Born In Death

“Moonpie!” Mavis called out when Leonardo came in, carrying an emormous vase of yellow roses. “Aw, you brought me flowers and I haven’t even had the baby yet.”

“They’re like sunshine, so you can focus on them until the bag gets here.” He leaned over, kissed her gently on the forehead. “Are you all right? Should I get you ice chips, the stability ball? Do you want music?”

“I’m mag. Three centimeters and counting. I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so glad you’re all here. It’s just like I pictured it. Summerset, would you be an abso angel and be with Tandy until…Oh! Here comes a little one.”

Since Leonardo was there to hover, Eve stepped away to stand with Roarke. “I saw them naked, both of them, and now I’m scared for life. The human body isn’t meant to stretch like that.”

“I’m more concerned about other areas of their body stretching.”

“Oh, please.”

“That wasn’t so bad,” Mavis said cheerfully, then she gave Leonardo a gooey look. “Honey bear? You know what you asked me before. Last week, and last month, and the month before that?”

He had both of her hands in his, and pressed them to his heart. “Angel Eyes!”

“Yes.”

Eve averted her own eyes as they engaged in the sort of intense liplock that had likely been the precursor to the current situation.

“We’re getting married!” Mavis sang out.

“No shit?” Eve responded.

“Absolutely none. We’re going to be totally hitched.”

“I’ve been asking her for months.” Leonardo’s face shone like a copper moon. “And finally! I’m going to design you the most fantastic wedding gown.”

“Oh, but no. Honey-pie, we have to do it now. Before the baby comes.”

“Now?”

“I just know it’s right. The baby’s coming, and I want to be your adoring wife when we see him, or her, for the very first time. Up close and personal. Please?”

“But we don’t have a license, or any arrangements.”

Her bottom lip trembled. “But it has to be now.”

“Hold on.” Eve held up a hand before the waterworks could start. “I think we can handle this one. Give us a few.”

She stepped out with Roarke. “I’m hitting up the mayor,” she said as she pulled out her ’link. “If he won’t clear a license because I fast-talk him into it, I want you on tap to bribe him.”

“I can do that. They’ll need someone to officiate. The center must have someone who fits that particular bill. I’ll go find out.”

Eve nodded, took a breath. “Mr. Mayor, this is Lieutenant Dallas. I have a personal favor to ask of you.”

As she ended the call, Peabody and McNab bounded off the elevator. “Relief troops, sir, with supplies.” Peabody gri

“They’re having babies. And as if that wasn’t enough, Mavis decided she and Leonardo are getting married. Now.”

“Here? Now? Holy crap.”

“I talked the mayor into issuing them a special license. Roarke is hunting up somebody to do the deal.”

“McNab, go back and start the ’link tree over. We did the contacting,” Peabody told Eve. “I had a list. Now you start it again, and give them the update. Wedding and baby.”

“I’m all over it. Tandy?”

“That way. Mavis this way.”

“I’ll take hers.” Peabody did a little dance. “I’m so glad I put the tiara thing in her bag before we came. She gets to wear it for a bridal headdress.”

As Peabody opened the door there were squeals – from her, from Mavis. Eve just pressed her fingers to her eyes. When she dropped them, Roarke was coming down the hall with a very pale man Eve recognized as Aaron Applebee.

“I found a wandering Daddy,” Roarke said.

“I’ve been so turned around, and my mind just won’t work. Oh, God, you’re Dallas.”

Before Eve could defend herself, he’d thrown his arms around her, dropped his head on her shoulder. Her terror only increased when she heard him give a muffled sob. “Thank you. Oh, bless you. Thank you for my Tandy, for our baby.”

“Ah. She’ll probably want to see you. There.”

“Tandy.” He lurched away, rushed through the door across the hall.“Tandy!”

“I don’t know how much more of this I can take.”

“Steady on, Lieutenant.” With his hand on Eve’s shoulder, Roarke lifted an inquiring brow at Summerset when he came out of Tandy’s room. “And?”

“She’s progressing very quickly. I’d say we’ll have a baby in another two hours, three at the most.”

“We’re about to have a wedding as well. Mavis and Leonardo.”

Summerset’s lips curved into a smile, so rare to Eve’s mind, she was surprised his face didn’t simply cave in from it. “That’s lovely. Shouldn’t you be with her? As her coaching team?”

“We’ve been working here.” Eve shifted. “ Peabody ’s in there.”

“It’s you she wants,” Summerset reminded her. “I’ll just go in for a moment myself.”

“I’m not going to feel guilty,” Eve stated firmly. “I’m not going to feel guilty. Okay, shit, I feel guilty.”

“Once more into the breech?”

“Don’t say breech.”

The next hour was busy, with Peabody and McNab standing in as ru

Mavis stalled at six centimeters as Tandy hit ten and was cleared to push.

The suite filled up, thanks to the ’link tree. It was full of voices and bodies. Doctor Mira and her husband, Louise DiMatto and Charles, Feeney, Nadine, the huge bulk of Crack who’d come straight from his club, the Down and Dirty.

“It’s like a real wedding. I’m so happy. How do I look?”

Leonardo kissed Mavis’s fingers. “You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”

“Oh, my sweet puppy. Let’s do it! We’ve got everything, right? Flowers.” She clitched the little nosegay of violets Roarke had brought her. “Music, friends. Matron of honor.” She sighed at Eve. “Best man.” And at Roarke.

“Everything.” Then Leonardo’s eyes widened. “A ring. I don’t have a ring for you.”

“Oh.” Her bottom lip trembled again, and was heroically firmed. “Oh, well, that’s no big, baby doll. Rings, um, they’re not always the deal anyway.”

Summerset moved forward. From under his stiffly starched shirt he drew a chain. “If you’ll accept something borrowed, I’d be pleased if you used this until you have your own. It was my wife’s.”

Tears trembled on Mavis’s lashes. “I’d be so completely honored, thank you. Would you mind giving me away? Would that be okay?”

He took the ring from the chain, passed it to Leonardo. Eve heard him quietly clear his throat. “I’d be so completely honored.”

When he shifted back, Eve met his eyes. “Well done,” she said.

It was perfect, Eve thought. Perfectly Mavis to make her vows and promises – with a couple of pauses for contractions – in the swanky birthing room surrounded by friends and wearing a silly tiara.

With McNab memorializing it all on his police recorder.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, including her own, when Leonardo’s big hands slipped the borrowed ring on Mavis’s dainty finger.

After the applause, the kisses, the champagne Roarke smuggled in – you could always count on him – the midwife swung through the door.

“Congratulations, best wishes, and I’m pleased to a

“Me? Why?”

“I’m just the messenger. All right, Mommy, let’s see how you’re doing.”

“You’re coming with me,” Eve said and gripped Roarke’s hand.

“She didn’t ask for me.”

“I’m not going in there alone.” She pulled him with her.

In the other suite, Tandy looked pale, sweaty, and a little glassy-eyed, as did the new father. She held a small bundle wrapped in blue.

“Everything okay in here?”