Dinner at the Beach House Hotel

by Judith Keim

  As soon as I walked into the lobby of the hotel, Rhonda rushed over to me and clasped my arm. Her eyes danced with excitement. “Angela called me. She’s having her baby! Can you believe it? I’m about to become a grandmother.” She paused. “A very young grandmother.”

  “It’s so exciting. How far along is she? Is she at the hospital?”

  Rhonda shook her head. “Not yet. Her contractions are still ten minutes apart, so she’ll wait until they’re closer. Ange says they come and go.” Rhonda gave me a worried look. “Oh, Annie, I hope it doesn’t drag on and on. I don’t want her hurting. Besides, the suspense is killing me. They still don’t know the sex of the baby.”

  I gave her a quick hug. “I’m sure she’ll be fine. And Reggie will be right there to support her.”

  Rhonda smiled. “Angela told me Reggie’s trying to do the breathing exercises along with her, but he keeps getting faint. She promised to call when she goes to the hospital.”

  Rhonda stood by the front entrance to greet the governor’s guests as I hurried to the office. I’d just set down my things when my cell phone rang. I glanced at caller ID and picked it up.

  “Hi, Angela! What’s up?”

  “Is my mother there? I can’t reach her on her cell. I’m getting worried. I think I’m going to have the baby, then everything stops. They told us in the birthing class not to go to the hospital until the contractions were steady.”

  “Hold on, Angela. I’m going to get your mother.” Continuing to reassure her, I rushed out of the office to find Rhonda.

  She was talking to the mayor and his wife when I entered the front hallway. Her eyes widened when I held up the phone and signaled her to join me.

  I handed her my cell and went to speak to the mayor. “A family emergency. Let me show you where the group is assembling.” I led them to the library where the governor’s guests had gathered to surprise his wife.

  As soon as I’d shown them into the room, I turned to find Rhonda.

  She trotted over to me. “I’m sorry, Annie, but I’ve got to go. Angela is scared to death. I need to see her for myself. It sounds to me like she should go to the hospital and be checked out by the doctor.”

  “Go,” I said, worried about Angela myself.

  “I’ll make it up to you. I promise,” Rhonda called over her shoulder.

  I spent the next half hour greeting guests as they arrived for the special event. Some guests, like the mayor, were local. A couple of others were staying in the hotel. Still others were staying at competitive properties. It was these guests that Rhonda and I wanted to impress. The Beach House Hotel was small, but every bit as able to provide them with an elegant setting, wonderful food, and excellent service.

  At the exact scheduled time, the governor and his wife descended the stairway from the Presidential Suite into the lobby.

  I smiled and stepped forward. “Good evening. It’s my pleasure to offer you a drink in the library.”

  The governor turned to his wife. “That sounds like a lovely beginning to the evening. Shall we, Carlotta?”

  Carlotta smiled at her husband. “Let’s do it.”

  I led them to the library and stood by as the governor opened the door with a flourish.

  Cries of Happy Birthday! rang in the air.

  Carlotta’s look of surprise gave way to a tearful smile.

  Before stepping back, I checked to make sure Sabine and another staff member were set to handle the small crowd.

  The governor placed a hand on my shoulder. “Good job. I think we got her on this one.”

  I smiled, taking a moment to glance at the diamond earrings I’d helped him select for his wife. It was typical of the specialized services we offered our guests.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  The evening passed in a blur of activity. I oversaw the dinner for the governor in the small, private dining room so that Sabine and Bernie could handle our regular dining service in the larger dining room. Several guests were celebrating wedding anniversary dinners, along with a small group honoring a mother and the second anniversary of her 39th birthday.

  While I smiled and chatted and took care of things for the governor’s group, I thought of Angela and Reggie. They’d fought hard to be together and to have this baby. I prayed everything was all right.

  Later, after bidding farewell to the governor and his guests, I raced into the office to check my phone for messages. We’d made it a rule to keep cell phones out of the private dining room.

  I eagerly lifted my phone. There were two messages from Rhonda and one from Elena. Heart pounding at the thought of something wrong with Robbie, I punched in my home number and waited impatiently for Elena to pick up.

