signs. She probably shouldn’t have referred to Katie’s dress as a tent. She tried to recover.

“How about I zip you into these boots and we go open some Christmas presents? That’ll cheer you up.”

Katie was not in the mood to be cheered. “If my sister makes one comment about my size, I’m going to belt her.”

Rainey knew Katie was referring to Maria, her oldest sister, who invariably stuck her foot in her mouth at every family gathering. Maria should be on her toes today, because her baby sister was primed and ready for a fight. Rainey also knew it was best just to let Katie rant and stay out of it, because if she got involved they would turn their attention to her. Rainey preferred to fly under the radar when Katie’s sisters were in the room. The less they noticed her, the better.

Katie continued her tirade. “And if she starts up again about in vitro fertilization and multiple births and how I should have expected this, I’m going to knock her out. Really, make sure I’m not near anything I could do real damage with. I’m not sure I could control myself if a frying pan was handy.”

Rainey squeezed Katie’s calf into the boot, zipping slowly, careful not to catch her swollen skin and definitely not going to suggest Katie had grown too large to wear them. Her legs and ankles were already swelling, earlier than usual. Rainey would have to make sure Katie rested with her feet up most of the day and that she drank lots of water. She already spoke to Katie’s mother about leaving salt out of the food preparations today. The swelling worried her, but Katie told her it was normal. She gently prodded Katie’s swollen foot into the other boot and decided to bring Katie’s house shoes, just in case.

She listened to Katie’s lament about her sister and prayed the day would go by without too many emotional outbursts. Katie’s hormones were all over the place. Most of the time she was extremely happy, participating in all the normal nesting behaviors of a mother to be. Then there were days like today, when Katie’s mood would shift in seconds. She had been laughing one minute this morning and then a weeping ball on the bed the next. Rainey’s knowledge of human behavioral science was no match for what nature was doing to Katie’s emotional state. Rainey simply rode out the storms of tears and irrational behavior as best she could, keeping her head low and trying not to draw too much attention.

“Maria is so judgmental,” Katie continued. “Anything that doesn’t fit her definition of normal is unacceptable. We were not raised like that. Honestly, I don’t know how it’s possible for someone to move to Beverly Hills and become more conservative. She was never such a tight ass — ”

The sound of thin glass breaking stopped Katie in mid-sentence, just as Rainey succeeded in closing the zipper on the last boot. Rainey stood and looked toward the Christmas tree in the corner. Katie had gone overboard with the decorations, wanting their first Christmas in the new house to be memorable. Rainey certainly wasn’t going to forget the number of broken ornaments, destroyed bows, and pieces of greenery she cleaned up. Freddie Kreuger, Rainey’s cat, thought it was his duty to wreak havoc, his own brand of Christmas cheer. Rainey heard groaning from the couch and turned back to see Katie struggling to right herself.

“Take my hand,” Rainey said, extending her arm to Katie who grasped it, pulling hard against Rainey.

Rainey grunted from the strain, which drew a glare from Katie. Once standing, she brushed by Rainey, heading for the tree. Rainey followed, hoping Freddie hadn’t ruined something Katie found precious. It wasn’t to be. Katie looked down at the floor and began to cry.

“Oh Rainey, he broke the ornament I bought for our first Christmas last year.”

Rainey knelt down and started picking up the glass. “I’m sorry, honey. Maybe we should stick to non-breakable ornaments from now on. Let me get this up and we’ll go, okay?”

At that moment, Freddie leapt out of the interior of the tree, causing several ornaments to fly toward the floor, garland trailing after him as he made his escape. Rainey couldn’t stop the shower of ornaments, but she did manage to grab the garland before he pulled the tree down.

Katie shouted after the black cat, “I’m going to lock you outside until January!”

It was an idle threat. Katie loved Freddie and in a different mood, she would have found his antics funny, but not today. Tears were streaming down her face. Rainey stood up and took Katie into her arms, which had become increasing difficult over the last few months, as Katie’s abdomen grew larger every day.

“It’s just a Christmas tree, honey. It’s okay. You know it will be worse when the kids are here, so he’s letting us know we need to do things differently next year.”

“I just wanted this Christmas to be perfect,” Katie whined.

Rainey kissed Katie and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “It is perfect, sweetheart. Everything is perfect.”

Katie smiled. “It is, isn’t it?”

Rainey was relieved to see Katie’s mood shift. “Yes, I wouldn’t change a thing. Now, let me clean this up and we’ll go spend the day with your family.”

Katie pulled Rainey’s lips down to hers and whispered against them, “I love you,” before she kissed Rainey deeply, causing a tiny groan from Rainey’s chest.

Katie released Rainey from the kiss and giggled. “I’ve been depriving you. We’ll see what we can do about that later.”

Rainey’s heart leapt at the prospects and just like that, Katie turned back into the sweet, bubbly blonde Rainey loved with all her heart. Maybe this day would turn out better than she hoped, if they could just get through dinner with the Meyers sisters without bloodshed. Rainey decided to think positive and look forward to holding Katie in her arms later tonight. After cleaning up the mess and before leaving the room to follow Katie, Rainey retrieved a small red box that she tied on the tree when it first went up. Katie thought it was an ornament. It wasn’t. Rainey had hidden Katie’s gift in plain sight and since Freddie was hell bent on destroying every ornament on the tree, Rainey thought it best to take the tiny box with her. She’d hate to have to search the house for its contents, if Freddie decided to do his worst while they were gone.

Rainey grabbed Katie’s slippers from upstairs and hid them under her coat. With one last kiss at the door leading to the enclosed garage, Rainey looped her arm around Katie’s waist and said, “No matter what Maria says, we’re going to have a good time. Then I’m bringing you home and we’ll have a nice quiet Christmas night, just the two of us.”

Katie smiled. “This is the last time you’ll be able to say that. From now on, it will be the five of us.”

Rainey saw Katie’s expression change as she reached for her side.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Katie rubbed her hand in circles on her extended belly. “They’ve been very active today. One of them has a foot under my ribs and keeps stretching.”

Rainey was concerned but didn’t let on. Triplets were usually born around thirty-three weeks. Katie passed that milestone, but next week would be nearing the upper limits for most triplet births. The babies were healthy and at a weight they could now survive without complications. Complications were Rainey’s biggest fear. She was too happy and when that happened in Rainey’s life, something dreadful usually followed. She hoped that Katie entering her life had broken that cycle. Rainey prayed every day for healthy children and Katie having an easy birth. In Rainey’s experience, nothing was ever easy.

She pushed her fears into the appropriate box in her mind and said, “They’re probably hungry. They heard something about turkey and ham and candied yams.”

The mention of food spurred Katie out the door. “Oh my God, I’m starving.”

Rainey laughed and armed the alarm, closing the door behind her. “Should I stop for a snack or can you make it to Durham?”

The glare returned to Katie’s eyes as she wheeled on Rainey. “One more reference to how much I eat and you will be deprived a whole lot longer.”

Rainey opened Katie’s car door and stood aside. They were driving Katie’s Lexus, because Rainey’s new Dodge Charger, a gift from Katie after Rainey’s car was destroyed last spring, was still being equipped with armor plating and bullet-resistant glass. Katie worked her way down in the seat with a bit of difficulty and basically fell the last few inches with a “humpf.”

