FOREVER SERIES: COMPLETE BOX SET

by Lynn, Sandi

  “Are you okay?” I asked.

  “Yeah. I’m okay. I’m just ready to get this child out of me.”

  “I bet.” I laughed.

  I looked over the papers and signed them. As I handed the folder to Julia, she stood up and then doubled over, holding her stomach. I jumped up from my chair and ran over to her.

  “Julia, what’s wrong?” I asked as I lightly took a hold of her arm.

  “Oh, just a cramp. I’m okay.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, I think so,” she said as she stood up.

  I let go of her arm and as she began to walk out of my office, she doubled over again.

  “Collin, I think I’m in labor,” she said as she sat down on the floor.

  “What?! You can’t be. You’re not due for another month.”

  “Tell that to your nephew.”

  I started to panic. This couldn’t be happening right now. “I’ll call Jake.”

  “He’s across town in a meeting.”

  “Shit, Julia. I’ll call Dad.”

  I picked up my phone from the desk and dialed my dad. No answer. I called my mom. No answer. Julia let out another yell and I ran over to her.

  “No one is answering. What do I do?”

  “Take me to the hospital!” she yelled. “Don’t panic. Because if you do, then I will.”

  “Right. Okay, let’s go. I’ll get you there,” I said as I helped her up.

  I held onto her as we waited for the elevator. She had another contracted and everyone gathered around to see what was going on because she wasn’t exactly quiet about it.

  “Everyone get back to work. I’m taking Julia to the hospital. She’s in labor.”

  The elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside. Once we got to the parking garage, I helped her in the Range Rover. I climbed in, and as I was pulling out, my dad called.

  “Dad!”

  “Son, what’s wrong?”

  “Julia is in labor. We’re on our way to the hospital. You need to get a hold of Jake. Julia said he’s in a meeting across town.”

  “Oh God. Okay. Your mom and I will get Jake and we’ll meet you there. You tell Julia not to have that baby until we get there.”

  “Dad said not to have the baby until they get there,” I said as I looked at her.

  “Oh, okay. I’ll try my best!” she said with irritation.

  Amelia wasn’t doing clinicals today and I knew she was in class, but I sent her a text anyway as soon as I stopped at a red light.

  “On my way to the hospital with Julia. She’s in labor.”

  “Oh my God! I’ll meet you there as soon as my class ends. How exciting!”

  “OH GOD IT HURTS!” she screamed.

  I reached over and grabbed her hand. “It’ll be okay, Julia.”

  “NO IT WON”T BE OKAY!” she yelled at me.

  I drove as fast as I could in New York midday traffic. To be honest, I was surprised we didn’t get into an accident. I was swerving in and out of traffic and running basically every red light. Julia was in a lot of pain and my main focus was getting her to the hospital before her water broke in my Range Rover. My phone rang and it was Jake.

  “Jake!” I answered.

  “Collin, Julia isn’t answering her phone.”

  “I think she left it at the office. Here talk to her.”

  Julia seemed to calm down a little when she heard Jake’s voice. Then suddenly she screamed.

  “YOU BETTER GET YOUR ASS TO THE HOSPITAL IN TIME, JAKE JENSEN!”

  She threw the phone at me and I picked it up from my lap. “Dude, she’s in a lot of pain. She really doesn’t mean to be mean.”

  “YES I DO!” she yelled.

  We finally arrived at the hospital and I grabbed a wheelchair and helped her into it. I wheeled her into the Emergency Room and the nurse immediately took us up to the Labor and Delivery Unit. She handed me paperwork to fill out and called me Mr. Jensen.

  “Oh, I’m not her husband. I’m her brother. Her husband, Jake, is on his way.”

  The nurse apologized and made me leave the room while Julia changed into the hospital gown. As soon as it was safe, I walked back in and walked over to Julia. I grabbed her hand, kissed it and sat down in the chair next to her.

  “It’s too early, Collin. I’m scared. What if something’s wrong with him?”

