A Little on the Wild Side, page 32
part #3 of Wild Thing Series
Dr. Weaver stepped into the waiting room, and Karma had to stop short to avoid an unintended tackle. The doctor had his mask hanging from around his neck and wore a big smile. “Bianca wanted to make sure I told you that she and the babies are all fine. She’s in recovery, and the babies are in the nursery. Everyone is doing well.”
Karma jumped up and down on the balls of her feet. “Are they girls or boys?”
“Girls, one was six pounds two ounces, the other weighed in at five pounds one ounce. They’re breathing on their own and doing fine. Trapper and their doctors are with them now. You should be able to get a look at them through the glass in the nursery.”
“You said girls, right, Doc? I’m not hearing things?”
“Two girls. I checked them myself.”
“Oh, thank God. We’ve finally got the boys outnumbered! Thank you, Bianca!”
The doctor laughed. “You do know the sex of the babies is determined by the father, don’t you?”
Karma waved him away. “It’s not as if they can just dial M for male, Doc. You don’t seem to understand. I have three brothers and one male cousin. These are the first Kincaid females born since…well, since me. Now the girls outnumber the boys! It’s a great day to be a Kincaid.”
Bianca’s grandmother pushed by Karma and looked up at the doctor. “May I see Bianca?”
“Sure, you’re her grandmother I assume? I heard you caused quite a stir earlier.”
She placed her hand on the doctor’s arm. “Young man, I’ve been causing trouble longer than you’ve been alive. Hasn’t stopped me yet.”
Dr. Weaver let out a laugh. “I can see that.” He gave her a wink. “I’ll have one of the nurses take you back to see Bianca in recovery. I think she’ll rest better knowing that you’re here and not behind bars. As for the rest of you, go ahead and see the babies while they’re in the nursery. As soon as Bianca gets into her room, I expect they’ll be moved in with her. Why don’t you plan on visiting Bianca tomorrow?” He stopped and looked for someone. “Kate?” His eyes landed on his target. “Bianca asked for you earlier. If you’d like to go into recovery with her grandmother, I’m sure Bianca would appreciate seeing you.”
Karma was surprised that her mother looked so shocked—it was obvious Bianca needed a mother. It was a good thing Karma didn’t mind sharing hers—she was getting tired of being the only problem child in the family.
Her mom’s eyes got all shiny again. “Yes, I’d love to.” Karma didn’t get the whole mushy crying thing all the women in her family were prone to. She was so not a crier. She slid around the doctor and headed to the nursery, trailed by her brothers and their wives.
Karma turned the corner, looked through the glass, and there was Trapper, her big brother, all suited up in blue, sitting in a rocking chair and holding two little pink bundles of love. Her nieces. One was waving her little arms. The nurse kept trying to tuck her hands back into the blanket they wrapped around her, like a little mummy, but the kid was determined to be free. She looked so much smaller than her sister, but, damn, she had moxie.
Karma stood between her brothers and their wives. Hunter and Fisher wrapped their arms around her, and she was bombarded with familial love. She felt tears stinging behind her eyes and blinked them. So okay, maybe she did cry every once in a great while—not that she’d ever admit it. She snuck a glance at Fisher, and his eyes looked a little glassy. Same with Hunter, so she didn’t feel that bad. Gramps tapped on the window, looking like the proudest peacock around, and handed out Cubans to anyone who passed by.
Fisher squeezed her shoulder. “The nieces were born on April Fool’s Day. That’s going to be easy to remember.”
She looked at the littlest Kincaid and felt a connection she’d never experienced before. Not that she didn’t feel something for the other…but there was something about that little girl that pulled on Karma’s heartstrings.
Ben and Gina ran up. Ben stopped behind her. “What’d we miss?”
“They’re girls. You owe me a bundle.”
The three guys all looked at one another, and Ben pulled out his wallet. “We’re finally outnumbered, guys.”
