Page 16 of The Preacher's Bride

Ella nodded as she panted.

Mia looked down at the baby in her arms and he looked directly into her eyes. He was beautiful, with a shock of dark brown hair like his father. Mia laid him in a nearby bassinette and hurried back to Ella and took her hand.

“Okay, Madame,” Doc Allaway ordered, concern coloring his voice. “The baby’s in position, so push, Ella! Push!”

“Yah!” Ella screamed as she bore down.

“Stop! Don’t push!”

“Breathe, Ella! Breathe!” Mia yelled as she squeezed her hand.

“Okay. Now! Push!” Doc Allaway’s voice was urgent. “One more time! Push now!”

She pushed again, but this time, the sound of a baby’s cry didn’t fill the room.

“Is he okay?” Ella asked, her voice weak as she lifted her head.

Doc Allaway didn’t answer, but quickly cut the cord and turned the baby over. Mia looked over, and the baby was blue. He held the baby up by its feet and gently swatted its bottom. He rubbed the baby all over and checked its mouth, and then held it on his arm, face down, and gently tapped its back. A moment later, the baby gasped and let out a bloodcurdling cry as a pink color washed over her.

Mia sighed in relief.

“It’s a healthy baby girl,” Doc Allaway announced, and then handed the baby to Mia. “She has some lungs on her! That’s for sure!”

Mia cleaned up the baby girl. She was just as beautiful as her brother but was much more willing to voice her displeasure. As dark as her brother’s hair was, hers was the opposite—a bright blonde.

“That’s it,” Mia cooed as she cleaned the baby up and then swaddled her in another small blanket.

“Are there any more?” Ella asked the doctor, lifting her head.

He laughed. “No, I don’t believe so.” He smiled as he finished up.

“How are they?” Ella asked as concern filled her eyes, her hair drenched in sweat. “Are they okay?”

Doc Allaway nodded as he smiled. “Yes, they’re both fine. Ella, would you like to hold them?”

Ella nodded. “Yes, but one at a time for now. I don’t trust myself just yet.”

Mia handed her the little girl, and tears streamed down Ella’s face. Then she crossed the room to the bassinette, picked up the baby boy, and carried him to his mother.

The doctor turned to Mia. “You can call the father in now.”

A broad grin spread across her face. When she opened the door, Colton and Caleb were on their feet.

“Papa, you can come in now.” Mia smiled.

“Is she okay?” Colton walked toward her across the waiting room, tears filling his eyes.

Mia smiled. “Come in and see for yourself.”

When he walked in, Ella was holding one baby, and the doctor was holding the other. Tears flowed down Colton’s cheeks, making his eyes bright. “My God! Twins?” he asked Ella as he gently touched a baby’s cheek.

The doctor smiled as he carefully handed him his son. “Congratulations, papa. Mother and Babies are doing just fine.” As brash as the doctor had seemed to be when they first arrived, Mia was surprised at his tenderness now.

Ella nodded, smiling. “This one’s a baby girl and the one you’re holding is a boy.” She waited for it to sink in.

“Oh, a boy and a girl!” Colton gushed. “What in the world—”

Ella laughed. “Yes! Can you believe it?”

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