  “Hi, Ann,” Elena said into the phone. “Sorry to disturb you, but Robbie was crying for you. I got him calmed down, but he’s really become attached to you. Maybe after losing his mother, he’s worried about losing you too.”

  My heart clenched. “Is he okay now?”

  “Yes. He’s asleep and settled for the night, but I thought you ought to know about this. I’ll probably be in bed when you come home. I think I might be coming down with a spring cold.”

  “Thanks.” Concern made my mouth dry. “I’ll check on him when I get home. Angela’s baby is on its way, and I have to cover for Rhonda.”

  I clicked off the call with a sigh. My life sometimes seemed so demanding.

  Rhonda answered on the first ring. “Annie, you’ve got to help me. I’m at the hospital with Angela and Reggie, but I can’t stay. I have to go home to Willow. Will you come and sit here while I go feed Willow and then come back? I’m worried about Angela. I don’t want to leave her alone.”

  “Sure. I’ll get there as soon as I can.” We ended the call, and I went to talk to Bernie.

  After he assured me everything was just fine at the hotel, I left for the hospital.

  ###

  The small waiting room on the maternity floor was empty when I arrived. I walked down the corridor to the room assigned to Angela and peeked inside. Angela was lying on the bed. Reggie stood by one side of her, holding onto her hand while she grimaced in pain. A nurse stood next to the bed, coaching Angela.

  Angela noticed me. “Did my mom leave?”

  “Yes. She’ll be back as soon as she feeds Willow.”

  “But I want her here!” said Angela between grunting breaths.

  The nurse began to speak softly to Angela.

  “If you need me, I’ll be in the waiting room,” I told Reggie.

  He gave me a weak smile. “Thanks.”

  I started to step away when Angela called to me. “Don’t go! I want you to stay.” Her smile was sweet. “You’ve been such a help to me from the beginning.”

  The nurse looked at me with a troubled expression. “The doctor is on his way. When he comes, he’ll want you to step outside.”

  My insides froze. “Is everything all right?”

  The nurse’s smile was practiced. She stepped away from Angela’s bedside and spoke to me softly. “A C-section is a possibility. We’ll see what he says.”

  As the doctor entered the room, the nurse hurried over to Angela.

  I left quietly and returned to the waiting area. Too nervous to sit still, I paced the floor.

  Reggie soon joined me, looking as if he was about to cry.

  My heart pounded with dread. “What is it?”

  “They can’t get the baby to turn around, and now they’re worried about the baby’s heartbeat. They’ve taken Angela into the operating room for a C-section.” He teetered on his feet.

  I grabbed hold of his arm and led him to one of the couches. “Here. Have a seat. They’ll let us know as soon as they can how things are going.”

  Reggie lowered himself onto the couch and held his head in his hands.

  I patted his back. “It’ll be all right. You’ll see.”

  When he looked up at me, tears swam in his eyes. “I love Angela so much. If anything happens to her, I don’t know
what I’d do.”

  “She’ll be fine. She’s in good hands,” I said, hiding my worry.

  Rhonda burst into the waiting room, took one look at the two of us, and said, “Oh my God! What’s wrong? The nurse told me you guys were in the waiting room. Is it Angela? The baby?”

  She stumbled toward us, tears already streaming down her cheeks.

  I stood and took hold of her. “Everything’s going to be fine. She’s having a C-section. We’re waiting for news.”

  Reggie stood. Rhonda turned to give him a hug. “Oh, honey. She’ll be fine.” She wrapped her arms around him in a bosomy hug. When I noticed his shoulders shaking, I left them to their privacy.

  I was just returning from the coffee machine when Rhonda hurried down the hallway to me. “Ange is okay, and it’s a boy! An eight-pounder! No wonder she needed some help.” She clasped her hands in a prayerful pose. “I’m so relieved they’re both okay.”

  Hugging her tightly, I said, “Me too.”

  She grabbed hold of my hand and tugged at me. “C’mon! Come see my grandson!”

  We walked to the nursery window. Rhonda tapped on the glass. A nurse looked over at us and grinned before holding up a round-faced baby who I thought might resemble Reggie.