Rainey shut the door and went around the front of the car, entering the driver’s side. Before she cranked the car, she faced Katie. “I think you’re the most beautiful woman in the world. Being pregnant only made you more gorgeous.”

Katie brightened and kissed Rainey, sweetly brushing her lips. “You’re really hoping to get lucky, aren’t you?”

Rainey cranked the car, saying, “Always.”

#

The Meyers sisters were five years apart respectively. Katie was the youngest at thirty-seven. Helena, the middle sister, was a taller, more statuesque version of Katie. She was the wild child of the family and Rainey liked her, even if she did think Helena was just a little too Hollywood, where the aspiring actress currently resided. She made her living as a model and sometimes landed a bit part. Helena had been supportive of Katie and Rainey’s relationship from the beginning. For that, Rainey was thankful, but it didn’t make up for the oldest sister’s disposition.

Maria was a piece of work. Rainey couldn’t figure out how she turned out so differently from the other two. Maria was the only conservative Republican in the family, which was bad enough, but she spouted her Fox News informed politics at every opportunity. The fact that her baby sister was now living with a woman, and about to have a family with her, completely blew her mind. Rainey tended to stay out of the way when Maria was around, choosing to sit with the men in the den and drink, while the other women hung out in the kitchen. Invariably, Maria would find her and ask Rainey some offensive question about her relationship with Katie. Her latest intrusion had come at Thanksgiving.

Maria found Rainey in the den watching football alone, the others having migrated to the kitchen to refill drinks and grab some leftovers from dinner. Rainey wished she had gone with them when she saw Maria approaching.

“Rainey, I want to ask you something,” Maria began, slurring just a bit, an almost empty glass of wine in her hand.

Wine made Maria less inhibited and nosey as hell. Rainey braced for another of Maria’s ignorant inquiries, like when she asked which one of them, Katie or Rainey, was the boy in their relationship.

Maria stood in front of Rainey, who was seated on the couch. She crossed her arms, assuming her holier than thou persona, and continued, “I’m just curious. What will you do with these babies if something happens to Katie? I mean, who will you give them to if, God forbid, something goes wrong during the pregnancy and birth?”

Rainey had been too stunned to answer for a second. The thought of something going wrong with Katie’s delivery had crossed her mind, but she never let it dwell long. It was unthinkable. Maria speaking as if it were a real possibility infuriated Rainey. She stood quickly, trying to control her anger.

“Nothing is going to happen to Katie!”

Maria was undeterred. “You can’t know that. Things happen to people all the time. You, I would think, should understand that. I just want to know where these innocent babies are going to end up in the event Katie can’t take care of them.”

Rainey’s anger was growing in leaps and bounds. She spat back at Maria, “I will take care of my children.”

“They are hardly your children,” Maria countered. “You had absolutely nothing to do with them being conceived, unnaturally as it were. They have none of your genetics and would belong more to me as biological family than to you.”

Rainey came unglued at that point and raised her voice loud enough to draw Katie out of the kitchen, when she said, “It will be a cold day in hell when my children belong to you. You tight assed, right winged, bit — ”

“Rainey!” Katie shouted. “What the hell is going on in here?”

“Your sister seems to think she’ll be taking the kids if something happens to you,” Rainey explained, her chest still heaving with anger.

Katie stepped in front of Rainey and faced Maria, her eyes glowing with contempt. “I thought you might pull something like this, so for your information, I have filed legal papers giving Rainey full custody, should it be necessary. As Rainey said, it will be a cold day in hell when I allow my children to be raised by a closed minded bigot like you.”

Still seething, Rainey said, “That’s not the B-word I was going to use.”

Maria was everything Rainey had come to despise after beginning a relationship with Katie. She had known discrimination, working in a male dominated field, but Rainey never experienced the disgust her relationship brought out in some people. It was hard for her to wrap her mind around that kind of thinking. Her relationship with Katie had come about so naturally. They were drawn together like magnets, unable to resist the pull. Rainey couldn’t fathom a God that had not blessed this union. It was simply meant to be.

Maria gave no ground. “That’s all well and good on paper, but what court would uphold that and leave them with a non-family member who, let’s face it, has a good chance of being shot dead tomorrow?”

Dammit! Maria was voicing Katie’s greatest fear, a subject from which Rainey went to great lengths to shield her. Over the course of the pregnancy, Rainey had stayed out of harm’s way, leaving the more sketchy bond recoveries to the young agents she and Mackie hired in the fall. The business had doubled in size since moving to the new offices in Chapel Hill. Rainey acquired her Private Investigator’s license and began working more cases as an expert witness, investigating quite a bit for Molly Kincaid, a defense attorney in Durham. This eased Katie’s fears, but it always loomed in their lives that Rainey’s next time out the door could be her last.

Neither Rainey nor Katie had time to respond before a deep voice boomed through the room. “Maria! That is entirely enough!”

Rainey turned to see Katie’s father, Timothy Meyers, coming toward them.

“Apologize to your sister and Rainey immediately,” he demanded.

Timothy Meyers rarely got involved in his daughters’ spats. From what Rainey had observed, he chose to ignore all the women in his house out of self-defense. Four high-strung blondes in one house were enough to drive anyone crazy. Timothy chose to remain as sane as possible by leaving the bickering women at home and seeking solace on the golf course. Rainey was thinking about digging out her old clubs and joining him, only appearing on holidays for dinner, and staying far away from home when all of the girls were in the house.

It surprised Rainey to hear Katie’s father speak to one of his daughters in that tone. She looked back at Maria and realized this was the voice their father used when he had finally reached his limit. Maria recognized it immediately and was now staring sheepishly at the tops of her shoes. Out of the corner of her eye, Rainey saw Helena with Katie’s mother, Melanie, entering the room.

“What’s going on in here?” Melanie asked, wiping her hands on a dishtowel.

“Let me guess,” Helena said. “Maria is channeling Michele Bachmann again.”

The tension in the room evaporated instantly, as the occupants burst into peals of laughter, all except Maria, who turned scarlet-red before storming from the room. Rainey was remembering the confrontation as she pulled the car into the Meyers family driveway. Katie sensed Rainey’s apprehension and reached out, touching Rainey’s hand.

“Don’t let her get to you,” Katie said.

Rainey smiled bravely, even though she was dreading this gathering. “It’ll be fine. Enjoy your day with your family.”

“They are your family now too, Rainey, warts and all.”

Rainey grinned. “Well, if your mom has any wart remover, I may bathe Maria in it.”

Katie laughed. “Don’t waste your time. I tried it years ago.”

#

Rainey escaped to the den as soon as possible. Once the hugs were exchanged — Rainey managed to make it through a brief embrace with Maria without giving in to the urge to strangle her — she joined Timothy and Maria’s poor, punch-drunk husband Kenneth. Rainey wondered how Kenneth had survived all these years with the raging blonde and his two out of control daughters. Rainey was beginning to speculate if she too would wind up in the den with glazed over eyes, staring at the TV screen, hoping the wife and kids would just leave her out of it, whatever it was.

“Rainey, welcome to the sanctuary,” Timothy said, standing. “What can I get you to drink?”

Rainey grinned. “I suppose you are assuming I need one.”