  “Nah, nothing’s wrong with him. He’s just an impatient little guy and he wants to come out and see the world.” I smiled.

  The nurse hooked Julia up to the fetal monitor and said that everything sounded great. She had a few more contractions that nearly broke my hand. The doctor came in and I left the room so he could examine her. When I walked back in, Julia had a big smile on her face.

  “I can have an epidural. The doctor is ordering it now.”

  “That’s great, Julia. You’ll be pain free soon,” I said as I dialed my dad. He didn’t answer.

  A few moments later, the anesthesiologist walked in with the epidural for Julia. Another contraction had come and as I was holding her and helping her through it, she dug her nails so far into my arm that I started to bleed. I just bit down on my lip and didn’t make a sound. Once her contraction was over, the anesthesiologist gave her the epidural. I had to look away because the needle was making me sick. God, it was a good thing she didn’t see that. She laid back down and began to be comfortable. After the anesthesiologist left the room, my mom, dad and Jake came busting through the door. All three of them ran to her side. Jake wouldn’t stop kissing her and my mom instantly ran to the bathroom and wet a washcloth for her. My dad looked at me and smiled. He walked over, put his arm around me, and led me out into the hallway.

  “Thank you, son, for taking care of your sister.”

  “Of course, Dad. She’s lucky I was there.”

  He looked at my arm and saw the nail marks and the tiny bit of blood that emerged from them.

  “Are you okay? It looks like she got you pretty good.”

  “I’m fine.” I smiled. “She just scared me a bit. God, all that yelling and shit. It was like she was possessed.”

  “Yep. I remember when your mother was in labor with both of you. Trying times, son. Trying times.”

  We walked back into the room and my mom hugged me. “Thank God you were there.”

  “Thanks a million, bro. I owe you big time,” Jake said as he hugged me.

  I pulled him over to the side and showed him my arm. “Yeah you do.” I smiled.

  “Ouch. Sorry, man.”

  I kissed Julia on the head and told her I was going to see if Amelia was here yet. She smiled at me, and before I walked out the door, she called my name.

  “Hey, Collin.”

  I stopped and turned around. “Yeah.”

  “I love you.” She smiled.

  “I love you too, sis.”

  I met Amelia in the lobby, and we stopped at the coffee bar before heading back up to the see Julia.

  “What happened to your arm?” she asked.

  “Julia.” I laughed.

  I sent a text message to my dad asking if he, my mom, or Jake wanted anything. He texted me back saying that he and my mom were on their way down. I bought us a cup of coffee and we sat down while we waited for my parents.

  “I can’t believe I’m going to be an uncle.”

  “I know. I didn’t think she’d go into labor this soon.”

  “The doctor said that the baby is fine and seems to be ready to make his appearance into the world.” I smiled. “Do you want kids?” I asked out of the clear blue.

  She laid her head on my shoulder. “Yeah. I love kids.”

  “How many do you want?”

  “Why?” she asked as she lifted her head and looked at me. “Are you worried that I’m going to say five or six.”

  “No. But you really don’t want that many do you?” I asked with nervousness.

  She laughed as my parents walked up to us and she never did answer my question. As much as I lov
ed and wanted children, I thought two was perfect.

  “I can’t believe I’m going to be a grandma!” my mom said with excitement as she hugged Amelia.

  “Do I dare ask what you were doing in the middle of the afternoon and why you weren’t at the office? I said to my dad.

  He looked at me and smiled. “Do you really want to know the answer to that?”

  I rolled my eyes because I already knew. I looked at him and my mom and shook my head.

  “What?” she asked. “Your father came home because he left some papers on his desk that he needed.”

  “Okay. No details please. I already got my answer.”

  All of our phones beeped at the same time, and when we looked at them, there was a text message from Jake.

  “IT’S TIME!”

  My mom and dad jumped up from their chair and ran to the elevators. I took Amelia’s hand and we waited in the waiting room while my mom and dad stayed with Julia. She told them that she wanted both of them in the room to witness the birth of their first grandchild.

