Not sure what is going on, I reach for my phone. It’s a text from Vincent.
V: Heading to the hospital, Brea’s water broke.
I look over at Angel with a grin. She has a twinkle in her eyes and the biggest smile I have ever seen. “Do you want to go to the hospital?”
“Can we?”
“Let’s go home and change into something more comfortable, first.” I text Vincent back:
M: Heading home to change first, then we’ll be there. Hang in there.
V: Mom, Dad, Sara, and Donovan are on their way. Hurry, man, this shit is scary.
M: It’ll be fine, be there in an hour.
“Let’s hurry, I don’t want to miss anything,” she says, fastening her seat belt.
Once she is fastened in securely, I pull out into traffic. “Be prepared for a long night. First-time babies usually aren’t in any hurry to leave their warm and comfortable home.”
Angel and I change into jeans and tee shirts. I grab a couple hoodies from my closet for us. Angel disappears into the closet and returns carrying a gift, wrapped in pale blue foil paper with a white silk ribbon and bow. She tucks a card inside the ribbon.
“You bought the baby a gift?”
“Well, it’s more for Vincent and Brea. Do you think it’s stupid I did that? It’s from the both of us. Maybe I should leave it here.”
“Beauty, I think it’s a wonderful idea that you did that. I wish I had thought of that.”
“Well, that is why you have me.” She smiles.
“One of the many reasons,” I reply. “Do you have everything?”
She looks around the room. “Camera, I need a camera.”
I smile as I hold it up for her to see.
“And that is why I have you,” she laughs. “We are a perfect pair.”
“That we are. Let’s go, Beauty, and welcome our new nephew into the world.”
We arrive at the hospital and make our way to the Labor and Delivery room waiting area. Vincent is there, looking disheveled. He is at the coffee pot pouring himself a cup. His Mom and Dad are already here. Angel and I walk over to his parents and his Mom and Dad stand up. I shake his Dad’s hand and hug his Mom. “Angel, this is Vincent’s Mom, Serena, and you remember his Dad, Vincenzo.”
Angel takes a step closer and reaches her hand out for Vincenzo’s.
Vincenzo ignores her hand and leans in to embrace her, saying, “Nonsense with the formalities, how are you?”
“Very well, thank you.”
She steps back and looks over at Vincent’s Mom.
“Oh, Mason, she is just as beautiful as you described.” Serena leans in and hugs Angel.
They welcome her lovingly, just as I knew they would.
“Thank you,” Angel whispers.
I know this show of affection is embarrassing to Angel.
“It’s lovely to finally meet you,” Angel says, backing away from her.
Vincent walks over and cups my shoulder with his hand. “Man, what took you so long?”
I look at my watch. I said we’ll be here in an hour and it’s been only 45 minutes. “Sorry, we got here as quickly as we could. How is she?”
“They’re in there doing whatever they do. Something about an IV and some other shit. She’s crying in pain and blaming me for causing it.”
I look over at Angel and she raises a brow.
Vincent’s Dad laughs. “I almost forgot about that. Son, you’ll need to be careful holding her hand. You have no idea how strong a woman is until she is in pain.”
Serena lightly touches her husband’s arm. “Vincenzo, be nice.”
“Yes, Dad, be nice. I’m already afraid to go back in there.” We all laugh.
Sara and Donovan walk in and Sara is carrying a bouquet of Happy Birthday balloons. I look at Donovan and he shrugs his shoulders. It must be a girl thing.
“Well, look who decides to stroll in,” Vincent glares at Donovan.
Donovan looks at the clock on the wall. “I said an hour. We’re five minutes late.”
Sara puts the balloons on the end table and walks over to Vincent and hugs him. “Having a tough time?”
“I’m sorry. It feels like it’s been three days since I texted you guys.”
“It’s all right? How’s our girl?”
“Bitchy, in pain, blaming me for causing it.”
Sara laughs. “How long has she been like that?”
“For about four weeks now.” We all laugh again.
“Well, you should be used to it by now.”
