Homecoming Day by Holly Jacobs Page B

baby looked at him. That’s all it took. That one little wide-eyed look captivated him. He seemed so small. So tiny. And Seth felt such a strong need to protect him. To keep this one little scrap of humanity away from harm.
    â€œWhat’s his name?” His own voice sounded alien to his ears. Husky with pent-up emotion.
    â€œJameson Alexander Martin, III. After his father, not his grandfather,” she added quickly.
    â€œJameson Alexander Martin, III.” He laughed. “That’s quite a mouthful for a little guy.”
    â€œI’m going to call him Jamie.”
    â€œJamie Martin. I like that.” He studied the baby, and he could almost imagine Jamie was his. That he and Allie had been through the last grueling hours together, and were now here with their babies. But the moment passed, and Seth knew that fantasy was over. He wouldn’t need to recall it. He’d experienced it with Laura. He should have thanked her for sharing the experience with him. It was more surprising and more intense than he’d ever imagined.
    He felt a pang of guilt. This should have been something he’d shared with Allie. He pushed away the thought and concentrated on what was. The baby in his arms was here and real, and he’d had a part inthat—a small part. Reluctantly, he handed Jamie back to his mother. “I should go now and let the two of you get some rest.”
    â€œSeth, you do realize it’s Wednesday?” Laura sounded worried.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œâ€˜Wednesday’s child is full of woe.’ That’s how that old poem goes. He’s already lost his dad. That’s more than enough woe for any baby, don’t you think?” Tears filled her eyes.
    â€œI’m not Jay, Laura. I’d never try to be him. But I’m here for Jamie. Not just now, tonight. Long-term. He can count on me. And before you ask, this has nothing to do with the chief, or anything else. This has to do with this little boy. I was here for his birth, and I choose to believe I’m meant to be a part of his life. So, he won’t know woe. He’ll know the safety and security of a mother who loves him and a—” he paused, fighting for the right word “—a friend who will always be here for him.”
    She sniffled. “Thanks. It must be the hormones. As much as pregnancy sends them out of whack, giving birth is worse.”
    â€œHormones and exhaustion. That was some of the hardest work I’ve ever seen anyone go through. You need sleep. I’ll be back tomorrow, or rather, later today.”
    â€œThank you again for everything. Of course, this will teach you to be a nice guy.”
    â€œPardon?”
    She tucked the baby’s blanket around a foot that had escaped. “I mean you stopped in to drop off some booksand tell me about your research, like the nice guy you are, and look what happened.”
    â€œI got lucky. Thank you for sharing this with me.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Now, get some rest. I’ll check in on you both later.”
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    S ETH HAD NEVER BEEN so tired and yet so exhilarated in his life.
    He paused, considering whether or not he should do it. “Hello?”
    Seth recognized his mother’s voice. “Hi, Mom.”
    â€œSeth?” His mother sounded surprised, and tentative.
    â€œIt’s me.”
    â€œIs something wrong?”
    He hated to admit it, but even if he had a problem, he wouldn’t call home. He hadn’t called to chat since he graduated from high school and married Allie. He’d never cut them totally off. He saw them, but he kept them at arm’s length.
    â€œNo, nothing. I…” He paused, searching for an excuse. “I wanted to see if Cessy was home. When she came over the other day, she asked if I wanted to go help her buy some new skis and I’m off next Saturday.”
    â€œOh. Seth, she’s sleeping.”
    He glanced at the