The Twin Birthright

Three

Sprawled in the burgundy recliner, Royce reached overhead to stretch out his tense back. He kept his eyes trained in front of him, watching the steady rise and fall of Naomi’s chest as she slept. Somehow those breaths steadied his own after the adrenaline. The fragrance of flowers throughout the room covered the antiseptic scent and reminded him of her shampoo. Her dark hair pooled around her, halo-like. Peaceful.

But this peace between them was a temporary thing. He understood that all too well.

Hospital staff had told him he could sleep on the pull-out sofa, but he’d been too restless. Once he’d texted his neighbor for an update on Tessie, he’d reached for his tablet and got to work.

The room was still dark, even though morning crept closer. Alaska days were lengthening. Naomi was tough and independent, but he hadn’t thought about her handling two infant seats on an icy walkway.

Or what if she’d been trapped in that storm, alone, with the babies?

Those two tiny girls already had him wrapped around their little fingers. The breakup with Naomi had been hell, so much so he hadn’t given much thought to the twins. What it would feel like to lose them. He hadn’t realized how much he already cared about the two of them. That he was gutted at the thought of losing them.

Royce rubbed a crick at the back of his neck. He and Naomi had been up most of the night. The hours together reminded him of nights they’d spent in bed planning for the twins’ arrival, sharing dreams for the future.

None of their discussions bore any resemblance to the way things had turned out.

Neither of them was willing to leave Anna and Mary. The pediatrician wanted them observed for the night since they’d been born early and in such unusual circumstances.

Quite frankly, Royce hadn’t wanted to leave Naomi, either. Sure, her family could have stayed, but he’d seen her assert her independence with them mighty damn effectively, and hadn’t trusted she would ask for help. Or that they would see what she really needed.

So he’d stayed and kicked her family out.

And yes, he’d also chosen to stick around because the glow on her face mesmerized him. The soft, soothing sound of her voice as she spoke to her babies surpassed any song.

Finally, when Naomi couldn’t keep her head up any longer, a nurse had gently reminded her she would be no good to her children exhausted. She should rest while she could.

Royce had helped her back to her room and watched over her while she slept. The babies were in good hands. Someone needed to look out for Naomi. The best thing would be to walk away, but damn it all, he kept buying in to lame reasons to stick around.

He sure as hell wouldn’t be able to hold off her family for long. They would all be back here en masse soon enough. For now, before the sun rose, he could imagine things were different between them.

Her feet shifted under the sheet in that way he’d learned she did just before the rest of her awoke. Back in the days when they’d shared a bed, when he’d made love to her through the night. When he’d had the right to slide his arm around her and draw her to him. To bury his face in her hair and breathe in the scent of her shampoo.

Naomi stretched her arms overhead, then swept back her hair before gingerly sitting up in bed. “The girls?”

“Anna and Mary are fine. The nurse said they would be brought in after the shift change, which should be happening right now.”

“Did you sleep at all?”

“Catnaps. I’m fine.” He set his tablet aside and poured her a cup of ice water.

“Thank you.” She took it and sipped. “Catnap, huh? I bet you worked.”

He didn’t bother denying it. The chart he’d been calculating still glowed on the screen.

“Royce, you should rest.”

He could sleep later. She would be taking care of twins. “I will. How do you feel?”

“Like I gave birth to twins in a car.”

“I’ll get the nurse to bring your pain meds.” He started to stand.

“I was joking.” She gestured for him to sit again.

“Right. Guess my brain’s still on stun from everything that’s happened.”

“Understandable.” She picked at the sheets, glancing at him, then away, blinking fast. “I’m sorry if this brought back upsetting memories for you.”

Yes, the delivery had brought back the past, thoughts that would haunt his sleep. But he didn’t intend to worry her with that.

“My thoughts are fully on you and the babies. What about you?” He touched her hand, paused, his thumb caressing the inside of her wrist out of habit. “Is everything else, um, okay?”

“Are you referencing hormones?” She skimmed a knuckle under each eye. “Because that could be seriously dangerous to your health.”

He froze, then relaxed. “You were making a joke, right?”

“Teasing you.” She squinted, sizing him up with a playful grin. “Not a joke exactly.”

“Got it.” He tapped his temple, missing this ease between them, not knowing how to keep it beyond sunrise. “I’m working on developing a sense of humor.”

“You’ve always had one. You’re just more literal when you’re stressed.” She bit her lip. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

The pain in her words cut him to the quick. “There’s nothing for you to apologize for.”