Sara walks over to Vincent’s Mom and Dad. Donovan walks over to Vincent, and I walk over to sit with Angel. We talk for a few minutes until the nurse comes in and says, “Vincent, you can go back.”
He looks around the room, “I’m scared. I don’t want to go in there yet.”
Vincenzo laughs. “I don’t blame you, son.”
Serena stands. “Sara, Angel, and I will go in first.” She looks over at her husband sternly, “Vincenzo, be nice.”
Vincenzo smiles and holds his hands up, “All right, I’ll be nice. Kiss Brea for me.”
The girls all leave and head towards Brea’s room.
“Did you call Brea’s Mom?” I ask because I honestly have no idea what else to say.
“Brea called her as soon as her water broke. Brea’s Mom, Dad, her three sisters and Sara’s Mom are catching the next available flight.”
I look at my watch; it is 11:01 pm. It’s 8:01 am in California. I walk through the room with my cell phone trying to find a spot where I have service. I send a text to Maria and Raùl, just to let them know that Brea is in labor and we probably won’t have phone service in case they need to reach Angel.
The girls return and tell us Brea has had an epidural and is resting comfortably.
“Is she asleep?” Vincent asks, nervously.
“Yes, Vincent, she is asleep; you can go in. The epidural numbs her from the waist down so she can’t feel any real pain, just pressure.”
“Oh, thank God.” He stands to walk out the door.
“Vincent?” his mother says.
Vincent turns around to look at his mother. She stands and walks over to him. She places both of her hands on his cheeks and rubs her thumbs side to side. “Vincent, this is one day you will never forget. Enjoy it, no matter how bad it seems to get. This is a monumental moment in your life. In a few hours, your son, my grandson, will be born.”
Angel takes my hand in hers and loops our fingers together. I look at her and see that she has tears in her eyes. I squeeze her hand to let her know I am here.
Vincent leans down and kisses his mother on each side of her cheeks. “What if I mess this up? What if I’m not ready to be a Dad?”
“Vincent?” she says, still cupping his cheeks. “Look at your father. Do you think for one minute that he would raise a son who isn’t capable of being the best son, husband, and father that he can be?” She looks him in the eyes and I swear my eyes get misty.
“No, Mom. I know he raised me better than that.”
“Then you go in there and give your support to Brea because she is counting on you. Just be there for her and let her know how much you love her.”
Vincent swallows, and I know he is trying not to choke on his words. “Thank you, Mom. I’ll be back with updates, when I can.”
He walks out the door without looking back. We wait and talk about the upcoming birth. This is the first grandchild on both sides of the Salvatore and Kinsley family. Most of Vincent’s family still live in Italy and with Vincent being an only child, this baby is already loved. Vincent told me that his mother has set up a nursery in his old bedroom for the baby.
“Mason and Donovan?” Vincenzo says.
We both look up at him.
“I hate to ask this, but it is the weekend. With the baby coming early, Brea and Vincent are living out of boxes in their old house. I was thinking we all could help out and get them moved into their new house.”
“Say no mo
re. I don’t have any plans for this weekend,” Donovan states.
“The movers aren’t scheduled to move them for another week. You wouldn’t mind giving up your weekend and helping me move them into their new home, would you?”
“Vincenzo, I can’t think of a better way to spend my weekend,” I say.
“I may be able to hire some of Vincent’s employees to help out,” he adds.
“When are you wanting to move them?” Donovan asks.
“As soon as the baby is born and we know everyone is healthy.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Angel and I will go over and help put things away,” Sara says while looping her fingers in Donovan’s.
“You would do that?” Vincenzo asks, looking at both girls.
Sara and Angel look at each other. “Of course, we would. We love Brea and Vincent. If you can use our help, we would love to contribute.”
“Thank you. Brea and Vincent are very blessed to have such great friends,” Serena says, softly.
Vincenzo gets on his phone and sends out a text to someone.
The door opens and Vincent walks through it. We all stand and stare at him.
“She’s still resting; she is exhausted. Sara, have you heard from her Mom yet?”
