The Real Housewives of Adverse city 3

by Shelia E. Bell

  “It was good to see everybody,” Peyton said.

  “Is your personal assistant here?” asked Eva.

  “Yes, I just texted him. He’ll be in here…oh, here he comes,” she said, looking up and seeing him walking towards her.

  “Where are you headed, Eva?” asked Avery as she stood from the table.

  “Oh, you didn’t mention when you’re starting culinary school,” said Peyton.

  “That’s because you were so busy delving into everybody’s bedroom tales,” Avery said.

  Disregarding her remarks by shooing her off with her hands, she said, “Girl, please. Ryker really needs to give you some. Plus, the last I heard your name is Avery, honey, not Eva."

  “Stop it, you two. I start in a few weeks. I can’t wait. You ladies were right. It’s the best culinary school in Florida, and the South for that matter. I’ll keep you all updated on how it goes.”

  “Okay, and good for you,” Meesha said.

  “Yeah, we’re happy for you,” added Avery.

  “You’re already an excellent cook,” Peyton said. “I know you’re going to do well.”

  “Why, thank you, Peyton. That means a lot coming from you.”

  “Girl, whatever,” said Peyton. She looked next to her at her assistant who had appeared. “I’m ready,” she said and then headed out of the room, expertly maneuvering her electric wheelchair with the assistant stepping ahead to open the private dining room door for her to exit.

  The ladies stopped outside of the restaurant, gave each other hugs and cheek kisses, before departing.

  Chapter 2

  “Don't tell me of deception; a lie is a lie, whether it be a lie to the eye or a lie to the ear.”

  Samuel Johnson

  Screams echoed up and down the hospital corridors sounding like a wounded animal. Meesha had experienced more than her fair share of childbirth. Four times to be exact, but not one of her precious sons had tormented her in labor like this. This little girl was kicking her dead in the—well let’s just say it was giving her more than a lady singing the blues.

  “Carlton!” she bellowed again and again.

  Carlton held on to his wife’s hand, allowing her to squeeze it in a death like grip. Sweat poured from Meesha’s usually perfectly made up face. Frowns gathered around her eyes and tears gushed forth.

  “I’m here, Meesha,” Carlton reassured. “Push, baby. Push. He’s almost here.”

  After a seven-hour labor, Meesha screamed and pushed one final time and the precious new life entered the cruel, heartless world.

  “It’s a girl,” the doctor announced as Carlton beamed with the inexplicable joy of having his first daughter. Tears swelled in his own eyes as he looked down at the grayish brown bundle.

  The doctor smiled and congratulated the couple. Carlton, with the doctor’s assistance, cut the baby’s umbilical cord. Afterward, Meesha, with tears streaming down her face, reached out for her daughter and the nurse laid her against Meesha’s chest where Meesha cuddled her against her breast and kissed the baby on her forehead. In turn, Carlton kissed Meesha on her forehead and rubbed the sweaty strands of black hair from off her face.

  “I love you, Meesha,” he mouthed.

  “And I love you, Carlton Porter. God got all of this time. No boy like the ultrasound said. Can you believe it? We have a girl, Carlton."

  Tears slowly ran down Carlton's cheeks as he leaned down and kissed Meesha on the lips and the tiny newborn on top of her head.

  "Isn’t our daughter beautiful?”

  “Yes, sweetheart, she is. Our first daughter. She's perfect."

  Meesha studied the little human and smiled between her own tears. "Yes, she is perfect in every way. "

  "We're going to name her Makena Grace, right? You said if we ever had a daughter that would be her name."

  "Yes. It's the perfect name for a perfect baby," Meesha said, staring at her bundle of joy.

  "She's just as beautiful as her mother.” Carlton continued staring at his wife and newborn daughter in total adoration.

  Nurses then whisked her off to the other side of the room where they poked, preened, cleaned, and weighed her while she wailed.

  “Nine pounds, ten ounces,” one of the nurses said to the other. After they were done, one of the nurses brought the precious little one back over to her waiting parents.

