Sisters in Bloom

by Melissa Foster

  Marie heard them and added, “That’s what he said!” Sending them all into fits of laughter.

  Michelle touched Danica’s sleeve. “Thanks for letting me and my mom come to the shower.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Neither would Kaylie.”

  Danica looked back at Max, who had been a quiet calm amidst the excitement. “You’re next Max.”

  Max shook her head. “I have better things to do with these lips than sink them in a tub of water.”

  “Aw, come on. It’ll be fun,” Danica urged.

  “It’s okay. I like to watch more than take part in this stuff. I’m just not a giggly girly girl.”

  Danica put her arm around her. “That’s what we love about you!”

  Kaylie came up for air with three nipples in her mouth. She threw her hands up in the air and shouted, “Yes!”

  Everyone clapped and cheered.

  “That’s my sister!” Danica yelled.

  “Look out, Chaz!” Chelsea teased.

  Kaylie gasped and the room grew quiet. All eyes turned to her as she shifted her hands to her lower back, her tummy protruding heavily before her. She looked down and gasped another breath. Danica’s eyes followed, settling on the water that was now soaking Kaylie’s sandals—and it wasn’t water from the tub of bobbing nipples.

  “Danica?” Kaylie said with a trembling voice.

  Danica ran to her side. “I’m right here, Kay.”

  “My water broke.”

  “I see that. Let’s get you to the hospital.”

  Kaylie clung to Danica’s hand. “Max, call Chaz please?”

  “What’s happened?” Abby asked.

  “I think her water broke,” Camille said.

  “She’s in labor?” Chelsea asked excitedly.

  “Oh, my goodness! It’s time!” her mother yelled.

  Suddenly, Chelsea, Camille, and Marie screamed in unison, “It’s time!”

  Max was on her cell phone calling Chaz. She left a message.

  “Mom, call Blake. My cell’s in my purse,” Danica ordered.

  Her mother scrambled for their purses and followed them outside to Danica’s car.

  “I can’t sit down. It’ll ruin your seats.” Kaylie clenched her sister’s hand.

  “Kaylie, like I care?” Danica said.

  “Take mine. Leather seats.” Camille started the car and opened all the doors to her Lincoln Navigator. “Sorry, Kay. It’s a big step,” she said as she and Danica helped lift her into the backseat.

  “I’ve climbed bigger things than this.” Kaylie winked, then winced as she settled into the seat.

  “I’ll sit with her.” Danica climbed in and Camille started the car. The others piled into their respective cars.

  “Mom!” Kaylie yelled before they shut her door. “Mom, come with me. Please.”

  Her mother climbed in on her other side. Kaylie reached out and took Danica’s hand in one hand and her mother’s in the other just as a contraction hit and Camille sped out of the parking lot.

  Kaylie moaned. “Mom, it hurts. It hurts.”

  “I know, baby. This is just the beginning.”

  Kaylie shot a stunned look at her. “Thanks! That’s reassuring.”

  “Kaylie, look at me.”

  Kaylie looked at Danica.

  “Breathe, just like they showed you in Lamaze. In and out. Focus on evil…sassy spawn. You’ll meet her—or him—soon. That’s a girl. Breathe.”

  Sweat beaded Kaylie’s forehead, and her mother dabbed at it with a tissue as the contraction subsided. “You know, first babies are supposed to come late, not early,” she said.

  “What can I say? She’s impatient.”

  “Just like her mama. You know, Danica was two weeks late, but you” —she poked Kaylie playfully in the arm— “You were three weeks early, and you came out ready to tell the world what they were doing wrong.”

  “Really?” Kaylie’s eyes gleamed.

  “Really.”

  Kaylie gritted her teeth against another contraction.

  “Jesus, they’re coming quick,” Danica said. Please don’t have the baby in the car.

  Her mother shot her a stern look. Relax, she mouthed.

  Danica nodded.

  “Mom, she’s not going to relax for my sake. This is our first baby!” Kaylie arched her back against the pain.

  “Breathe, Kay, breathe.” Danica mouthed, Sorry to her mother.

  “Did Max reach Chaz?” Panic laced Kaylie’s words, and then the contraction eased.

  “Shoot. I forgot to ask her before we left.” Her mother fished for Kaylie’s phone in her purse, then searched for Chaz’s number.

