“Stephen?” she asked him. “Hey” he said getting up immediately. “What happened?” she asked him. “You got up from dinner and passed out” he told her. “Is the baby okay?” she asked worried. “The baby is fine it’s you were worried about.”
“What do you mean?” she asked him. “Doctor Rivers told me you have preeclampsia” he told her. Shelby gasped and he noticed her heartbeat speeding. “Calm down Shelby it’s alright” he told her soothingly. “How can it be alright? The one thing I didn’t want to happen is happening” she told him crying. “Getting upset is not helping anything. As long as your blood pressure stays down you should be alright.”
“What if it doesn’t want to stay down?” she asked him. “Then they would have to deliver the baby” he told her sadly. Shelby started to shake and sob and Stephen held onto her. “I’m scared” she whispered to him. He wanted to tell her he was terrified also but he knew she didn’t need to hear that. “I know but I am here and I won’t let anything happen to you or our baby. We just have to have a positive outlook and hope and pray for the best” he told her kissing her gently on the lips. The door suddenly opened to show John and Samantha walking in.
“Hey you’re awake” John told his daughter. “Hey daddy” she said wiping her tears. “Are you okay?” Samantha asked her. “I am just worried” she said biting her lip. “Well we just have to keep our trust in God that he is going to protect you and this baby” John told her. They sat around for the next few hours talking and things seemed to be going okay. Her blood pressure was staying down and things were looking good.
“How about you go get something to eat” Shelby told Stephen. “I am fine” he told her. By that time Madison and Samuel had made it and she looked at them. “Will you please take him to eat something? I wanted to talk to Samantha alone anyways” she said smiling. “Come on let’s give them some time” Samuel said smiling. “Fine but if anything happens you call me” he told Samantha. “I will” she told him. Stephen gave Shelby a kiss and left the room. “Did you really need to talk to someone or did you just want him to get something to eat?”
“A little of both” Shelby said smiling. “What did you want to talk about?” she asked her. “I love your brother so much but if something was to happen to me I don’t know how well he would do. I want you to promise me something.”
“What is it?” Samantha asked her. “Please promise me that you would make sure he was in our daughter’s life. I know he would be so sad but Hannah needs her dad” she told her. “Hannah?” Samantha asked her. “Stephen and I discussed names when we found out she was a girl. We want to name our daughter Hannah Mae Matthews.”
“It’s beautiful” Samantha said with tears in her eyes. “Thanks” she told her. “How did you come up with her middle name?”
“It’s my Grandmother Paige’s middle name. She had a big deal to do with us getting together also” she told her. “I love the name I think it will suit her, but I need you to promise me something.”
“What is it?” Shelby asked her. “You have to promise me that you will make it. This little girl needs her mother, but more than that Stephen will need you. He loves you so much and I don’t want to think about how he would be if he lost you Shelby.” Shelby looked down for a long time and finally looked up at her with tears in her eyes. “I promise that I will try my very best to make it. I hope you know that I love Stephen just as much” she told her. A few minutes later Stephen walked in holding a cup.
“What do you have in there?” Shelby asked suspicious. “Well I just happened to call your brother as soon as I left the room and he just happened to make you a chocolate shake. He was sorry he couldn’t stay but he said he would come and see you tonight.”
“I think I am in heaven. Hand over the shake and no one has to get hurt” she told him laughing. He smiled at her and handed it over. She closed her eyes as she drank from it. “This is so good” Shelby said smiling. “I have to say I am pretty jealous that my own son didn’t bring me one John told her entering the room with Madison and Samuel. “I always have been his favorite” Shelby told him smiling while they all laughed.
They all stayed off and on through the afternoon and a few hours later Cody showed up and told Stephen to go eat dinner with his family. Paige and Cliff had arrived a few hours earlier and spoke to them. John had taken them to dinner and the house and was going to come back later.
“I will be back” Stephen told her. “How are you doing?” Cody asked when the door closed. “I am alright” she told him. “Come on this is me you’re talking too” Cody told her squeezing her hand. “I am scared” she told him crying. “I know you are sweetheart. We are all praying for you and I know how much you’re looking forward to being a mom. I know that you’re both going to be great parents. How is Stephen doing?” he asked her.
“I think he is holding a lot in and that concerns me with his PTSD.” “Don’t worry about him we will all keep an eye on him for you.”
“Thanks” she told him. “Tell me something funny so I can laugh” she told him. “Well Haley cooked dinner last night. She made a meatloaf and she was thinking about other things and instead of putting in garlic powder she put in red pepper” he told her laughing. “Oh no what happened?”
“I could only take one bite. Even our dog wouldn’t eat it” he said and they both laughed. “Thank you for that” she told him. “I would do anything for you. I love you Shelby.”
“I love you two Cody” she said giving him a hug.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
John walked in to the room and had tears in his eyes to see his children hugging. He just prayed everything would be alright. “Hey dad” Shelby said to him smiling. “Hey, are you okay?” he asked her. “I am alright” she told him smiling. “I was just telling her about the meatloaf last night.” John chuckled at that. “I don’t think I have laughed so hard in a long time” John told them. “Where is Stephen at?” Shelby asked him. “I hope you don’t mind but we talked him into going home and getting a shower and changing clothes.”
