“I told my mother about your accident.”
Simeon’s brows lifted. “So, that’s why they were so pleasant towards me.”
“No, they are very kind anyway. My parents always give people the benefit of the doubt.”
Simeon smiled. “That might be true, but I got the feeling that your father could be a bear when it comes to his girls. He actually told me as much.” Simeon chuckled.
Jennifer could only imagine how her father reacted to Simeon. She was just proud of Simeon for going over there alone. “But, you said that everything went well.” Jennifer wanted to know.
“Yes,” he said rubbing her arm. “They were very warm and receptive of me.”
Simeon brought them both up to a sitting position. “I forgot to tell you that I invited everyone out tomorrow afternoon to Millennium Park for ice skating.”
“Everyone?”
“Yes, I invited my family and yours. Of course my parents won’t be here until next week, closer to Christmas.”
“Ice skating on a Sunday afternoon and my parents agreed?”
“They sure did, thought it would be an adventure.”
Jennifer shook her head. “I haven’t been ice skating since I was a teenager.”
Simeon kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry, love, I’ll be there. I’ve been ice skating since I was a boy. I actually played on a hockey team for a while.”
Knowing that the entire family would be hanging out, having a good time together made Jennifer smile. The McClendons always knew how to have fun and she couldn’t wait to meet Simeon’s brother and his family. She was excited about the great times and lasting memories they were about to make together.
Chapter Twenty-One
On Sunday afternoon the McClendons and the Bakers all came out to Millennium Park to ice skate. The popular rink was located on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Madison Streets. Most of them watched while others got on the ice.
Jennifer and Simeon made the necessary introductions of their relatives as each arrived. Charlie and his three teenagers arrived on time, followed by Jennifer’s sisters, Faith, Patrice and Renee. Russell and Myra were the last to show up minutes later.
Jennifer was leery about putting on the skates, but Simeon talked her into it. They went to the booth to rent skates for everyone.
Because of the holiday season, there were lots of people already out there, gliding and twirling on the ice. “Jingle Bell Rock” played through the loudspeakers hanging on the lampposts. Decorative wreaths adorned the nearby building with the trees nearby sprinkled with colorful lights.
The weather wasn’t unbearable although it was December in Chicago. The rink was surrounded by the best skyline views of the downtown area.
The minute Jennifer stepped on the frozen floor she went sideways. She hadn’t been on skates in so long she forgot how. Simeon swooped right behind her, his arms around her waist to help steady her.
“You scared me,” she said, squeezing his left hand around her waist.
“I didn’t want you to fall,” Simeon said, chuckling.
“Where are Micah and Mariah?” Jennifer wanted to know.
“They’re over there with your parents,” Simeon said, pointing in their direction.
He snuggled against her neck, drawing her closer. If she didn’t fall for being off balance, she’d surely fall swooning over Simeon. She tried to watch his feet as he moved, but nothing worked.
Jennifer could feel herself slipping. “I think I’d better get off the ice, Simeon.”
He held her as close to his side as he could. “Why? You’re doing a good job. See, we’ve almost gone all the way around.”
Simeon gradually let go of her and she went a few feet, then her skates were going every which way. Jennifer didn’t trust herself because as soon as he let go of her, she would probably end up on the ground. Nope, she knew that she needed to get her behind off the ice and sit it down somewhere. For her, ice skating would be a spectator’s sport.
By the time they’d gotten to the place where she could leave, she grabbed his hand. “This is where I get off, Simeon.”
“You’re not going to fall. I promise.”
“No, I’m getting off.”
He released her and kept going around the rink. She watched how he glided effortlessly on his skates.
Jennifer made it back to where her mother and father were sitting with Micah and Mariah.
“Mom, are you going to get out there?” she asked, picking up Mariah from her mother’s lap.
Myra smiled. “I think your daddy and I will give it a twirl.”
“Okay, don’t break any bones,” Patrice said. “I’m not trying to spend the rest of the afternoon in the emergency room.”
Myra waved her hand at the girls. She reached out to Russell and he handed Micah to Patrice before grabbing his wife’s hand and making their way to the ice.
Patrice leaned over and said, “Watch one of them fall on their behinds. It won’t be a pretty sight.”
“I don’t see you with any skates on, Treecie,” Renee commented.
“Show you right because I know that I would tear my behind up out there. So, I’ll stay right here, thank you,” Patrice responded. Turning to Jennifer, Patrice said, “I’ve got to tell you, sissy, that Simeon is a cutie pie.”
Renee bent forward and said, “I second that.”
They all chuckled and continued to watch their relatives on the frozen floor until Simeon came over. “I think I want to take Mariah out.”
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea, Simeon,” Jennifer said, looking down at Mariah’s red cheeks.
Simeon lifted her from Jennifer’s lap. “She’ll be fine.”
“Please be careful with her, Simeon,” Jennifer warned.
“Don’t worry, love, I’ll be careful.” He kissed Mariah’s forehead. “I don’t want anything to happen to my little sweet pea.”