  “Call Max. See if she got him,” Danica said. Then, realizing that her mother never called Blake, she took the phone from her mother’s hand. “Sorry, Mom. It’s just easier.” Danica called Max, and she hadn’t been able to reach Chaz either. She dialed Blake’s number. “Do you know where Chaz is?”

  “Yeah, he’s right here.”

  “Oh, thank God. Get to the hospital. Kaylie’s in labor. We’re pulling in now. Come quickly, because her contractions are really close together.” She heard him repeat her words to Chaz.

  No sooner had she hung up than Kaylie’s cell phone rang.

  Danica handed it to Kaylie. “Chaz.”

  “Where are you?” Kaylie said, breathless. “Yeah, fine. I’m…hold on…shit.” She slammed the phone into her mother’s hand and groaned as Camille pulled up in front of the Emergency entrance. Kaylie stretched backward, arching against the contraction. “Ugh! I wish I could just climb out of my constricting body and let someone else birth the baby. Jesus. Get me inside. I want that epidural!”

  “Chaz, she’s having another contraction. How far away are you?” her mother asked. “Okay, good. Hurry, but be safe.”

  Danica helped Kaylie from the car, recognizing the fear in Kaylie’s eyes. She wrapped Kaylie’s arm around her, then put her own arm around Kaylie’s waist, taking the weight of her while they moved slowly toward the entrance. Danica did the only thing she knew would take Kaylie’s mind off of the pain. “Just think, at least you’re dressed for the occasion.”

  Kaylie’s scowl morphed into an attempted smile. “True.”

  Her mother ran up and put her arm around Kaylie’s other side while Camille parked the car. “You can do this, honey. You’re almost there.”

  “Mom, it hurts,” Kaylie whined. “It feels like the baby’s gonna drop right out.”

  “That’d save you on hospital bills,” Danica joked.

  Both Kaylie and her mother glared at her. “Sorry, trying to lighten the mood.” Danica laughed, but they didn’t. “Kay, you’re doing great. Just think, soon you’ll meet sassy spawn.”

  “You said sassy. Didn’t you mean evil?”

  “No. I can’t imagine you ever giving birth to anything evil.”

  Another contraction gripped Kaylie, and she stopped, grasping at her belly. “Ow, ow, ow, ow.”

  “Breathe, just breathe through it,” her mother said.

  Tears sprang to Kaylie’s eyes. “I’m trying!” She looked around frantically. “Where’s Chaz. He’s coming, right?”

  “He’ll be here any minute,” her mother assured her.

  “You can do this, Kaylie,” Danica urged.

  Marie, Camille, and Chelsea ran up the walkway toward them. Danica felt her body relax just a bit.

  “You came!” Kaylie walked through the doors with an entourage, tailed by Max, Sally, Nancy, and Michelle.

  “I’ll get her signed in,” Danica said. She yelled to the woman behind the desk, “Wheelchair? We’re in labor.”

  Someone in scrubs ran out with a wheelchair while Danica gathered the paperwork. Kaylie, safely secure in the wheelchair, took Camille’s hand. “I can’t believe it’s time.”

  Camille dug in her purse and withdrew a brush and a hair clip. She quickly brushed Kaylie’s hair back and fastened it in a decorative clip. “Gotta look
good when you meet your baby.”

  “Definitely,” Marie added.

  “She’s always beautiful,” Chelsea said, touching Kaylie’s shoulder.

  The attendant who brought the wheelchair out said, “We should get her into a room so that we can examine her.”

  The girls agreed and followed on his heels, chattering excitedly. The attendant stopped, giving Kaylie a disapproving stare.

  “Don’t even try. They’re coming with me,” she said, reaching for Chelsea’s hand.

  Max, Sally, and Nancy sat in the waiting room. “You can come, too,” Kaylie offered.

  “That’s okay. We’ll wait until the baby’s born,” Sally said. “Trust me on this. Too many people and you’ll want to rip your hair out—or theirs.”

  “I need Kaylie’s purse with her insurance information,” Danica said to Camille.

  “I already preregistered. It’s done,” Kaylie said.

  “Wow, really?” Danica never would have expected Kaylie to be so organized.

  Kaylie changed into a gown with the help of the girls while her mother and Danica peppered the nurse with questions.

