by Tina Martin
Ramsey walked to the door but paused before turning the handle to look back at Gianna again, feeling conflicted. He didn’t want to leave, but he knew the family needed to see him and find out what was going on. Who could better give them an update on that than him?
He walked into the waiting room where the family had assembled and caught Gemma’s worried eyes first.
Gemma got up, ran the distance between them and closed her arms around him. She broke the embrace and asked, “Is she okay?” desperately searching for the answer to that question in his eyes before he said a word.
“She’s in intensive care, peanut.”
Gemma sniffled. “So, in other words, no.”
Ramsey pulled in a breath, let it out smoothly – reminded him of the breathing techniques he and Gianna practiced in pregnancy class. Who would’ve thought he’d be the one in need of those breaths? “She’s resting right now.”
“What all happened?” Jerome asked, sounding broken with Geraldine standing next to him looking just as disturbed.
The family corralled around Ramsey and he gave a further update, saying, “Gianna passed out right before the doctor was going to give her medication to induce labor. Up until that point, she was talking to me…told me she didn’t feel well and then she fainted. They rushed her to the operating room to do an emergency cesarean, and uh…” He felt his voice giving way to fear. To anxiety. To the possibility that she wasn’t going to be okay, but he paused. Collected himself. He needed her to be okay and he knew if he lost it right now, the family would all lose it, too. “Baby girl is here. She’s beautiful like her mother, and she’s healthy, but Gianna…” His lips quivered. “Her blood pressure is low. She’s sleeping. Been sleeping for hours.”
Mason threw an arm around his son. “She’s going to be okay, son.”
Bernadette nodded, steadily crying. “She has to be,” Bernadette said, her voice unstable and broken.
Ramsey clawed back his sadness to say, “You can see the baby. I’m just heading to the nursery to check on her now.”
“Have you seen her, Ramsey?” Bernadette asked, following him down the hallway.
“I have.” He smiled. “I was in the room when she was born. I’ve seen her, held her, kissed her—I didn’t want them to take her to the nursery, but she’s not allowed in the ICU, so—”
“Did Gianna get a chance to see her?” Gemma asked tearfully.
“No, not yet,” Ramsey answered, and even that fact broke his heart. He kept on walking until he reached the viewing window at the nursery. “Stand here. I’ll go in and move her closer to the window.”
Ramsey went inside the nursery while the family looked on. Then, he instructed one of the nurses to move the crib closer to the viewing window. The family had a good view of her now – the sweet, little angel swaddled in a blanket.
“Aw,” Gemma said, wiping tears from her eyes. “She’s beautiful.”
Royal wrapped his arms around Gemma, consoling her.
“She looks just like Gianna,” Felicity added.
“She does,” Siderra agreed.
“She got her daddy’s eyes, though,” Mason said. “Look at those beautiful black eyes.”
Bernadette placed a hand over her heart, speechless.
Geraldine pinched tears away from her eyes. The baby reminded her of when her girls were born – how happy she was but yet didn’t follow through with caring for them.
“She’s a doll,” Regal said, awestruck. “Amazing.”
“She is,” Romulus added. “That’s my lil’ niece.”
“And my lil’ grandbaby,” Jerome said.
“Since baby girl is healthy, we need to rally our support behind Ramsey as he takes care of Gianna,” Felicity said. “Regal, can you and your brothers take Ramsey to the cafeteria to get something to eat? Otherwise, he won’t go.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea, Felicity,” Regal said.
“The rest of us will stay in the waiting room in case the doctor comes back with any updates,” Felicity said further.
There weren’t any updates – well except the one about Gianna’s status remaining unchanged and no one considered that a true update because there was no progress being made. Ramsey was back in the room with her again looking up all kind of information on his phone – reading up on cases like hers. He couldn’t understand how she was perfectly healthy during the pregnancy and now in intensive care. And during all of her checkups, all was well. Her blood pressure, normal. The doctor had informed them that Gianna’s due date could have been off a few days, give or take, but an entire month?
