Attainment (The Temptation Series) (7 page)

CHAPTER SEVEN

I’m not sure how long I stood statued to that very spot,
staring at my wet feet. I’d like to think it was only a split second, but to me
it felt like an eternity. Eventually, realisation of what was occurring right
before my eyes, smacked me across the face.

 “Shit! Shit! Come on,” I go to grab her arm and gently drag
her out of the room.

“Bryce, where are you going?” she asks while pulling against
the direction I wish to go.

“To the bloody hospital, where else?”

“I’m naked and so are you.”

I look at her superb, mouth-watering body that has
transformed into a sexy as hell protective house for our son, then, I look at
my own bare form. “Fuck! We need clothes.”

“No shit, Sherlock,” she mocks. “But I’m having a shower
first.”

Alexis casually shrugs out of my grip.

“No. What do you mean? We don’t have time.”

She turns and makes her way to the bathroom. “Yes, we do.
It’s fine. Anyway, you may want to wash your feet.”
How can she be so bloody
calm? Our son is on his way.
 

“What?” I say, astounded.

She stops and braces herself against the doorway then turns
back to me and smiles the most hypnotic expression I’ve ever seen. “Come on,
Daddy. Help me wash, our baby boy is on his way.”

***

After showering at the speed of light and collecting
Alexis’s hospital bag, I finally manage to get her into the Crow and on our way
to the Royal Women’s Hospital.

“Are you okay, Hunny?”

“Yep, couldn’t be better,” she answers sarcastically with a
forced smile on her face.

I hold back my pending laugh.

“Argh! Jesus! Who invented labour pain? Who invented labour
full stop?” she whines and pants.

“Are you okay?” I ask again, now concerned at the sudden
escalation of her pain.

“Stop asking me that. You’ll know if I’m not okay,” she
spits through gritted teeth.

Right, mental note: don’t ask if she’s okay again.

“We are nearly there. Hang on,” I advise tediously, glancing
at her from the corner of my eye.

“Hang on? You try hanging on to a baby that wants nothing
more than to climb out of your vagina,” she grumbles.

This time I can’t help but laugh.

Thankfully, Alexis’ phone rings at that same moment,
distracting her from the abuse she is about to hurl my way. I’m more than glad
to escape her pending vocal bullet, and prepare to land the chopper on the
helipad as she reaches into her handbag to pull out her phone.

She squints at the screen and blows out long breaths. “Carls,
what’s happening?” she answers flippantly through puffs of air.

I smile and shake my head while setting the chopper down and
shutting off the engine.

“No, I’m not fucking Bryce,” she explains while pausing for
a minute and dropping her head back in amused exasperation. “I’m not lying,”
she pants. “I’m breathing heavily because I’m in labour, you silly cow. Argh,
God! They are getting stronger,” she groans, and for the first time shoots me a
nervous look.

“Hang up,” I say calmly.

Alexis nods in agreement. “Carls, gotta go. I’ll talk to you
later,” she says breathlessly, as she disconnects the call.

I exit the cockpit, and on my way round to help her out of
the chopper, I quickly type Lucy a text:

Baby on the way. At hospital - Bryce

A reply comes through as a nurse pushes a wheelchair in our
direction:

OMG! I will be there as soon as I can - Lucy

Sliding one arm behind Alexis’ back and the other under her
knees, I lift her into my arms and gently place her into the waiting
wheelchair. “Oh, for the love of fffrying pans,” she groans.

“That’s a new one,” the nurse smiles, before introducing
herself. “We get fire trucks a lot.”
I’m surprised Alexis just doesn’t
swear. It’s never stopped her before.

“I don’t want the f-bomb to be the first word my baby hears
coming out of mouth,” Alexis hisses, breathing out through her teeth as her
contraction eases.

The nurse nods. “That’s fair enough, Dear,” she says then
proceeds to push Alexis toward the birthing suite.

Not even minutes later, Alexis starts cursing again. “Shit!
Shit! Shit!” she groans with puffed cheeks. “Why? Why am I doing this again? And
how did I forget how bloody painful this is?” she glares at me.