Gramps laughed. “There’s a way to fix that. You just need to keep plantin’ those seeds, and we’ll catch up right quick.”
Gina, Ben’s wife, scooted in front of Karma and put her hand up to the glass. “I remember my little brother was small like that.”
Karma wrapped her arm around Gina. “You know, I was thinking about your brother earlier. I have some time off. I thought I’d check out a baseball game or two. I’d be happy to feel Angel Anderson out.”
Gina tore her eyes away from Trapper and the babies, and her golden gaze hit Karma. “I thought Trapper was going to handle it.”
“He was. But he’s got his hands full now. Let me go down and check things out. I’ll be discreet.”
Ben laughed. “You’re anything but discreet, Karma. As a matter of fact, I think that’s the first time anyone has used your name and the word ‘discreet’ in a sentence together. Ever.”
She put her hands on her hips and stared up at her cousin. “Benji, when it comes right down to it, I’m your best bet. Who else do you know is part of the family but can’t be connected to you in any way, shape, or form? Who else do you know is devious enough to get the skinny on Angel Anderson?”
Gina looked at Ben and laughed. “I know I’m going to regret this, but I can’t think of anyone as devious as Karma.”
“Jessie can get me tickets to the season opener. Hey, maybe I can talk Andrew into introducing us. He doesn’t know anything about it yet, does he?”
“No, we haven’t mentioned it. I don’t think Jessie would have either. But we’d better ask just to make sure.”
“Good. I’ll check with Jessie, and if we’re right, I’ll call Andrew and see if he’s up for a road trip. But if he’s not, that’s fine too. I’ve never had a difficult time meeting men.”
Ben gave her one of his you’re-like-a-little-sister-to-me looks. “That’s what I’m afraid of. Your brothers are going to kill me.”
She looked over and saw both Fisher and Hunter with their wives, fawning over the twins and whispering in their wives ears. It looked like they’d be pleasantly occupied for a while. She gave them a year at most before they started popping out little Kincaids. Oh, yeah, she saw a lot more betting in her future.
***
Trapper sat on the bed with his arm around Bianca and wondered how everyone in the family could fit into one hospital room—it was literally overflowing with people.
James, the twins’ self-proclaimed godfather, perched himself on the arm of Karma’s chair and held Katie like a pro. It was obvious he had nine nieces and nephews he was close to.
Jessie—the amateur of the group—held Charlie under the watchful gaze of Fisher, as if she were holding a ticking time bomb.
Trapper took one look at his sisters-in-law and wished his brothers luck. It looked as if the youngest set of twins had sent both Jessie’s and Toni’s biological clocks into alarm mode. Better his brothers than him.
Gramps was crammed on the torture device the hospital called a couch between the silver-haired Charlene and Jessie.
Hunter still wore the green tinge he’d sported for the last three days and held up the wall while he watched Toni coo at Charlie over Jessie’s shoulder.
Ben leaned against the windowsill and held Gina in front of him, whispering something in her ear. The way his hand kept straying to Gina’s stomach made Trapper wonder if they were keeping a secret or making a plan. Either way, Gramps would be happy with the outcome.
Gramps rose with more agility than any octogenarian should have. But Trapper didn’t know why he was surprised. There weren’t many eighty-somethings who still skied with two artificial hips no less. The man said if he were going out, he’d go out with his boots on, whether they be ski or cowboy, made no difference to him. Gramps cleared his throat. “I think it’s time we all take off and give Bianca and the babies a break. They’re going to be home tonight, so you all can see them tomorrow at their house.” He held his hand out for Charlene, who rose with as much grace as any short woman could. Her feet had barely hit the floor when she sat on the couch.
Charlene pushed her way through the throng, already comfortable enough with the group to sweep Charlie right out of Jessie’s arms. She snuggled Charlie close on the way to Bianca and reached up to kiss Bianca’s cheek before handing over the baby. “Kate and I brought you clothes to wear home and even a new pair of slippers that should fit. The boys have already put the car seats in Trapper’s behemoth of an SUV. I swear I’d need a ladder to get into that truck.”