“Thank you for that dad. I know he wouldn’t have left if I would have asked him.” Cody stayed for a few more minutes and then he left. When the door shut Shelby looked over at her dad. He looked exhausted to her. “Why don’t you go home dad?”
“I am sure that Stephen will be back soon and I will be alright.”
“I am fine” he told her. “You don’t look fine you look exhausted.”
“I can sleep later I will have to leave in a while anyways to pick up your grandmother. She wanted to take a shift staying with you. Samantha also talked to Madison and Samuel and they are headed here soon. They are concerned for you also. I know you don’t know them very well but they seem like lovely people” he told her.
“They enjoy it in Florida but his mom tries to call and talk to us once a week” she said smiling. “How are things going with Sara?” she asked him. “I was afraid when we first started to date that things wouldn’t work out.”
“Why not?” Shelby asked concerned. “I had not been on a date in over twenty years. I was afraid she would get tired of me but she hasn’t yet.”
“Dad I just want you to know that I am so happy that you have found someone again. I know that mom wouldn’t want you to be miserable for the rest of your life.”
“I know that now but it was hard to think of starting over with someone else” he told her. “I also want you to know that I think the world of Sara and I think mom would also.”
“It’s funny that you should say that. Sara told me that your mom was always nice to her in school even though they weren’t friends.”
“I don’t think it’s funny at all. Mom has always been like that” she told him. “I guess that you’re right. I just wish that she could have been here to see you get married and have a baby.”
“She may not be here but I am sure that she is looking down on us” Shelby told him. “I am sure that you are right about that” he told her smiling. A few min
utes later Stephen came back and John decided to go home for the night. He knew they needed some time alone. Over the next week Shelby remained the same but couldn’t talk Stephen out of leaving her. She knew he was as terrified as she was over what could happen. They were watching television one evening when Shelby gasped.
“What is it baby?” Stephen asked worried. Shelby lifted the sheet and look. The sheets were wet. “Stephen get a doctor in here now” she yelled. Stephen ran for the door and a nurse came in. Shelby was shaking and tears were running down her face. “Just calm down sweetheart the Doctor is coming” the nurse told her. Doctor Rivers rushed inside and went to check her. “It’s too soon” Shelby said crying. The Doctor looked at the machines beeping and seen that Shelby’s blood pressure was elevated. “I need for you to calm down. Your blood pressure is high, and your water just broke. I need to check you and see if we need to deliver.”
“Look at me” Stephen told her sternly. “You’re going to take a deep breath and let it out. We have made it through this far and nothing bad is going to happen. I love you so much and you’re going to be fine” he told her caressing her cheek. “Okay” she whispered to him.
“Alright Shelby I am sorry but I am going to have to deliver the baby. It will take about thirty minutes for us to get the room ready. After that we will roll you on back and I will do a C-section. You will not feel any pain but just some pressure as I am taking the baby out. It is all going to be alright. You just need to trust us” he asked her. “Alright” she said crying. After he left Stephen sat on the bed with her. “Tell me what you need?” he asked her. “Can you call our family?” she asked him. “Done” he told her and got his phone out. Ten minutes later everyone arrived in the room.
“The nurse told us we can only stay a few minutes” John told them. “How are you doing?” Sara asked her. “I am scared” she told her. Sara came over and gave her a hug. “We are all praying for you and this precious baby” she told her with tears in her eyes. “Hey you” Samantha said coming over. “I love you two and you’re going to be just fine.” One by one they left until it was just Stephen and her dad. “I want you to listen to me Shelby. Your one of the strongest women I know. You’re going to be just fine and you will have your little family with you before you know it” he told her. “Thanks dad” she told him and gave him a hug. “Alright we are going to wheel you back while your husband changes into his clothes for the room. I will come and get you in about five minutes.”
“Alright” he told her and looked at his wife. “I will see you real soon” he told her. “I love you Stephen” she told him. “I love you two baby and we are going to be just fine” he told her kissing her on the forehead. As soon as she left he broke down and tears before taking a deep breath and getting changed. A few minutes later a nurse came to get him to take him to the operating room.
“Here is your seat” she told him and he seen a sheet hanging up where they couldn’t see her stomach. “Hey sweetheart” he said kissing her cheek. “Hey” she said shakily. “How are you doing?” he asked her. “Nervous” she said laughing. “Join the party” he joked laughing with her. “Alright Shelby I am going to start. You should not feel any pain just some pressure. If you start to feel any pain at all you need to let us know” he told her. “Alright” she told him. Shelby turned her head to look at Stephen and he caressed her cheek smiling. A few minutes later Shelby cringed and tears fell.
“Is it hurting?” Stephen asked worried. “I just feel a lot of pressure” she told him. “We are almost done” Doctor Rivers told them. A few minutes later they heard a loud cry and they both gasped. Stephen couldn’t help himself and stood up to look at her. “Congratulations you have a beautiful baby girl” the doctor told him. Stephen couldn’t help it as the tears started to pour down. “Doctor there is a problem” the anesthesiologist said. Stephen turned back to see Shelby had her eyes shut. “What is wrong?” he yelled. “We need you to step outside a minute” the Doctor told him. “What is going on?” he asked again. A nurse directed him outside. “We will let you know soon” she said and walked back in. Stephen started to pace until a few minutes later when the doctor came out.
