Sadi bounced the baby a couple times, who was now studying her with an intense gaze and a crooked half smile. Drool dribbled down Katelyn’s chin. Sadi smiled. She rocked the baby softly, cherishing the feel of the tiny warm body pressed against her chest. She was tired, exhausted really, but she wouldn’t change it for the world. Luke had been right when he said that having children was the best thing that ever happened to them, that it would change their lives for the better.
It had been a perfect two years. Luke had worked hard to rebuild the company and the pain of losing Connor, while always with them, had turned into a dull ache.
Their children, their son named for his uncle, gave Sadi and Luke a joy they didn’t realize they had been missing. Connor and Katelyn had brought Luke and Sadi even closer together. Luke had been there for every doctor appointment when Sadi was pregnant with Connor. He had gone to prenatal classes with Sadi. He had been rock solid during labour and delivery, although it had been over twenty four hours.
Sadi had wanted to give birth naturally and half the time she had been out of her mind with pain, but Luke had coached her through it. She had clung to him and screamed and cried and he had held her.
Sadi would never forget the look on Luke’s face when he held his son for the first time. Connor had been red and wrinkly and still covered with goo from being born, but Luke had cradled him in his arms, kissing his little cheek over and over again.
When Katelyn had been born, Luke had actually cried. Sadi’s second pregnancy had been easy all the way through. She wasn’t sick at all. She didn’t even know she was pregnant until she was over six weeks along. It had been a shock but a happy one for her and Luke. Sadi’s second labour and delivery had been much easier and much faster. Katelyn had come out looking as beautiful as she was now. Luke had cried when he held his beautiful little daughter.
When Sadi watched her husband with the children, she knew she couldn’t have picked a better man. She loved Luke even more now than she did when they got married. She hadn’t known there was a connection that having children would bring.
Sadi had been worried that Luke wouldn’t find her attractive during her pregnancy or after. She knew her body had changed and that her stomach was no longer firm like it had once been. That her breasts were larger and that she still had some weight to lose. She had worried needlessly. Luke actually seemed more attracted to her now. Maybe it was just the absence makes the heart grow fonder thing. Waiting had always seemed to drive Luke half mad. He had made Sadi feel beautiful when they made love. Even though she was now a mother of two, Luke still worshiped her body. He thought it was the greatest miracle that she had carried their children, birthed them, cared for them. Every mark, the extra weight, everything Sadi had been so self-conscious about, Luke loved all of it.
Sadi heard the front door of the house slam. What the heck? She walked out of the nursery, holding Katelyn against her chest, rubbing her back in small circles. The baby was almost asleep. Had Luke just ran out the door? Sadi watched out the window as his car backed out of the garage and down the driveway. Where could Luke possibly be going at six in the morning without so much as a word to her?
Worry crept up, unfurling like a snake poised to strike. Sadi brought the now sleeping Katelyn back to her bassinet and laid her down gently. She went back to the hall and checked the caller ID on the phone. Retrieving her cell, she googled the number. The hospital. Sadi’s stomach sank. What on earth? Who did they know who could possibly be sick or injured?
Sadi tried calling Luke’s cell but all it did was ring and ring. Her throat felt choked with worry. Why wasn’t he answering? She thought about calling the hospital but why would they know where Luke was?
Sadi sat down to wait. She almost wished that the children were awake so she could have something to do to keep her hands busy. As it was, the worry was driving her insane. Finally she got up and went to the kitchen and started sterilizing bottles and washing dishes.
Finally Connor was awake and his cries woke up the baby. Sadi quickly put on her baby wearing sling and tucked Katelyn inside where she could be safely carried. Sadi retrieved her son, who, although he was walking and tearing through life at an amazing speed, still liked to cuddle with her in the morning. If she tried to put him down right after he woke up it was tantrum city.
Sadi fed Katelyn and got Connor seated in his high chair with a bowl of dry cereal and fresh fruit puree. She knew that more of it was likely to end up all over the place than in Connor’s mouth but she wasn’t worried. That’s what snack time was for.
When the sun rose and Sadi still hadn’t heard from Luke she was beyond worried. She tried calling his cell again but he didn’t answer. The only option left was to call the hospital.