“So what took you so long?” Monet mockingly rolled her eyes at her friend. “I thought I was going to have Faith by myself. What happened to all that support you talked about, girl?”
“You didn’t tell me last night when I talked to you that you were having contractions, so I didn’t know that my god baby was going to make her appearance today. How are you feeling? How far apart are your contractions, and have you been utilizing your breathing exercises?”
“Here comes another one.” Monet began panting until the contraction passed. Her hair was matted against her head.
“Don’t forget to take a deep cleansing breath when the contraction is over,” Liz instructed, as she held tight to her friend’s hand. Monet complied with her directive.
Dr. Riddell returned to the room. “How are we doing, Mother?”
“I think the contractions have sped up,” Monet informed the doctor, after she relaxed against the pillows.
“I’ll check. You had dilated five centimeters when you arrived here. Let’s see where you are now.”
Liz stepped away from the bed to give Monet and the doctor privacy. After the doctor finished the pelvic examination, she informed Monet, “You’re almost nine centimeters. It won’t be long now. Are you sure you don’t want anything for the pain?”
Monet rocked back and forth as waves of pain rode her body. When she was able to talk, she told the doctor, “I’m good. I can do this without medication.”
“Okay, I’ll be back in a minute. You’re aware the birth takes place in this room, so I’ll send Nurse Murphy in to finish preparing the room.” Monet nodded and Dr. Riddell left the room.
Liz walked back over to the bed. “Marcus is in the building. Do you want me to have him come up?”
“No, Lizzie, this is something I’ll have to do on my own, along with you. I’m cool with it.”
Liz smoothed back Monet’s hair. “Okay, sister, let’s do this.” She looked at her watch and held Monet’s hand. “We’re almost there.”
Nurse Murphy bustled about the room preparing for the birth and placing instruments on a silver tray near the end of the bed for the doctor. Monet’s bed had been converted into a birthing table. The nurse pushed a stool across the room and positioned it at the bottom of the bed.
When Dr. Riddle returned to the room, Monet felt pain like she’d never endured before, and she wanted to push badly. Liz urged her to find her focal point and concentrate on it like they’d been instructed to do in Lamaze classes.
Nurse Murphy eased the stirrups up, and she and Liz helped Monet slide down to the edge of the table. Everyone was covered with gowns and masks, so only their eyes were showing.
“Okay, Monet, you can start pushing during the next contraction. The baby’s heartbeat is steady, and I’m getting a good reading from the monitor. Okay, a contraction is coming, Monet. Go ahead and push,” Dr. Riddell instructed, sitting on the stool.
“Another contraction is coming,” Liz shouted elatedly. “Push, Monet!” she urged, and then winced because her hand felt like it was inside a vise from Monet squeezing it.
Monet’s gown was damp. She looked tired and drained like she’d gone through a wringer. Perspiration coated her forehead, it was dripping, and her hair was matted to her head. As she pushed, the muscles from her neck bulged. She leaned against the pillows tiredly. Dr Riddell encouraged her to push again because the baby’s head was crowning. Monet took a deep breath, reached deep within herself, and pushed with all her might.
Duane, Derek, and Aron were in the second floor waiting room, avidly awaiting word from Liz about the baby’s arrival. Duane told Derek that he was glad he made it to the hospital in time.
Marcus and Wade were still on the first floor in the waiting room. Wade had talked Marcus out of leaving the hospital. Marcus had gotten out of his seat and paced the floor for what seemed like a thousand times. Finally he sat down in the seat next to Wade and tapped his foot on the tiled floor.
Wade leaned over to Marcus and said, “You know she’s going to be fine, don’t you?” It was almost comical to Wade to see his friend behaving like a nervous father-to-be. Wade felt good that Marcus was worried about his wife.
“Why is it taking so long?” Marcus complained. “You don’t think anything happened to Monet, do you?”
“No, I don’t think anything has happened to Monet. Childbirth is hard work, and babies seem to have a mind of their own as to when they’re ready to face the world. Some of them take their time.”