“I went through three pregnancies with Melanie. I know you need a drink and I have just the thing. Ken here brought me a bottle of Makers Mark. How’s that sound?”

“That sounds wonderful, but I better stick with water. Katie can’t fit behind the steering wheel anymore,” Rainey replied. She turned to the other man. “How’s it going Kenneth?”

Rainey used his formal name, because Maria flew into a fit if anyone called him Ken. She noticed that Timothy used the shortened nickname, which made her think Maria had already started something. Ken looked up, the glaze leaving his eyes like a lizard’s false lids blinking open. It was hard to imagine that he was a software millionaire. Maria most definitely took the fight out of this man years ago. He smiled at Rainey and she saw the man he used to be come to the front. He had been still as a possum, feigning death, but sprang into animated excitement when he spoke.

“Hey, Rainey. How’s Katie doing? She should be having the babies any time now, right?”

“I think the doctor is going to do the C-section next week. We have an appointment Tuesday,” Rainey answered. Taking the glass Timothy extended to her, she sat down on the end of the couch.

Timothy returned to his recliner. “Well, enjoy your last few nights of sleep. You won’t have another good night’s rest for eighteen years.”

Ken spoke up, sounding defeated. “That’s if you can get them to leave and not come back.”

“It’s a good thing you’re getting it all done at once. When you space them out, it takes a lot longer to return to a peaceful existence,” Timothy said.

Ken sat up on the edge of his armchair. “I can’t imagine having three at the same time, talk about exhausting, but Tim’s right, at least you won’t have to go through the same stages repeatedly.”

Timothy must have seen what Rainey was feeling, because he said, “Children are a blessing, don’t let us scare you. They will drive you to distraction, it’s true, but the joy they bring is worth the ride. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“I would,” Ken mumbled under his breath.

As if on cue, Kenneth’s youngest daughter, Clarissa, sauntered into the room. When Rainey saw her last Christmas, she had black hair, black clothes, tattoos, and piercings everywhere. This year, Clarissa was into Steampunk. Her hair was no longer jet black, but still darker than her natural blond. She wore a black Victorian high-necked blouse, a brown leather vest, and a gun belt with fake shotgun shells slung across her shoulder. The black thigh high boots she wore had so many gadgets, Rainey could have stared at them for an hour and not seen all the intricate details. One boot looked mechanized, with silver and bronze sprockets and gears running up Clarissa’s leg and disappearing under her short red leather skirt. Rainey was sure the nineteen-year-old was not dressed that way coming through airport security last night.

“Dad, Mom wants you to go to the store,” Clarissa said, smacking her gum.

“Nothing’s open. It’s Christmas Day,” Ken protested.

Rainey leapt at the chance to leave the house for a few minutes. She asked, “What do they need? We passed a little store that was open, coming here.”

“Katie needs some more whipping cream for the pies,” Clarissa answered, and quickly added, “I’ll come with you.”

Rainey could tell by the look in the young woman’s eyes that Clarissa wanted out of there as badly as she did. “Okay, come on then.”

#

Once the acquisitions list had been obtained from the quartet of blondes in the kitchen, Clarissa and Rainey set out to find an open store. Rainey hoped she could remember where she saw it. Katie’s running monologue during the drive down distracted her. Katie expounded on the virtues of breast-feeding and how she wasn’t sure she’d be able to feed three babies. Rainey was sure Katie could feed a platoon of babies considering how large her breasts had grown.

Clarissa started talking immediately when the doors closed on the car.

“So, Rainey, you’re a behavioral analyst?”

Rainey backed out of the driveway and headed the car toward US highway 15/501, back toward Chapel Hill. She answered, “I used to be.”

“But you still know how to do it, right?”

Rainey chuckled. “Yeah, I think I can still remember.”

“What about me? What do you see?” Clarissa asked.

“It’s not exactly like you see on TV, Clarissa. I would need to know a lot about you to make those kinds of observations.”

Clarissa turned in the seat to face Rainey. “What do you need to know, other than my mother is a total control freak and my father is emasculated by her? I am a graphic design major at Cal-Poly. I have a four point GPA. My boyfriend is a lit major. I don’t do drugs and I rarely drink. Is that enough?”

“You appear to be a very well adjusted young woman.”

“That sounds like a politically correct answer, Rainey. Seriously, what do you see when you look at me?”

Rainey glanced over at the young girl. She suspected Clarissa was beautiful under all the make-up and false persona. Clarissa wanted what all young people wanted, validation that they were moving on the right path. Rainey saw a bit of sorrow in Clarissa’s eyes, something plagued her and Rainey recognized it immediately.

“Clarissa, you will not become your mother. I have a similar relationship with my own and I know what you’re thinking. We are not programmed to be like our mothers. We are given free will and our experiences alone will make us different. The clothes, the make-up, the attitude, none of it is necessary. You don’t have to go that far to distance yourself from her.”

“Wow, you’re freakin’ good at this shit.”

Rainey laughed, her eyes on the road, scanning for an open store.

Clarissa wanted more. “What the fuck is wrong with my mother? I’ve seen pictures and home movies. She used to be cool like Katie and Helena.”

“In my experience,” Rainey began carefully, because she was speaking about the girl’s mother, “when people change like that it usually means they’ve had a life experience which shifted their value system. Your mother values her family more than anything else. In doing so, she has developed a belief system that protects that family. In her eyes, she is safeguarding what is precious to her. Her need to control everything and everyone is a symptom of her very real insecurities about losing the one thing that gives her purpose.”

“She is driving us all away. My sister, Carla, won’t even come home anymore and Dad’s just given up. Mom is so judgmental and intolerant of anything that doesn’t fit in her carefully constructive conservative box, it makes me crazy. It seems to be getting worse.”

“Don’t let her get to you,” Rainey offered, but she knew that was impossible. Maria infuriated everybody at some point. “Her daughters leaving the nest may have sparked all the changes. She loves you both desperately. She can’t be all bad, right? There has to be something good in her that you can focus on.”

“Do you feel that way about your mother? Mom said you don’t even talk to her.”

It appeared Katie had been gossiping with her sister. Even though Katie and Maria fought often, they were still sisters and talked every week. That was something Rainey couldn’t understand. She was an only child and the blood bonds that held Katie and her sisters together were a mystery to her. Rainey cut all ties with her mother over the same kind of behavior Maria displayed. Rainey figured Maria had not pushed Katie far enough, but that day would come if things didn’t change.

She considered her answer carefully, before she said, “I hope that you are able to maintain a relationship with your mother. Unfortunately, my situation is a bit more complicated than yours.”

“I don’t know how much more complicated it could be. I have a right-wing, housewife terrorist for a mother.”

Rainey laughed. “There are worse things.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Clarissa said, picking at one of the fake shotgun shells.

Rainey saw the lights on in a market just up the street. “I hope they have whipping cream. Katie doesn’t handle disappointment too well these days.”

“I know. She cried when she saw that there wasn’t any left, because Mom used it in the mashed potatoes,” Clarissa said, adding, “I don’t know how she’s carrying all the baby weight. She’s huge.”

Rainey put the car in park and turned to Clarissa. “Do me a favor and don’t mention how big you think she looks. She’s kind of touchy about that.”