  Carlton reached for his daughter wrapped in a pink nursey blanket and matching cap. He stared at her until Meesha interrupted.

  “Bring her closer, Carlton.” He held her until the nurse informed him that they would be taking Meesha to her room and the baby for examination.

  Once inside her room, Carlton sat down and Meesha quickly fell asleep in exhaustion. Without warning, his mind fell on Avery and her unborn child. The two of them had not spoken to each other personally, other than an occasional handshake at church. But for the past few weeks, Avery hadn’t been attending church. He learned from overhearing Meesha talking to one of the housewives that Avery had been placed on bedrest until the birth of her child.

  Carlton continued to be concerned about whether the baby she was carrying was his or not. It was definitely a possibility, but he had been praying and asking God to not let it be his kid. He already felt extremely blessed when it was revealed through DNA testing that Peyton’s son, Liam, was not his biological kid. He reasoned with God again, praying if God allowed his affair with Avery to remain under wraps, he would be devoted to Meesha and the boys, and now their daughter as well.

  As if reading his thoughts, Carlton’s phone text chimed. I think I might be going into labor. Waiting on Ryker to get home. Thought real baby daddy would want to know.

  Carlton cussed underneath his breath. Why was she contacting him? He looked over at Meesha sleeping before stepping out of her hospital room to call Avery. No answer. He called again. No answer. He followed up with a text. I will be praying for you and your baby. God bless you, Sister Avery.

  Chapter 3

  “The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” John Morgan

  Eva toured the culinary school with a sense of heightened anticipation for the independence becoming a chef could possibly give her. She was tired of being dependent on Harper. He continued to make sure she never forgot that if it wasn’t for him her family in Bolivia would still be severely destitute.

  She had made her share of mistakes and she was sorry that she cheated on him, but it wasn’t like Harper gave her the time, attention, and affection she yearned for. She loved her husband, and she wanted to spend as much time with him as she possibly could. Returning to their home sometimes felt like a mistake but what real choice did she have? If she divorced him she would get nothing. She would be left alone, without a penny to her name. She couldn’t go back to the life she used to live. She felt so stupid. She should have denied everything especially after learning that she wasn't pregnant. But, noooo, when Harper accused her of cheating, she cowered down.

  She was glad that she had taken the girls’ advice and sought out the best culinary school in Miami. When she told Harper about it, he was all for it. He said he would pay for it and hoped she would take advantage of his generosity. He was always telling her that she needed to find a hobby or something to past the time because his life was full and he didn’t have a lot of time to spend with her.

  His life being ‘full’ was an understatement, because in addition to being Chief Medical Director at Adverse General Hospital, he had returned to filming his television show, The Heart of the Matter. The show had been successful in the past and showcased his skill as a respected, renowned heart surgeon. He invited guests on the show that had gone through traumatic events, heart surgery, or life altering situations that were often quite touching and inspirational.

  Some of the past television shows brought Eva to tears with the real life people and sometimes heartbreaking situations that people faced. Added to that was Harper’s flourishing writing career. He
had written two more books and was working on a third for his publisher. The books, like the television show, centered on various things about how to keep the heart healthy through proper diet, exercise, and mindset. Harper was a genius in his own right. Who was she to interfere with a man of his status and caliber? She felt both lucky and blessed that he even wanted her.

  After committing adultery, she thought their marriage was over, but Harper had given her another chance, and she didn’t want to blow it. Being somewhat religious, he told her that it was God who told him to forgive her and give his marriage another go. Thank God Harper wasn't aware that it was Seth that she'd slept with—no way would he have wanted her back.

  “How do you think you’re going to like culinary school?” Peyton asked when Eva called her after returning from her school tour.

  “I think it’ll be fun. I’m really excited. Like you and the others said, I can open my own restaurant. Who knows, I may become a Michelin Chef or even an Iron Chef one day." Eva giggled into the phone.

  “You’re right. Think big, girl. Are you going to come by here?” Peyton asked.

  “You know Meesha had the baby this morning.”