“They are all at the airport in baggage claim. Maybe another hour or so. They were able to fly into Sarasota instead of Tampa.”
“That’s great. Mom and Dad, if you want to go see her, she was asking for you.”
Vincenzo and Selena stand and leave the room. Vincent comes in and pours himself several cups of cold water from the water cooler. He looks exhausted. He leans up in the chair and rests his elbows on his knees.
“Is everything all right?” I say, sitting beside him. Donovan comes over and sits on the other side of him.
“Man, I don’t know what to say. My head is spinning. There is so much scary shit going on in that room.”
“What kind of scary stuff are you talking about?” I ask.
“She’s hooked up to monitors that keep beeping, she’s feeling pressure, nurses and doctors are in and out.”
“All that sounds normal. I think she’s in good hands. Are you sure that is all that’s bothering you?”
Vincent runs his hands through his hair. “Dude, in a few hours I’m going to be a Dad. A Dad. I’m going to be a Dad. I’m scared that I’ll mess that up. Look at me. What do I know about being a Dad?”
Donovan looks over at Sara for help. Sara and Angel walk over and Sara kneels down in front of Vincent.
“Vincent, you and Brea will make wonderful parents. The love you have for each other will help you with parenthood. It will come to you as soon as you hold your new son. Your son, Vincent. No one will care for that baby any better than you and Brea.”
Vincent looks up at Sara and smiles. “I hope you’re right. I am so afraid I will screw this up.”
“You won’t,” she smiles.
Vincenzo and Selena walk back into the room. “She’s asking for you, Vincent.”
Vincent stands and walks to the door before stopping. He turns around and looks around the room. He looks at the Happy Birthday balloons and the blue-wrapped gift sitting on the end table. He smiles.
“Thank you all for coming to share in the birth of our son. It means a lot to us both. I hope you know we wouldn’t be able to do it without your support.”
He turns and walks out of the room before anyone can say anything.
Angel
The words Vincent just spoke brought tears to my eyes. Sara holds my hands. I look over at her — she has tears in her eyes. I have never seen him so unsure of himself. He is such a strong, powerful, and in-control man. How can he be afraid of messing fatherhood up?
I walk over to Selena and ask how Brea is doing. She looks up with teary eyes.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes, dear. I’m fine, thank you.”
“Do you need some water or something?”
“Another tissue would be wonderful, thank you.”
“I’ll be right back.”
I walk over to the coffee maker to get a box of tissues sitting next to it. Mason is standing there with Sara and Donovan.
“I wonder if Selena’s all right?” I say, looking at Mason.
“I’m sure she’s fine. I think it’s the first-time emotions of being a grandparent. All of a sudden, this seems so real. In a few hours they’ll be grandparents. She’ll be fine.”
“I hope you’re right.”
I walk back to Selena and hand her a few tissues. I lay the full box on the table beside her.
“May I sit?”
“Yes, please.”
“Vincent tells me you decorated a nursery in your home for the baby.”
Selena’s eyes light up. “Oh, we did — it’s just beautiful. I found the cutest bedding for little boys. Have you ever seen those cute little bugs they have now with the lime green background decorated on the bedding?”
“The ones at Babies R Us with the frogs, bees, and caterpillars? They have the matching curtains, rugs, and even a plush mobile for the bed?”
“Yes, that’s the one. I did the room in those. Vincenzo painted the walls lime green and it is so cheerful and happy. We even found some plush stuffed animals to match.”
I smile, partly because I had seen those and they were darling, but I also smile because I didn’t choose those for Brea and Vincent’s nursery. “I’m sure the baby will love it.”
“Thank you, I am so excited, I can’t wait to hold him and have him stay over.”
At that time the door opens and in walks Sara’s Mom and Brea’s Mom, Dad, and sisters.
“Did we miss it?” Doris asks.
Vincent’s Mom and Dad stand.
“No, we are still waiting,” Selena says. “She’s resting. They gave her an epidural to help with her pain.”
