by Imari Jade
Emily sat down in her seat and Bekim walked over to her and knelt down on one knee.
“What’s wrong with you?” Emily asked, staring down at him and using her very annoyed Dragon Queen voice.
Bekim pulled the small box from his pocket and handed it to her.
“What’s this?” Emily asked, opening the box. She gasped. “It’s a ring.”
“Emily Bucktell, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Bekim asked. He didn’t think his heart could take it if Emily turned him down in front of a restaurant filled with people.
“Yes,” Emily said meekly.
Bekim hopped to his feet. “She said, yes!”
The people around them clapped.
Bekim took the ring from Emily and slid it on her finger.
“It’s beautiful,” Emily said. “But can we go home now? I think I have jet lag.”
Bekim paid the bill and whisked Emily out the restaurant and into the car. Thirty minutes later they were back at his place and Emily was sound asleep in the white room. Sleep tight princess.
Bekim crept out the room and walked downstairs. He picked up the telephone and dialed Solomon. “She said yes, Father.”
Solomon chuckled. “Congratulations and welcome to the family. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, but right now I’m on a date.”
Bekim hung up the phone and went up to his room smiling from ear to ear.
Chapter Nine
“Surprise,” a room full of women said as Emily entered the restaurant where she planned to have lunch with Deandria. But instead she found most of the women she knew, a chair decorated with baby things, and a pile of presents stacked in a playpen.
Charity and Glenda led her to the seat of honor. Empress and Caroline were also there dressed in matching yellow dresses, yellow ankle socks, and black patent leather shoes.
“Surprise, Aunty Emily,” Empress said. “It’s a baby party.”
Emily hugged Empress. “Thank you, honey.”
There were party games, lots of talk about babies and plenty of food. But before Emily could open the presents, Dora had a surprise for her.
Deandria pressed a button on the wall near the light switch and a projection screen came down from the ceiling.
“It’s a movie,” Empress told her.
Dora pushed a button on the projector and the movie began. It was a film about a pregnant young woman standing in snow.
“It’s me,” Dora announced to them.
The scene changed and Dora was on a gurney at hospital and in labor. She could hear Martin in the background telling Dora that everything was going to be okay.
The next scene featured Dora holding a baby in her arms. The baby had dark hair so it was hard for Emily to tell which one of the Lacolmn siblings it was.
“It’s Uncle Bekim,” Empress informed her as a little dark-haired boy in a blue and white sailor suit ran through a field of grass.
“He was so cute.” Emily said as scene after scene played on the screen of little Bekim.
The next scene showed a modern day Bekim. “Hello Emily dearest. If you’re watching this film it means my mother and the other ladies have successfully tricked you into showing up at your baby shower they’ve been planning for months. But I have a surprise for you too. Two surprises to be exact.” The camera panned in on a lovely brick Colonial home. Bekim walked up to the door. “Come on inside.”
The cameraman followed him inside the charming brick home. Bekim began telling her the history of the home, taking them through five bedrooms, three baths, a huge kitchen and several other rooms. Finally Bekim opened a door and stepped inside a room. it was a nursery and furnished with all the furniture he and she picked out a couple of months ago. “It’s our new home,” Bekim announced. “A baby should be raised in a loving home and not in an apartment.”
Emily gasped. “He didn’t.”
“He did,” Glenda said. “It’s our grandfather’s home. Bekim had it remodeled just for you.”
Tears of joy seeped from Emily’s eyes. She’d always wanted a home like this. “The big lug.”
The cameraman followed Bekim from the house to the House of Bucktell. The scene changed again. “Now for the second surprise,” Bekim said. He opened the door to the small showroom. There were children mannequins on display with some cute clothing. “This is my new line of clothing,” Bekim announced. “It’s called the Baby B Collection.” He held up an adorable white christening outfit. “This is for Bekim, Junior’s Christening Day.”