Rainey grabbed the door handle and started to get out, when Clarissa stopped her.

“Rainey, I’m glad Katie found you. You guys are really sweet together. I hope I find a love like that one day.”

Rainey smiled. “You will. Be patient.”

Clarissa laughed. “Katie said the same thing, only she added that I should keep my options open. Actually, she said, ‘You never know what life has in store for you until it happens.’ I think that’s good advice.”

“Your aunt is a very wise woman. Listen to her.”

“Thanks, Rainey. I’m glad you’re part of the family.”

Rainey reached out and squeezed Clarissa’s hand. “Me too.”

#

Rainey was thankful that several cartons of whipping cream were still in the cooler and tipped the clerk ten bucks for making her life easier. She listened as Clarissa chattered about school and her projects all the way back to the Meyers' house, commenting when needed, but mostly lost in thought. The nursery was complete at home. Katie had stocked up on everything they would need. She seemed supremely prepared for the challenge of raising triplets. Rainey had barely become accustomed to the idea of being a parent when she was told she would be raising three children at once. She’d had months to get used to the idea, but it was still overwhelming. Katie’s confidence made it easier to deal with the fact that Rainey was scared to death.

At Ernie’s Christmas party last night, Rainey was standing alone, staring up at the clear night sky. The recent clouds had parted, revealing the stars in the new-moon blackness. Ernie was suddenly at her side, wearing her special Christmas sweater that would take first prize at any bad holiday costume contest. In fact, it had been a secret Santa gag-gift from Rainey years ago. Ernie wore it every Christmas Eve from that time forward. Ernestine Womble was the loving mother Rainey wished she’d had. They loved each other fiercely and, genetics aside, were family.

Ernie’s white hair glistened, reflecting the colors of the blinking lights from the tree behind them. Ernie’s house was decorated with enough lights to land a jumbo jet. No tree, bush, barn, or piece of farm equipment escaped becoming a flashing symbol of holiday spirit. Music played in the background, as Henry, Ernie’s husband, and her four sons picked guitars, banjos, and fiddles for the gathering of neighbors and friends. Most of the crowd was occupied with steaming oysters piled on panels of plywood stretched across sawhorses. Katie, who was avoiding seafood because of the pregnancy, was stretched out on a lawn chair covered in a blanket near the open fire. Several of the women from the shelter Katie ran sat with her, sipping hot chocolate. Their eyes were scared, as if trapped like wild animals. Rainey was reminded of how blessed she and Katie were to have put their lives back together, after their own battles with cruelty.

Katie smiled and waved to her from across the yard. Rainey returned the wave and was warmed all over with the adoration she felt for the beautiful blonde looking back at her.

“Still moon-eyed in love with that girl, aren’t ya’?” Ernie asked.

Rainey grinned down at Ernie. “Always.”

“Are you ready for the big day?”

“I think so. Katie’s thought of everything. I can’t imagine needing anything else. She even bought a defibrillator and took a First Aid class. She checked that my certifications were up to date and made me show her I knew how to do infant CPR.”

Ernie sipped her coffee, which Rainey knew was laced with a little bourbon. She looked up at Rainey, steam following her words into the air.

“That’s not what I meant. Are you ready? I saw you’ve been reading that parenting book. Honey, you won’t find the answer you’re looking for in there.”

Rainey smiled. “And what might I be looking for, do you think?”

“You want to know if you’ll be a good parent. Here’s the facts. No, you won’t have all the answers. Yes, you’ll do some things wrong. No, it won’t always be a fun ride. And yes, you will fall madly in love with those babies the first time you lay eyes on them and you’ll learn to be the best damn parent you can. That’s all there is to it.”

Rainey turned serious. “Were you scared the first time? Was Henry scared?”

Ernie threw her head back and cackled. “Oh Lord, honey. Henry ran around here like a chicken with its head cut off. He couldn’t tell you which way was up. I’m surprised we made it to the hospital in one piece. I was more worried about him out in the waiting room than having a baby. They had to put him in a wheelchair, because he nearly fainted when we got there. The last time I saw him they had a paper bag over his face, telling him to breathe.”

“I think I’m okay with the birth thing. We’ll be behind a curtain, so I won’t have to see the actual C-section. With as much as I’ve seen, I don’t think it will spook me,” Rainey answered confidently.

“It’s different when it’s someone you love under the knife. Don’t get too cocky, Rainey.” Ernie laughed. “You’ll end up breathing in a bag.”

Rainey joined in Ernie’s laughter. “You’re probably right.”

Ernie’s laughter faded. She touched Rainey on the arm. “You’ll be fine, honey. Katie’s mother is going to stay with you for a while and I’ll be around, you know that. We’ll get through this together, one big mish-mashed family. Those kids are going to have more folks loving them than you can shake a stick at. You’re not alone, Rainey. Just remember that.”

“Thanks, Ernie,” Rainey said, hugging the smaller woman to her.

“Have you spoken to Constance?”

Ernie was referring to Rainey’s biological mother, whom Rainey had told to “fuck off” last spring. Rainey had not told her mother about the triplets, because Rainey being a lesbian did not go over very well. She was sure the fact that she and Katie were having children would send Constance Herndon into orbit.

“No, I haven’t spoken to her since last April.”

“Grandchildren have a way of warming cold hearts,” Ernie said, casually.

Rainey knew Ernie never said anything casually. She was sending a subtle message, “Talk to your mother.”

“Good thing we’re having three at one time. They’ll need to work as a team. It’ll take a blow torch to melt that Grinch’s iceberg heart.”

Ernie smiled. She didn’t like Constance anymore than Rainey did. “So, she’s the Grinch that stole Christmas now.”

Rainey laughed. “Katie made me watch every children’s holiday special this year. She wanted to make sure they weren’t too violent. I told her we watched them when we were little and she said, ‘Yes, and you carry a gun everywhere.’ I’m afraid she may cover the kids in bubble-wrap before they go outside.”

“She’ll figure out they’re not as fragile as they seem. Give her a little time.” Ernie patted Rainey’s arm again. “I think Constance deserves to know she’s a grandmother. What she does with that information, well that is entirely up to her. I wouldn’t expect much, but she should know.”

Rainey knew she wouldn’t win this argument and gave in. “Okay, I’ll call her after they are born.”

Ernie smiled. “Good.” She stared up at the sky and then sighed softly. “I wish your daddy could be here.”

Rainey looked up at one particular twinkling star. “Don’t worry. He’s with us, always.”

The memory faded and Rainey returned to listening to Clarissa, who was rounding out the end of her story about a piercing gone terribly wrong. Rainey pulled the car into the driveway, parked, and shut down the engine.

“So, anyway, I won’t be piercing that particular part of my anatomy again.” She looked at Rainey, who was just staring at her. “TMI, I guess, huh?”

Rainey smiled and took the sack containing the whipping cream from behind Clarissa’s seat. It was then she noticed the sticker Clarissa had placed on her vest. She must have picked it up in the store.

“Did you put that sticker on just to piss off your mother?” Rainey asked.

“No. I read about this Amendment One deal and I think it’s total bullshit. It doesn’t ‘protect marriage’ at all. It strips not only LGBT families of any rights, but the rights of all domestic relationships except those designated as legally married by state law. It’s prejudicial, bad for business, and simply a ploy by the right wing conservatives to drive people to the polls through hate and discrimination.”

