Finally Getting Love Right

by Jamie Nichols

  “I don’t want to, but I will.” Max said defeated. He walked over to the nurses’ station and asked them for the pain medication.

  Sam walked down to the window that overlooked the parking lot. Her mind was still racing about the information that Charlee had told her. The only person that may have had an idea about what had happened was Liz. Sam decided that sometime today she would talk to her about it. Sams thought process was interrupted by the shrill screams coming from room 116. She ran down the hallway to see what was wrong.

  “Charlee? What is wrong?” Sam said out of breath.

  “Get… the…. Doctor.” Charlee struggled to get out. She pointed at the water dripping onto the floor.

  “Nurse!” Sam ran to the door and yelled as loud as she could. “Nurse!”

  “What is wrong?” The nurse asked trying to figure out what the hysteria was about.

  “Her water broke.”

  “I can’t hold this baby in!” Charlee screeched.

  “You were just 4 centimeters twenty minutes ago.” The nurse said rushing over to check Charlee again.

  “I am going to get Max.” Sam said walking to the waiting room.

  “What is wrong with her?” Pepper asked.

  “Where is Max? It is time.” Sam said not bothering to answer Peppers question.

  “I don’t know.” Liz said looking around.

  “We have to find him.” Jeffrey said.

  “You guys find him, I will be with Charlee.” Sam said rushing back to her friend’s side.

  “Do not let her push.” The nurse ordered Sam. “I have to go call the doctor.”

  The nurse rushed out of the room, leaving Sam to try to calm Charlee. Nothing seemed to work, not even lamas techniques. Charlee grabbed Sams hand and squeezed as hard as she could, turning Sams hand white and then blue. Kylee appeared in the doorway motioning for Sam to come talk to her.

  “I will be right back Charlee, Kylee will sit with you until I return. Breathe and try to relax.” Sam said trying to sound supportive.

  “Ok.” Charlee said.

  “Still no Max?” Sam asked Kylee assuming that is what she was going to say.

  “We can’t find him anywhere.” Kylee said worry creeping across her face.

  “I will find him. Sit with her please.” Sam said as she left Kylee to console Charlee.

  Sam ran all over the maternity ward looking for Max. She checked every empty room. When she turned up empty, she knew she had to get back to Charlee. She was about to head back toward the room, when she heard a sob coming from behind the stairwell door.

  “Max, What is wrong?” Sam asked as she opened the door.

  “I feel like a failure.” Max said.

  “You don’t have time to feel that way. They did not even have time to give her medication. She is getting ready to push right now. You will have it your way this time.”

  “She is going to hate me!”

  “She is not! Now get your butt over there before you miss your baby’s birth.” Sam said sternly.

  “Ok.” Max said realizing what she was saying and running out of the stairwell.

  Sam was left sitting on the stairwell. She could see why Max had picked this spot to sulk. It was quiet. Sam pulled out her cell phone and texted Liz to come sit with her, and to come alone. Sam was surprised to see that Liz had not listened when she had said to come alone. Liz had brought Kylee with her.

  “What is going on with you?” Liz asked cheerfully.

  “I need to tell you something. Mainly because I don’t know how to handle it and I need your opinions. I should have told you this a long time ago.” Sam started to say but was interrupted by the look they gave each other. “You already know don’t you?”

  “Guilty.” They said in unison.

  “How?” Sam said. She could feel herself getting mad.

  “Erica. She sought us out when you were in the hospital.” Kylee answered for the both of them.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “We didn’t want to put a damper on your recovery.” Liz said slowly.

  “Well then you know my predicament. What do I do?”

  “You do what you feel is best.” Kylee said.

  “If I knew what was best, I wouldn’t be asking for your opinion.” Sam shot.

  “Don’t be like that.” Liz said trying to stay calm.

  “I am sorry. I am just frustrated. I can’t wrap my mind around it.”

  “Just think on it ok?” Kylee said.

  “I will. Thanks for talking to me.” Sam said. “Let’s go to the waiting room.”

