Page 30 of Baby Perfection

Angie deliberately changed the subject. “Is there any news about Mr. Ridgeway’s condition?”

Fear invaded Tabby’s features once again. “Not yet. They’re taking so long. Too long.”

“Let me see what I can find out.” Lucius transferred the baby to Angie. “I’ll be right back.”

Angie cradled Mikey against her shoulder and took the seat next to Tabby. “If you want to get yourself a drink or some food, I can wait here and watch your things.”

“No. No, I don’t want anything.” She twisted her hands together, waves of disapproval emanating from her. “How long have you and Lucius…?”

Oh, dear. They hadn’t discussed the details of their cover story, yet. “About nine months,” she improvised, deciding Lucius would want the relationship to predate his guardianship. “We were going to announce our engagement sooner, but…” She trailed off in the hopes that Tabby would assume the announcement had been postponed after Geoff’s and Lisa’s deaths.

She nodded. “Very considerate of you,” she said in a stiff voice. “I’m surprised you’d be willing to take on a man like Lucius, especially now that he has the responsibility of my grandson.”

“I adore Mikey. I have from the moment I first saw him.”

“We—Benjamin and I—don’t feel Lucius is a fit parent.”

Angie tiptoed through the minefield which had opened up so unexpectedly in front of her. “Perhaps with time, you’ll discover otherwise. I know he has a reputation, but I’ve found that reputation to be a bit of an exaggeration.” She offered a conspiratorial smile. “You know how businessmen are. If people think you’re ruthless, they’re more respectful and cautious in their dealings with you. I’m sure Geoff would never have appointed Lucius his son’s guardian if he didn’t have complete faith in his best friend’s character.”

“Geoff was under the influence ofthat woman,” Tabby retorted. “I’m not sure he was in an adequate frame of mind to judge.”

Okay, Angie decided. Clearly, she wasn’t going to win this particular argument, not that she’d expected to. Heavy silence settled between them, as chilly and bitter as the breeze that gusted through the sliding doors whenever they parted to cough out a new arrival. She glanced in the direction Lucius had disappeared, relieved to see him striding in their direction, a doctor at his side.

“This is Dr. Sanji,” he explained, making the introductions. “He’s the cardiologist who’s been taking care of Benjamin.”

The doctor sat beside Tabby and gathered her hand in his. Brave man, was all Angie could think. “All is well, Mrs. Ridgeway. Your husband did not suffer a heart attack, but a panic attack.”

Tabby’s chin trembled. “Not his heart? You’re certain?”

“Quite certain.” His light brown eyes stayed fixed on her, their expression calm and reassuring. “I understand you are both under considerable emotional distress. This weekend would have been your late son’s birthday, is that correct?”

Tabby nodded, pressing her lips tightly together. “He would have been thirty-two.”

“No doubt this is the root cause of your husband’s problem. Panic attacks often mimic the symptoms of a heart attack. The nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath.”

“I didn’t know what to do,” she confessed, “so I called 9-1-1.”

“As you should have. We have put him on a mild antianxiety medication, which will ease his distress. You should be able totake him home in a few hours. Until then, why don’t you come sit with him?” He offered a charming smile. “I’m sure having you at his side will do far more for him than any medication.”

Tabby spared Mikey a worried glance. “My grandson?”

“Don’t worry about that.” Angie leaped into the breach. “Lucius and I will take good care of him.”

Tabby retreated behind her wall of reserve. “See that you do.” Sweeping to her feet, she collected her handbag. “Please return the diaper bag the next time we have visitation.” She didn’t bother waiting for an answer, but stalked away without a backward glance.

“Let’s get out of here,” Lucius said. “Are you okay with Mikey?”

“If you’ll grab the diaper bag, I’m fine.” She traced her hand across the baby’s soft dark curls. “It’s so noisy here, I can’t believe he’s fallen asleep again.”

“He’s a good kid, just like his dad.” After making sure Mikey was protected against the elements, they exited the emergency room and headed for the car. Lucius hit the remote to disengage the locks. “Did she buy the engagement?” he asked, shooting Angie a searching glance.

“Seemed to.”

“Let’s see if we can’t find a way to shift that to ‘completely sold’ on the concept.” He took Mikey and slipped him into the car seat with the ease of three months’ worth of practice. Angie watched carefully while he took care of the various buckles, committing the process to memory in case she was called on to do it in the future. “Let’s get home. I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted.”

The return trip didn’t take long. Mikey woke up just as they were parking the car, his whimpers increasing to wails with each passing minute. The instant they reached the foyer, Lucius inclined his head in the direction of the kitchen. “He sounds hungry. I’ll warm up a bottle.”

“I’ll check his diaper and get him ready for bed.”

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