Marcus cut his eyes at Wade and his body quivered. His feet did another tap dance on the tiled floor.
“You know you could make this easy on yourself; we could go upstairs and see what’s going on and not wait for Liz to call us. I don’t think your folks are going to remember to come down here and give us the news. Liz will eventually. Still, it’s going to take her awhile,” Wade said.
“I feel like I’ve been here forever,” Marcus commented. He drummed his fingers on the wooden arms on the chair.
“Why don’t we go outside for a minute and get some air? Maybe by the time we return, there will be some news.”
Marcus stood up and stretched his body. “That sounds good to me.”
Wade rose from his seat and the two of them went outside.
“See how things worked out? You were so obstinate about how you wouldn’t be at the hospital for the birth and here you are.” Wade ribbed his friend.
“Yeah, yeah.” Marcus held up his hands, shrugging off his friend’s comment. He knew that Wade was going to have jokes.
They watched the cars pass by on Ninety-fifth Street. The temperature was mild, and the sun shone brightly from the azure sky. The wail from an oncoming ambulance could be heard in the distance, and soon the vehicle pulled up in front of the Emergency Room.
“You know that everything is going to work out just fine, don’t you?” Wade asked, with a matter-of-fact tone in his voice.
“I don’t know anything except I was suspended from active duty yesterday. I’m sure by now that you’re aware of that. Then I go home this morning after turning in my gun to find Monet passed out on the stairs. So far this has been one of those days. Now, I’m here at the hospital waiting for the rapist’s child to be born. What else could happen?” Marcus rubbed the area between his eyes.
“You’ve made it thus far by the grace of God. So count your blessings, Marc,” Wade advised. “Trouble doesn’t last always. You’ll look back on this day one day and see things differently,” he promised.
“It won’t be anytime soon,” Marcus griped as he looked at his watch. “I guess we can go back inside.”
They went back inside the hospital, and Wade suggested they go to the gift shop to purchase balloons and flowers for Monet. They walked down the hallway and took a left and walked inside the store. Wade picked up two balloons, a blue and green one with hearts and a baby lamb that had Bundle Of Joy written on it, and the other one was pink with bottles on it, and it read, It’s A Baby Girl.
“Don’t you think you’re a bit premature with the girl balloon?” Marcus pointed at the Mylar balloon. “We don’t know what Monet had yet.”
“If Nay-Nay says that her baby is a girl, then I believe her,” Wade answered steadfastly. “She’s usually right about these things. Do you remember how she told Liz and me what sex our babies were, and she was right on the money?” Wade pulled out his wallet and handed the cashier his credit card.
Marcus’s eyes roamed around the shop until they landed on a Blessed Baby Basket. Inside the basket, nestled in wrapping paper, was a teddy bear, a receiving blanket, bibs, teething rings and lap pad. The items inside the basket were pink, blue and yellow, and the basket was encircled by a beautiful pink ribbon tied in a bow.
He knew Monet would love the basket, although she didn’t need another item. The nursery was overflowing with gifts. He picked up the basket and swore he could smell the fresh scent of baby powder.
Wade smiled at Marcus as he held the b
asket clumsily in his hand. He knew God was melting his friend’s heart, and that Marcus was returning to himself. “That looks nice. Are you thinking about buying that?”
Marcus put the basket in his other hand and paused indecisively. “I guess so.” He pulled out his credit card and told the cashier, “I’d like a dozen red roses to go along with the basket.”
Wade nodded his head. His cell phone vibrated in his jacket pocket. He pulled the phone out and looked at the screen. “I got a 411 from Liz. Monet has had the baby. Let’s go upstairs and see what’s going on,” he said.
Marcus took the basket from the cashier, and she told him the flowers would be delivered to Monet’s room shortly. “Sir, what room should they be delivered to?”
“The patient’s name is Monet Caldwell,” he said.
“Okay, I can look her room number up on the computer,” the cashier said as she began typing.
The men left the shop and weaved around bodies in the busy hospital as they walked toward the elevator.
“What are you going to do, Marcus?” Wade asked, as he held the balloons in his hand.