Not really knowing how to answer that question—and against
my better judgement—I attempt it anyway, “Because it’s worth it, Hunny,” I say
softly, trying to reassure her while patting her hair away from her face.

“Don’t pat me like a dog,” she snarls as she swipes my hand
away.

Another note to self: don’t pat her.

I go to put my hand back in my pocket when she grabs it.
“Sorry...I’m sorry. I don’t mean to bite your head off. It’s just...oh, God! It
hurts,” she cries out as she clenches my hand in a death grip.
Jesus fucking
Christ, that’s hard. When did she get super human strength?

We enter the birthing suite and she lets go of my hand, relief
together with blood flow returning to my semi-crushed fingers.

“Alexis, Dear, my name is Kate, I’m a midwife. Dr. Rainer is
on her way and will be here shortly, okay? Let’s get you up onto this bed and
check how baby is doing,” Kate says with a smile.

I help Alexis out of the wheelchair and up onto the bed,
assisting her by fluffing up pillows and basically just fucking fluffing about.
Obviously, I’m way out of my comfort zone and don’t know what the hell I’m doing.

Kate sets up an IV and attaches some straps and cords to
Alexis’ stomach. “Now, your hospital chart says you had an emergency C-section
with your last delivery. Baby was in breech, right?”

“Yes, yes she was. Charlotte liked to dance around even
before entering this world. Seven years later and she hasn’t changed,” Alexis
answers lovingly, almost calm and serene.

I gently wipe a bead of sweat that has formed on her brow
and take note that even in distress and obviously a shit load of pain, she is
still absolutely gorgeous.

Then, just like a gust of wind, her calm demeanour is swept
away and a harsh, boiling disposition replaces it. “I want an epidural God Damn
it,” Alexis growls through deep breaths while closing her eyes. “Please!”

Placing my hand on her forehead, I drag it back through her
hair in the hope to calm her down.
Fuck, she’s beautiful.
Her eyes open
with lightning speed, and she fires a death glare in my direction.
Fuck,
she’s scary.
Quickly, I panic and lean in to kiss the spot where my hand
had just been, apologising for breaking the ‘no patting rule’. This seems to do
the trick because she smiles meekly at me.

“Your contractions are three minutes apart and lasting just
over one minute long,” Kate explains. “I’m going to check how dilated your
cervix is now, then we will discuss an epidural.”

Alexis nods.

 I nod, too. At this point in time, I think I’ll nod at
anything being said. Nodding is good.

“Not another one, fffruit cake” Alexis moans, and turns the
shade of a tomato. “I just had one, give me a break.”

I take a hold of her hand, remembering not to pat her. “Just
breathe, Hunny.”

“Seriously?” she huffs.

“That’s what you told Lucy to do.”

“I know, but its bullshit.”

“I just thought—”

“Shut up!”

Another note to self: shut up.

“Bryce I’m sorry. I love you. I just don’t like you right
now.”

“Yes. You do,” I say with an authoritative tone.

She looks at me with knowing eyes, and mouths with exhausted
defeat, ‘yes I do’.

I bring her hand to my lips. “I know, Hunny.”

She nods and closes her eyes during a long exhale.

Kate positions herself between Alexis’ legs, her expression
one of concentration. “Hmmm, I’m sorry, Dear. But you are nine centimetres
dilated so there will be no epidural,” she explains. “Looks like baby is nearly
ready to meet his or her parents,” Kate offers in compromise, her eyebrow
raised persuasively.

“His parents,” I reply, overjoyed. “We are having a boy.”

“Congratulations!”

“Argh! For the love of fffurry freakin’ ferrets...Where is
Dr. Rainer?” Alexis screams, now clearly stressed and in much more pain, not to
mention tripling her f-bomb replacements.

“She’ll be here any minute,” Kate reassures her, moving
around the room quickly, collecting towels, mats, a trolley on wheels with
sharp looking implements that curdle my stomach, and a see through crib with an
overhead light.

Alexis screams out again. “Fuck! I want to push. I want to
push, he’s coming.”

“Not yet, Alexis, just breathe through it. You can push in a
minute. You’re doing really well.”

“What happened to not saying fuck, Hunny?”