“Thanks, Nan.”
“Dinner will be waiting for you when you get home so you won’t have to worry about a thing.”
Bianca ran her hand over Charlie’s curly blonde hair. “Trapper does all the cooking—I never have to worry about that. As long as I stay out of the kitchen, he’s happy.”
Trapper didn’t bother to hide his laugh. “She’s got that right.”
Gramps stole Katie from James and buzzed her forehead before settling her in Trapper’s arms. “You and Bianca have some talkin’ to do, if you know what I’m sayin’, son.”
“I hear you loud and clear, Gramps.”
“Good, then we’ll leave you to it.”
There were hugs and kisses all around. His mom took a stack of photos and laid them on the rolling table at the foot of the bed. “I went through all the baby pictures last night and brought newborn pictures of each of you kids. I thought it would be fun for you to compare them to Katie and Charlie. Charlene even thought to bring a few of Bianca.” She rested her hand on Bianca’s shoulder. “You were adorable, by the way.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Trapper did a double take. When had Bianca started calling his mother “Mom”?
Bianca reached over and gave his mom a one-armed hug and a kiss on the cheek.
From the pleased and teary-eyed expression covering his mother’s face, he figured she was thrilled with the change.
Karma stopped to fawn one more time over Katie—the two seemed to have bonded—which frankly, made Trapper more than a little nervous. “I’ll see you when you get home. Auntie Karma has a special surprise for you both.”
Trapper cringed. “What did you do?”
“Don’t be such a downer, Trapper. I promise, you and Bianca will love it. I’ll show you when you get home.”
When Trapper gave her another look, she blew her hair out of her eyes and smiled. “Mom and Charlene approved, so you have nothing to worry about.”
“With you, Karma, there’s always something to worry about.”
Ben moved Karma out of the way, probably for her own protection, and handed him the keys to the Sequoia. “The car seats just click into the bases. I left the seats over by the door for you, Trap.”
“Great, thanks.”
“Gramps even had them checked out by the cops trailing Charlene’s boat. He thought they should do something productive.”
“I thought Bianca took her license away,” he whispered.
Ben shook his head. “She said she’d have to pry it out of her cold, dead hand.”
“The cops are still following her?”
“Yeah, but she let Gramps drive. He just gave them a wave, and they didn’t pull him over. I think he has a serious case of car envy.” He leaned closer. “Or maybe it’s the girl with the hot car he’s interested in. She’s packin’ a hemi under the hood, so it’s hard to tell. They’ve been spending a lot of time together.” He waggled his eyebrows. “I feel like a freakin’ chaperone when we’re at the house.”
“Dude, I really didn’t need to hear that. But I guess it’s good to know Gramps has still got it.”
“It might be good to know, but I can tell you, seeing it is altogether another matter.” Ben looked at the twins and let out a wistful sigh. “You’re a lucky man, Trapper.”
“You’re looking’ pretty lucky yourself. Anything you want to tell me?”
“Nope, not yet.” But that didn’t stop Ben from grinning the same grin Trapper had been wearing for the last five months.
Trapper raised his eyebrows and watched Ben usher everyone out of the room. “Alone at last.” He pulled Bianca closer and kissed her temple. “It feels as if it’s been days since I’ve had you to myself. Let me just put the girls down, and we can make up for lost time.”
Bianca handed over Charlie, and he got the twins settled just the way they liked it—together. He’d learned early on that everyone in their little family slept better in pairs. Trapper wondered if he should even bother putting the second crib together—he doubted they’d use it. Before heading back, he closed the door, hoping for privacy. He needed at least a few minutes wrapped around Bianca—it had been days. When he turned, he found her on her feet staring at the babies all snuggled together in the crib. So much for his plan. He settled for stepping behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. She was still swollen, but even that was getting better. “How are you feeling?”
