Right by Her Side by Christie Ridgway

around the teen and the other around his wife.
    â€œHere they are!” Morgan’s voice was jubilant. “Brian and Carrie Summers and Lisa Sanders. And this little guy is Timothy Jacob who was recovered this past week, safe and unharmed!”
    The room erupted in sound. Rebecca and Sydney looked at each other, then jumped up to share an exuberant hug. It was unbelievable. It was uplifting. Rebecca knew the entire staff at Portland General would be celebrating today.
    With very good reason. At the end of January, Lisa Sanders had given birth early in the morning to the baby boy she’d agreed to let the Summerses adopt. But then, a little over twelve hours later, the infant had been kidnapped from the hospital nursery, despite rigorous procedures and security codes. While cameras had caught the perpetrator on tape, he had likely been disguised. No one had recognized the man. No one had called in about ransom or even a legitimate tip aboutwhere the baby could be. No one had said it out loud, but everyone had doubted that the baby would be found. Until now.
    Both Rebecca and Sydney rushed over to join the others thronging the newcomers. Shouts of excitement and congratulations rang throughout the room, along with the startled cry of the baby. Rebecca noted that Carrie Summers was trying to comfort the sleepy, fussing child as well as take in all the congratulatory hugs and kisses. Catching her eye, Rebecca made a little “gimme” gesture. “I’ll stay right beside you,” she said, moving closer to the other woman. She knew the Summerses wouldn’t want the baby out of their sight.
    After a brief hesitation, Carrie gave her a grateful smile and then passed over the bundle of warm, agitated baby. Rebecca tucked the child’s head beneath her chin, holding him close to her chest, and began to rock with slow movements. The baby let out another cry, dug his forehead against her neck, then snuffled into quiet as his thumb found his mouth.
    Rebecca kept her breathing calm and even, in time with her side-to-side movement. Timothy pushed his head one more time against her throat, then settled into sleep.
    Carrie Summers looked over and rubbed the baby’s back with one hand while reaching for the teenager with the other. “We’re going to be okay now,” she told the group. Her gaze met her husband’s. “Our family is going to be okay.”
    Rebecca continued holding the child as Brian sketched out the goings-on of the past few days. A manhad turned himself in to the police and subsequently told them where they could find Timothy—at the home of a woman who lived in the countryside outside of Portland. At that remote location, the baby had been found in the care of a woman who had other children of her own. Timothy, thank God, had been well cared for and was in excellent health. The few details Brian was at liberty to share were quickly wrapped up as big squares of cake were being passed about the room.
    â€œLisa will continue living with us for as long as she likes,” Brian said. “She’s enrolled in the summer session of college right now, and we’d like her always to be as much a part of our family as Timothy.”
    Now even Lisa managed to address the smiling crowd. “Thank you, thank you all for your support and belief that the baby would be found and returned to Brian and Carrie. To us.”
    Brian reached for the baby, and as Rebecca handed him over she stepped back to appreciate the view of the reunited family. Brian and Carrie finally together with the child they had longed for and thought lost. Lisa, who now had people to love her, a family who wanted to take her as well as her baby into their lives.
    It wasn’t the traditional family setup, but it looked like a happy ending to Rebecca.
    Later, she walked out of the meeting room and down the corridor with Sydney. They glanced at each other and grinned. “A good day,” Sydney