Emily laughed. “He’s so sure it’s a boy,” she told everyone.
“Or this is for Emily, Junior’s Christening Day,” Bekim said, holding up a white christening gown. “You see, Emily dear, I’m prepared for anything. The line launches tomorrow and will be featured in several fine department stores in the United States and France. Enjoy your shower Emily. I love you.”
The film ended and the women clapped and congratulated her.
“I am going to strangle him,” Emily told Dora once the shower ended. “What type of man does all of this without his fiancé knowing?”
“Bekim,” Dora answered giving Emily a hug. “If you think this is something, wait until you see all the gifts that have been arriving from family and friends all around the country. At this rate you and Bekim will have to move in with us and use your new home as storage.”
* * * *
“Where’s Emily?” Solomon asked Bekim about a week later.
“She’s home on bed rest,” Bekim told his future father-in-law.
“And she’s actually home in bed?”
“She was when I left home,” Bekim said. “She can’t get around as well as she thinks she can. She can only come out for doctor appointments or to take a little walk around the neighborhood for exercise. Other than that she is supposed to stay in bed with her feet elevated.”
“Nice trick if you can pull it off,” Solomon said.
“I promised her I’d take off Friday so we can sneak off to the Justice of the Peace.”
“What? I thought the two of you would have a big wedding.”
“Yes, we plan to do that after the baby is born. But Emily insists we be married before the baby arrives.”
“I understand,” Solomon said. “She’s making sure you don’t run out on her before you sign the birth certificate.”
“No chance of that happening,” Bekim said. “I’m going to be right there with her in the delivery room to cut the umbilical cord.”
Solomon made a face. “I was pacing the waiting room floor with a lot of other expectant fathers when Emily was born. I didn’t get to see her until she was cleaned up and in an incubator.”
“I’ll be right there in the delivery room acting as Emily’s birthing coach,” Bekim told Solomon. “I’ll be manning the camera and catching every moment of the delivery on film.”
“You are a glutton for punishment, aren’t you?”
Bekim nodded. “Emily will have to be on her best behavior because I plan to keep the tape to show the family.”
Solomon laughed. “It’s your funeral.”
* * * *
Emily was going stir crazy after two weeks of bed rest and a quickie wedding at the Justice of the Peace. She was now Mrs. Bekim Lacolmn and she hadn’t seen much of her husband lately except for in passing. Bekim’s new baby line of clothing was a smashing success and orders were pouring in from everywhere.
Emily kept herself busy preparing dinner for Bekim when he came home and addressing Thank You cards for all the baby gifts they’d received. Bekim also hired a housekeeper to come in twice a week to clean and do the laundry.
Glenda and Charity paid her a visit on Monday and they kept her company for the rest of the day.
The phone in Bekim’s home office rang just as Emily was coming back from fixing herself a sandwich and a glass of milk. The answering machine picked up the call before Emily could get to it.
“Hello, Bekim. This is Natalie. I’m flying into town tomorro
w and I’m looking forward to meeting you on tomorrow night for dinner and dancing.” She rattled off the name of her hotel and left a phone number.
The only Natalie she knew was an actress Bekim dated when he first came to work for her father. Emily continued on to the white room and fell asleep before Bekim came home from work.
The next evening Bekim called her and told her that he was working late. He returned home later drunk and reeking of perfume.
Emily feinted sleep and cried after Bekim stopped in to check on her. Bekim didn’t understand why she was being so short with him the next morning. What the hell did he think she would do?
“Who is Natalie?” Emily asked Bekim as he got up to prepare Sunday breakfast for them.
“She’s a friend,” Bekim tried to explain.
“Did you go out with her last night?”
“Yes,” Bekim answered.
“Why didn’t you tell me? Why did tell me that you had to work late?”
“I thought you’d be upset,” Bekim said.
“You thought right,” Emily told him. She slapped his face and stormed back up the white bedroom. She continued to ignore Bekim for the rest of the month of March and into April.
