“Do what?”
“Stay awake like that?”
“I want to watch over you. Now what about your happy thoughts?” he asks again. “You were smiling for no reason a few minutes ago. Care to share why?”
I smile again. “I was thinking about when Madison walked into the meeting and how she smiled and waved when she saw me.”
“That was pretty special.”
“It was. It makes me happy to think that she already likes me. Maybe it’ll make the interaction between our family and hers a little smoother for her.”
“I hope so. Drake Sinclair seems to be a little…”
“Anxious?”
“High-strung, I was thinking.”
“Maybe it’s just because of all that has happened. I hope so,” I say.
“Maybe.”
Robert tells me that Bruce ended up giving the gifts and the envelope of pictures and newspaper articles to their attorney, Mr. Reed. He also tells me that the Sinclairs left the meeting shortly after we did.
During the next few days, Robert never leaves the hospital. He showers in the hospital room and his Mom provides him with a duffle bag of clean clothes and hygiene items. The cervical cerclage is done and the doctor is happy with the results. We have lots and lots of company and even Mason and Angel, and Alec and Emma, come up to visit.
When the doctor ordered strict bedrest, that is precisely what he meant. Up to go to the restroom and to shower. That’s it. He told us he would like for me to remain pregnant at least another eight weeks, although full term would be best. I try to not focus on how difficult it will be to stay on bedrest for at least eight weeks. It’s a minuscule price to pay for a healthy baby.
Just before we are released to go home, I hear a knock at the door. After it slowly opens I am surprised to see Chelsea Sinclair standing in the doorway. She looks around the room and doesn’t enter the room any further. “”I’m sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have come,” she says as she takes a step back.
I look at Robert and he is standing beside my hospital bed in protector mode. “No, please, come in,” I say. Robert and I are the only two people in the room. He stands there with his arms crossed and feet apart.
She slowly walks into the room and closes the door behind her. I notice her red puffy eyes and she is holding a gift bag. I’m kind of glad that her husband isn’t with her, but disappointed that Madison isn’t with her either.
“Please, come in.”
She says, “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No, you’re not. This is actually a good time. Please, sit down,” I wave to the empty chair beside my hospital bed. “Relax,” I whisper so only Robert can hear. He uncrosses his arms. Relax more. I think to myself.
She slowly walks over to me and sits gingerly on the green vinyl chair. She sits only on the edge of the chair and crosses her feet. Her back is straight as a board and the gift bag is resting on her lap. She takes a deep breath and says, “I’m sorry. I’m not sure what to say.”
Robert finally sits down on the other side of the bed in the matching green vinyl chair. “It’s okay. Please take your time,” he says, calmly.
“First of all, I want to say that I’m sorry for your loss. After the meeting, our attorney, Mr. Reed, brought the gifts and the envelope of pictures and newspaper articles of Jamie.”
“Thank you,” I say, sadly.
Chelsea wipes away a tear and says, “She looked like a lovely little girl.”
“She was,” Robert says. “She was our world. We love and miss her very much.”
“The children thank you for their gifts. I’m not sure how you knew we also had a son, but that doesn’t matter.” She looks around the room and focuses on the flowers and balloons that are scattered everywhere. “I’m not sure why I’m here,” she says looking back at me. “I think I just wanted to see what kind of people you are. I wanted to make sure my daughter… I mean… your daughter was loved and cared for.” She takes another deep breath and says, “This is a bit of a mess, isn’t it?”
“It is and she was. We loved Jamie more than life,” Robert reassures her. “She was beautiful, fantastic, funny, and full of personality.”
“I wish I had had a chance to know her… to love her. She is who your bookstore is named after.” It’s not a question, but a statement. “Madison and I frequent it often. She looks forward to having a cinnamon bun while she reads in the sitting area.”
“I recognized you both from being in there.”
“She remembers you, too. I brought you something for… Jamie… well… for Jamie’s gravesite. The first gift I bought wasn’t…appropriate. We didn’t know she was deceased when my husband and I bought it.”