“Blessed.”
“Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. The three of you are healthy and perfect and so beautiful.” He kissed her neck. “I still can’t believe you’re mine.”
Bianca turned to him and smiled that smile she had reserved just for him. “I love you.”
“I have a little something for you. I got it months ago—before we left New York in fact, but I wasn’t sure you’d want it.”
“And you think I’ll want it now?”
“Since you proposed to me, I’m pretty sure you will. When I bought it, I wasn’t nearly as confident.”
“Then why did you buy it?”
“It was the day I found you. I left the hospital and was walking up Fifth Avenue toward your apartment. I had just gotten off the phone after telling Mom about the babies. I stopped in front of this shop, looked in the window, and I saw this ring. It reminded me of you. It was a ring I could picture you wearing for the rest of your life, so I went in and bought it.”
“Just like that?”
He shrugged and sent up a little prayer that she’d like it. He held out the red box with the gold leaf.
“You just happened to stop in front of Cartier?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t realize it at the time. I just saw this—” He opened the box, held his breath, and watched her face. The center diamond sparkled like her eyes; the diamond-studded platinum band formed a heart that cradled a smaller diamond on either side of the center stone.
“You saw this and thought of me?” She still hadn’t stopped staring at it.
“I did. Do you like it?”
“It’s…it’s so beautiful.”
He released the breath he’d been holding. “Yeah, that’s what I thought the first time I saw you, and the first time I saw the ring.”
“I love it.” Then she looked at her hand, and tears started flowing. “But my fingers are still so swollen.”
“I thought of that too, so I got you something else.”
He pulled a chain out of his shirt pocket. “I wanted you to be able to wear it. And I know it’s kind of a tradition to get the mother of your children a gift.” He held up a chain with two diamonds set individually. “Did you know that diamonds are April’s birthstone?”
“Yes, my birthday is in April.”
“I know that.”
“I love diamonds.”
“That’s a good thing.” She was getting quite the collection. “Until the swelling goes down, I thought we could put your engagement ring on here.” He slid the ring onto the chain and set it between the diamonds. “Turn around, and I’ll put it on for you.”
She caught the ring and held it close to her heart before turning to face him. “I love them. I love you. Thank you.”
“You do realize I had been planning to propose to you. I was just waiting for the right time.”
Her smile told him she wasn’t sure she believed him. “Of course you were. I have proof.” She held up her ring and stared at it for a few seconds.
He pulled her close like he’d wanted to all day and kissed her until they were both breathing heavy.
She slid out of his arms. “I just hope I can get back into a size six in six weeks.”
“You want to get married in six weeks?”
“Do you want to wait?”
“Hell, no. I’d marry you today if I could. I don’t care if you’re a size six or sixteen. I just want you happy and healthy.”
“I am both. So, okay, six weeks—no matter my size.” But the look on her face told him she’d be a size six no matter what. Women. Damn, now he had three of them. Life was sure going to be interesting.
He stepped back and hit the table, almost dropping the pictures his mom had left. He saved them from ending up on the floor.
He checked out the first one. It was of Bianca—he knew this because it was the only one professionally done. “Wow, look at you. Were you always this beautiful? Did you ever hit an awkward age?”
“I don’t know. I guess when I lost my teeth—but my mother refused to have any pictures taken of me during that time. I was already modeling by then. I think I started before I was about a year old.”
He held her picture up and looked at the babies.
“Charlie and Katie look nothing like me.”
He didn’t see much of a resemblance either.
“Who is this?” Bianca took the next picture and looked at the back. “It’s you. You were so chubby. God, you were cute.”
His head looked as big as his shoulders. He was a ten-pound baby. Looking at that picture gave him a whole new appreciation for his mother.
Bianca’s gaze went from his picture to the babies. “They don’t look like you either. You were bald.”