“What is going on?” Stephen demanded. “Shelby has been under a lot of stress the last few weeks and I think she just gave out.”
“Is she dead?” he asked brokenly. “No of course not” Doctor Rivers said. “I think she was just exhausted and passed out on the table. I have given her a sedative so she might be out for a few hours. As for the baby she came early so she is small. She is only five pounds but has a set of lungs on her” he said laughing.
“Why don’t you go out to tell your family and I will come get you when we get her set up in NICU. We have to keep her in there to make sure everything is alright.”
“One more question” the nurse asked Stephen. “What is it?” he asked her. “Did you two pick out a name yet?”
“Yes her name is Hannah Mae Matthews” he said proudly. “It sounds like a strong name for a strong little girl.”
“I hope you right” Stephen told them.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Out in the waiting room John was pacing back and forth. “Why don’t you try to sit down dad?” Cody told him. “I can’t sit, what if something happens in there?” he asked him. A little while later Stephen walked through with tears in his eyes. “Stephen” his sister said standing up. “What happened?” John asked him. “You’re a grandpa” he told John smiling. Everyone started to cheer and hug him.
“How is Shelby?” Sara asked concerned. “Right after she delivered the doctor thought there was a problem but she had just passed out from exhaustion. They gave her a sedative on top of that so they could finish up with her in the waiting room.”
“What is the baby’s name?” Haley asked him. “Our daughter’s name is Hannah Mae Matthews” he said proudly. “I love it” John told him with tears in his eyes. We both felt like Hannah was fitting and we picked Mae because that is Paige’s middle name.”
“I am sure mom will love it. I called them as soon as they took her back and mom and Cliff are on their way from the house.”
“Shelby will like that” Stephen told them. “When can we see the baby?” Samantha asked excitedly. “Well because she is a month early they had to put her in NICU. She only weighs five pounds. They told me that they would come out to get me in a few minutes and I could bring her over to the window to show you guys.” A few minutes later the nurse came out.
“Are you ready to see your daughter?” she asked Stephen. “More than ready” he told her. “If you will follow me I will get you ready and come get the rest of you guys in a few minutes.” Stephen walked into the room and heard a lot of crying babies. “Here we go” she said coming over to an incubator. “She has to wear this wire around her nose to give her oxygen. At this stage their lungs are not fully developed yet.” The nurse placed her in his hands and showed him how to hold her. “You’re a natural” she told him smiling. “I will go get the rest of the family.” After the nurse left Stephen looked on at his precious daughter with tears falling down his face.
“Hey sweetheart I am your daddy” he told her rocking her back and forth. She held onto one of his hands as he spoke to her completely mesmerized. “You will meet your mommy soon. You wore her out trying to get here” he told her. There was a knock on the window and he seen his family and friends standing there smiling. Stephen brought her over to the window so they could get pictures. A few minutes later a nurse came in.
“We need to get her back to the bed and you will be able to see her soon” she told him. “Alright” he said kissing her forehead. “I will see you real soon Hannah” he told her. As he put her down Hannah began to cry and it broke his heart. “I am sure she is hungry” the nurse assured him as he left. When he got out in the hall a nurse told him he could go in to see Shelby. “She should be waking up pretty soon.” “Thank you” he told her and walked to the room. When he entered he went over to the bed a
nd took Shelby’s hand in his. A few minutes later her eyelashes fluttered and she opened her eyes.
“Hey sweetheart” Stephen told her. “Hey” she said smiling. “Where is our daughter?” she asked worried. “She had to be put in NICU for a few days since she is so little.”
“How little is she?” Shelby asked him. “She is only five pounds” he told her. “I got to go in and hold her a little earlier.”
“Really?” she asked smiling. “Yes she is absolutely beautiful. She cried when they had to take her from me” he said with tears in his eyes. “What is it?” Shelby asked him. “I am so sorry” he told her. “For what?” Shelby asked confused.
“I didn’t want anything to do with her when I found out you were pregnant. I was so afraid that something would happen to either one of you and I didn’t think I could go through that again. Then when they put her in my arms I knew that I couldn’t be happier to be her father” he said with tears coming down. “You don’t have anything to apologize about. I know that you were scared and you had every right to be. She is such a blessing and I can’t wait to see her” Shelby said smiling. A few minutes later the door opened and they rolled in a bassinet.
“I have a little girl in here who wants to meet her mommy” Doctor Rivers said grinning. Shelby smiled at him and opened her arms. The doctor put the baby in her arms and Hannah cooed at her. “Hello sweet Hannah” she told her smiling. “You sure know how to make an entrance” she told her laughing. Hannah seemed just as mesmerized by her mother as she was her father. “How is she doing?” Stephen asked the Doctor. “Well we will want to keep her in NICU a few days but she is looking great. She is just small and her lungs aren’t developed completely yet” he told them.
The Decision Page 13