  The three women walked back to the waiting room just in time to hear Charlee screaming bloody murder.

  “She must be pushing now.” Liz said as they sat down.

  “I would say so.” Kylee said cringing at another blood curdling scream.

  “They never got any medication into her, I don’t even want to think of the pain she must be in.” Sam commented.

  “I hope Max doesn’t faint.” Tj said laughing.

  “I would have my camera ready.” Jeffrey answered joining him in laughter.

  The crowd was starting to grow in the mid-sized waiting room. Charlee’s Parents had arrived at the same time the Max’s had. They were down to standing room only. They all waited patiently, trying not to cringe as Charlee continued to scream. After an hour, which seemed to take more like five hours, Max emerged out of room 116.

  “It’s a girl!” Max said not bothering to wipe the tears from his eyes.

  “Congratulations!” Everyone said staggeringly.

  “7 pounds, 6 ounces. Full head of hair. She is a healthy baby.” Max said.

  “When can we see her?” Liz asked anxiously.

  “After Charlee gets cleaned up, we will call everyone in.” Max started. “I have to go.”

  Max walked back into the room, with an excited but nervous energy. The grandparents did not wait for Charlee to get cleaned up. They followed Max into the room. The waiting room was getting loud as everyone started speculating what they thought the baby might look like. To everyone’s surprise, the grandparents left after only half an hour.

  “Are you guys ready to see the little lady?” Max said smiling.

  “Definitely.” Sam said.

  “Of course” Liz said almost in sync with Sams answer.

  “Follow me.” Max said turning on his heels and walking back into Charlee’s room.

  They all crowded into the birthing suite. While the room was rather large, with everyone in it, it felt like they were stuck in a box. The room fell silent when Charlee turned the baby around for everyone to see. She was adorable with her full head of brown red hair and eyes that could pierce the sun. She looked like she had been pulled from a magazine ad.

  “What is her name?” George asked.

  “We are going to tell you all, but first can I talk to Liz alone please?” Charlee asked.

  “Sure.” Sam said walking out of the room with everyone but Liz following her.

  “Liz, I have an important question to ask you.” Charlee said.

  “What is it?” Liz said smiling.

  “I want you to be one of this little girls godmothers.” Charlee said smiling back at her.

  “I would be honored. Who is the other one?” Liz asked curiously.

  “I think, for all that she had done for me, Sam.” Charlee said watching Liz’s face for a reaction.

  “I think that is a brilliant idea.” Liz said, her face lighting up.

  “Do you want to hold her?” Charlee asked

  “Yes.” Liz replied taking the little girl into her arms for a few minutes. Liz gave the baby back a lot faster than Charlee expected.

  “What is wrong?” Charlee asked suddenly concerned.

  “She is precious cargo. I am afraid of dropping her.”

  “I know you won’t drop her.” Charlee said chuckling.

  “I will feel better about it shortly I am sure.” Liz said laughing.

&n
bsp; “Will you get Sam for me? I think I should stop leaving her in suspense.” Charlee asked cooing at her baby.

  “Ok.”

  “You can bring everyone in exactly 2 minutes after she walks in the room ok?” Charlee said

  “Sure thing.” Liz said walking out of the room to get Sam.

  “Hey Charlee, you wanted to talk to me?” Sam said as she walked into the room.

  “I have a question for you.” Charlee said smiling.

  “Ok?” Sam said a questioning look on her face.

  “Will you be the godmother to this little girl?” Charlee asked hopeful.

  “What about Liz?” Sam asked shocked.

  “I have asked her to be as well.” Charlee answered.

  “Oh, Ok then, I will do it.” Sam said smiling brightly.

  “Good. Do you want to hold her?” Charlee asked holding the baby out to her.

  “You bet I do.” Sam said taking the baby into her arms.

  Sam loved the smell that wafted into her nose as she brought the baby close to her chest. Sam stood shifting her weight so the baby would feel like she was being rocked. Sam had seen this before, making the moment feel like dejavu. A few moments later, Everyone started to trickle in.