  “You never answered my question,” I said as I kissed Amelia’s hand.

  “What question?” She smiled.

  “The one about how many kids you want.”

  “So now you’re nervous?” She laughed.

  “No, not at all,” I lied.

  “Relax, Mr. Black. I think two children are perfect. But if a third happened unexpectedly, that would be okay too.”

  We waited patiently, and after about an hour, my dad came out of Julia’s room with the biggest smile on his face that I’d ever seen.

  “He has arrived.”

  I stood up and hugged my dad. He was so happy. We followed him into the room, and I stopped in the doorway and stared at my big sister holding her brand new baby. I couldn’t help the tears that filled my eyes as she looked at me.

  “Come in and meet your nephew, Brayden Connor Jensen.”

  I looked at my dad and he had tears in his eyes. I walked over to her and she handed me the baby. I was a nervous wreck to hold him because he was small. For as big as Julia was, I expected him to be bigger. But I didn’t dare say anything.

  “Brayden, I want you to meet your Uncle Collin. He’s going to be the best uncle in the world and spoil you rotten.”

  “That’s right, little dude. You are so loved already,” I said as I rubbed his tiny hand.

  Julia reached her hand over and touched my arm. “Thank you for taking care of me until Jake got here. I’m sorry about your arm.”

  “Don’t sweat it, sis, and you’re welcome.” I winked.

  Chapter 29

  I opened my eyes and took in the scent of roses that I loved so much on Amelia. She was wrapped in my arms and snuggled tightly against my chest. I felt weighted down by the fact I never told her about the beach house. Now that winter was settling in, the house was closed up until I decide to open it up next summer. She stirred in my arms and let out a big yawn as she opened her beautiful blue eyes.

  “Good morning, baby.” I smiled as I kissed her head.

  “Good morning.”

  “You still look tired.”

  “Well considering we had three rigorous workouts last night. I’d say I am.” She smiled.

  “Ah, what amazing workouts those were too.”

  She kissed my chest and climbed out of bed.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to make us some coffee. Stay right there and don’t move.” She pointed.

  “Yes, ma’am!” I saluted.

  I smiled as I put my hands behind my head and thought about last night. My phone rang and my dad was calling.

  “Morning, Dad.”

  “Good morning, son. I wanted to let you know that Diana called in today because Jacob is in the hospital. Why don’t you take the morning off and go visit him?”

  “Thanks, Dad. I will.”

  “I’ll see you this afternoon.” Click.

  Amelia walked back in the room and handed me a cup of coffee. “Did I hear you talking to someone?”

  “Yeah. That was my dad. Jacob is back in the hospital.”

  “Oh no. That’s terrible.”

  “When I drop you off at the hospital, I’m going to stay and visit.”

  “Good idea, sweetie,” she said as she leaned over and kissed me.

  We both took a shower and got ready to leave. I pulled into the parking lot, parked the Range Rover and walked with Amelia into the hospital.

  “Bye, baby. Have a good day,” I said as I kissed her.

  “Bye, sweetheart. Let me know how Jacob’s doing.”

  “I will.”

  She went right and I went left. I took the elevator up to the pediatric floor and one of the nurses showed me to Jacob’s room. When I walked in, he was lying in the bed hooked up to a breathing mask and Diana was sitting next to him.

  “Hey, bro.” I smiled from the doorway.

  “Hi, Collin. What are you doing here?” Diana asked.

  “My dad called and told me that Jacob was here and I wanted to check in and make sure he’s doing okay,” I said as I walked over to him and placed my hand on his arm.

  He gave me a thumbs up.

  “That’s very sweet of you and I know Jacob is thrilled you’re here.”

  He gave another thumbs up. He couldn’t talk because he was in the middle of getting a treatment. I felt bad for him and it really hurt me to see him lying there like that. It was something he’d dealt with his whole life, but it was new to me and I didn’t know if I’d ever get used to it.