  Reggie joined us at the window. “Angela is still in the recovery room, but she’ll be out soon.” He gazed through the window at the baby the nurse was showing us.

  “Beautiful, isn’t he?” he murmured, seemingly unaware that tears of joy were spilling onto his cheeks.

  My heart filled at the sight. Angela had been right about him all along.

  ###

  The next morning, before Robbie was awake, I called Bernie. “I’m not going to be able to make it in today. My nanny is sick and I need to spend time with Robbie. There are no special functions on the books. Will you be all right?”

  “Yes. Annette is flying in this afternoon, but I’ll take care of her. She decided to come in a couple of days early.” I smiled at the ring of happiness in his voice.

  “Okay. Call me if anything unexpected comes up. Thanks, Bernie. It means a lot to have you here.”

  I hung up and called Rhonda. “I’m not going into the hotel today. Robbie needs me, and Elena is not feeling well.”

  “No problem. It’s my day to be on call anyway. But, Annie, wait until you hear what Ange and Reggie are calling the baby! Evan William DelMonte-Smythe. Isn’t it beautiful? The Evan is for Reggie’s mother. Her maiden name was Evans. And William is for Will. You know how much Angie has come to love him. Adorable name, huh? If that doesn’t win over Katherine Smythe, nothing will.”

  I laughed. It was as clever a way as any to try to smooth things over between Angela and her difficult mother-in-law. “Let’s hope it works. Have the kids told Reggie’s parents about the baby yet?”

  “Yes,” said Rhonda. “They’re on their way down here as we speak. I just hope it doesn’t turn out to be a bad thing.”

  “Me too.” I looked up at the sight of Robbie padding toward me in wet diapers. “Here’s Robbie. I’d better go. Congratulations to you and everyone else. I’ll be in touch later.”

  I clicked off the call and lifted Robbie into my arms. “Hi, big boy. Ready to get your diaper changed?”

  He patted my cheek. “Mommy.”

  “I’m here, Robbie. I’m here.”

  After changing Robbie’s diaper, I sat with him in the kitchen while he ate his breakfast. As I sipped my coffee, I watched him attack his scrambled eggs with pleasure. Every few moments an expression crossed his face that reminded me of either Robert or Liz. Strange how genetics plays such a big part in all of us, I thought. I couldn’t help wondering what a baby of Vaughn’s and mine might have looked like. We’d never know, but we’d make the most of it with this little boy.

  My cell phone rang. Liz.

  “Hi, sweetie! How are you? I haven’t heard from you in a while.”

  “Things are good. Very good, in fact. I’ve been talking to my counselor, and with all that’s happened with Dad and Kandie, she’s been able to find me more scholarship money for next year.”

  “Wonderful! As we’ve discussed so often, it’s important for you to get your degree.”

  “Yeah, I really get it now, after realizing how it would be if I were ever left on my own to raise a family.” She was silent for a moment. “How’s Robbie?”

  I watched him stare solemnly at me. “Why don’t you ask him? I’ll hold the phone up to his ear.”

  I lifted the phone to Robbie’s ear. “Say hi to Izzie.”

  His face lit with pleasure. “Hi, Izzie! Hi! Hi! Hi!”

  I took the phone back. “Did you get that?”

  She sniffled. “I’m doing the right thing by allowing you to adopt him, aren’t I?”

  “Under the circumstances, yes. But, Liz, you’ll always have a part to play in Robbie’s life. You owe him that, don’t you think?”

  “Yeah. I want to be there for him no matter what happens.”

  “Good. Everyone, including your father, would be pleased with the decisions we all have made.”

  “I know Dad would be happy to have you involved. It’s what he really wanted.”

  Robbie whined to get down.

  “Hold on, Liz.” I put Robbie down and then raced after him as he headed for the lanai. “Everything else okay?”

  “Fine,” Liz said. “By the way, Chad called me. Actually, we’ve been talking almost every night. It’s amazing. I feel like I’ve known him forever.”

  “Oh?”

  “He’s coming to an electronic convention in Boston. We’re going to meet up later this week.”

  “So this is serious?”

  “Pretty much,” Liz answered cryptically, not giving any more information.