She hands me the gift bag that is resting on her lap. I take it and remove the contents carefully. It is a beautiful cream-color porcelain angel. “This is beautiful.”
“I wanted to get something for her grave.” She thinks for a moment and says, “Assuming she has a grave. I’m sorry, I guess I haven’t thought this through. Maybe she was…”
I say, “No, this will look beautiful on her grave. Please, don’t apologize.”
“This is so new to me. We never dreamed that one of our children would have ever been switched at birth. And then to learn that she had passed away… it’s all so much to take in.”
“Yes, it is. After the accident, Leah and I were both in a coma for several weeks. We didn’t learn about Jamie’s passing until we woke up. Our parents planned and made all of the funeral arrangements for Jamie,” Robert informs her.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Thank you,” I say.
The nurse comes in with my discharge paperwork and Chelsea stands to leave. “I won’t keep you. Thank you for taking the time to see me,” Chelsea says as she straightens her dress.
“You’re welcome.” I give her a slight smile.
She smiles slightly and says, “I also want to apologize for my husband. He’s still dealing with all of this. After some time, I’m hoping that he’ll come around.”
She turns to leave before I can say anything and Robert stands and walks her to the door. I listen to and sign off on all of the instructions. Robert isn’t gone long and he also listens intently to what the nurse has to say.
On the drive home, Robert and I talk about the visit from Chelsea. I ask him can we visit Jamie so we can place the angel on her grave and he tells me the doctor instructed us to go straight home. He does assure me that he’ll take the angel over to the gravesite in the next few days.
Once we are home, Robert gives me a choice of where I want to lie. I decide on the couch. There is no way that I’ll be able to stay in one room for eight weeks. I sit while he gets the pillows and blankets for the couch. He returns, wearing a pair of sleep pants and a tee shirt. I am already wearing a nightgown and robe. I smile as he makes the sofa into a bed and tosses pillows on each end. One for me and one for him. I should have known that Robert wouldn’t stay dressed or that he wouldn’t leave the house today. I also know that there is no way Robert would be able to handle being in this house for eight weeks straight. He’ll try, but he’ll fail miserably.
Robert
I lie on one end of the couch and watch Leah sleep on the other end. I also read over the instructions that were sent home with her from the hospital. Pelvic rest? What the hell is that? I browse over the pamphlet and now I understand. Pelvic rest makes sense to prevent pre-term delivery. Especially since she had that procedure done. I remember when Jamie was born and sex was off limits for six weeks afterward. No sex in exchange for a healthy baby is a small sacrifice. I would stand on my head if it meant my baby would be born to term without complications.
“Reading something interesting?” she asks.
“I am,” I joke. “I’m reading about pelvic rest and bed rest. Very interesting stuff, right here.” I wave the instruction sheet in the air for her to see.
“You just can’t get a break, can you?”
“Wh
y? What do you mean?”
She says, “You need better reading material. Jamie’s bedtime books and hospital pregnancy instructions. You need something better to read. Something age and gender appropriate.”
I look at her and smile. “I like reading Jamie’s books to you.”
“I know you do, and I love hearing you read them. I did order some pregnancy books for men for the shop. I can see if Mom will stop by and get a few of them for you.”
“Sounds good. I’m glad you got some books in for men to read about pregnancies.”
“Me, too.”
I fix dinner and Leah and I eat on the couch. This is unusual for us; we always eat at the dinner table. I did light a few candles to make it more romantic. Leah laughs because we are both in our pajamas sitting under a pile of blankets eating pasta by candlelight. “Ace, are you trying to create a ‘mood?’” she giggles.
I look at her and her big pregnant belly. Bed rest and pelvic rest. “No, no mood.” I stand and blow out the candles. Leah and I have a very active sex life and this will be hard enough to do without us thinking about it.
“Because for a minute it looked like you were trying to add some romance to out pajama party.”
I smile at her as I sit back down on the makeshift bed on the couch. She knows me too well. “Just trying to save on the electric bills,” I lie and she laughs.