Chapter Ten
“Where’s the new husband?” Doctor Kim asked Emily as he examined her.
“Working,” Emily answered, pretending not to feel discomfort with the doctor’s fingers inside her. Doctor Kim removed his hand, changed gloves, and then measured her stomach. “It won’t be long now. You’re already dilating. How have you been feeling?”
“Tired,” Emily said. “I feel like a beached whale and I’m fat from my face to my toes.”
Doctor Kim chuckled. “That usually happens during pregnancy. You’ll lose most of it right after delivery and you’ll have to work the rest off with exercise.”
“How’s the baby?” Emily asked.
“The baby has a strong heartbeat and probably weighs close to nine pounds.”
“I will be unconscious during the delivery, won’t I?”
Doctor Kim chuckled again. “No, you’ll be just fine. Mister Lacolmn will be holding your hand throughout the entire event.”
I’m not holding my breath.
Doctor Kim finished with the exam. “You can get dressed now. I want you to go straight home and get back into bed until the labor begins.”
“I understand,” Emily said. She didn’t want anyone to see how big she’d gotten. She was even hiding from Bekim lately. Which didn’t matter since he was working late every night and coming home long after she’d fallen asleep.
Emily left the clinic and got into the car. The driver drove away from the curb. Emily’s cell phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hi honey, it’s Daddy.”
“Hey,” Emily said.
“What are you doing?” Solomon asked.
“I’m just leaving the clinic. I had a doctor’s appointment. Are you busy?”
“I’m always busy,” Solomon told her.
“Can I drop by to see you?”
“You’re supposed to be on bed rest.”
“I’m near the fashion house,” Emily said. “I won’t stay long.”
“Okay,” Solomon said. “And then you have to go straight home. Bekim will kill me if I let anything happen to you.”
Emily disconnected the call. “We’re making a slight detour,” she told the driver. “Take me to the House of Bucktell.”
“Yes, Mrs. Lacolmn,” the driver told her.
Moments later he helped her out the car and onto the sidewalk.
Emily entered the building and entered the elevator. The door closed and the elevator ascended up a couple of floors and then stopped. And not in a good way. The elevator was trapped between floors. Emily pressed a couple of buttons, but the elevator wouldn’t budge. About an hour later her cell phone rang. “Hello?” Emily said.
“Where are you Emily, dear?” Solomon asked.
“I’m trapped in the damn elevator,” Emily said. “It’s stuck between floors.”
“And you didn’t think to call for help?” Solomon asked suddenly sounding concerned.
“Of course I did,” Emily said. “The repairmen are on their way, but they’re halfway across town. They told me to just sit and wait.”
“How long ago was that?”
“About an hour,” Emily told him. “And my water just broke.”
“What?” Solomon asked loudly.
“My water just broke,” Emily said.
“Why aren’t you hysterical? Maybe I should call Bekim.”
“Don’t bother,” Emily said. “He’s probably too busy with Natalie or one of his other women.”
“What are you talking about Emily?”
“Oh shit,” Emily said as the first contraction hit.
“What’s wrong?” Solomon asked.
“I just had a contraction.”
“I’m going to find Bekim,” Solomon said. “Don’t move.” He disconnected the call.
“Funny guy,” Emily said. “Where in the hell am I going?”
* * * *
“Emily, baby, are you okay?” Bekim asked when he finally called her.
“Sure,” Emily said, riding out another contraction.
“The elevator guys are stuck in traffic,” Bekim told her.
“Great,” Emily said. “I guess I’ll just deliver the baby in the elevator.”
“What?” Bekim asked. “Are you in labor?”
“Yes,” Emily said. “Didn’t my father tell you?”
“No. He just said you were trapped in an elevator.”
“I love the man like a play step-cousin but he’s no good in emergencies.”
“Listen, honey. I’m going to try to get you out.”
“How? What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to try to climb down the elevator shaft.”