  After answering, she turned her focus to Kaylie. “I’m Gail, and I’ll be your nurse today. Dr. Lasco will be here shortly. She’s just wrapping up a delivery.” She spoke sweetly while she hooked up the fetal monitor. “This will let us keep an eye on that baby of yours,” she said. Her touch was gentle and her brown eyes soothing. “Do you know what you’re having?”

  “No,” Kaylie said as the nurse checked her blood pressure.

  “That’s exciting. It’s rare that we get to deliver a baby who doesn’t yet have an entire wardrobe.” She pushed her dark hair from her shoulders as she watched the monitor.

  The girls were whispering to one another. Kaylie caught every other word—Excited! Auntie! So brave!

  Gail leaned down and whispered in Kaylie’s ear, “Let me know when you want some privacy and I’ll clear the room.”

  “Oh, no, it’s okay. I want them all here,” Kaylie said. “But can you please check and see if my fiancé is here yet? Chaz Crew? Tall, blond, incredibly sexy.”

  “Not that she’s biased or anything,” Danica added.

  “Sure. I’ll go check.”

  Gail left the room and mayhem exploded. All of them spoke at once.

  “Are you okay?” Camille asked.

  “Want ice chips? I hear ice chips help,” Marie offered.

  “She doesn’t want ice chips. She needs a back rub,” Chelsea said.

  Kaylie grabbed her belly as another contraction took hold.

  “Breathe, honey. That’s a girl. I’m so proud of you,” her mother said, as she rubbed Kaylie’s forearm lightly.

  “Ouch, that’s gotta hurt,” Chelsea said.

  Kaylie shot an annoyed look in her direction as she breathed through the pain.

  Dr. Lasco breezed into the room donning light blue scrubs, her long brown hair secured on the top of her head. “Hello, Kaylie. I hear your baby wants out.”

  “Yes! Please!” Kaylie blew out slow breaths as the contractions subsided.

  “They’re coming every two or three minutes,” her mother said.

  “Are they, now?” Dr. Lasco proceeded calmly to the foot of the bed.

  Gail came into the room and put a pair of hospital socks on Kaylie’s feet, then set Kaylie’s feet gently in the stirrups.

  Dr. Lasco sat on a small round stool and put on a pair of latex gloves. “Let’s just take a look.” She lifted Kaylie’s gown.

  Camille and Marie held each other’s hands beside Chelsea, who watched every move the doctor made. Danica and their mother stood to Kaylie’s right. Danica held her hand, while her mother rested her hand on Kaylie’s shoulder, as if they both could protect her from pain and provide the strength she’d likely need.

  “Everything looks great.” Dr. Lasco stood and removed the gloves. “You’re about seven centimeters dilated.”

  “Is that good?” Kaylie asked impatiently.

  “It’s very good, Kaylie. And if you really want that epidural, now’s the time to get it.”

  Chaz burst through the door, “Kaylie?”

  Danica and her mother moved aside. Chaz took Kaylie’s hand. “Are you okay? What can I do?” Sweat glistened on his forehead. “Dr. Lasco, is everything okay?”

  Dr. Lasco moved with practice ease. “Yes, she’s fine.” She patted his back. “She’s got some time yet. She’s doing great.”

  Chaz let out a breath, then rested his forehead on Kaylie’s.

  “Epidural, please?” Kaylie said as another contraction ripped through her, squeezing her belly so tightly she thought the baby might eject right out of her body. A dull pain spread across her back, and she groaned.

  “Breathe, two, three, in two, three,” Chaz said calmly. “You can do this, Kaylie. I know you can.”

  “I’ll go get the anesthesiologist. Gail.” Dr. Lasco nodded toward the door.

  Gail followed Dr. Lasco out of the room.

  “What…what’s she” —huff, huff— “saying? Why’d she” —huff, huff— “call her out? What’s” —huff, huff, huff— “wrong?” She squeezed Chaz’s hand.

  Danica went out the door to eavesdrop.

  “She’s a doctor, Kaylie. She was just in a delivery. She’s got more patients than just you. I’m sure it’s nothing. She told you everything was fine,” her mother said.

  Danica came back into the room and looked at the girls with apologetic eyes. “She’s worried about having so many people in the delivery room.”

  “What? No!” Kaylie whined.

  “It’s up to you, Kaylie,” Danica said.