  “Yes, I read the group text she sent,” Peyton answered. “She has a baby girl. That’s so cool. I’m happy for her and Carlton.”

  “Me too. I know she’s on cloud nine. Well, I planned on going to the hospital to see her and the baby.”

  “Oh, okay. I’m so bored. I can’t wait until I can get out of this chair, walk again, and do things on my own. I hate having to depend on Derek or one of these nurses for everything. And my poor son, I know he has to get tired of waiting on me hand and foot.”

  “That boy loves you, Peyton. You’re his mother, and it’s not like he’s waiting on you hand and foot. You have the best of care, your own personal chef, a nurse at your beck and call, and Derek gives you as much attention as he can. You’re lucky, girl. I wish Harper spent half as much time with me as Derek does with you.”

  “That’s only because he’s doing what he thinks he needs to do as my husband. You and I both know that as soon as I can fully take care of myself, he’s out of here again. He’s going to divorce me and I can’t say I blame him.”

  “Look, listen to what Meesha, Avery…and I keep telling you. You still have a chance to save your marriage. Derek didn’t come back home because he feels sorry for you—the man still loves you. He just wants you to stop drinking, and thank God you have. How long has it been now since you last had a drink?”

  “Too long,” Peyton quickly answered. “Seriously, it’s been about six months. I can’t have one even if I wanted to. With these pop up tests and visits by my alcohol and drug counselor, I can hardly piss without someone knowing. And the meds they have me taking can make me deathly ill if I so much as sip on a cooler.”

  “You know it’s for your own good, Peyton.” Eva walked to her car, climbed inside, and sat in the parking lot of the elite culinary school, talking to Peyton until another call came through. It was from an unfamiliar number but it had the Adverse General Hospital prefix. “Hold on a minute. This might be Harper calling.”

  Eva switched the call over. “Hello.”

  I had the baby,” Avery said, whispering into the phone.

  “Avery?”

  “Yeah, it’s me. I just had the baby,” Avery repeated.

  “You what?” squealed Eva. “When, how, I mean what, oooh, oh, I mean you weren’t due for several weeks.”

  “I know, tell that to my son,” Avery said.

  “A boy? You had a boy?”

  “Yep, I told you all it was going to be a boy.”

  “I know you did, but you said you didn’t want to know until you had the baby.”

  “Uh, exactly...and I have a boy.” Avery laughed.

  “How is he? How are you?”

  “I’m good, but he’s in NICU.”

  “NICU? Why? What’s going on?” Eva asked, trying to maintain her composure so she wouldn’t upset Avery.

  “He has a pretty bad case of jaundice and since he was born a little early they’re keeping an eye on him for a few hours. He should be able to come into my room a little later this afternoon. I just wanted to let you know I had him.”

  “Where is Ryker?”

  “He went to NICU to see if there have been any changes."

  “And Lexie and Heather. How are they?

  “Oh, the girls, they’re good. They’re still at school,” Avery said, sounding somewhat sad.

  “Are you okay? You don’t sound like someone who just gave birth to her first son. I know you and Ryker have to be thrilled,” Eva said as she started the car and headed out of the parking lot and onto the street.

  “I’m okay. Just worried about my baby.”

  “You shouldn’t be. You said he’s going to be fine.”

  “Yeah, I know, but I’m still concerned. He weighed five pounds, two ounces, and he’s seventeen and a half inches. He’s such a little thing. Anyway, will you tell everyone for me?”

  “Sure, I will. I don't know if you saw her text, but Meesha delivered earlier this morning, and now you've had yours. How weird is that?” Eva said, laughing into the phone.

  “No, I didn’t get a text. Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. She sent out a group text. You were probably in labor when she sent it,” Eva chuckled. “What did she have?” Avery asked.

  “She had a little girl. I was going to go see her and the baby later this afternoon. I just came back from touring the culinary institute. I start school next week.”

  “Good for you. You’re going to do well. I just know it. So you were coming to see Meesha later, huh?”