“And yes, to answer your question, I’m thinking about my mom and my sister.” She shrugged, the green hospital gown sliding down one shoulder. “I wish they were here to see the girls, to offer advice. Just to hug.”

He covered her hand with his, stroking lightly.

Ah, there it was. An old familiar spark. The feeling of an electric current running between them, gaining voltage as her eyes caught his.

Memories catapulted through his mind, threatening to tear down the wall between them.

But the moment was short-lived, interrupted by a squeaky hospital door. Back to the present. To the babies being lifted out of the bassinets and into the arms of the nurse.

A cooing noise erupted from the pink lips of one of the girls as the nurse carefully cradled the tiny pink bundle.

“Are you ready, Momma?” the woman asked brightly, her ponytail swinging as she moved closer.

Naomi’s heart was in her eyes as she looked at the nurse and nodded emphatically, her dark hair tumbling forward.

Damn.

Naomi practically glowed with maternal love and happiness. The sight of her reaching for her babies, cradling one and then the other to her chest, nearly knocked him to his knees.

“Are you sure you have them?” the nurse inquired, propping pillows under Naomi’s arms to give her support.

Two babies, even at this young age, were a lot to juggle. Royce hovered. Wanting to help.

Needing to help.

“I’ll make sure,” he answered the nurse, easing past her to give Naomi a hand.

Seeing for himself how much she needed help meant only one thing. He had to be there for her these next six weeks as she recovered and settled into motherhood, or he would never be free of regrets.

* * *

Naomi wrapped baby Anna in her blanket, swaddling her the way the nurses had taught. Mary already slept, her sweet Cupid’s bow mouth moving silently as she dreamed. So far nursing the twins was going well. At least that’s what the staff said. Naomi found it more difficult than she’d expected, but she was determined to try.

It had taken all her skills as a lawyer to convince Royce to step out of the room long enough to visit the cafeteria. She’d convinced him she had to have a burger.

She carefully adjusted the pink cap on Anna and the purple cap on Mary before relaxing in the recliner by her bed. Sitting in a real chair made her feel more like a regular person after all the weeks on bed rest before she gave birth. And after the ordeal of doing so in the SUV. Usually, Naomi thrived on drama and high emotions. But was it too much to ask to have a second of peace without all these feelings crowding her? She’d given birth in a freaking car. She deserved—her babies deserved—a few minutes of calm.

The reactions stirred by Royce were anything but peaceful.

She knew the two of them were over. They had to be. They weren’t good for each other. It had just been infatuation. But he still sent her hormones into a tailspin whenever he walked in the room.

And when he walked out. Even to go get supper.

What would it feel like when he left forever?

As the lump in her throat swelled to an almost unmanageable size—so much for peace—the door cracked open.

Again, anticipation hummed in her veins, made her heart race—hope—to see the eccentric scientist appear.

And yes, there was a man in the entry. But it wasn’t Royce.

Her rugged father, an unwavering—albeit gruff—teddy bear of support through the years. He carried a vase of pink roses.

“Daddy? I can’t believe you’re here.” She pushed on the arms of the recliner to stand.

With a hand on her shoulder, he gently eased her back, then wedged the painted ceramic vase on the counter between a spider plant and a pair of rag dolls. “Of course I’m here to see my girl and her babies. Jeannie’s here, too. She’s just outside the door with the family. She said I should have some time alone with you first. She’s thoughtful that way. Always trying to be considerate when it comes to the blending of our families.”

Naomi shifted to face him as he pulled up another chair to sit beside her. She was happy for her father, truly, but right now, with an ache in her heart from wanting her mother to share this moment, it was difficult to think about her father’s remarriage. Selfish of her? Probably. But emotions weren’t easy and she’d always been the volatile one in the family.

Still, she tried her diplomatic best for her dad. “I didn’t mean to bring you back from your honeymoon.”

“We wouldn’t miss this for anything. I want to hold my granddaughters once they wake up.” He peered into each bassinet, touching the newborns’ tiny caps reverently. “Lordy, girl, they’re beautiful.”

“I won’t disagree with you there.” Love filled her heart for these two lives. The swell of emotion was so deep and wide she could barely contain it.