“Are you insane? That’s dangerous.”
Bekim disconnected the call.
“He better not try something so stupid,” Emily said aloud. Another contraction hit. “Ouch, ouch, ouch, shit.” Emily heard a sound above her and then the elevator shook. Oh Lord the elevator is going to fall. She heard a loud noise again.
“Emily, honey, are you okay?”
“Bekim, are you crazy? The elevator might fall.”
Bekim opened a little door on the roof of the elevator and slid in. “I was so scared,” Bekim said. “I didn’t want you to be alone. The elevator guys said they’ll be here as soon as they can.”
“My water broke,” Emily said. “Watch how you step. You might slip.”
Bekim maneuvered his way over to her just as another contraction hit. “Everything is going to be okay, baby.” He took his jacket off and made a pillow for her.
Emily lay down with her head on his lap.
Bekim pulled out his cell phone and dialed the emergency number. “Hello, my name is Bekim Lacolmn. My wife and I are stuck in an elevator in the House of Bucktell Fashion Building,” he told the dispatcher. He gave them the address. “The elevator repairmen are stuck in traffic and my wife is in labor.”
“We’ll have someone there as soon as possible,” the dispatcher told him. “Don’t panic.”
Another hour passed. Sweat rolled down Emily’s face and the contractions were coming more frequently.
“Why ween’t you home in bed?” Bekim asked as he wiped her brow.
“I had a doctor’s appointment and I thought I’d stop in to see my father.”
“Oh, I forgot about the appointment,” Bekim said. “Sorry, darling. I’ve been so busy.”
“With Natalie,” Emily said.
“No, of course not. Natalie just flew in town for one night. She and her husband wanted to go out to see New York.”
“Her husband?” Emily asked. “She has a husband?”
“Yes,” Bekim answered. “I told you Natalie and I are old friends. I introduced her to her husband and they were just in town for a short visit.”
; Emily felt so stupid. “I thought you were cheating on me. You came home that night drunk and reeking of perfume.”
“I was drunk and I danced one dance with Natalie. She always wears too much perfume.”
Another contraction hit. “Ouch,” Emily moaned. “That hurt.”
“Your contractions are about five minutes apart,” Bekim told her. “If they don’t fix the elevator soon we’ll have some funny stories to tell our grandchildren.”
“I am not having this baby in the elevator, Be-kim,” Emily shouted as the pain hit her in the bottom of her stomach.
“You do a real good Camille,” Bekim said.
“Not funny Be-kim,” Emily said.
“Are you folks okay in there?” someone shouted to them.
“Yes,” both Emily and Bekim shouted back.
“We’ll have you out of there in a couple of minutes.”
“Hurry,” Bekim said. “My wife is in labor.”
The elevator repairmen got the door open five minutes later and an ambulance had been dispatched to take them directly to the hospital.
* * * *
Bekim got suited up in blue scrubs and entered the delivery room.
Emily’s contractions were now a minute apart and Doctor Kim was with her trying to get her to push.
“Emily dear, I can see all the way up to your head,” Bekim told her from the opposite end of the delivery table.
“Evil man,” Emily said. “This is no time for jokes.” She wasn’t feeling any pain because the good anesthesiologist had given her an epidural.
“I can see the baby’s head,” Doctor Kim announced. “Get ready to push.”
Bekim got behind Emily and lifted her shoulder while the nurse pushed down on Emily’s stomach.
“Push,” Doctor Kim said.
Emily pushed and cursed Bekim in the same breath.
“You can relax now,” Doctor Kim said, chuckling. “Don’t mind Emily. She is loopy from the medicine.”
“It doesn’t bother me a bit,” Bekim said. “I’m capturing all this on tape.” He’d set the camera up in the room and had it on automatic to free up his hands to help Emily.
“I’m going to need you to push again, Emily,” Doctor Kim told her. “This time without the curse words. Push.”