“Give me a few minutes, and then I’ll be up,” Marcus answered. His brow furrowed as he tried to control his emotions.
Wade patted Marcus on the shoulder with his free hand. “Okay, but don’t make me have to come looking for you.” The elevator door opened and Wade went inside.
Chapter 32
Wade hurried off the elevator on the second floor, walked down the hallway, and took a right turn. He stopped at the nurse’s station and asked what room Monet was in. The nurse replied room 215, and gave him directions on which way to go.
Before he could turn the corner, he saw Liz walking toward him. She sped up her steps when she saw her husband.
“How is Monet doing? She had a girl like she said she would, didn’t she?” Wade asked, as they walked toward Monet’s room.
“Was there ever any doubt?” Liz asked. “Her name is Faith Imani, she weighed seven pounds and ten ounces, and she’s twenty-two inches long. Mother and daughter are doing fine. Where’s Marcus?” She looked behind her husband.
“I’m glad Monet didn’t have any ill effects from the fall,” Wade commented. “And Marcus said he’ll be up later.”
“I hope he will. If not, he’s going to miss out,” Liz said, beaming like she’d just given birth.
They walked inside the room to find Monet lying limply against the pillows, while her brothers and father admired the baby lying inside the crib sitting to the left of her bed.
Wade walked hastily to the crib, and baby Faith was as beautiful as he imagined she would be. Down gold hair covered her head, and she was fair skinned like the Reynoldses. She was lying on her side facing Monet’s bed, and she yawned and opened her eyes. The orbs were hazel like her mother, grandfather, and uncle’s eyes.
“She’s a beauty,” he murmured. “Marcus will have to fight the boys off.
“She looks just like Monet did when she was born,” Aron said, with a lump in his throat. He knew how blessed he was to even be in the presence of his daughter, sons, and now, granddaughter.
Wade walked over to Monet’s bedside. “How are you feeling, Nay-Nay?” He took her hand and held it. “Good job.”
“I’m tired, but a good tired. Thanks, Wade. It’s a miracle. God is so good.” She looked at the door. “Where’s Marcus?”
“He’s downstairs. He said he’ll be up here shortly. The fact that he’s even here is a miracle. I know he’s going to come around, especially when he sees that little lady who looks so much like you,” Wade said.
“I hope you’re right.” Monet smiled at Wade.
“You know, as much as she looks like you, I see Marcus in her. Faith has the shape of his eyes, nose, and she has thin lips just like his,” Wade observed.
“I know,” Monet agreed with Wade. “But that’s not all. When Mr. Caldwell brings himself up here, I have something to show him.”
“You did good, and God is so good,” Wade said.
“Liz, would you bring my daughter here?” Monet asked. “Wow, it took me so long to be able to say those words. Thank you, Lord.” She moved her body carefully and sat upright in the bed.
Liz took the baby from the crib, and holding the back of her head up, handed Faith to her mother. Duane pulled out his digital camera and took some pictures of mother and daughter.
A half an hour later, everyone decided to leave to give Monet time to get some rest. Liz put Faith back into the crib after her uncles, godparents, and grandfather took turns holding her.
A nurse’s aide brought a couple of floral bouquets into the room. Liz made a note of who had sent flowers so Monet could send thank-you notes.
“We’ll be back later,” Liz and Wade told Monet after they kissed her forehead. The Reynolds men promised to return later as well.
Monet looked at the dozen roses in a crystal vase. There wasn’t a card with the flowers, but she knew they were from Marcus. He always bought her two dozen roses to celebrate an occasion. She looked at Faith again, and a smile as big as the Grand Canyon filled her face. She closed her eyes, “Father above, thank you for my greatest gift of all, Faith Imani Caldwell. Lord, you have answered my prayer, and I’m ever so grateful. I fell down the stairs this morning, and you protected me. You allowed me to have this baby without drugs, and both of us came through the labor like champs. I don’t know what else to say except thank you, Father. I will take care of this child and raise her the way you would have me.” She looked at her daughter one more time, then closed her eyes and went to sleep.