“I had to push my way to the front of the line. There’s quite a train of people out there waiting to see these little ones.” He paused, eyeing her. “I saw Royce on my way in. Are you two back togeth—”

Swiftly, she held up her hand, cutting him off. “No, Dad.” She didn’t have the strength to fight rumors or explain yet again why they’d broken up, especially not now when her emotions were turning somersaults inside her. She could repeat only so many times that they were just too different. Sharing anything more about their breakup felt too personal, even to tell her family. “He just happened to be there when the babies were born.”

“How so, exactly?” Jack narrowed his brows, his weathered face furrowing.

Hadn’t he heard? Of course he would have questioned the others. She searched her father’s face and decided this was another battle not worth fighting. He clearly wanted to hear her side, to see if she was weakening in reuniting with her ex-fiancé—who also happened to be her father’s new golden boy consultant in the company.

Fine. “Royce took me to my OB appointment, where I got a glowing report, so good I was let off bed rest. Then we drove around for a while to celebrate. We talked about heading to Kit’s Kodiak Café, because I had a craving for their Three Polar Bears special—”

“Like when you were a kid. I look forward to taking the girls there one day, along with Fleur.” Broderick and Glenna’s toddler. “This grandpa gig is a good thing. Now finish telling me how these nuggets entered the world in Royce’s car.”

“While we were out, it began snowing. Labor started...and the next thing I knew, I was giving birth on the side of the road in his Suburban.” She grimaced.

Her dad chuckled. “I was there when each of you were born, you know.” His eyes took on a nostalgic glint for a moment before he blinked it away.

“Please say you’re going to finish your trip, though.”

“Jeannie and I want to welcome you home first. Then we’ll fly back out and resume the rest of our belated honeymoon.”

Exhausted and emotional, Naomi inwardly winced at the thought of a big to-do. She loved her family and would need their support. Still, she yearned for bonding time with her daughters.

Even so, being a parent now gave her a new perspective on her father, and she didn’t want to hurt his feelings. So she simply smiled and said, “That sounds perfect. I’ll be sure to send you lots of photos of the babies.”

He fished his smartphone out of his jeans pocket, waved it in the air with a wide, bright smile. “Please do. I’ll be passing my phone around for everyone to see.”

“You’ll be back before you know it for your big wedding party.” Her father and Jeannie had been married in a small service with all their children present, but given their business connections, they’d planned for a large gala after they returned from their honeymoon. After which the pipeline modifications would kick into high gear, as would Royce’s workload.

“The twins will be six weeks old then.” His face took on a nostalgic air as he traced the edges of the pink cap. “Little Anna here looks like you.”

“Or like Breanna, you mean.”

He nodded, his throat bobbing, his gaze still locked on the newborn.

“Are you sure you’re all right with the names?” Naomi squeezed her father’s forearm. “I don’t want you to feel sad when you see them.”

“I’m happy. I mean it. Seeing these two little granddaughters reminds me of my twins in all the best ways.” He scrubbed his wrist across his eyes, a wide smile replacing any pain that had been on his face. “Thank you, Naomi.”

“I love you, Dad.” She leaned across the arm of the chair to hug him.

He folded her into a familiar embrace, patting her back rhythmically, like...a dad. “Love you, too.” Finally, he angled away, standing. “Now I’m going to get Jeannie before she goes crazy waiting.”

That brief sadness on her father’s face and in his voice made Naomi’s heart ache more than she could remember since she’d been a teenager. Scared. Unsure of the future.

Well, except for when she’d broken things off with Royce. She could still remember the shock on his face, the denial. She hadn’t been able to handle his smothering, his lack of understanding when it came to her need for independence, his unwillingness to acknowledge her strength. She realized he responded that way because of his former fiancée’s miscarriage, but still, Naomi had fought too hard to climb out of the cocoon her family had put her in during her bout with cancer.

Royce had accused her of being so stuck in the past she was afraid to embrace the future.

Likely they both had valid points, but bottom line, they’d jumped into the relationship too quickly.

That didn’t make the breakup hurt less.

He was a good man. Almost too good—if there could be such a thing. Even while she realized theirs had been an infatuation—a hefty dose of infatuation—she’d known without question he never would have broken things off with her once he’d committed to be there for her, for her children. That honorable nature had made it all the tougher for her to do the right thing and let him go.

She rubbed at the sore spot on her wrist where the IV had been, the lingering ache reminding her of so many other pains, losses.