Out of the mouths of babes, Rainey thought. The corner of her mouth twitched. She wanted to laugh, but the sticker was sure to start a discussion that would lead straight back to her. “I’d rather get through this afternoon without Katie’s blood pressure skyrocketing. If you don’t mind, can we not discuss politics over Christmas dinner? By the way, I appreciate your being so informed. I wish others were.”

Clarissa peeled the sticker from her vest and rolled it up. She stuck it in her pocket and said, “In honor of this special family gathering, I shall resist the temptation to tell my mother what pompous-assholes she and the people behind this amendment are.”

Rainey extended her hand for Clarissa to shake, saying, “And I will do my best not to let her get to me either, deal?”

Clarissa shook Rainey’s hand and they exited the car. Katie greeted them at the backdoor that opened into the kitchen. She gave Rainey a peck on the cheek, after looking in the bag and seeing that Rainey had been successful.

From across the kitchen, Maria piped up, “Do you have to rub it in our faces?”

Katie deflected the challenge. “What, that I happen to be grateful that Rainey was able to find what I needed to finish the pies, or that I think she’s smokin’ hot and I love her madly?”

Rainey’s hand shot to her face to cover her snicker. She saw Clarissa attempt to do the same thing, but it was a massive fail. Clarissa gave up trying not to laugh aloud and patted her aunt on the shoulder. “Good one, Aunt Katie. Don’t let her bully you. See, Mom, it really does get better.”

Clarissa had already forgotten her promise not to goad her mother. Rainey remembered teenagers’ frontal lobes were not fully developed and they were not to be trusted. Since Katie appeared to be enjoying herself, remaining calm and wearing a smile — and most importantly Rainey was not the target at the moment — she decided to stand back and watch. Clarissa wasn’t finished and stepped between Katie and Maria.

“So, Mom, what if I told you I’m a lesbian? What would you do then?”

Helena leaned on the counter sipping wine. She looked over the top of her glass and said, “Oh, this is going to be priceless. Where’s my phone? I need to put this on Youtube.”

Melanie looked up from checking the pies just in time to see Maria storm toward Rainey. Maria’s targeting strategy had changed. She was now barreling down on Rainey, her face scarlet with rage.

“I knew I should not have let my young daughter near the likes of you. What did you do to her while you were gone? Is that what took you so long? You couldn’t keep your hands off that child. People like you should be locked up. You should never be allowed around children.”

Rainey was stunned. She had gone from innocent bystander to pedophile in less time than it took Maria to cross the floor. She looked over Maria’s head at Katie who had the most surprised look on her face. Helena sprayed wine in every direction. Melanie let the oven door slam shut. The room fell absolutely silent. Rainey tried to maintain a calm exterior, while her mind thought of all the things she would like to say to Maria, reminding herself that others were present. She used the same skills, developed sitting across the table from the scum of the earth, not to let her true emotions show.

“Maria, the only thing I touched on your daughter was her hand, when I shook it and pledged not to let your narrow-minded comments get to me today.”

“That’s right, Mom,” Clarissa said, coming to Rainey’s defense. “Rainey even told me to try to see the good in you. Let me tell you, it gets harder every day.”

Maria didn’t take her eyes off Rainey. She glared at her, chest heaving, sending waves of alcohol laced breath in Rainey’s direction. “You have come into this family and disrupted a perfectly good Christian home with your heathen ways.”

By this time, Kenneth and Timothy had ventured into the archway, leading to the dining room. If Rainey hadn’t been standing directly in the sights of a madwoman, she may have found the looks on the Meyers clan’s faces amusing. No one seemed to know what to do or say. Katie was standing with one hand resting on her swollen belly, her mouth forming a perfect “Oh.” She was in shock, Rainey guessed.

Helena chimed in, wiping wine from her chin. “Oh wait, I thought I was the heathen, Maria. You did say last Christmas that Buddhists were not real believers.”

Melanie tried to make peace. “You all stop this right now. It’s Christmas for God’s sake.”

“All the more reason to respect God’s word,” Maria said, through clenched teeth.

Rainey was surprised when Katie still didn’t respond. The bible argument was one of Katie’s favorite topics. She could expound on the subject for hours and never backed down from a challenge. Clarissa spoke up.

“God’s word, as you call it, is a two-thousand-year-old document, written by men, reinterpreted by men, misinterpreted and manipulated by the church, and although some of it contains great teachings for humanity, it is not to be taken literally in modern times.”

Maria finally took her eyes from Rainey and shifted to her daughter, who was now standing next to her. “That’s the same argument the liberals use to dismiss God’s law. It’s a sin what they are doing. It’s an abomination.”

“The bible says women who wear pants are an abomination, as well. Are you sure you want to interpret that verse literally?” Clarissa said, pausing for effect while looking down at her mother’s slacks, and then added, “If you do, then we’re all in danger of being stoned to death.”

“You’re twisting the meaning,” Maria countered.

“And you’re not?” Clarissa spat back.

“You are not a homosexual and I will pay good money to keep you that way,” Maria shouted.

Clarissa laughed. “No, Mom, I’m not gay, but if I was I wouldn’t be ashamed of it. No amount of money could turn me into a hate-filled bigot like you.”

Katie let out a soft cry and looked down. Rainey saw the shocked expression on Katie’s face and followed her gaze to the floor. Liquid dripped down the inside of one of Katie’s legs and trickled into her boot. The reality of what had happened hit Rainey like a lightning bolt. It froze her to the floor for a second, before she sprang into action.

“I’m sorry, Maria, but this little family political debate is going to have to wait,” Rainey said, rushing to Katie’s side. “I believe Katie is about to bring our heathen children into the world. You’ll have to continue your diatribe some other time.”

Rainey was calm, until she saw the fear in Katie’s eyes for the first time since she told Rainey she was pregnant. Rainey’s knees suddenly became jelly as she reached Katie’s side. Despite her growing anxiety, Rainey spoke softly.

“It’s okay, honey. You’re going to be fine.”

“The babies aren’t moving, Rainey. Something’s wrong.”

Katie stared into Rainey’s eyes and all Rainey could do was panic. Kenneth appeared out of nowhere.

“Come on, you two. Let’s get you to the hospital.” He was calm and reassuring. “Everything’s fine. Sometimes they get quiet right before the big push.” He started leading Katie toward the door. “Let’s take the SUV, so you can lie down on the back seat.”

Rainey had never seen Kenneth take charge of anything, but he was most definitely taking the leadership role in this situation. If there was any doubt, when he passed his wife, he said, “Maria, I’ve had about as much of your bible thumping as I’m going to take. Either you get on board with this blessed event, or you keep your ass here, but you will not mar this special time for these two wonderful parents-to-be with your asinine, backward ass thinking. Is that understood?”

“Way to go, Dad!” Clarissa shouted.

“Amen to that,” Timothy added.

In an instant, the entire clan began to move out the back door, leaving Maria standing alone in the kitchen.

Melanie called over her shoulder to Maria, “Honey, watch the pies.”

Rainey and Kenneth helped Katie into the backseat of Timothy’s SUV. Rainey smiled at him, saying, “Thank you, Ken.”