“Fuck you! You try pushing a tennis ball out the eye of your
dick and see if you can not say fuck. Fuck!”

The doors to the birthing suite open, and Dr. Rainer walks
in with gloves and a big smile on her face. “Just in time I see,” she says as
she sits on a stool at the end of the bed. “Bryce, would you like to come and
stand next to me and help deliver your son?”

Deliver my son? Me? Are you crazy?

“Sure,” I answer, like it’s something I do on a daily basis.

Alexis screams out again and pushes, and all I can see as I
stare at her is her mouth moving at a million miles per hour. She looks
angry...and red...and angry. I can’t hear anything she is saying though,
because it’s like someone has just pushed a mute button and removed all sound.
What I can decipher is just how beautiful she is, how amazing and strong she
is, and how much I adore her. I smile at her lovingly; she simply takes my
breath away.

“Are you smiling at me, Bryce?” she growls, snapping me out
of my adoration and removing the silence.

“What?” I stutter.

“I said are you smiling at me? Does this look fucking funny
to you?” she yells
.

Mental note yet again: don’t smile.

“No. I’m—”

“Okay, Alexis. I see his head. When I say, I want one big
push and—”

“Head?”
I croak, and take a sneak peek between
Alexis’ legs. The sight before me nearly has me dying of shock. “I can see his
head, Hunny. Push!” I command with over enthusiastic encouragement.

“No. Not yet,” Dr. Rainer warns and gives me an annoyed
look.

 I ignore it.

“No. Don’t push,” I add, following her instructions. She is
the doctor after all.

“When can I push? I want to push. Screw you all, I’m pushing.”

Dr. Rainer places her hands around my son’s head. “Now,
Alexis. Push!”

“Now, Hunny,” I add again.

Alexis lets out a mighty big yell and pushes with all she
has. The sound of her pain and sheer determination rips at my heart, drowning
my ears until I hear the most wonderful sound in my life—my son’s cry.

Looking down, I see his tiny little body in Dr. Rainer’s
hands, and I can’t for the life of me begin to describe what my heart is doing
in my chest. I’m stunned, yet so happy, and I want to fucking cry. I never
fucking cry.

“Daddy, would you like to cut the umbilical cord?” Dr.
Rainer says as she hands me a pair of scissors.

I accept them and automatically go on daddy-autopilot,
snipping the cord and helping to wrap him in a blanket. 
Shit! He’s so
bloody small.

Alexis is now quiet and her breathing, more controlled. Her
eyes are wide and damp, and her neck is craning, searching for our boy. Dr.
Rainer gives him a quick check over then places him on Alexis’ chest.

I’m fucking floored, stumped; halted in my tracks. My fiancé
is holding our son in her arms and it’s the most amazing thing I have ever
seen.

“Hi, little boy, it’s me, Mummy,” she says as she drags her
nose along the bridge of his and kisses his forehead.

Seeing that small loving gesture has my heart thumping like
crazy in my chest. “I love you,” I say softly, finally opening my mouth and
finding the words. “And I love you, too, baby boy.” I lean in to kiss my son
for the first time.
Wow!
He’s so warm...and soft...and perfect. Perfect
like his mum.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I drape my arm around
Alexis’ shoulder and kiss her like never before. Pouring everything I have into
it. “Thank you. You make me the happiest man alive. Thank you for our son.”

She cups the side of my face then looks lovingly at the
little miracle in her arms. “So, Daddy, do you think he looks like a Brayden
now?”

I gently wiggle his nose with my finger and his lazy little
eyes find mine. “Yes, I do. It suits him.”

She smiles through elated tears and hugs him to her chest.
“Welcome to the world, Brayden Lauchie Clark.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

In the blink of an eye your life can change. How you feel,
act, think, and see the surrounding world around you. It just changes...without
your say so...never being able to go back to the way it was beforehand. Not
that I would EVER want my life to revert back to how it was prior to becoming a
father. No way in hell!

Standing here with Brayden sleeping peacefully in my arms,
and Alexis who is sleeping soundly beside me in her hospital bed, I feel like
my life has just begun.