  “Okay, keep in touch. I’d better go. Your brother is heading for trouble.”

  Liz laughed. “Go get ’em, Mom!”

  I clicked off the call and reached Robbie just as he was attempting to climb atop the table to get to a candle I’d forgotten to move safely out of the way.

  I swiped him up into my arms and gave him a squeeze. “Okay, let’s find something else to do. How about a swim in the pool?”

  “Pool,” he shouted happily.

  Elena came out of her room as I was changing Robbie into his swimsuit. “How are you feeling?” I asked her.

  “Pretty lousy,” she admitted. “I think if I rest today, though, I’ll be able to get back onto my schedule tomorrow.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ve got him for today. I think we both needed this anyway. Just take care of yourself.”

  Little did I know how exhausted I’d be by the time Robbie was due for his afternoon nap. After I put him in his crib, I lay down in my bedroom. Thinking I’d just rest for a few minutes, I closed my eyes. An hour and a half later, I was startled awake by the sound of Robbie’s cries through the baby monitor.

  I sat up, trying to get my bearings.

  At his continued cries, I got to my feet and hurried to get him.

  When I entered the room, he was standing in his crib. His tear-streaked face lit up at the sight of me, and he held out his arms to me.

  “Hi, Robbie,” I crooned, lifting him into my arms and settling down in the rocking chair with him. As I hugged him to me, inhaling the little boy smell that was so typical of an active toddler, I realized I could never give him up. He’d become mine.

  After I changed Robbie and gave him a snack, we headed to the hospital to see Angela and her baby, Evan.

  In the hospital gift shop, we picked out a stuffed Teddy Bear for the baby, to go along with the baby monitor I’d wrapped and set aside a long time ago.

  As we exited the elevator onto the maternity floor, I could hear Rhonda’s voice and then the sound of laughter from down the hallway. Robbie looked around wide-eyed as we passed a number of rooms to reach the one assigned to Angela.

  At our appearance, Angela beamed at us from the chair she was sitting in. “Hi, Ann! Come s
ee my little boy.”

  The baby was asleep in Angela’s arms. Rhonda and Will, holding Willow, stood by. Reggie sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at his wife and son with a look of awe on his face. It was a scene none of us had imagined a year ago.

  Still holding onto Robbie, I peered at the baby. “He’s beautiful, Angela,” I said. “I’m so happy everything went well. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m glad it’s over. But Evan is so beautiful, it’s all worth it.”

  “What did your parents say when you told them?” I asked Reggie.

  Reggie grimaced. “My mother loved his name until I mentioned DelMonte-Smythe. Typical, huh?”

  “When she sees this adorable little boy, she won’t care,” I said, attempting to put a happy spin on it. Even so, Rhonda and I exchanged knowing looks.

  After kissing Willow on the cheek, I handed Angela the teddy bear. “Robbie and I picked this out for Evan.”

  “Mine!” shrieked Robbie, reaching for the toy.

  “You have yours at home,” I reminded him as he squirmed to get down.

  “Hey, buddy!” said Reggie, taking him into his arms. He swung Robbie up in the air, turning Robbie’s whines into squeals of joy.

  At that moment, Reggie’s parents walked into the room.

  “What do we have here?” said Katherine, frowning at our assembled group.

  “Hi, Mom and Dad,” said Reggie, going over to them, still holding Robbie. “Come see Evan.” He smiled at his mother. “We named him for you.”

  Her features softened. “That’s so sweet, dear.”

  He smiled. “It was Angela’s idea.”

  Katherine darted a look of surprise at Angela. “Really? That’s so...so unexpected of you.”

  Angela smiled. “We thought it would be nice. You’re his grandmother.” She struggled to get out of the chair. Reggie gave her a hand.

  “Would you like to hold him?” Angela asked Katherine.

  Katherine’s eyes swam with tears. “May I?” She took the baby into her arms. She smiled as she gazed down at the baby and turned to her husband. “He looks like you, Arthur.”

  As Arthur studied the baby, his body straightened. “I believe he does.” He smiled at Reggie and then acknowledged Angela. “Congratulations to you both.”