He grinned back, looking younger than he had since Rainey met him. “I’ve wanted to do that for years.”

Timothy drove with Ken in the passenger seat. Helena followed with the others in Katie’s car, so Rainey would have it at the hospital. With Katie’s head resting in her lap, Rainey made several phone calls, first to the doctor’s service to let her know they were on the way to the hospital. The second call went to the emergency room, informing them of the same. Katie had insisted Rainey program the numbers into her phone and Rainey was now glad she did. She patted Katie’s shoulder and spoke softly to her between calls, reassuring Katie it would be all right. She got Ernie on the first ring and told her what was happening. She asked Ernie to call Mackie, Rainey’s partner, and the closest thing she had left to a father. She tried to hide the fear in her voice, but Ernie picked up on it.

“Rainey, is everything okay?”

Rainey smiled down at Katie, who had not spoken since they left the house. She was wide-eyed with fear. Rainey lied, “Katie’s fine, we’re almost there. See you in a few.”

“Hang on, honey,” Ernie said. “I’m coming.”

Rainey put the phone down on the seat beside her and leaned very close to Katie’s face. “You know everything is going to be okay. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Katie whispered, “The babies.”

“They’re fine too. It’s going to be all right, honey. I promise.”

Rainey knew better than to make promises about things she had no control over. She, of all people, understood the frailty of life. Her life had changed in an instant so many times already; Rainey knew not to count on tomorrow. She summoned every ounce of strength she had and fought off her fears.

“I love you, Katie. It’s all going to turn out just fine.”

“I’m not having contractions. I should be having contractions.”

Ken turned around in the seat. Rainey hadn’t realized he could hear them, but he must have. “That’s not exactly true, Katie. Your water could break days before you actually go into labor. Did you know that only thirty-three percent of women have their water break naturally?”

Katie chuckled, which relieved Rainey quite a bit. She raised her head to look at Ken. “How in God’s name do you know all that, Ken?”

“Maria makes me go on missions with her to South America and Africa. I wanted to be useful. I’m not much of a carpenter, so I studied to be a mid-wife,” Ken answered, as if it was no big deal.

Rainey wondered if Ken’s pulse ever rose above sixty. He was almost sedate, while everyone else in the vehicle barely maintained control. Her own heart was racing to beat the band. Katie started to tremble slightly. Her eyes flew to Rainey’s, once again dilated with fear.

Katie breathed out, “Oh God, Rain…” and lost consciousness.

“Katie!” Rainey screamed.

Ken leapt into the backseat and was at Katie’s side in flash. He took her pulse, pulled her lids open to peer into her eyes. He looked up at Rainey.

“She’s breathing and she has a pulse.” He turned his head toward the front of the car and said, “Punch it, Tim. We got to go now.”

“What’s wrong with her?” Rainey pleaded, losing her ability to remain calm.

“I think she has pre-eclampsia. It’s a condition not uncommon in pregnancy. When did she last see her OB-GYN?”

Rainey had to think. Her mind wasn’t responding to anything but the fact that Katie was lying in her lap unconscious. “Wednesday… no, Tuesday. It was Tuesday.”

Ken continued to examine Katie. “Did they mention elevated blood pressure?”

“The nurse said it was little high, but the doctor just said for her to take it easy and watch her salt intake.”

Ken poked around Katie’s knee, his finger leaving indentions that did not immediately dissipate. “She has some edema,” he looked at Rainey, “that’s the term for abnormal accumulation of fluid beneath the skin.”

“What does all that mean?” Rainey asked, desperate for Katie to open her eyes.

“If they didn’t notice anything on Tuesday, then this is probably very early in the pre-eclampsia development. She passed out from fluctuations in her blood pressure. Birth of the fetuses and removal of the placenta should stop any further complications.” Ken patted Rainey’s hand on Katie’s shoulder. “Her pulse is strong. We’re almost there.”

Rainey lifted Katie closer to her chest. She was reminded of the last time she held a listless Katie like this, in the backseat of her car, waiting for an ambulance to arrive. That was the first time she almost lost her. She couldn’t bear to think what would happen if Katie didn’t wake up.

“Katie, I love you. Hold on, baby. We’re going to make it. We always do.”

Rainey saw a tear land on Katie’s forehead. It had fallen from her own cheek. She hadn’t realized she was crying. Tim power-sliding to a stop in the ambulance bay of the North Carolina Women's Hospital drew Rainey’s attention away from Katie, momentarily. The sound of the SUV’s screeching tires alerted nurses, who came rushing out to meet them, pushing a gurney. Ken took charge of Katie’s removal. He spouted information like a pro.

“Thirty-seven-year-old pregnant female, multiple fetuses, lost consciousness and is unresponsive. Edema present, racing heart rhythm, possible pre-eclampsia. Her water broke fifteen minutes ago.”

“Are you a doctor?” One of the nurses asked.

“No, mid-wife,” Ken said proudly.

“Well done, sir. Is the father here?” Another nurse asked.

“Yes,” Tim said, coming around the front of the SUV. He wrapped an arm around Rainey, who was standing by the stretcher, unable to move. “Here she is.”

The nurse didn’t bat an eye. “Okay, honey. Let’s get her inside and have us some babies. You better come on too, before you fall down. You’re pale as a ghost.”

The next few minutes were a blur for Rainey. She couldn’t think or focus on anything other than the scared look in Katie’s eyes just before she passed out. Katie knew something was wrong. Rainey felt more helpless than she had ever been in her life. There was nothing she could do. No bad guy to hunt down, no one to blame, all of her skills and she had nothing to bring to the table to help Katie. She sat motionless in the corner of the waiting room, while the doctors evaluated Katie and the babies. Katie’s family surrounded Rainey, but she felt utterly alone. She didn’t notice the large dark man walk into the room, or even feel him approach. It wasn’t until his hands were on her shoulders, lifting her into his arms, that Rainey realized Mackie was there.

“You all right, baby girl?” He asked, his big bass voice rumbling from his chest.

Rainey threw her arms around the giant man and fell into his embrace. “She’s got to be all right, Mackie. She has to be.”

Ernie and Henry entered the waiting room, coming straight to Rainey. “What’s going on?” Ernie asked.

Rainey didn’t have time to answer. She saw Melanie stand, wringing her hands, and realized the doctor had entered the room. Dr. Hutson came toward the family and waited for everyone to settle, but she spoke directly to Rainey.

“Katie and the babies are fine, but under a little stress. Katie has developed pre-eclampsia. Do you know what that is?” Rainey nodded her head that she did, although she had only learned of it a few minutes ago. Dr. Hutson went on, “She’s awake now and stabilized, but we need to do the C-section right away.”

“Can I see her?” Rainey asked.

“Just for a few minutes, and I’m sorry, but under the circumstances it’s best if you were not in the delivery room. There could be complications.”

Rainey felt Ernie squeeze her arm.

Katie’s mother asked, “What kind of complications?”

Dr. Hutson turned to face her. “I’m guessing you are Katie’s parents. I assure you most of these births are without incident, but in some cases, the sudden drop in blood pressure Katie will experience can lead to cardiac arrest. We need to be prepared for the babies to be under stress and any foreseeable complications with the mother. We have a lot of experience with this sort of delivery. Please know your daughter is in good hands.” Dr. Hutson then turned to leave. “Rainey, if you’ll follow me.”