  “So we have an announcement.” Max said loudly.

  “We are going to reveal the baby’s name.” Charlee said to a silent audience.

  “Are you ready?” Max said trying to excite his friends only to be greeted by nodding.

  “Welcome, Mykayla Rose Hughes.”

  At the sound of her name, baby Mykayla started to scream. Sam, startled by the shrill noise coming from the baby, quickly gave the baby back to Charlee. The baby was hungry, as it turned out. Everyone said their goodbyes and headed out the door trying desperately to get away from the baby’s cry. None of them were used to that sound. George and Sam got into the limo and headed to the waterfall.

  .

  CHAPTER 17: SETTLING IN

  Sam led the way up the trail to the place where he had asked her to marry him only 2 days ago. She felt a burning inside that she had not felt in what felt like centuries. Somehow, seeing Mykayla’s eyes had made Sam realize just how beautiful and precious life was supposed to be. Sam realized that she may be acting on impulse but she did not care, she knew she had never loved life more than when he was in it. They walked down the steps and ducked behind the waterfall.

  “Why did you want to come here?” George asked.

  “Ask me again.” She said smiling as she sat on her rock.

  “What?” He said giving her a surprised look.

  “Please, ask me again.” She said sweetly.

  “Ok.” He started “Samantha Lee will you marry me?”

  “Yes.” Sam said with no hesitation.

  “Are you sure?” George said. “Have you thought this through?”

  “Yes I have.”

  “Ok then.” George said kissing her intensely.

  They spend the next hour talking about what they wanted in life. Sam was ecstatic. She wasn’t going to tell anyone until tomorrow. Charlee deserved to have the spotlight on her for a change. They went back to Sam’s house. They were both exhausted from the past few days, and went right to sleep. When they woke up, it dawned on Sam that she was no longer single. She smiled with a sense of stability that she had not felt in a long time.

  “Sammy.” George whispered distracting her from her thoughts.

  “Yes honey?” She answered him looking up into his eyes.

  “What do we do now?” He asked seriously.

  “What do you mean?” She asked

  “Do we move in together? Or do we continue to live separately?” He asked sincerely.

  “I see no point in waiting.” Sam said smiling.

  “Your right. I think we need to make a few changes though.”

  “What do you mean changes?” Sam said sitting straight up.

  “I mean that we should either buy or build a house that is our own and sell this one.”

  “You want me to give up my house?” Sam could not believe what he was saying.

  “I think it is only fitting. We are starting a new life together.” He said.

  “I won’t sell my house George. I worked hard to get it.” Sam said getting out of bed and walking into the bathroom.

  Sam did not speak to George until after she came back from the store. She was furious that he wanted her to give up what she had worked hard to earn. Next he would want her to give up her store and there was no way she was going to do that. Maybe they really weren’t meant to be. Sam felt the depression creeping back. When she got home she would have to tell him that the engagement was off. She walked slowly to her door, dreading what she was about to do.

  “Sam, can we talk?” He asked.

  “What are you doing here? I was just about to call you.” Sam said wishing he was at work.

  “I am not going to leave with things the way they are.”

  “You should have. This would be easier then.”

  “What would be?”

  “You have to go George, I can’t expect you to understand this but I won’t give up what I worked so hard for.” Sam said starting to cry.

  “I don’t expect you to. It was just an idea. I came up with another one while you were at work. Will you hear it before you make me leave?” George was begging her.

  “I guess.” Sam said trying to wipe the tears from her blurry eyes.

  “What if, we still moved?” George said.

  “That is not a new idea.” Sam said starting to get mad again.

  “Let me finish.” George said.

  “Ok.”

  “But, we keep this house and use it as a place to hang out with everyone or use it as a getaway?” George finished watching for any sign that she hated that idea too.

  “Really?” Sam had asked surprisingly loving the idea he had come up with.