* * *

Royce could sit and crunch numbers, work equations and create charts for hours without feeling the least bit drained. He liked to think he had grit and stamina by the bucketful. But a day spent with inquiring and nervous family members reminded him of another skill he had to work on—resilience. Tension in his jaw conveyed his overexposure. But it was worth it for Naomi and the babies.

She was washing her hair. The sound of the showering water through the door had soothed the girls to sleep. He had to admit to being moved when Naomi had trusted him with them after her family left for supper.

The Steele-Mikkelsons never ceased to surprise him. Such as how this family worth billions, who’d wined and dined with world leaders, still chose Kit’s Kodiak Café as one of their favorite watering holes. Sure, the food rocked, but he thought maybe it fit more with their pace, all of them having grown up near oil fields.

They were used to a big clan, but he was more comfortable in the solitude of his cabin with his dog Naomi had sensed that, no matter how hard he’d tried to hide it. And he had tried, because he’d wanted things to work between them.

He’d failed. And no amount of Mensa IQ points could help him figure out how to fix things so they worked together as a couple.

But that wasn’t the task at hand.

Instead he’d create a perfect system that would enable a smooth transition for her and the girls. Rather than second-guessing every waking moment, he’d enjoy his time with Naomi, help situate her for success in the future.

Goals and objectives. Now he had something to work for—to help Naomi—and even a deadline. He would be there for her until her father’s return from his honeymoon.

Royce made his way to the curious-eyed infants, who blinked up at him, stealing their way deeper into his heart.

“Hello, beautiful girls,” he said softly. Anna crinkled her nose at the sound of his voice. “Did you know that matter is never destroyed, only converted? We have to make sure you two are at the top of your class. Yeah-huh.”

A female doctor with a gray ballerina bun entered the room, cutting the science lesson short. He turned to face her, and the male nurse with a crew cut who followed, introducing themselves. Her regular OB, Dr. Odell, had gone on vacation, so his partner was making rounds.

“She’s in the shower,” Royce explained, just before the water stopped. “But as you can hear, she’s finishing up.”

“That’s fine. We’re about to undergo a shift change, but are also in the process of releasing patients that are able to be discharged this evening.”

“Oh. Well, uh, I’m not sure how she feels.”

“That’s quite all right. We can wait to ask her.” The doctor gestured to the darkening window. “Full moon tonight. And that means a lot of women in labor.”

Naomi emerged from the bathroom in a plush pink robe and nightgown, looking pretty with her hair gathered in a damp braid.

The doctor smiled, shifting her clipboard from one hand to the other. “Well, Momma, I am prepared to release you—if you feel comfortable, that is.”

Relief flooded her face. “Yes, please. I would like to go home.”

Home. Royce’s gut clenched. There’d been a time when they’d shared his house, talked of buying a larger place with space for the babies. That scenario had passed.

The doctor pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, then passed the clipboard to the nurse. “I’ll have him start your discharge paperwork. You have infant car seats?”

Naomi pointed toward the corner. “My family brought them today.”

“Good, good.” The nurse penciled a check mark on the papers before tucking the clipboard under his arm.

The doctor touched each baby’s head lightly before squeezing Naomi’s shoulder. “We have plenty of guides and emergency numbers in your baby welcome packet. Don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions.”

The nurse pulled the papers off the clipboard and tucked them into a sack with the hospital logo on the side. “Congratulations. To both of you. All four of you, actually. I never grow jaded about the joy of releasing a family.”

A family. Royce didn’t bother correcting the nurse. He’d actually given up on correcting that assumption at all—and apparently so had Naomi—after the second shift change had brought in yet another wave of well-wishers who assumed he was the father.

“Wow, I can’t believe we’re leaving. It’s all happening so fast.” She opened the cabinet and pulled out the clothes her sister had brought. “Thank goodness Delaney brought a bag for the babies and me. And their car seats.”

“Lucky to have all that here. Makes things easier. Although you could wear your boots with the nightgown and coat. No need to tire yourself out.” He couldn’t miss the furrows creasing her forehead. “Naomi?”

She shook her head, pulling out the loose sweater dress. “It’s just a little overwhelming. Not the way I envisioned it. Although I will go home in this, like I planned.”

“Right. And I’ll get the girls in those little outfits you picked out for them.” At least he hoped he could. Figuring out how to build modifications for a safer, more efficient oil pipeline sounded easier at the moment than wrangling those spindly baby arms into miniscule matching clothes. “Take your time getting dressed. I’ll be sure to snap plenty of photos. Your girls are going home. You’re a mom.”

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