  “Yeah, I don’t know why I assumed you knew that she had the baby. I’ll stop by to see you, too. You two are probably on the same floor in the Maternity Unit, right?”

  “Yes, uh, of course. I’m in suite 2996.”

  “Meesha’s in…I think Carlton told me it was Suite 3201. Anyway, I’ll see you a little later. I’m going to run by the house, change clothes, and then I’ll be on my way. I know you have to be tired. Giving birth takes a lot out of you, I’m sure.”

  “Yeah, it does, but I’ve been around the block a couple of times, so I’m good. Just worried about my son.”

  “Don’t worry. Try to get some rest. I’ll see you later. Oh, yeah and Avery?”

  “Yes, Eva?”

  “Congratulations! I’m happy for you and Ryker. You didn’t tell me the baby’s name.”

  “What else would it be? Ryker the second.” Avery faintly smiled into the phone, while silently wishing she could have named the baby after Carlton.

  “Ryker has himself a junior,” Eva said. “Good for him. I’ll see you later,” Eva said. “Oh gosh, I forgot, I have Peyton on the other end. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Okay, bye, Eva.”

  Eva clicked over but Peyton had already hung up. Peyton would never hold on when people called her and put her on hold. She felt that it was so inappropriate, yet Peyton had no problem putting someone else on hold.

  “I’ll call her back in a few minutes,” Eva said aloud as she drove toward her residence. She smiled at the thought of both Meesha and Avery having their babies on the same day and hours apart. That was so far-fetched to her. Her feeling of happiness was replaced with overwhelming sadness as she thought about her false pregnancy. She so wanted to have a child to love and care for, but as long as she was married to Harper she knew that would never be a possibility.

  Harper’s secret about his vasectomy had taken her for a loop, literally knocked the wind out of her. Then when the doctor told her that she wasn’t pregnant, it was another huge blow. She could still see herself in the doctor’s office that day, hearing his devastating words. “There’s no easy way to say this, but there is no fetus, Mrs. Stenberg. The pregnancy tests you took were false positives. You have what’s called polycystic ovary syndrome."

  Unless she left Harper or somehow persuaded hi
m to adopt a kid, she would forever be childless as long as she was married to him. Tears poured from her shapely dark eyes. She wiped her tears away with one hand while keeping her other hand braced on the steering wheel. If only she could talk Harper into getting his vasectomy reversed so they could try to have a child. But Eva knew that would probably be close to impossible because Harper made it clear that he was not ready to have a kid. His life was centered around his career. He didn’t have the time to give her, so he definitely didn’t want a kid running around under foot.

  Eva arrived at the hospital, stopped in the hospital gift shop, and picked out gifts for Meesha and Avery. She asked to have Avery’s gifts and flowers delivered to her room and she carried Meesha’s with her since she was going to visit her first.

  When she entered the room, Meesha was breastfeeding her new little bundle of joy.

  “Hi, Eva, come in,” Meesha greeted her when the door opened and she saw that it was Eva. “I’m so glad you came.”

  “Hey, girl. I told you I would be here.” She walked up to her and looked down at the suckling baby girl with a head full of thick, curly black hair. She placed the flowers and stuffed baby bear on the table next to Meesha’s bed.

  “The flowers are beautiful and look at the cute little stuffed bear. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. So, how are you?”

  “I’m good.”

  Eva studied the little bundle with intensity. “Meesha, she is so beautiful.” Eva was overcome with happiness at seeing the newborn. She fought back tears as she tried to push the thought of her not having children out of her mind.

  “Ohhh, it’s okay, Eva. Don’t cry. Please don’t cry.”

  “I can’t help it. I’m so happy for you and Carlton. By the way, where is Carlton?”

  “He just left a little while ago. He’ll be back later.”

  “How long will you be in the hospital?”

  “I’ll probably be going home tomorrow, I’m sure. You know they don’t keep you in the hospital for long these days, especially after having a baby. If there are no complications, they’ll boot you out of here in a heartbeat. Plus, you know I am somewhat of a pro at this,” Meesha said and laughed.