  “Yea. That way you are not giving it up and we can still have our home.”

  “Ok.” Sam said smiling. They talked for a little while until George had to leave. He was almost out the door when Sam called to him. “Hey aren’t you forgetting something?”

  “What am I forgetting?” He asked and stopped noticing that he had not given her the ring.

  “I don’t know you tell me.” She answered him holding out her left hand.

  “I am sorry!” He said embarrassed at his forgetfulness. “I have had it in my bag the whole time.”

  “Well can I see it?” Sam said a gleam of sparkle in her eyes.

  “Close your eyes.” George said as he knelt down and started to unzip a pocket inside of his duffel bag.

  “Why?” Sam asked slightly disappointed.

  “Please?” He asked sweetly. When she had closed her eyes he took the ring and placed it on her finger. “Open them.”

  “Wow.”

  The ring he had placed on her finger was beyond words. It was a princess cut chocolate diamond. The ring was simple and elegant. There was only the one stone, but Sam did not care. The stone was set on a band of silver. She stared at it for a long moment before looking away to say goodbye to George.

  “It is amazing. How did you know that I liked chocolate diamonds?” Sam asked curiously.

  “I didn’t. I like them because they are beautiful and they remind me of you.”

  “Oh. I love it. Thank you. How many carats is it?”

  “5. Don’t you let those girls take it on you now.” He said with a chuckle.

  “I won’t. Will you be back later?” She asked.

  “I will be walking through that door at 10 on the dot.” He smiled and then turned to leave.

  Sam walked back into the house staring at the rock on her finger. Her friends would never believe this. Well, they might but she was inclined to believe they wouldn’t. She couldn’t wait another second. She drove to the hospital, knowing they would all be there.

  The maternity ward was in a panic when Sam arrived. Through all the confusion, Sam determine
d that someone had delivered a baby who needed immediate surgery or it would die. Sam felt bad for the baby’s parents not being able to imagine what they must be going through. Sam quickly pushed herself up against the hall wall so that the nurses rushing an incubator down to the N.I.C.U. could pass without hesitation. Sam walked into room 116 with a tear in her eye. She hoped that the baby was going to be ok.

  “What’s on your mind?” Max said.

  “I just saw a baby being rushed to the N.I.C.U. That is all.” Sam commented putting her purse on an empty chair.

  “That is not the first one today. It makes me feel blessed that our child was born healthy.” Charlee said staring into Mykayla’s eyes.

  “What is that?” Kylee asked noticing the rock on Sam’s hand.

  “What is what?” Sam asked pretending that she didn’t know what Kylee was talking about.

  “The huge stone on your finger.” Liz added noticing the same thing that Kylee had.

  “It is my engagement ring.” Sam said excitedly.

  “Congratulations!” Charlee, Pepper, Kylee and Liz exclaimed in excitement.

  “Thank you!” Sam squealed waking the baby. “Sorry. I am just so excited.”

  “It is ok. She needed to wake up anyways.” Max said laughing at her. “Congrats.”

  “Thank you. So when do you get to take this little bundle of joy home?”

  “In an hour.” Charlee said.

  “That is a little soon isn’t it? Don’t they make you stay for like 3 days or something?”

  “No. They make you stay for 24 hours here. Anything after that is either by choice or because something is wrong.” Max said smiling.

  “That’s great news then.” Sam said.

  Sam decided to wait with Charlee and Max until the nurse said they could leave. While they were waiting, Sam helped Charlee get dressed and ready to go home. Max was busy making faces at the baby and getting her dressed for the ride home. While Sam and Charlee were in the bathroom, Charlee started talking in a low voice.

  “Thank you, Sam” Charlee said.

  “For what?” Sam was puzzled.

  “For cutting your vacation rapidly short. Also, for writing that song for us. It really means a lot.”

  “What are you talking about? I didn’t write a song for you. Cutting my vacation short was a necessity. I wouldn’t have missed this if the world was coming to an end.” Sam said.