“How is she?” Vivian asked.
“Still sleeping,” Mundo returned.
Crystal sat on the opposite side and reached up taking her small hand in hers, “Would you all mind, please leaving the room? Just a moment please?”
Mundo nodded and turned away, “Don’t leave her alone - she can’t be alone.” He cautioned.
“I won’t, she won’t be alone, promise.” Crystal answered, unable to take her eyes off of her.
They both left to go and check on Sylvia and Shawn.
Crystal gulped down the lump in her throat, fighting down becoming emotional and bawling her eyes out. Her heart pounded so hard it hurt, feeling that what Angela tried to do to herself landed solely in her lap. “Angela… it’s me baby sis. Angela, I know you can hear me, I know you can. Angela, I am so very sorry. Please my little sister, please forgive me. I was wrong to say those things to you. You just a little girl, trying to find your way and you looked to me to help you. Only for me to do what I did, say what I said. I was so wrong, so mean to you. I love you baby girl, I love you so much. I’m not your step-sister I am your full sister. From the bottom of my heart you feel like you’re all mine, and I’m all yours Angela. I’m not mad at you baby, not at you - I’m mad at me for failing you when you needed me more than ever.” Crystal started crying, “Oh Angela, forgive me… I didn’t mean it - I didn’t mean any of it. No one is mad at you baby - or disappointed in you… no one. Not Papah-Shawn, not me, not mama, not Mundo - no one is. This mess Angela, is not your mess, you didn’t make it - it’s not your fault, please believe me, it’s not. We have all done something, everyone has - done something they wish they could undo. They wish they could go back and make it go away. But we can’t baby girl. We just can’t. So, we have to accept what we’ve done, say we’re sorry and really mean it and then… we move on. We don’t give up. We don’t give in and take ourselves out. No baby, we just have to pray to do better, be determined, heal and grow baby girl. That’s all we can do.” Crystal sniffed, wiping at her eyes. She moved even closer, right up to Angela’s ear whispering, “I love you - you hear me - I love you. I don’t want you to hurt anymore. You can wake up now, I’m here and I will never be mad at you again.” She sniffed and stroked and smoothed Angela’s hairline.
Crystal smiled, shaking her head, “Angela, you know… you gotta love me. I gotta love you - it’s just the way we’re supposed to be. It’s just… our first fight huh? All sisters’ fight, that’s what makes them sisters.” She rose and climbed on the bed next to her, lying beside her, one arm over her head, the other holding her hand. “We’re going to be closer than ever Angela, you’ll see… closer than ever.” Then she saw it, a lone tear rolling from the corner of Angela’s eye. “Aaah don’t cry, don’t cry - I’m here, your big sister will always be here for you, I promise, always.” Crystal wiped the tear gently. Angela turned her face to Crystal and moved in closer to her, trying to clear her sore throat she croaked out, “I hurt - my - daddy. I hurt him - so bad. Everybody - wants to - hurt him - I’m - bad like - like them.”
“No you’re not, no - you - are - not! It’s not true. You didn’t mean it. You were unhappy, sad and hurt and no one was listening and fixing your family.”
“I - I still - shouldn’t - have done it - ‘cause now - I - I have a better family… so I - I hurt my dad - for nothing.”
“It’s over baby… its gone - it went away-…”
“No it’s not - it - it was on - the news - it came back - what I did came back. I just - want to - to go away.” She cried.
“Well tough! You’re not going anywhere! You hear me? Like you said, we have a better family now. The best ever. And we’re all staying, no one is going away. Especially not you. Mama’s having Jesse James… you wanna miss that? You’re gonna be his big sister. What’s going to happen to him if he doesn’t have you? Huh? Like Mundo had me - and you have Mundo, and Jesse James is going to have you. He’ll have us all, but you especially. You hear me? Look at me, look right into my eyes…” Crystal demanded.
Angela looked up with more tears rolling, “If you leave your dad… it is - going - to kill him! I won’t be able to save him, not Mundo, not mama, no one… no one is going to be able to save him. YOU are his little girl, his pum’kin… how could you even think of taking from him his one proud achievement? You think he would ever be the same? No way! If you could do that to him - then you don’t love him. You never loved him.”
“You said… you won’t get mad at me - anymore.”
“You even think about it again, doing what you did today - then no, I couldn’t forgive it, because - it will kill us all. We’d all be destroyed so bad no one could ever be the same, is that what you want?”
Angela shook her head, tears rolling.
“Then you need to make up your mind, do you love us? Love your dad? Love your family or not? Do you?”
“I dooo,”
“Then don’t leave us. Stay with us, love us the way we love you and never leave us, because Angela,” Crystal had tears rolling, “We - we can’t live without you… we can’t.” She pleaded and grabbed her, hugging her and holding on tight.
“I don’t wanna - live without you - either Crystal… I love you too - I don’t like it - when - when you’re mad at me. Never leave us, come back home, please?” Crystal stiffened, trapped. “Oh Angela…”
“Pleeease… I need you Crystal, pleeease just for a little while, until things get better?”