  “Hey, buddy. As soon as you get out of here, I’m going to come over and spend the day with you. We can do whatever you want.”

  I told Diana to go and take a break and get some breakfast. She’d been by his side the entire night and I could see she was exhausted. She took me up on my offer knowing that I’d be here with Jacob. Sitting on the table next to his bed was the book, ‘Diary of A Wimpy Kid.’ I picked it up and looked at it.

  “Was your mom reading this to you?” I asked.

  He nodded his head. I opened to the page that was saved with a bookmark and looked it over.

  “Would you like me to read it to you?”

  He nodded again. I smiled and began reading where Diana had left off.

  I’d spent half the day with Jacob. It was time for me to get to the office because I had a meeting to attend. I kissed Diana on the cheek as she said goodbye to me, and I ran my hand through Jacob’s hair.

  “You better call me when you get out of here. Got it?” I pointed at him.

  He nodded.

  * * *

  As I stepped into the board room, my dad was already sitting down going over the notes for the meeting.

  “How’s Jacob doing?” he asked as he looked up at me.

  “I don’t know, Dad. It was terrible seeing him like that. We need to talk after the meeting.”

  “Okay, son.”

  Once the meeting was over, I followed my dad into his office. I walked over to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water.

  “Sit down. What did you want to talk about?” he asked.

  “I think you should rent the house in California to Diana.”

  “What?” he asked with surprise.

  “I’ve been thinking about this ever since I took Jacob surfing at the beach house. He was so much better there. You even mentioned it to me, remember?”

  “Yes. I remember.”

  “They have water related programs for children with cystic fibrosis and I think his quality of life would be so much better for both him and Diana.”

  He looked at me and cocked his head. “Collin, you want me to move my secretary?”

  “Yeah. I know she’s good here, but she can be just as good in California. I know Reese just quit the art gallery to stay home and raise her baby. You can give that job to Diana. She’s a smart woman and I know she can do it. It’s close to the house and Jacob can meet other kids in the programs there that are like him.
I just think California would be a better place for them.”

  “Son, I know you want to help them, but you just can’t tell someone they have to move across the country.”

  “Why? Jacob is everything to her and she’d do whatever she could to make him better. Plus Mason is close by since they moved back there, and he could kind of act as a big brother to him. I’m sure he’d love that.”

  “I don’t know, Collin. That’s a huge move.”

  “We can help them, Dad. I wouldn’t be suggesting this if I didn’t feel it was right. Also, I want our company to start hosting charity events for Cystic Fibrosis. After all these years, you never branched out from the Autism charities.”

  He leaned back in his chair with his hands behind his head. “Now that is a great idea. I’ll have Barb get started on that.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” I smiled.

  “I’ll give some serious thought to your proposal and get back with you in a couple of days.”

  “Okay,” I said as I got up from my chair.

  “By the way, have you told Amelia yet about the house you purchased?” he asked.

  “No.”

  “Son.”

  “I know, Dad. I will, don’t worry.”

  I’m telling him not to worry when it’s constantly a worry on my mind. As I walked out of the building into the freezing cold, my phone rang.

  “Hi, mom.”

  “Hi, sweetheart. I’m having family dinner tonight and I expect you and Amelia to be here. I know it’s last minute, but I just decided it. Julia, Jake and the baby will be here. So if you have plans, cancel them and I’ll see you around six.”

  I didn’t have plans but even if I did, I would have no choice but to cancel them because what my mom says goes.”

  “We’ll be there, Mom. I love you.”

  “I love you too, my sweet boy.”

  As I was walking down the street to Starbucks, I passed the flower shop, and I stopped and decided to buy Amelia some roses. It was no special occasion. I just wanted to let her know in another way that I loved her. While I was looking at the beautiful assortment of roses, my phone buzzed with a text message from Amelia.

  “Hey, babe. Clinicals ended early and I need to stop by the campus library and pick up a book. I’m going to catch a cab with Cheri and then I’ll take one to your place.”