by Jenna Reed
24
Rhett
I listened to the Realtor as she pointed out the amenities of the apartment. It was the best we’d looked at so far. It was the perfect size for a family of three, maybe even more. There was a park nearby. Stores and restaurants were within walking distance. A nearby elementary school was one of the best in the district and they had several openings for teachers.
“What do you think so far?” Marcy asked.
“It’s perfect,” I replied.
The middle-aged woman smiled. She’d sold me my current apartment, and I knew she’d find exactly what I wanted. The problem was, I hadn’t even told Erica that I’d taken the afternoon off to look at a new apartment. I couldn’t tell her because I hadn’t told her about the promotion or my idea of us moving in together and her not going back to work at her current school. It was a lot of throw at her all at once, especially when I wasn’t completely sure that she’d be open to the idea.
“Should I put in an offer?” Marcy asked.
I hesitated. “Not yet.”
Her brow raised in question. “Do you want to keep looking, or you just need some time to think it over?”
“I, uh, don’t need to think it over, but I need to convince Erica that this is a good idea.”
“Erica?” Marcy asked. I hadn’t told her why I wanted to buy a new apartment, just the specifics I wanted her to look for. Curiosity burned in her eyes. She was a friend of my mother’s and knew about my previous lifestyle. The idea that I needed to clear this decision with someone had clearly surprised her.
“Erica is…having our child soon. We’re not exactly together right now,” I said, “but I’m hoping to change that.”
Marcy didn’t try to hide her surprise. “Well, that was not what I was expecting you to say, but congratulations. Hopefully on more than one count.”
“That’s my hope,” I said, more nervous than ever after having admitted my plan out loud. “How quickly is this likely to sell?”
She frowned. “It won’t last long. It’s a great neighborhood, and the price is competitive.”
It was the answer I’d expected her to give me, but my chest tightened. “Can you call the seller, let them know I’m very interested, but I need until tomorrow to make an official offer?”
“I can try,” she said. “No guarantees another offer won’t come in that they’ll accept.”
“I know,” I said, “but I’d really appreciate it if you’d try. I’ll talk to Erica tonight.”
My phone rang and I took it from my pocket, expecting someone from work calling with a question. When Erica’s name came up, I was surprised, then worried. I answer the call and pressed the phone to my ear. “Erica? Is everything all right?”
“My name is Madeline. I work with Erica,” a woman said. “Erica’s water broke and they’re loading her into an ambulance as we speak. Can you meet her at Mercy Hospital?”
Shock paralyzed me. Hospital? A million thoughts tumbled through my mind. The baby was coming? Was everything okay? It was too early! Wasn’t it? Where was the hospital? I couldn’t remember, even though I knew I’d planned out the route a dozen times. What about Erica’s bag? I was clear across town. The opposite way of the hospital. Did she need it? What was in it? I couldn’t remember.
“Rhett?” the woman asked again. What had she said her name was? “Rhett? Did you hear me? You need to go to Mercy Hospital. You need to go, right now.”
“Mercy Hospital, got it,” I mumbled. “Is…is she…okay?”
“Aside from being in labor,” Madeline said, “she’s perfectly fine. Your little daughter has just decided to come early.”
Her words woke me up. My daughter. She was coming. Erica needed me. Panic still hovered at the edges of my awareness, but a sense of purpose focused me. “Mercy hospital,” I repeat, “I’m leaving now. Thank you, Madeline. Thank you!”
I ended the call and turned back to Marcy. “I have to go. Erica’s having the baby.”
“Go, go,” she said with a shooting motion. “We’ll figure out the apartment later.”
“Thank you!” I turned and rushed toward the door.
As I was yanking it open, Marcy called out a congratulations. I think I offered a wave as I sprinted down the hall. All thoughts of work, of apartments, or promotions vanished from my mind as I raced toward my car. All I could think of was Erica and getting to her as soon as possible. She had to be panicking. I was freaking out, and I didn’t even have to go through the birthing process. The videos the birthing class showed had freaked us both out.
I dove into my car and pulled out into traffic. Speed limits didn’t matter. Traffic was lighter than usual and I whipped through town in record time. I careened into a parking space and threw open the door. We’d taken a tour of the hospital as part of the childbirth class, but as I reached the lobby, I couldn’t remember where to go.
Glancing around, I found the docent desk and blurted out, “Maternity ward?”
After recovering from me startling her with my abrupt question, an elderly lady smiled. “Around the corner. Take the elevators up to the fourth floor.”
I wasn’t sure whether I thanked her before running off in the direction she’d pointed. I nearly passed the bank of elevators in my haste, then ran back to smash my finger against the call button. On the verge of screaming at its slowness, I jump into the car when the doors finally opened. I hit the fourth floor button and took a deep breath. I was about to become a father.
25
Rhett
I skidded to a stop outside the door the nurse had directed me to. The sound of Erica’s voice, whimpering in pain, momentarily stunned me. I couldn’t believe this was happening already. Terrified of seeing Erica in pain, or of something going wrong, of meeting my daughter for the first time, I felt as if I were suffocating. Everything I had learned over the past few months vanished from my mind.