He looked at her. She looked exhausted and sick – like sick to the point that she couldn’t fake being well – not that she could fake anything at the moment. He eased onto the bed next to her.
Watched her.
This was not how the day was supposed to end. They were supposed to be elated, not worried. They were supposed to be rejoicing over their new addition to the family. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t rejoice – not until Gianna was out of the woods, but when would that be?
He kissed her on the cheek, then pressed his forehead to hers so he was connected to her some kind of way. He needed to feel her warmth. Needed this closeness. “We didn’t get a chance to finalize a name for our baby yet,” Ramsey said, even though he knew Gianna was sleeping. “She’s beautiful, Gianna. Our little girl is beautiful. She looks like you, I mean, I can see both of our features, but she looks like you the most.”
His forehead remained connected to hers. He closed his eyes. Absorbed her energy.
The beeps from the monitors were driving him insane. Thoughts that she wouldn’t make it out of ICU battered his mind and ravaged his heart. After tragically losing Leandra, he never in a million years would’ve thought he’d go through those same feelings again – feelings of helplessness watching the person you love suffer. The agony of not knowing what the next second, minute or hour would bring. The man in him told him to be strong – told him she was going to walk out of here. But he still had doubts. He’d lost a woman he loved before. Was it about to happen again?
Ramsey swallowed the lump in his throat, willing himself to keep the strength that made him into the man that he was. The man he had to be for her right now. Even after he felt a tear roll down the length of his face, he fought hard to stay strong. Wiped it away. Endured the heavy weight of anxiety on his chest. “I need you, Gianna. I can’t do this without you. Can’t imagine having to raise our daughter without you. I can’t. I—I can’t be who I am without you. How am I supposed to go on without? I can’t, baby.” His body trembled. Tears remained at bay. “I know you have what it takes to pull through this. I know you do and I need you to get better. For me. I need you to get better for our daughter. For Gemma. But mostly for me. I know that’s selfish of me, but I love you, and I need you. I know in my heart I won’t make it without you, Gianna. You are truly the love of my life and I can’t live without you being the other part of me. So, get well, sweetheart,” he said wishing he could lie beside her. Hold her. He had to settle for her hand instead.
Chapter 23
Two days later and there was no improvement in her condition. The doctors were beginning to discuss tube feeding. And then a nurse came in this morning and said something that nearly made Royal’s blood pressure rise to new heights. She told him he could go ahead and take the baby home.
“I’m not leaving this hospital without my wife,” he told her.
She knew he meant it. “I understand, Mr. St. Claire, but the baby is being discharged and I have no control over that. She’s a healthy, vibrant little girl and she doesn’t need to be here. Is there a family member she can go home with until you and your wife are home?”
Ramsey stroked his beard. His first thought was to ask his parents. If they weren’t willing, he’d ask Gemma and Royal.
He glanced at his watch: 9:41 a.m. He was certain his parents were in the waiting room by now. He dialed his mother’s cell pho
ne from the room, explained that the baby had to go home and before he could ask, she’d already offered to take her.
“Thank you, Mother.”
“How are you holding up, son?”
“I’m doing the best I can. I just wish she would give me a sign—something to let me know she’ll be okay. It’s been going on three days now and nothing. She’s just lying here—the doctors are talking about tube feeding now.”
“Oh, no—I’m so sorry, son. I wish there was something I could do.”
“You’re taking Rianne home. That’s a lot.”
“Rianne...that’s her name?”
“It’s not official, but Gianna liked that name, so for now, she’s Rianne.”
“Okay. Are you going to come down here and talk to everybody?”
“Everybody?” Ramsey asked.
“Yes. We’re all here. Your brothers, your father, Gemma, Felicity, Siderra, Geraldine, Jerome and Carson. Harriet’s here, too.”
“Okay. I’ll come down but only for a few minutes.”