I slowly take steps around the room, lightly bouncing and
assisting Brayden in a lulled slumber. The swelling on his face is just
starting to go down, being only hours after he entered the world.

“Brayden,” I whisper, while placing a soft kiss on his head.
“Daddy loves you so much, and I can’t wait to take you home and spend every
minute together. You and me, buddy, we are going to have so much fun.”

A gentle knock at the door sounds right before it slowly
creaks open. Lucy pokes her head around and locks sight on me cradling my son.
The smile we share in that moment is profound and one only Lucy and I can
communicate.

I nod my head and indicate she come in.

As she tip-toes over to where I’m standing, a tear is
already making its way down her cheek. “Oh my God, Bryce, he’s amazing!” she
whispers as she places her hand on his head and wraps her other arm around my
shoulder. “Congratulations, big bro. I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks,” is about all I am capable of saying, still
semi-speechless from sheer awe.

“It’s overwhelming, isn’t it? Finally holding, smelling, and
seeing your baby in the flesh for the first time.”

Staring down at his peaceful little face, I answer. “There
are no words, Luce. No words.”

Lucy nods toward Alexis. “How is she?”

“Yeah, she’s good. Just tired and exhausted, but other than
that she’s fine.”

“So, it was a quick labour?”

“God, Luce! It was the longest and fastest two hours and
fourteen minutes of my life. Alexis though...well...she was just simply perfect
the whole time. She just...” I shake my head in veneration as I glance over at
her sleeping. “...she just amazes me.”

Lucy gently trails her finger down the side of Brayden’s
face. “What did the doctor say about him being four weeks premature?”

“Dr. Rainer did a thorough examination after Alexis bonded
with him. She was happy with his vitals, and when he attached to feed without a
problem, she was even more pleased, saying there was no reason why he couldn’t
remain in the ward with us.”

“He’s a tough little cookie then, isn’t he? Determined and
strong-willed already. Hmmm, I wonder why that is?” Lucy mocks. “So, does my
gorgeous nephew have a name?”

“Yes, of course he does. It’s Brayden...Brayden Lauchie
Clark.”

Lucy is silent for a moment, staring intently at Brayden,
her expression appearing full of emotion. She sucks in a deep breath, squeezes
my arm then nods and smiles. “Perfect, Bryce. He’s just perfect.”

“I know.”

“So, have you had anything to eat today? Gone to the loo,
that sort of thing?”

“No, not yet,” I answer with contentment, the thought of
eating or pissing or anything else not even crossing my mind.

She holds out her arms. “Okay, pass him over and go and see
to yourself.”

As I assess Lucy’s outstretched arms, a moment of panic
washes over me at the thought of letting Brayden go.

Returning my gaze back to my beautiful little boy, I
politely decline. “No, really, I’m fine.”

“Hey,” she says softly while placing her finger on my jaw to
turn my face in her direction. “It’s alright, this is me; your sister. I
promise I won’t let anything happen to him while you’re gone. Just go, take a
quick breather, get something to eat then come back.”

Debating whether or not I should leave him, I reluctantly
pass Brayden over to her, and almost instantly a sensation of loss fills me.
Not only are my arms now cold, but I experience a reaction of incompleteness,
feeling somewhat unsettled and powerless.
Fuck! Is this what fatherhood
feels like? Helpless and vulnerable?

I lean down and kiss Brayden on the forehead then check to
see that Alexis is still sleeping soundly. “Okay, but I’m only going for some
coffee and the loo. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll have a skinny latte, no sugar.”

‘Skinny latte’, I mumble to myself as I jog out the door and
toward the cafeteria on the ground level.

***

After what seems like the longest fifteen minutes of my
life, I quietly open the door to Alexis’ room. Carrying two coffees and a hot
white chocolate on a tray, I walk in to find Alexis wide awake and Brayden
happily breastfeeding. Lucy is sat by her bed, pushing buttons on her phone and
looks to be typing what Alexis is saying.

“Six pound two and 47cm long. Born at 11:14 a.m.,” she
finishes.

“Thanks,” Lucy offers. “Nic likes details.”

Alexis looks up as I walk swiftly toward her and Brayden.
“Hey, Daddy, where have you been?”