Melanie grabbed Rainey’s arm. “Tell her I love her.”

Rainey hugged Katie’s mother. “I will. She’s going to be okay.”

Rainey said it, but she didn’t quite believe it herself. She followed Dr. Hutson, silently listening, as the doctor explained the procedure and that she wanted Rainey suited up in sterile clothing, so she could see the babies when the time came. Rainey was relieved to find Katie reclining on her side with an IV running. She smiled when Rainey entered the curtained partition.

“Hey there, good-looking,” Katie said, as if nothing in the world was wrong.

“Welcome back,” Rainey said, trying to appear calm.

“I’m sorry, Rainey. I know I scared you. It scared the hell out of me when everything started to fade to black.”

Rainey came to the side of the bed, took Katie’s hand, and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

Katie patted her belly. “Well, I guess I’m going to have to deprive you just a bit longer. Our plans for the evening have changed. It appears our children are ready to make their entrance.”

“The doctor says I can’t be in there with you, but I’ll be right outside the door. By the way, your mom wanted me to tell you she loves you.”

A nurse pulled the curtain back. “It’s time, Katie. We have to move you now.”

Katie squeezed Rainey’s hand tightly. “I’ll see you in a bit. I love you, Rainey Bell. Promise me you will remember that.”

Rainey kissed Katie gently on the lips and choked on the only word she could manage, “Always.”

#

Rainey went back to the waiting room to give everyone a full report on Katie’s condition and what would happen next. She was surprised to find the handsome heart surgeon, Dr. John Herndon, talking to Katie’s parents. John was Rainey’s stepfather, and although they were never really close, she liked him. He turned at Rainey’s approach and smiled.

“I had an emergency surgery here at the Women’s hospital and I saw Katie’s name go up on the operating room board. I thought I might find you here,” he said.

Rainey shook his extended hand, still a bit befuddled by his presence. She didn’t think he knew about Katie’s pregnancy. She forgot that Katie’s parents traveled in the same social circles as her mother and John did.

He continued, “Melanie has been keeping me informed as the pregnancy progressed. I’m very happy for you, Rainey. I explained what’s going on with Katie to everyone and I’d like to escort you to the operating theater, if you’ll let me.”

Rainey nodded that it was okay.

John turned to the rest of group. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to the nursery waiting room.”

Rainey couldn’t summon the words to express all that she was feeling. Fear, excitement, anxiety washed over her, and she was glad to have someone with her who knew what was going on. She had lost the ability to think, simply going through the motions, as Ernie placed a hand in her back and pushed her after her stepfather. The rest of the extended family followed her out of the waiting room to the elevators. Mackie took the stairs. His excitement could not overcome his fear of elevators. Tim and Kenneth said they would follow later, saying they needed to go somewhere first.

As the doors slid shut, Rainey looked at her stepfather. “Does my mother know?”

John smiled at her. “It’s your place to tell her, Rainey. As for me, I’m very much looking forward to being a grandfather, if you approve.”

Rainey smiled and felt the genuine love this man had for her. He was always kind and took her turning away from him at age ten to embrace her biological father in stride. “Yes, John. I think you’ll make a wonderful grandfather.”

The next few minutes were a blur. John stayed with her while she put on the sterile gown and booties. He helped her capture her thick, wavy, chestnut hair into a cap. He talked her quietly through what was happening and reassured her that the babies and Katie were in the best of hands. When the time came, John stood by her as she waited outside the operating room doors. He was gowned and gloved, as well. It seemed like an eternity to Rainey, but it had only been minutes, when Dr. Hutson’s head nurse, Jill, pushed her way out of the doors. She dropped the mask from her face and looked very serious. Rainey’s heart dropped. Jill smiled to cover something.

“Congratulations, Rainey. You have three healthy beautiful babies.”

“Thank God,” Rainey said, her knees almost buckling, and then asked quickly, “What about Katie?”

Jill looked at John, as if she needed him to interpret for Rainey. “Her blood pressure crashed when we put her under. Her heart stopped momentarily, but we were able to recover a strong beat almost instantly. Her pressure stabilized as soon as the placenta was removed. Dr. Hutson is finishing up with her now.”

Rainey’s stepfather faced her. “I’ll go in and check on her, but Rainey, I’m sure she’s fine now. You go see those sweet babies.” He started to back through the operating room doors, stopping to place his mask over his face. He winked at Rainey. “I know I’m going to love those babies as much as I’ve loved you.”

Rainey choked on her words. “I love you, too.”

Jill placed a hand on Rainey’s gowned elbow and said, “Come on, let’s go meet your children.”

Rainey stood over three tiny beds in the neonatal intensive care unit, where Jill said the babies would remain for a few days because they were full term triplets, but premature in terms of normal pregnancies. Three tiny, wrinkled, pink bodies squirmed in front of her. Ernie had been right. Rainey was overwhelmed with awe and yes, she instantly fell in love with them. Her heart swelled and the tears began rolling down her cheeks. She only wished Katie had been with her when she saw them. A young doctor stood next to her, giving her a moment to take it all in.

Finally, he said, “The two boys are both four and half pounds, a good weight for triplets. The little girl is a bit smaller at four-point-two pounds. They are extremely healthy, and should put on weight fast. I anticipate they will be moved to the non-intensive unit within a day or two. Since the mother had some complications, she will not be able to breast-feed right away and you’re probably going to have to supplement the breast milk with formula. We’re going to let you feed them soon.”

“Me?” Rainey said, truly disbelieving. “Shouldn’t Katie do it first?”

One of the boys started to fuss loudly. The other two joined in the chorus. The doctor’s eyes wrinkled into a smile Rainey could not see under his sterile mask. “Looks like they don’t want to wait for Mom. We’ll have them ready in a few minutes.”

Rainey looked at the nurse who brought her to the nursery. “I’d like to see Katie, if I could.”

“I’ll go check,” the nurse answered.

One of the NICU nurses approached Rainey. “We need names for these little darlings. Do you have them picked out already?”

Katie and Rainey knew they were having two boys and a girl. They batted about names for months and finally agreed. Rainey looked at the two boys. She only knew they were the boys because of the blue stocking caps on their heads. It was obvious already that the babies were all different. One of the boys had a few dark hairs peeking from under his cap; the other boy’s hair was lighter. The girl’s peach fuzz blond hair showed a little just over her ears. Rainey was sure the girl had Katie’s blue eyes, but when she opened them to protest having another nurse prodding her, Rainey saw that they were green.

“She has green eyes,” Rainey whispered in amazement.

The nurse beside her said, “Yes, she does. Most babies have pale colored eyes that darken into the color they will be during the first year. Those eyes are already emerald green. She’s going to be a looker for sure. So what is that beautiful girl’s name?”

“Weather Anne Bell Meyers,” Rainey answered.

“And the boys?”

Rainey hated to make this decision. Which one was which? The dark haired one opened his eyelids and blue eyes looked back at her, squinting in displeasure at the lights. His deep-throated cry was louder than the other two.

“That one is William McKinney Bell Meyers and this one is Timothy Earnest Bell Meyers.”