When Ramsey was off the phone with his mother, he took a much-needed deep breath, left a kiss on Gianna’s temple and told her he loved her before leaving the room.
It warmed his heart to see his family all there on a Thursday morning to support him.
“Good morning, everybody,” he said. “Um—” he blew a breath. “There hasn’t been any changes with Gianna yet. She’s definitely not leaving today, but the baby is going home with Mother. Please help her out as much as you can and spoil my little girl rotten until me and Gianna can do it.”
“You have nothing to worry about on that front. We got this,” Regal said.
“I’m staying here,” Gemma said. “I can’t leave my sister.”
“And I’m not leaving you, so I’m staying, too,” Royal told her.
“That’s fine,” Ramsey said. “Romulus...Regal, I’m going to need you two to check in at the office to make sure all is well. You don’t have to stay, but I at least need to know that there’s order there.”
“Will do,” Romulus said.
“Um…” Ramsey dug around in his pocket for his keys. “Dad, there’s a car seat in the back seat of my car. Can you get it and bring it in here? Baby girl has to leave the building in a car seat.”
“Sure, son,” Mason said, taking the keys.
“What can I do, Ramsey?” Felicity asked.
“Ah…” Ramsey threaded his hands behind his head. “Help out where you can with the baby. She’ll need infant formula. I’ll text you the brand name.”
“Okay.”
Ramsey took out his wallet and handed her two, one-hundred-dollar bills. “Pick up some diapers and some clothes.”
“Will do. As a matter of fact, I’ll leave with your parents, pick up all the items and meet back up and their home, if that’s okay, Bernadette.”
“That’s fine with me,” she answered.
“Good. I appreciate it, Felicity.”
“No problem.”
Mason came walking into the room with the car seat. Ramsey notified the nurse that the car seat was ready and she brought the baby down, carefully lowered her into the car seat and buckled her in.
Ramsey looked at his baby girl adoringly, kissed her soft, little cheek and said, “I’ll see you soon, baby girl.” He looked up at the family and said pleadingly, “Take care of her.”
“Don’t worry, son. You know your mother won’t let anything happen to this precious, little girl.”
“She’s adorable,” Geraldine said. She looked at Bernadette and Mason when she asked, “Do you mind if I come over to the house to spend some time with her?”
“Not at all. I’m sure Gianna would like that,” Bernadette said.
Ramsey nodded.
Bernadette gave her son a long, supportive hug. “We’ll take good care of her and you take care of Gianna.”
“I will.”
“Yeah, use those magic vibes you possess over her and bring my girl home,” Felicity said.
Ramsey smiled small. “I’ll do my best.”
“I love you, son,” Bernadette said, throwing her purse straps on her shoulder.
“I love you too, Mother.”
And with that, baby Rianne left the hospital, taking a quarter of Ramsey’s heart with her.
Chapter 24
The family scattered to handle their assignments. Romulus and Regal made sure it was business as usual at St. Claire Architects. Ramsey had already informed Judy about his family emergency and so she handled his emails and other business appropriately. Felicity shopped for the baby and dropped off clothes, diapers and formula with Bernadette.
Every day someone from the family came by to see baby Rianne. Romulus had purchased some baby rattles and more diapers. And he got a chance to hold her for the first time, thinking about how much holding his niece made him think about his future. He never wanted children, but Rianne made him reconsider.
Regal just so happened to show up today while Felicity was there. Coincidence? Probably not. Normally on Fridays, Felicity would be at the bakery, but since the bakery was closed, she went to visit Rianne before she would return to the hospital to check on Gianna. She was holding Rianne, pacing the floor while humming a lullaby – Hush Little Baby.
Regal smiled. “You look like you know what you’re doing.”
Felicity glanced over at him. “Are you talking to me?”
“Yeah, I’m talking to you. You’ve had practice, huh?”
“A little. I’m no expert. I used to babysit for some neighbor’s kids as a teenager.”