Worried that she might be disappointed in me for leaving
them, I quickly place the drinks on the bench-top by the window and make my way
to her side, kissing her forehead and gently stroking Brayden’s temple. “I’m
sorry. I didn’t mean to leave. I needed—“

“Bryce, it’s alright. You can take a few moments to get a
drink. We are fine, see? Look, he’s such a good feeder.”

I watch him contentedly suckling away and it’s one of the
single most beautiful sights I’ve witnessed. Guilt briefly sweeps through me at
the thought of telling him to give up his food source after only six months.
Alexis’ breasts now belong to him and he can have them for as long as he needs.

“I hope you are not planning a reduced leasing term where
your agreement with our son is concerned,” Alexis warns.

I chuckle. “No, Hunny, I was just thinking quite the
opposite.”

“What are you two talking about?” Lucy asks as she gets up
and fetches the drinks.

“Nothing,” I advise, wanting my secret daddy’s business to
remain just that—secret daddy’s business.

Passing me my coffee and Alexis her white chocolate, Lucy
flippantly responds, “Fair enough.”

“Now, I’ve spoken to Mum and Dad, Bryce,” Alexis says as she
gently changes Brayden to feed from one breast to the other. “They are on their
way here, together with Jen. Rick and the kids are also on their way. Jake and
Johanna will visit us when we are back at home as Jake is currently on a run to
Brisbane. Um...Carly and Derek are coming in tomorrow for a quick visit. And
Tash, Lil, Jade, and Steph will also probably visit when we are back at home.”

“Right,” I state, dubiously. “Alexis, I’m not sure you
should have all these visitors so soon? Is it safe for Brayden to have so many
people around him? He needs to get stronger first, build up immunity or
something. I’m sure I read that somewhere.”

“Visitors are fine, providing they are not sick. I’m sure
none of our family and friends would visit if they were under the weather in
any way, shape, or form.”

I smile half-heartedly at her attempt to ease my mind, all
the while thinking that I will now have to go gather some of those surgical
masks. The last thing I want is some germy fucker sneezing or coughing or even
breathing on my baby boy.

Alexis sits Brayden upright and places his tiny head in the
palm of her hand, her fingers spreading out on both sides of his cheeks. The
position she has him in puffs his already puffy cheeks even more—he looks so
bloody cute.

She starts gently patting and rubbing his back. “Here, do
you want to burp him? I need to pee.”

“Sure,” I answer hesitantly, as I sit on the bed.

Replacing her hands with my own as she passes Brayden over,
I proceed to mimic what she had just been doing; lightly holding his face and
patting his back. He lets out a teeny little burp.

I laugh. “You get that from Mummy.”

“He does not,” she complains in defence.

“Yes, he does.”

“I burped so much during my pregnancy because of all that
hair,” she says as she strokes his fair baby wisps.

“I still don’t believe it. Babies having hair cannot make
you burp,” I repeat. Although, I must admit, he does have a decent head of
hair.

“Yes, they can, Bryce,” Lucy chimes in.

“Thank you, Luce,” Alexis adds as she readjusts her breasts
while wincing.

I notice the obvious discomfort on her face. “What’s wrong?”

“My milk isn’t properly ‘in’ yet so feeding kinda hurts,”
she explains, “Actually, it borders on downright painful.”

Appearing to be in the middle of typing a text message, Lucy
adds to the conversation. “She needs Lansinoh, Bryce.”

“Yes, Miss Know-it-all, I’m fully aware of what Lansinoh is.
It’s in her bag.”

Lucy pokes her tongue out at me and jumps up. “I’ll get it—“

“No, it’s fine. I’ll get it,” Alexis interrupts. “I need to
freshen up anyway. I’m going to have a shower.”

“Do you need any help?” I offer.

“No. I’ll be fine. I’ll yell out if I do.”

I lower my voice so that my smug little sister cannot hear.
“Am I doing this right?” I ask, indicating my method of burping.

Alexis gently brushes her lips across mine. “Yes, you’re
doing just fine, Daddy. In fact, you’re perfect.”