Over the next few days, Leah alternates from the couch to the bed. I keep some of her books, her laptop, her cell phone, and her e-reader within her reach. Her Mom and Dad came over with groceries and snacks and gave me some time to run some errands. Leah reminds me to take the angel to Jamie’s gravesite and she also asks me if I’ll get some wildflowers from her for Jamie. She didn’t need to ask, I would have done that anyway.
“Will you also stop by the shop and check on it? Oh, and I’ll call Bethany and have her get some books ready for you to bring back home.”
I walk to the desk and get a pen and a notebook. I sit down on the coffee table with the pen and tablet in hand ready to dictate everything she says. “What are you doing?” she asks.
“Taking orders. Is there anything else you need or want while I’m away?”
“I’m sorry, am I bossy?”
“No, you’re not, Sweets. I just want to make sure I don’t forget anything.”
“Would you mind getting your baby some mint chocolate chip ice cream?” She bats her long dark eyelashes and places her hand strategically on her pregnant belly.
I laugh on the inside, although I try to maintain a straight face on the outside. Leah is cute as hell, but she doesn’t need to know that I think that about her. “I don’t think my baby likes mint,” I joke.
She laughs and says, “She does. In fact, it’s her favorite flavor at the moment.”
I laugh, too, and say, “At the moment. Meaning her favorite could be something else next week.”
“Or tomorrow,” she giggles.
“Mint chocolate chip it is, then.”
I kiss her goodbye and instruct Sue to call me if anything happens. Sue and I talk about a few things she and Mom have planned for Leah and for this I need a pen and paper. I nod and write everything down that she needs. I’ll be gone a lot longer than I intended to be. Sue assures me she has enough to keep Leah’s mind occupied while I’m away.
I go to the florist first before going to the cemetery. I stay longer than usual. It’s been awhile since I have been here and I have a lot to tell Jamie. I lay her pink roses and her wildflowers down and I explain out loud to Jamie about the angel the Chelsea got for her. I’m not sure anyone is close by enough to hear me, but I don’t care. I always speak aloud when I’m here talking to Jamie. I remove the weeds and the leaves from around her tombstone. Leah usually does that and I can tell it’s been awhile since Leah has been here. I take a picture of the gravesite to show Leah.
Next, I make all the runs that Sue has marked down. Some of these things are things she could have done, but I’m glad she included me. This is big and Leah will be excited, so, of course, I wanted to be involved in it, too.
I go into the bookstore and everything seems to be running smoothly. Bethany and Dove are working the counter and I am surprised to see Jo walk out of the back room. She is wearing an apron that says, Team Josephine. I get an idea and put it to memory to discuss it with Sue and my mom, later. I reassure everyone that Leah is fine and that we appreciate all they are doing to help out at the shop. Bethany hands me a stack of books and Jo gives me the deposits from the last few days. The shop is busy and I know Leah will be excited to hear it. Bethany is working the register and doesn’t have much time to talk.
Last of all, I get the ice cream. I get several pints of Ben and Jerry’s brand of different flavors. Actually, I get two pints of every flavor. If Leah doesn’t eat it, I will — after the championship fight. I also pick up some board games and some cards for me and Leah to play later. We still have a long way to go and I’m worried she’ll get bored and depressed.
I put everything away and hand Leah her ice cream and a spoon. “What took you so long?” she jokes and she puts a large spoonful into her mouth.
I say, “Be careful, you’ll get a…”
“Freezy head,” she interrupts, squinting her eyes closed.
Before Sue leaves, I tell her about the apron the Jo was wearing. I also tell her about my idea and she likes it. “Do you think we can pull it off for Saturday?” I ask.
“It doesn’t give us much time, but I think we can get everything together. I’ll know today if Saturday is doable.”
“Great, thank you. If you need anything, let me know.”
“I’ll call you later, Robert, Just take care of Leah,” she says before leaving.
Always, I think to myself.