Jennifer was really nervous about the twins getting out there, but watching Simeon with their daughter she realized Mariah was in good hands. She was glad that he was smart enough not to take Micah too.
Faith patted Jennifer’s thigh. “Hey, why don’t we go and take some photos by the ‘bean’.”
“That’s a great idea.” Renee stood to her feet.
“I’m holding Micah,” Patrice said.
Faith lifted him out of Patrice’s arms. “Treecie, come on, girl, let’s go over there. This way we won’t freeze just sitting out here,” she looked at Micah. “Isn’t that right, sweetie? Tell your aunt Treecie to get her butt in gear.”
Everyone laughed when Micah started clapping his mitten-covered hands.
“Ha, ha,” Patrice said.
They walked over to the giant silver bean-shaped structure. The Cloud Gate, also known as the bean because of its shape, was a highly polished stainless steel structure by Anish Kapoor. It was constructed between 2004 and 2006 and was Chicago’s second-largest tourist attraction behind Navy Pier.
Jennifer found that it was so much larger than in photos she’d seen.
“Come on you guys and get together,” Faith said.
“You sure are excited,” Patrice commented, taking Micah away from Faith. “I think some of your fiancé’s love for photography has rubbed off on you.”
“This is going to be fun,” Faith said, looking through the window of her digital camera.
Jennifer, Patrice, Renee and little Micah were snuggled up together. Jennifer wanted Faith to be in the photo as well, but they needed someone to take the picture. There were groups of people all around taking their own shots against the famous Chicago structure.
A woman and her two sons were nearby and came over.
“Would you like for me to take the picture for you, so that you can join your family?” she asked Faith.
�
��Would you mind?”
“Oh no, it would be my pleasure,” the woman said, smiling genuinely.
Faith hurried over and they all huddled together, each of them making their own funny face. Patrice showed Micah how to scrunch up his nose for the photo. Jennifer was having a great time, but she was still concerned about Mariah ice-skating.
“Stop worrying, she’s with her father,” Faith leaned over and whispered to Jennifer.
She knew that Simeon would take care of their daughter, but she just couldn’t help herself.
They all thanked the woman for helping them, then started taking their own random photos and a few selfies with their cell phones while Faith continued to use the digital camera. They took silly pictures of their reflections in the bean, the skyline and other interesting views of the city through the bean.
Jennifer took Micah away from Patrice and snuggled against his little face. “Oh, he’s so cold. I think it’s time to go and find the rest of the crew. Some hot chocolate or something will warm us up.”
They headed back to the ice rink and spotted their mother and father still gliding around. They all stood watching them for several moments before anyone spoke. “We were trying to talk about Momma and look at her. You’d think she was a teenager the way she’s moving,” Renee commented, flipping her hood over her head.
“Yep, and Daddy’s right with her. I didn’t know that they could skate like that,” Patrice said.
Jennifer took her time scanning the crowd for Simeon and Mariah. They’d been out there long enough in her opinion and she wanted to get her baby warmed up. She finally noticed Simeon, dressed in his long black winter coat that complimented him perfectly, seeming to float across the cold floor of the rink.
He took his time showing his daughter how to skate, making sure she didn’t fall. And Mariah squealed with excitement and joy, holding on to her father for dear life.
She turned to her sister. “Faith, look at my baby. She’s having the time of her life with her daddy.”
“Looks like she’s going to be a daddy’s girl,” Faith commented.
As they continued to watch Simeon and Mariah, Jennifer noticed that something wasn’t right with him. Simeon headed in her direction, so she moved forward quickly, meeting him at the opening.
He handed her Mariah and continued on until he could sit down. Jennifer handed Mariah to Faith and rushed to his side to find out the problem. “What is it?” She hunched down next to the chair, patting him on his thigh.
“I’m okay,” he said, turning to look in her direction.
“Really? You don’t look like it,” Jennifer said.
Simeon kissed her on the forehead. “Yes, love, I’m really okay. Don’t you worry. I think I’ve had enough.”
Jennifer saw Simeon’s brother headed in their direction as well. “Now, tell your brother what you told me. I wonder if he will believe you.”
“What’s going on?” Charlie asked when he approached Simeon.
Simeon waved. “It’s nothing. I think I just stayed out there too long.”
“Well then let’s go and get something hot to drink to warm you up,” Charlie suggested.
By that time her parents had come over and everyone in their party was accounted for.
“How about everyone come over to our house and the girls and I will whip up some dinner and something warm to drink,” Myra offered.
Jennifer, still at Simeon’s side, continued to be concerned. Leaning closer to him, she asked. “What do you think? Are you up to it?”
“I’m fine, Jenn. I keep telling you that.”
Jennifer stood to her feet. “Okay, then let’s go.” She looked around for her sisters who had the twins. “Where did Faith and Patrice go?”
Renee pulled out her phone. “Let me call them and tell them that we’re going over to Mom’s.”
“They’ve got to bring my babies to me. They don’t have any car seats in their cars.”
Renee went to Jennifer and hugged her. “He said that he’s okay. It will be all right, Jenn.”