“Are you Dad?” a young nurse asked, appearing in front of me without warning.
I stared at her. Am I the dad? Dad. Hearing the word paralyzed me. It was just a word, a word I had heard and even said a million times. But no one ever called me dad. It was too odd and I couldn't wrap my head around it,
“Are you Dad?” She asked again. “Here for Erica Roberts?”
Hearing Erica’s name sparked something in me. “Yes. Erica. Is she okay? Is the baby all right?”
The nurse smiled. “Everyone’s fine so far, but she’s asking for you. Are you ready?”
Was I? No definitely not. Still, I nodded without really knowing what I was doing. Was anyone ever ready for this?
Gently grabbing my arm, the nurse led me into the room. As soon as I saw Erica, I broke away from her and ran to the bed. Erica’s eyes were squeezed shut as someone stuck a needle in her arm to start an IV, but she knew it was me the moment I touched her arm. Swiveling her head toward me, she opened her eyes and tears filled them immediately.
“You made it,” she sobbed.
“I came as soon as Madeline called. Are you okay?”
She seemed unsure, but nodded. “I’m scared, more than anything. She’s so early.” Tears spilled down her face.
The nurse taped down the IV tubes and patted her shoulder. “She’s a little early, but it’s nothing to be concerned about. Both yours and the baby’s vitals look perfectly fine.”
Erica nodded, but I could tell she didn’t believe her. “Did someone reach Dr. Anderson yet?”
The other nurse nodded. “He’s on his way. Don’t worry.”
I wanted to roll my eyes at her advice at a time like this. There was no possible way not to be worried. Trying not to snap at the nurse, I turned away from her and focused on Erica. “Why didn’t you call me earlier? How long had you been having contractions? Or did it just start suddenly?”
Erica blushed, though it was hard to see because her skin was already flushed from the exertion of labor. “I thought they were just Braxton Hicks contractions and that they’d go away after a while
. Then my water broke and Madeline had to call for an ambulance.”
“Thank God you were with Madeline,” I said before pressing a kiss to her damp forehead.
Erica started to say something else, but her grip on my hand became vice-like and she cried out as the pain intensified. Pure terror raced through me. I’d never seen another human being in so much pain. Fear that something was wrong slammed into me. Where was the goddamn doctor? Why wasn’t anyone doing anything?
“You’re doing just fine, Erica,” the older nurse said in a soothing tone. Her gaze bounced between Erica and a monitor. “Nice deep breaths, eyes open. You’ve only got about a minute left with this one.”
How did she know that? Why wasn’t she more worried?
The younger nurse came back into the room, looking too calm and confident. “Dr. Anderson is on his way up right now, Erica.”
Erica grunted and continued breathing. Finally, the wave of pain seemed to pass and she slumped back against the bed.
“Isn’t she supposed to have something for the pain?” I demanded. “What about the epidural?”
I knew we had talked about pain management and Erica had wanted to have an epidural. She wanted pain meds at the very least. Had the nurses not even asked her?
“She’s too close for an epidural,” the older nurse explained. “I’m about to give her some pain medication, though. It will help take the edge off.” As soon as she said that, she stuck a syringe in the port of the IV and depressed the plunger. “That’ll just take a few minutes to start working. Try to relax before the next contraction.”
The way she said that sounded like she was talking more to me than to Erica.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Erica whispered. “I didn’t want to do this without you. I don’t want to do anything without you.”
I ignore the last thing she said. She is in a lot of pain. She can’t mean that. Leaning down, I brushed away damp hair stuck to her face. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be right now. We’re going to get through this together.” I kissed her forehead again, then her cheek.
Erica moaned as another contraction started. Her hand attempted to crush mine, but I kept my gaze focused on her and reminded her to breathe, counting for her as she struggled to draw in deep breaths. The contraction seemed to last longer than the one before. Sweat beaded on Erica’s body. Her skin flushed red. Every muscle contracted. It amazed me that she could withstand so much.
Finally, Erica fell back against the bed and exhaled as a sob escaped her lips. I leaned down and whispered how great she was doing, wishing I could take away some of the pain. I’d never felt so helpless in my life.
“Well, Erica, it looks like your little one decided she was tired of waiting,” Dr. Anderson said as he waltzed into the room with a pleasant smile. He approached the bed and extended his hand to me. We shook, though that seemed unnecessary in the moment. Then, he turned his attention to Erica. “I’m going to check and see how close we’re getting while we’re in between contractions, okay?”
Erica nodded, still struggling to catch her breath. She didn’t object when the nurses moved her legs so her knees were bent. I turned back to Erica as the doctor examined her. “Is the pain medication helping yet?”
She nodded. “A little.”
“We’re well on the way,” Dr. Anderson announced. “You’re already at an eight, Erica. If things keep progressing as they have been, we’ll likely see your daughter within the hour.”
He seemed pleased by that. I thought an hour sounded like a hell of a long time for Erica to have to endure these contractions. At the same time, it sounded like too short of a time before our daughter would be born. Were we ready? Could we really do this, raise a child together?
