The waiting room was outfitted with couches and upholstered chairs. TVs were mounted high on the wall and stacks of magazines littered the side tables. A small group of people sat together in one corner, most of them looking at their phones. They didn’t appear to recognize Corban, so I assumed they were waiting for someone else.
I took a seat, but Corban couldn’t seem to stay still. He hesitated in front of the chair next to me, then stuffed his hands in his pockets and wandered around the room.
After a while, he stopped and glanced at me. “Oh, shit. Hazel, I’m sorry. We didn’t get lunch.”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind.”
“Are you sure? There’s probably a cafeteria. I could go with you, or…” He trailed off, looking toward the entrance to the maternity ward.
“No, you should stay here. I can wait.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Thanks.”
“I’m sure your sister is fine.” I bit my lip before continuing. My mind fed me information I’d cataloged on the impact of modern medicine on the safety of childbirth. But I had a feeling even Corban didn’t want data right now. “Although it’s understandable that you’re worried about her.”
“I know she’s probably fine, and she has Martin and nurses and a doctor. But she’s my sister.” He shrugged. “I worry about her.”
He resumed his pacing and I flipped through a magazine. An excited father came out to share his news with the other group in the waiting room. I texted Elliott to let him know where we were. Fortunately, we didn’t have more subjects coming into the lab until tomorrow morning. He replied, asking me to congratulate Corban and his family.
We’d been waiting for just over an hour—sixty-three minutes since arriving, to be exact—when the door opened again.
A tall man with black hair, dark eyes, and a wide smile came out. I could tell immediately by Corban’s reaction that this was Martin.
“How is she?” Corban asked.
“They’re both great. Molly was amazing.”
Corban raked his hands through his hair again. “Oh thank God. Can we see them?”
We? Did he mean we, as in also me?
Uh-oh.
Martin looked past Corban at me.
“It’s okay, I can wait here. I don’t want to intrude.”
“Oh, right.” Corban gestured toward me. “Sorry, I always forget introductions. This is Hazel. Hazel, my brother-in-law, Martin.”
Martin smiled and his happiness was contagious. “Come on back. It’s just us right now.”
I stood from my chair, slipping a magazine back on the table. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. I’ll ask Molly before you go in, but I don’t think she’ll mind.” Martin smiled again and clapped Corban on the back. “Come meet your niece.”
Corban reached out and grabbed my hand again. The warmth of his skin and the way his fingers twined with mine proved to be irresistible. We followed Martin through the interior door and down a hallway.
I’d never been in the childbirth wing of a hospital before. I wasn’t sure what I’d expected. More noise, perhaps? Babies crying? Women screaming in pain? There was nothing like that here. Just soft lighting and a hushed ambiance that reminded me of a library.
Martin stopped in front of a partially open door, the interior screened by a thick curtain. He went inside and came back a moment later. “Come on in.”
Corban pulled me through, past the curtain, into a dimly lit room. More thick curtains blocked the light from a window and a door led to a bathroom. Molly sat up in bed, cradling a tiny bundle in her arms.
“Hey, weirdo.” Corban let go of my hand and took a few steps closer.
She smiled at him. Her face was makeup-free, her hair tucked behind her ears. There was tiredness in her eyes, but like her husband, her joy was infectious. Quite frankly, she looked beautiful.
“Hey, twinkie,” she said. “Do you want to hold her?”
Corban froze next to the bed, his eyes wide. “Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure.” She lifted the bundle and set her gently in Corban’s arms. “Say hi to Uncle Corban.”
“Oh my god,” he whispered, his gaze fixed on the tiny baby in his arms. “I love her so much.”
Molly laughed softly, her eyes shining with tears. “I know. Me too.”
“Hi, sweet girl,” he cooed at the baby. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other in a subtle rocking motion.
The fact that I remained standing and didn’t melt into a puddle on the floor was a miracle rivaled only by the miracle of new life sleeping in Corban’s arms. My knees were in danger of buckling and my heart felt as if it would burst right out of my chest. A breathtaking surge of emotion consumed me from within. Awe, happiness, and gratitude that I was here to witness this moment, mixed with a dose of lust so potent my cheeks flushed hot.
I had never been more attracted to Corban Nash than I was seeing him gently cradling his newborn niece.
“What’s her name?” Corban asked.
“Kaitlyn, but we’ll call her Kate.”
“It’s perfect.” He turned to me. “Do you want to hold her?”
My breath caught in my throat, my eyes darting between Corban and Molly. I was completely out of my depth, invading a family moment so beautiful and personal it made my eyes sting with the threat of tears. “I apologize for intruding. Corban and I were going to lunch when your husband called and then I stayed to keep him company in the waiting room. I realize you don’t know me well and this is all very private and I won’t stay long because I’m sure you’re quite tired. But I would very much like to hold your baby.”
I stopped, surprised at the torrent of words that had poured from my mouth. Especially the last part. But it was true. I did want to hold her.
“You’re fine,” Molly said with a smile. “I don’t mind that you’re here with Corban.”
“I should wash my hands. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for introducing any harmful microorganisms to her developing immune system.”
Molly and Martin shared a look—a subtle communication passing between them that I didn’t understand. I set my purse down and washed my hands thoroughly, then approached Corban with hesitant steps.
He carefully passed the sleeping baby to me. She weighed almost nothing, just a tiny body wrapped tightly in a blanket, a pink knit hat on her head.
Her eyes were closed, and a bit of dark hair peeked out from beneath the hat. She had round cheeks and a little bow of a mouth.
“She’s perfect,” I breathed.
Corban rubbed my back while I stared down at the baby, unable to look away. I’d always wondered if I lacked the natural biological instinct to procreate, since I’d never been one to gush over babies. But holding Kate in my arms ignited a tiny spark inside me. A little flare of desire I’d never felt before.
It was all quite overwhelming. After a moment, I carefully passed her back to Corban.
Watching him hold her, gently swaying from side to side, only made the feeling stronger.
I made an excuse to leave as soon as I could, congratulating Molly again and telling Corban to take his time. The cafeteria was downstairs, and I ordered us both lunch. I knew Corban would be hungry. He was always hungry.