“Maybe one day, you’ll be holding one of your own,” Bernadette chimed in to say.
Felicity stopped humming. “If I could get one without the headache of a man to come along with it yes, I would love to have a baby.”
Bernadette giggled. “You are something else, Felicity.”
Regal didn’t respond. Just watched her.
“She’s such a beautiful little girl,” Felicity said. “And she smells sooo good. Why do babies smell heavenly?”
“Because they’re little angels,” Bernadette said.
“She certainly is.”
Regal walked over to Felicity after he returned from washing his hands in the kitchen and said, “Gimmie my niece, woman.”
Felicity raised a brow.
“Regal, that’s not how you talk to a lady,” Bernadette said.
Regal smirked. “She’s not a lady. She’s a Dub.”
“Oh my God, Bernadette, I’m going to choke your son,” Felicity said, mildly amused.
Bernadette laughed.
“Those small hands can’t do anything to me, girl,” Regal said. “They’re about the same size as Rianne’s tiny, little hands. Bet you can give her a high-five right now and y’all’s fingers would match up.”
Felicity was tickled, but she forced herself not to laugh.
“Go ‘head, Felicity. Give Rianne a high-five.”
“You’re silly. Get away from me.”
“I’m waiting to hold my niece. Give her to me and then I’ll get away from you.”
Ugh, Felicity grunted. She wasn’t done bonding just yet and Regal was nagging her. “Okay, Rianne. It’s time to go to your crazy uncle. Please don’t let him be a bad influence on your life,” she said carefully transitioning the baby into Regal’s large, muscly arms. “Make sure you support her head and don’t hold her too tight with those bulky arms.”
“I got this,” he said.
“Oh, right. I’m sure this isn’t your first time holding a baby seeing as how you probably have plenty of them littered around Charlotte and the surrounding suburbs.”
Regal chuckled. “That’s where you’re wrong, baby hands. I don’t have any children, yet. You interested?”
She grunted again. “On that note, I’m out. See you later, Bernadette.”
Bernadette was laughing, but managed to say, “See you later, Felicity.”
* * *
Gemma went u
p to the ICU to sit with Gianna since Royal had to make Ramsey take a break. While she was there, she looked at her sister, held her hand, felt more sadness come to her eyes.
“I’m supposed to be the sick one, not you,” Gemma said. “You’re the strong one. The fighter. The one who always got it figured out. So figure it out this time, Gianna. We’re counting on you. Baby Rianne is counting on you. We need you. You know that, don’t you?”
Gemma dabbed the corners of her eyes with some tissue. Sniffled. “I remember when I was young…in school…I used to get off the bus and run to the house. You were always there, waiting for me, preparing something for us to eat, helping me with my homework. At night, you would sing me to sleep with your silly, made-up songs—remember that?—and you woke me up in the mornings and did it all over again the next day. I appreciate you for everything you did for me.” She sniffled. “I’m stronger because of you. Now, I’m asking you to channel that same strength to help yourself.”
Gemma, still holding Gianna’s hand, dropped her head.
“I—” Gianna said.
Gemma’s head darted up when she heard her sister make a sound. “Gianna?”
“I remember…the songs,” Gianna said faintly.
Gemma’s eyes brightened. Hope came alive. Her sister was talking. “You do?”
“I do.” Gianna smiled just barely, but she had yet to open her eyes.
“Gianna, we’re all worried about you. How do you feel, sis?”
“I feel like I just had a baby, then got ran over by an eighteen-wheeler.”
Gemma tried not to laugh as tears of happiness formed in her eyes. “Why are you talking with your eyes closed? Open them.”
When she did, Gemma knew at that moment, her sister was going to be okay. “Oh my God, Gianna, you scared me,” Gemma said, kissing Gianna’s cheek, then all over her face.
“Get those Royal lips off of me,” Gianna teased. Smiled softly. “Where’s Ramsey? Where’s my baby? Is she okay?”