Thirty minutes later, Monet stirred. She looked up to see Marcus standing near the crib. He glanced at her and she feigned sleep. He walked over to the crib and just stared at the baby. Then he touched her tiny hand and Monet could hear him clearing his throat.
She opened her eyes and said to her husband, “Took you long enough.”
He looked at her and smiled sheepishly. Then his gaze flew back to Faith.
“Don’t be shy, pick her up,” Monet urged.
“No, she’s too little. I might drop her or something,” he said.
“Marcus Caldwell, bring me that baby. You know I can’t move well yet,” Monet said seriously. Her heart was bursting with joy. God answered her prayers just like she knew He would.
Marcus carefully took Faith out of the crib. She opened her eyes, and he swore that she smiled at him. He held a miniature version of Monet. His heart overflowed with love. He slowly walked the few steps to Monet’s bed and handed her the baby.
He sat in the chair next to the bed. He wiped his brow and said, “Whew, I was scared I was going to drop her.”
“Well, I wasn’t,” Monet quipped. “I knew you would do just fine.”
“I guess I owe you an apology, Monet. I’ve been so wrong about so many things. It’s a wonder God hasn’t stopped me dead in my tracks.” Marcus hung his head low.
“You were human and faced some difficult challenges. But none of that matters now,” she said soothingly. She stroked Faith’s face, and the baby looked up at her mother, blowing spit bubbles. Faith’s tiny hands opened and closed.
“I should have been more understanding of what you were going through. All I can say is please forgive me. And if it takes the rest of my life, I promise to make it up to you; all the torture I put you through. When I look back on these past nine months, it’s like I was in a daze, I acted mean and evil. I looked in the mirror at myself while I was shaving this morning, and I didn’t like what I saw. You’ve shown me nothing but love the entire time we’ve been married, and I couldn’t be there for you when you needed me because of my stupid pride. I’m so ashamed.” Marcus’s voice choked up.
“I never gave up on you, love, and I never will. We took vows that said we’d love each other through sickness and health, good times and bad. I will always love you, Marcus Caldwell, forever and a day.”
“I’m so undeserving of your love.” He pursed his lips toge
ther. “I messed up. Wade and Reverend Wilcox told me it didn’t matter who fathered your child, because part of that child is you, and they were right. It took me a long time to see what they were talking about. I get it now. And when I visited the jail today—”
“Marcus,” Monet interrupted him. “I know what happened. We can talk about that later. This is a happy, blessed occasion, and I just want to savor the moment.” She shifted the baby from one arm to the other.
“No, let me finish. We can talk about what happened at Dwight later. I promise to love and care for Faith as if she were my own child. I swear to that from the bottom of my heart.” He put his hand on his chest.
Monet smiled impishly at her husband, and moved over in the bed and laid Faith on top of the sheet. Then she pulled the booty off her tiny foot. “Look, Marcus,” she said, as Faith’s left foot danced in the air.
On the bottom of the baby’s foot was a birthmark. Marcus looked at it and reached down and took off his shoe and sock from his left foot. He looked at the cherry colored mark on Faith’s foot, and the matching one on his own foot. Marcus covered his eyes and sobbed guttural sobs that resonated through his body. Monet knew he had to cry and let it out so that the healing could begin.
He raised his tear streaked face and said to Monet, “Oh God, I asked you to kill our baby. Thank God, you didn’t.” He covered his face with his hands.
Monet patted the other side of her bed. “Come sit here,” she said.
Marcus stood up, and his legs felt weak. He felt vanquished at the enormity of what he had asked Monet to do. He sat on the other side of the bed, and Monet picked up the baby and held her as Marcus’s arm snaked around her shoulders.
“Do you see this little tiny mouth, nose, and the shape of her eyes? She may look like me, but those features scream Daddy. They are yours, love. God has never failed me yet, and when He told me I would have a child, I believed Him. I just had to wait for you to see the light.” Monet winked at her husband. “We will be just fine. The two people I love most, after God, are in this room with me. We made it, Marcus, with God’s help. Praise God, we made it.”
Faith Page 27