This week Leah and I played chess, ate ice cream, read and she called Dove to see if she would bring over the books, receipts, and the deposits every week. Dove says she can do it on Saturday. So, on Saturday, I help Leah with her shower and she insists on wearing a sundress and not pajama’s. She says if Dove comes over she wants to be dressed. I don’t argue with her. I spend the day cleaning while Leah sits there. I know she wants to do something. I asked her would she like to start knitting and she throws a pillow at me. I was just trying to help, I swear. She makes me fold the blankets and put the pillows away. I know she wants it to look like she is fine when Dove comes over. Although Leah is still lying around, she appears to be just relaxing. I know this is the look she is trying for. The doorbell rings and Leah sits up a little straighter on the couch.
I take a deep breath before opening the door. Thankfully in walks Mom and Sue, first. If Leah gets mad, I want them to take some of Leah’s wrath, too. Leah smiles when she sees them and thankfully she smiles even bigger when the others walk in after them.
Today is the baby’s gender reveal party. Everyone walks in wearing either a pink or a blue shirt that says Team Pink or Team Blue. Everyone was asked what they thought the gender would be and Mom and Sue had shirts made for them to wear. I am surprised to see how many people of the guys are wearing pink. Jo, Carl, Bethany, Kyle, Dove, Gus, Mason, Angel, Emma, Alec, Sara, Donovan, Brea, Vincent, Brooke, Brice, Molly, and Adam are all here, wearing pink or blue shirts. I greet them with a smile as they make their way over to Leah, who is still lying on the couch. Looking over at Leah I am happy to see the she is smiling. Our attorney, Bruce, and his wife, Mason’s mom, Lilly also show up wearing matching Team Blue shirts. I have never seen him wear anything but a suit. He seems a little out of place in a tee shirt.
The house is bustling with people and food. Mom and Sue arrange the food on the table and Leah sits up further on the couch with her legs elevated. Good girl. I walk around the room and do the things that Leah would normally be doing. I think I’m doing it correctly. I’m making sure drinks are full and engaging in conversation where it seems to be lacking. Leah smiles at me and gives me a wave, as she talks to our guests. For the first time, I notice a table
full of gifts. I walk over and pick up a wrapped item. The gift is wrapped in baby bottles and baby booties of all colors. A baby shower? I thought this was a gender reveal party.
When I see Sue, I say, “I thought we were doing the baby’s gender reveal.”
“We are.”
“There’s a table covered with gifts.”
“I know. Molly thought it would be nice to turn this into a baby shower, too. I thought it was an excellent idea, so we did.”
“Molly’s idea, huh?” I say looking around the room for her.
“Yes. She’s over there talking to Leah.”
Molly and I have a history together. After the accident that killed Jamie, I left Leah out of guilt and turned to drugs. I met Molly when some guys tried to proposition her and we started hanging out together after that. She was also on drugs and we ultimately became lovers. It was an unorthodox relationship. When two people are running away from something and turn to drugs, nothing makes sense. I have a lot of guilt for leaving Leah and a lot of shame from being with Molly. We both overdosed on drugs, we both got help, and lucky for me, Leah took me back. She knows about my and Molly’s past and I think in a way, Leah is grateful that I had Molly while living on the streets. Molly met an ex-drug user named Adam who turned preacher and they have recently married. Leah and I and Molly and Adam remain friends and for that, I am grateful. I am also happy for Molly that she found such an amazing person.
I walk over to where Molly and Leah are and Molly stands up and hugs me. I hug her back and look at Leah over Molly’s shoulder. Leah smiles at me. I say to Molly, “Doll, you look incredible.”
“Thank you, Bobby. You do, too. Leah was just filling me in on everything. What a week, huh?”
I know that Leah didn’t hold anything back from Molly. She also considers Molly, a close friend. “Yeah, it’s been a crazy week.” I look at Molly who is now sitting down and she is wearing a pink tee shirt that says Team Pink across it. “I hear that you’re responsible for turning the gender reveal party into a baby shower/ gender reveal combo.”
Against the Odds Page 6