I didn’t have time to keep contemplating it. The next contraction hit, and they kept coming and coming until Dr. Anderson finally told Erica that is was time to start pushing. Panic and excitement flashed inside of me. Then my attention was fully locked onto Erica as she strained and cried…and finally brought our daughter into the world. She collapsed against me the moment we heard the baby cry out. A moment later, she was sobbing along with the baby.
Desperate to see my daughter and make sure she was okay, I made myself stay at Erica’s side and try to reassure her and tell her how amazing she was in between sneaking glances at whatever the doctor and nurses were doing. Not until the smiling doctor turned toward us with a bundle of pink in his arms did I start to relax.
“Is she okay?” I demanded.
Dr. Anderson laid the infant against Erica’s chest and said, “She’s perfect.”
Erica stared at our daughter, completely in awe of the red-faced little girl staring up at her with curious blue eyes. She was still covered in splotchy red debris and her face was a bit swollen, but tears filled my eyes as I fell completely and utterly in love with her. Her bright eyes shifted and her gaze locked onto mine. Even though I knew the childbirth class had said infants could only see a few inches at first, I knew she saw me. Her tiny, wrinkly hand escaped the blanket and bobbled in my direction. Tears ran down my cheeks as I reached my hand toward her and she latched onto my finger.
“She’s so beautiful,” Erica cried, happy tears coursing down her face.
“She’s amazing,” I whispered. “You both are.” I brushed my finger gently against her cheek. “I can’t believe she’s finally here with us. I never want to be away from her.”
Erica moved her hand from the baby to take mine and squeeze it. “We can do this, right?” she whispered.
I looked from our daughter to her, love for both of them overwhelming me. “We can together.”
The younger nurse encroached on our moment, holding her hands out for the baby. “I’ll get her cleaned up for you, and take some measurements and do a few tests for her chart.”
Neither Erica nor I wanted to relinquish our little girl, but I knew it was necessary. Gently, I slid my finger from my daughter’s grip and allowed the nurse to carry her over to the bassinet cart. The doctor and older nurse then went to work helping Erica and cleaning up after the birth. My thoughts turned back to what I’d spent that afternoon doing. I knew I couldn’t follow through on my plan. We had too much else to focus on. Starting a new job, moving, starting a relationship…it would all have to wait.
“Have you chosen a name yet?” the younger nurse asked.
I glanced at Erica and she smiled. We hadn’t settled on a name the last time we’d discussed it. I knew her favorite, though. “Marie Isabelle Roberts.”
Erica looked over at me, a smirk on her beautiful face. “No, I changed my mind.”
“You did? But you loved Marie Isabelle.”
“I still do. That’s not what I was talking about. I decided on Marie Isabelle Banks,” She announced.
I gasped. “Are you sure?” She had told me early on that she wanted our daughter to have the same last name as her. I agreed of course since it made much more sense that way.
“I’m positive. I mean, if that's okay with you I guess?”
I nodded, “it’s more than okay with me. I love it, you have no idea how much that means to me.”
I brushed a light kiss against her lips. Her surprise deepened at the gesture, but she didn’t pull away. A slow smile made its way onto her lips, her gaze lingering on me before a noise from Marie drew her attention away. The young nurse brought her back to us, clean and bright-eyed, and we immediately forgot everything else.
It was hours later, after all our family had come and gone, that I remembered that I needed to make a call. While Erica and Marie were both sleeping, I stepped out into the hall and called Miriam Stein. She answered on the first ring with, “Banks, I hope you’re calling to tell me you’ve made your decision to accept my offer.”
“Actually,” I said, “I’m calling you from the hospital. My daughter was born a few hours ago.”
She didn’t answer right away. “Congratulations, of course, but I’m not sure why you’re calling me.�
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“I was expecting to have a few more weeks to prepare to change jobs and move before the baby was born. Now that she’s here, I can’t add in changing jobs and moving when I know Erica is going to need my help for a while.”
Again, she was quiet for several seconds before responding. “This is your first child, I’m guessing.”
“Yes, it is.”
“Hmm, all right,” she said. “How about this then? The position I was offering you isn’t one I need to fill immediately. I knew you were wrapping up a major project for Joseph, so it seemed like the right time to bring you on board. Why don’t you get settled with the new baby, and we’ll talk again soon, reevaluate where we’re both at and see what we can work out.”
Shocked by her offer, it took me a moment to put together a response. “You’re willing to do that?”
“You’re a talented developer, Rhett. I want you on my team. I can’t guarantee that it will work out in a month or two, but I’m willing to give it a chance,” she said.
I blew out a breath, surprised and excited that I might still have a chance. “Thank you, Ms. Stein. I appreciate that.”
“Good luck with the new baby, Rhett. We’ll talk again soon.”
She ended the call and I stood in the hall, reeling at the possibilities the future held.
26
Erica
Rhett’s hands were gentle, but a little shaky, as he buckled Marie into her car seat. I think we were both freaking out a little that we actually had to take our daughter home and would no longer have the help of nurses and doctors every time we had a question. Breastfeeding was much more difficult than I expected it to be and it had taken two days of constant help to get Marie to latch on properly. I still had a million questions about pretty much everything.