Jennifer looked at her sister, shaking her head, and smiled. “I know, I think I’m just cold.”
When she got to her van, her sisters were waiting with the twins. After making sure they were secure, she got behind the wheel and started the engine. Jennifer didn’t need anyone to tell her that something was wrong with Simeon. She knew it in her heart. She didn’t know exactly what it was, but something was off with him.
Everyone gathered at Russell and Myra’s house except for Charlie and his children because his in-laws were coming for Sunday dinner. He promised to see everyone again soon.
With Patrice’s help, Jennifer took the twins to the nursery that their parents had for the twins. They wanted to get them cleaned up before bringing them back down to feed them.
Jennifer put the children in their high chairs and asked Patrice to stay with them. She needed to go down to the family room to check on Simeon. He had allowed her to drive them over to the house, which was odd. He always drove them wherever they went.
She descended the stairs and immediately spotted him sitting on the sofa, his head back and feet stretched out in front of him.
As she approached him, she saw that his eyes were closed, but he had beads of sweat going across his forehead. Maybe he was coming down with something, but she wanted to find out from him how he was feeling.
“Simeon,” she said, squatting down in front of him.
He barely opened his eyes. “Yes.”
“Are you okay?”
“I don’t think so, Jenn.”
Jennifer stood and placed the back of her hand on his forehead. He was burning up.
“Simeon, you have a fever. Is your stomach upset?” She had no idea what was happening, but they needed to do something about it and quick.
“No, but I feel dizzy and disoriented when I hold my head up.” Simeon gestured to rise up, but Jennifer stopped him.
She helped him rest his back against the cushions on the couch. “No, don’t try to move, I’m going to call an ambulance.”
Exhaling loudly to help calm her nerves, Jennifer grabbed the cordless phone from the base on the end table, quickly dialing 911. She gave them the address of the house and the symptoms he was having.
“Can you tell me where it hurts?” she asked, but he didn’t respond and his eyes were still closed, so she asked him again.
“Simeon, baby, can you hear me?” Jennifer asked as fear suddenly gripped her.
“I’ve got a terrible headache,” he whispered, his eyes closed.
Her heart pounded and she had no idea what to do. “Daddy!” Jennifer screamed.
Her father happened to be coming down the stairs when she yelled out and he raced over to her.
“Daddy, please help him,” Jennifer said, yanking the phone from the floor, with her hand hovering over the emergency button.
Russell, a retired fire chief, dropped to his knees next to Simeon so that he could see what was going on. Jennifer stood next to him with the phone in her hand. “He seems to be going in and out of consciousness, Daddy. I think I need to call 911 again.”
Russell reached up and covered Jennifer’s hand. “No, sweetie, they’ve got the information and will be here any minute.” He rubbed her back. “You just keep talking to him until they get here,” her father said calmly, as he lifted Simeon’s eyelids.
“His pupils are constrictive and dilated,” Russell said.
“Where is that damn ambulance,” Jennifer screamed, causing Simeon’s eyes to jerk open.
Russell stood behind her. “They should be here any minute, baby, don’t worry.”
“You just told me that, Daddy. Where are they?” Her voice filled with anxiety. She wanted to go outside and look out for them, but she didn’t want to leave Simeon.
As s
econds ticked away, Jennifer reached out to touch his cheek, which now had a cold and clammy feel. This really was an emergency and she prayed they would get there in time.
Faintly in the distance, Jennifer could hear the blaring sirens as they got closer.
“They’re here, baby, they’re here,” Jennifer said to Simeon, but his eyes were still closed.
She knew that he was alive because she could see his heartbeat in his throat and his pulse as she held his hand.
“It’s about time. It seemed like it took them forever, but they’re here now, baby,” she said to Simeon, trying to keep him as lucid as she could.
The man and woman EMT crew rushed downstairs as fast as they could with the empty stretcher. The blonde-haired woman carried a large black bag on her shoulders that she dropped directly in front of Simeon. She rummaged through it then pulled out a stethoscope, so that she could listen to Simeon’s heart, lungs and other vitals.
Jennifer moved over to the side, out of the way, so they could do their job. The dark-haired man was preparing the gurney for Simeon.
“Ma’am, can you tell me how long he’s been having these headaches?” the woman asked Jennifer.
Jennifer wanted to answer their question, but thought it better to get Simeon to the hospital as fast as they could. She could answer questions later.
“Can’t you ask me these questions on our way to the hospital?”
“No, ma’am, we have to assess his condition, stabilize him and let the hospital know what’s going on,” the woman answered. “They need a plan to treat him when he gets there.”
Jennifer glanced down at Simeon’s ashen and lifeless face, which scared the hell out of her. “He was complaining about having a terrible headache earlier, but he’s been having problems for the last couple of days,” Jennifer responded. She had no idea what she should or shouldn’t say, so she told them what she knew.
The woman put an oxygen mask over Simeon’s mouth and nose. Jennifer thought she was going to lose it. Her man was really in trouble and she was standing right there, helpless.
After listening to the instructions from someone from the hospital the EMTs gave them an update.
The Christmas Promise Page 20