“Okay, we’ll get their little armbands ready and here’s one for you, so they’ll let you back in. No one comes in these units without proper ID.”

“That’s good,” Rainey said, and knew from that moment on she would safeguard these babies with her life, as she did their mother. More tears started falling.

The nurse looked up at Rainey. “Honey, I know you’re overwhelmed.”

Rainey stuttered out. “I… I didn’t expect it to hit me like this. I can’t imagine life without them now. Wow. I have kids.”

Jill stuck her masked face in the door and called to Rainey, “Katie’s coming around now. Come on, I’ll take you to her and then you can come back to feed the babies. I think there are a few volunteers to help you with that, too.”

Rainey followed Jill to the recovery room. Katie was lying with her eyes closed. Jill gently pushed Rainey in the back.

“Go on, talk to her. She’s just resting. She might be a little out of it, but she’s rallying.”

Rainey stepped to the side of the bed. Katie looked so small now, the covers no longer forming a tent over her abdomen. She took Katie’s hand in hers and leaned down to kiss her on the forehead. Katie’s eyes fluttered open.

Rainey grinned uncontrollably. Katie was going to be fine, the babies were beautiful and healthy, all was right with the world.

“Hey there, Mom. Our children are incredibly beautiful,” Rainey said, and the tears started again.

Katie smiled. “I want to see them.”

Rainey turned back to Jill. “When can she see them?”

“The doctor cleared her to be rolled down there as soon as she recovered enough from the procedure, which from the notes here on her chart appears to be now. She needs to hold them and bond with them as soon as possible.”

Katie perked up. “Well, let's do it then.”

Rainey squeezed Katie’s hand. “I love you, you know. Just want to get that in before you fall head over heels for these kids.”

“They’ll just make me love you more, Rainey.”

Rainey smiled. “Yeah, I know the feeling.”

#

Katie was rolled down the hall on her bed. She wasn’t ready to sit all the way up, but reclined at an angle, holding Rainey’s hand the whole way. When they entered the sterile room where the babies were waiting for her, Katie clamped down on Rainey’s hand at the sight of them. The NICU nurses placed the babies in Katie’s arms, as Rainey stood over her. Katie began to cry softly, beholding the wonders she held in her arms.

She looked up at Rainey. “They’re beautiful, sweetheart. Just look at them.”

Rainey pointed to each in turn. “That one is William McKinney, that one is Timothy Ernest, and this beautiful little girl is Weather. I hope you don’t mind that I went ahead and named them. You didn’t think of new names or anything, did you?”

“No, honey. You named them perfectly.” Katie gasped, when Weather opened her eyes. “She has your eyes, Rainey.”

Rainey chuckled. “It’s a miracle, but yes she does.”

Rainey stood back as the NICU nurses pulled Katie’s gown open, leaving her breast partially covered, and positioned the babies so they were each touching some of Katie’s skin. They started to nuzzle and kick, the little girl going at it with an open mouth, searching for what she instinctively knew came next.

“This will help them get ready to feed, but we’ll keep your breasts covered until the doctor clears you to breastfeed. They are going to be eating both ways, so we’ll help you out for the time being with formula,” one nurse explained.

The other nurse moved three rockers into position beside the bed, saying, “Katie, you’re not quite out of the anesthesia yet, so you’re going to have help with this first feeding. Corinne there will stand by you and support one of the babies.” She looked at Rainey. “And you and Katie’s mother will sit here and feed the other two.”

“Who’s the other chair for?” Rainey asked.

The nurse shrugged. “I was told the other grandmother was coming too, in case Katie was too weak to handle the first feeding.”

Rainey fully expected Ernie to enter the room behind Melanie, as just then the door opened and Katie’s sterile gowned mother flew to her side. Rainey missed much of what was said between them, because she was too stunned to move. Constance Herndon, Rainey’s estranged mother, was now standing in front of her, draped in a yellow gown, a sterile mask hanging around her neck.

“What are you doing here?” Rainey finally said.

Melanie turned from Katie and answered, as Rainey watched Constance take in the sight of the babies and Katie. “I asked her to come in here with me, so she could hear all of what the nurses had to say about feeding these precious babies. You and Katie are going to need all the help you can get.”

Rainey was a little wary, understandably. Her mother had been less than supportive of most everything Rainey had done since the age of ten. She didn’t expect this to be any different, but a miraculous transformation was taking place right before her eyes. Constance Herndon was smiling as tears flowed down her face. Rainey could actually see her mother’s chest rise, as her heart grew to twice its size.

“Oh Rainey, they are beautiful,” she said. “I remember the first time your father and I saw you. What a wonderful day that was.”

Rainey had never heard her mother say a kind thing about her father. Maybe these babies were already working magic.

Her mother continued, “I so wish Billy could be here. He would be so proud.”

Constance looked up at her daughter and for the first time in thirty-one years, Rainey thought she really meant it when she said, “I love you, Rainey. I’m sorry I forced you away. Can you forgive me? Can we just start over?”

“Yes, you can,” Katie said, from the bed.

Rainey felt the ice begin to crack around the place where she stored all of her feelings for her mother. Rainey cleared her throat. “Well, I’ve never believed in miracles until today, so one more can’t hurt, but before you make up your mind to accept me for who I am, I need you to understand this completely. These are my children and Katie is going to be my wife in every sense of the word, if she’ll have me.”

Rainey pulled out the little red box from her pocket and crossed to Katie. She opened the box, because Katie’s arms were full, and pulled out the ring she had made. Two white diamonds twinkled on either side of a blue diamond sparkling in the middle. Rainey held up the ring so Katie could see it.

“The color for December gems is blue for the babies' birth month and the white diamonds represent us. I love you, Katherine Anne Meyers. I’d like to make an honest woman out of you and if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to marry you.”

“I would have never pegged you for the dramatic mushy type, Rainey Bell,” Katie said, grinning. “Yes, I’ll marry you, you old softy.”

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room when Rainey slipped the ring on her finger. Even Constance, who Rainey never thought would come around, had tears streaming down her cheeks. Rainey heard tapping on the glass that looked into the room from the private viewing area and saw the entire extended family beaming on the other side of the glass. Everyone was crying. Tim and Kenneth held up hands full of cigars, as tears trailed down their faces. Even Mackie was crying as he hugged Ernie and Henry to his sides. Ernie smiled and blew a kiss to Rainey and Katie. Helena was hugging Rainey’s stepfather, balling into his sleeve.

That’s when Rainey saw Maria hugging Clarissa, both of them smiling and crying along with everyone else. Rainey wasn’t very religious, but she’d prayed often in her life when she needed extra help from somewhere. She looked around at her new family, taking in each face one by one. She turned back to Katie, who was holding their future in her arms. She leaned down to kiss Katie on the lips.

Rainey whispered, “Now, I do believe in miracles.”

Katie smiled up at her. “You’re my miracle Rainey Bell and I will love you, always.”

“Always,” Rainey repeated.

Rainey heard one of the nurses say, “And God bless us, every one!”

Merry Christmas from Bell-Meyers family - Rainey, Katie, Mack, Timothy (not Tim, soon to be shortened to whatever Rainey can come up with that won’t send Katie into orbit,) and Weather.