***

Later that day, I watch Brayden being passed around to
person upon person, and I really don’t like it—I don’t fucking like it at all.

First he is handed to Maryann, then Graeme, then Jen. Soon
after, he is Lucy’s arms followed by Nic’s. Then—of course—Nate and Charli want
a cuddle and, as if she hasn’t just cuddled him for a good part of the
afternoon, Maryann has him once again. Watching what reminds me of ‘pass the
fucking parcel’, I start to get highly irritated, but it’s not until he is
passed to Rick, that I can no longer hold back and bite my tongue.

Seeing Brayden in that fucker’s arms makes me feel
murderous, bordering on fucking insane, and feeling that at any moment my head
will spin around on my shoulders—exorcist style—I finally put an end to all the
show and tell.

“Okay,” I voice after a minute or two of Brayden being in
Rick’s arms—a minute or two too fucking long. “I think Mum and baby need a
rest. It’s been a long day. You are all more than welcome to go back to the
hotel and stay. Abigail will make sure you are well looked after.”

 I gently pry Brayden from Rick’s arms and hold him close,
protecting him from any further man-handling. He yawns and starts searching for
his food source.

“He’s due for a feed anyway,” Alexis announces.

“And his first bath,” a midwife adds, as she enters the
room. “Visiting hours are about to close.”

Straightaway, I like this midwife. This midwife deserves a
raise, or a promotion, or an employee of the month award. In fact, I make a
mental note to look into offering a personal recommendation for that particular
reward.

“You heard her,” I speak up. “Out!”

“But Mum, I want to stay,” Charlotte whines.

“I know Charli-bear, but you can’t. Dad will bring you back
tomorrow, won’t you Rick?” Alexis asks with a pleading look on her face.

“Actually,” the midwife speaks up. “If Dr. Rainer is happy
with your recovery, there’s a good chance you’ll be allowed to go home
tomorrow.”

“Really, so soon? Oh that would
be wonderful,” Alexis beams, an enormous smile plastering her face.

Strapping a blood pressure cuff to Alexis’ arm, the midwife
continues. “I’m not sure that applies to Brayden though.”

What?
I decide this midwife needs a new career, fuck
her promotion and award.

Before I can voice my objection to leaving my one-day-old baby
boy here alone, Alexis does it for me. “What? That is absurd. I am not leaving
my son here alone. That is not even an option. If he stays, I stay. If I go, he
goes. End of fucking story.”

“Alexis! Language,” Maryann scolds.

Jen nudges her mother out of the room. “Mum, stay out of
it.”

“I’ll wait outside,” Rick adds.
Good idea, you do that.

“Ms. Blaxlo, I didn’t mean you would have to leave him. The
hospital has a hotel for mothers who are well enough not to need a hospital
bed. Because your son is four weeks premature, he will more than likely need
monitoring by a nurse. We need to be sure that he is feeding well and putting
on weight before he can go home with you. That being said, Dr. Rainer will have
to assess him again tomorrow before a final decision is made. ”

“I don’t want to stay in the hospital hotel. I don’t even
want to be in a different room from him.” Alexis looks toward me with an
anxious expression on her face.

“The hospital hotel is lovely and is only one building awa—“

“That’s not necessary,” I interrupt.

Noticing Alexis’ heightened distress, I step in to calm the
situation down. “Hunny, don’t worry. We are not leaving Brayden. I’ll sort
something out, I promise.”

She nods and glares at the midwife who quickly prepares
Brayden’s bath and then leaves the room.

***

Later that night as I lay propped up on my side, Alexis on
her side and Brayden fast asleep on the bed in between us, I couldn’t possibly
be happier. Well...I could, Alexis is yet to become my wife.

“Shit! I almost forgot,” I proclaim, rolling off the bed and
reaching for the baby bag.

Alexis straightens and cranes her neck. “What? What did you
forget?

“Yours and Brayden’s presents,” I answer, holding the two
gifts behind my back.

“Presents?”

“Yes. It is Brayden’s birthday is it not.”

“It is. So what did you get him?” Alexis asks, trying to
peek around my back.

I reveal one arm and place the soft knitted guitar next to
Brayden, a huge proud grin covering my face.