“Oh, thank God,” Doris says, placing her luggage in the far right corner. “I want to see her.”
“I’ll walk you out to the nurses’ station.” Selena and Doris walk out the door.
Vincenzo and John gather around the coffee maker while Sara and Brea’s sisters head towards the restroom. Mason walks over to me and sits beside me.
“Are you hungry? You didn’t eat dinner,” he says, taking my hand in his.
“Neither one of us has eaten since lunch. I’m thirsty. I’m tired of water and coffee. I wish they had some juice.”
Vincent walks into the room. He looks even more exhausted. He walks over and sits down beside Mason. Donovan walks over to the coffee maker, returns with a cup of coffee, and hands it to Vincent.
“Thanks, man. I wish I had something stronger.”
“Sorry, it’s all we have. How is she?”
“Sleeping in between contractions. She is exhausted.”
“How much has she dilated?” Mason asks.
“Five, she dilated to five.”
“Well she’s halfway there, so that’s good news. How are you feeling?”
“I just want to support her and be there for her, but I have no idea how. She cries that her back hurts so I rub her back, and then she yells that she’s hot so I get her a cool washcloth, and then she yells that she’s thirsty so I get her ice chips, and then she yells that she wants water. Man, I didn’t know she was this bitchy. Will she always be like that?”
“No, Brea’s a sweetheart. Her body is going through some changes and it’s talking a toll on her. It won’t be long, so hang in there.”
Vincenzo comes over and kneels in front of Vincent. “You know, your grandfather Arturo once said that your grandmother was the sweetest woman he ever knew, except during childbirth. You have to remember that it’s not easy on her. As soon as the baby is born, she will go right back to being that sweet and wonderful girl you fell in love with.”
“I sure hope so.”
The girls come back in the room followed by Brea’s and Vincent’s mothers. “She’s asking for you, Vincent.”
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Vincent goes back to be with Brea.
“They have such strong family ties. I realize how much I miss my family.”
I reach for my phone in my purse. “I’m going to look for a place in the hospital where I can have phone service. I want to call my Aunt Maria and tell her about Brea being in labor and tell her how much I love and miss her.”
“Do you want me to walk with you?”
“No, stay here, I’ll be right back. I love you.”
“Beauty, I love you, more.”
I walk the short distance down the hall to a large bay window with a small leather and wood loveseat that sits under it. I sit down and decide to send out a text. It’s late and I don’t need to wake them.
A: I’m sitting at the hospital waiting on the birth of Brea and Vincent’s baby. I realize how important family is and how much I love and miss you and Uncle Raùl. I may not tell you often enough, but I do. Brea’s family and Sara’s Mom all flew in for the birth. Being surrounded by their family makes me happy and sad. I’m happy for them, but sad for me. I have so few family members here in the states and I never get to see them. I’m feeling sorry for myself. I’m sorry. The beach house is sitting empty, so anytime you’re ready to visit, it’s there. I love you both.
I hear a noise and look up to see Mason standing in front of me. I wipe the tears away from my cheek with the back of my hand; I didn’t realize I was even crying. Mason doesn’t say anything, but he sits beside me. He lifts me up and sets me on his lap. I bury my face in his neck and inhale deeply.
He leans back and looks at me, “Did you just sniff me?” He laughs.
I wipe my eyes and nose with the backs of my hands. “No, my nose is running,” I lie.
I bury my face in his neck again and take another deep breath. He smells like his signature scent, spice and sandalwood. He smells like home, comfort, and love. This is a smell that will always comfort me. I swear, I could inhale him all day.
Mason rocks me and doesn’t say anything. He kisses the top of my head and leaves his mouth there. He inhales deeply. We sit in the loveseat at the end of the hall in silence.
My phone chimes that I have a text. I look around and see that it is now daylight. I look at the clock on the wall: 8:14 a.m. I reach for my phone, realizing I had fallen asleep. I check my phone while still sitting on Mason’s lap and it’s from my Aunt Maria.
Starting Over Trilogy Boxset Page 45