  Kaylie reached for Camille’s hand. “It’s our first baby. You guys are staying.”

  “Are you sure?” Camille asked.

  “Of course.” Another contraction took hold, and Kaylie gritted her teeth.

  Danica turned to her mother. “That wasn’t two minutes,” she whispered.

  Her mother raised her brows. “Babies have a mind of their own.”

  “And any baby of Kaylie’s won’t be told when it can be born,” Danica added.

  “Hey, I’m in pain over here,” Kaylie said. “Where is that epidural?”

  “What can we do, Kay?” Chelsea asked.

  “Nothing. Just be here.”

  “Oh, I know! Names!” Marie exclaimed.

  “Whew, that was a long one.” Kaylie looked at Chaz, whose face had lost some of its color. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m just a little nervous. I’m fine. This is about you, not me. I’m good.”

  Kaylie’s mom put her hand on his back. “Do you want to sit down? First babies are known to take their time.” She lifted an eyebrow. “Although this one does seem to be in a rush.”

  Chaz shot a look at Danica, catching her eye with a silent plea. “Danica, Blake’s here. Let’s let him know we’ll be a while.”

  “Kay, do you mind?” Danica asked, taking her cue that Chaz needed to talk.

  “No, I’m good.” She released Chaz’s hand and replaced it with her mother’s. Camille held her other hand. “But hurry. Just in case.”

  Chaz kissed her head, and he and Danica went to find Blake.

  “What the hell, Chaz?” Danica asked. Was he too nervous to be in the room? If so, she had to be there. Kaylie needed one of them.

  “It just hit me. The baby’s coming, and I haven’t said anything to Kaylie about Lea and Benton Records. I feel like I’m lying to her, and I promised I wouldn’t lie. I can’t start our family with a lie.”

  Jesus, really? Now? Danica and Chaz hurried into the waiting area, where her eyes were drawn to Blake, a dozen red roses across his lap. His eyes lit up, and he stood. Danica melted into his strong embrace. If Kaylie hadn’t been in labor, she’d have stayed within the safety of his embrace until she was pried away. Chaz wanted to do the right thing, and she couldn’t fault him for that. She regretfully pushed back.

  “They said
we had some time, but I don’t know,” Danica said.

  Chaz stood with his arms crossed, his right hand on his chin.

  “Dude, you okay?” Blake asked.

  Chaz shook his head, looking at Danica.

  “It’s the offer from Benton,” Danica said. “It’s vying to be revealed, and Chaz feels like he needs to do it now, before the baby is born.”

  “Yeah, he told me,” Blake said. “Smart move. You know that if you don’t, this day will forever be remembered as the day you kept the truth from her instead of the day your baby was born.”

  “He’s right.” Danica knew Chaz was right, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. “You might want to just wait until she’s had the epidural.”

  The girls came charging down the hall.

  “Chaz!” Marie yelled. “Get in there. She’s having the epidural and needs you.”

  “She kicked us out. Said it hurt too much to be nice,” Camille said with a wave of her hand.

  “Does she want me?” Danica asked, watching with jealousy as Chaz headed toward Kaylie’s room.

  Chelsea pushed Danica lightly. “If you don’t go, she’ll eat him alive,” she teased.

  Chapter Fifty-Five

  Kaylie sat on the edge of the bed, her head bent forward, her back to the door. The IV line in her arm pinched, but she was too busy listening for Chaz’s return to complain. Fear riddled her nerves. She hadn’t meant to snap at the girls, but the last contraction was mountainous. The rush of noise from the hall filtered in with the opening of the door.

  “Chaz? Danica?” she called out.

  Her mother squeezed her hand. “Both, honey. They’re here.”

  Chaz came around and took their mother’s place. “I’m here, and I won’t leave again. I promise.”

  The anesthesiologist wiped Kaylie’s back and said, “Okay, now, it’s really important that you stay completely still.”

  “Wait!” Kaylie cried. “What if I have a contraction?”

  “Just try to stay still. You’ll feel a little pressure now.”

  “Ow, ow, ow,” Kaylie cried, squeezing Chaz’s hand.

  Her mother held her arm, and Danica reassured her. “You’re doing great, Kay. He’s almost done; then you’ll feel so much better.”

  Kaylie squeezed her eyes closed. “Oh, no. Oh, no. A contraction.”