Crystal pulled away with her mouth dropped open, and at the same time, the room door swung open. Deidre, Ben and Jeremiah rushed in. They’d arrived, bodyguards included. “Angela?!” Deidre cried out her name.
Crystal’s eyes went straight to Ben’s. The sight of him hit her so hard - she thought she might roll to the floor. She carefully climbed from the bed, turning Angela over to her mother who wrapped her arms around her almost pulling her onto her lap, kissing and hugging her after hearing what she’d done.
Crystal moved towards the end of the bed to allow Ben to pass to see his little sister. As they both moved, one going a direction as the other went the opposite, their eyes held. The temptation was overwhelming to touch, as it was, both of them inhaled deeply to draw in the essence of the other. The chemistry was so powerful he fought not to grab her by the head and kiss the hell out of her. Everything that was right about the two of them together came crashing in on waves that moved from him to her and then from her back to him again.
Crystal once more was the one to break away from the heavy attraction. “I’ll leave you all while I go and check on mama and Shawn.” She didn’t wait for an answer, but made speed out of the room.
Ben sighed, thinking, ‘So nothing’s changed.’
Maternity Ward - Labor & Delivery
Sylvia was hooked up to a fetal monitor with the sounds of Jesse James’s rapid heartbeat filling their ears. Shawn sat at her side, coaching her, soothing her as she forged through more contractions, growing closer together. They’d been waiting on her gyne, Dr. Edmonds. By the time he showed up and checked her, sure enough - she was beyond the point of no return.
“Emmm, I’m thinking it’s a certainty that we can mark today, as Jesse James’s birth day. I’ll be right back.”
“Wait! He’s too young!” Shawn’s fear could not be hidden.
“He’ll be fine, listen to that heartbeat. Besides, he’s already over six pounds - may even be seven. If Sylvia had carried full term, we’re looking at him being around nine or more. Annnd, she’s already dilated to seven - he’s coming, like it or not.” He left the room to alert the nurses to get all prepared and fast.
At his exit Sylvia went into another contraction, they were now only five minutes apart. Vivian, Gert and Crystal rushed into the room. “Oh my goodness Sylvia, you’re going to have him now!” Vivian blasted, hyped, excited. It felt as if they were all on a constant roller coaster, not allowed to get off.
“Doctor said he’s okay - so he’ll be fine - he sure sound
s fine.” Crystal spoke to Shawn and her mother as she panted through the painful force of the baby pushing his way through her pelvic region moving lower and lower.
“You’re both gonna be just fine, you hear me Sylvia, you and Jesse James,” Gert announced choosing not to think about anything but the baby right now. The rest of their messy lives could wait until they brought the new McPherson into the middle of it. She and her son had yet to make eye contact since the major disclosure back at the house. She wasn’t going to stress over what things might be going through his mind, regardless - she was still his mother - no matter who his father was. In truth, she was assuming Edwin was his father. No proof or test had been taken to confirm it - she just felt confident that it was so. She didn’t believe all of this had come to a head the way that it did if that young man who’d died over 45 years ago wasn’t her son’s father. No matter what, she would deny him no more. No more hiding the past or the truth. Shawn needed to know and now that he did, they would deal with it come what may, but first things first.
Sylvia screamed out, “Oh God! I forgot-I forgot-I forgot - oh lord this hurts so bad - why did I forget,” She ground her teeth shaking her head.
“Breathe baby, you can do this, breathe-…” Shawn coached.
“I got no choice since you knocked me up-…” She growled getting hot, irritable and cranky.
“Oh man, here it comes - she’s gettin’ mean.” Shawn dreaded.
The contraction eased with Sylvia lying back, “I’m sorry baby, I’m sorry - not mad at you. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
Vivian and Crystal decided, “We’ll go outside and wait-…”
“Aye, who’s with Angela?” Shawn asked.
“Her mother - Deidre, Ben and Jeremiah are here. Also, she’s awake - talking. She’s fine, I had a long talk with her.” Crystal answered leaving them alone, Vivian beside her.
Shawn nodded bowing his head, choked up and grateful. Sylvia leaned over stroking his head, soothing him, “See baby, we’re gonna get through this - we will.” She comforted him. He nodded once more, lifting his head, his eyes going to her. He leaned forward lying her back, partially covering her, kissing her mouth, her face, “You’re the best thing that’s ever come into my life - the best thing ever. Never give up on me Sylvie.”
She smiled wiping the moisture that surrounded his eyes, “Not until death, will we part. I mean that.” She lifted kissing him this time.
Gert sighed. Watching them she knew that her son had exactly who he needed. Not a woman who would kiss his rear with her nose so far up it that he had nothing to work for, no. Sylvia would not cater to his every little whim. She was one who would always be a challenge to him, to make him work for her. She was a fighter – that, she saw today. She tore into Bart to protect him the way Gert wished she had so many years ago. She hadn’t because she’d been young, alone, intimidated by his wrath, and felt guilty for betraying him. There were times when she did fight him off, but not enough. She knew that Sylvia would have fought him off each and every time. Yes, her son had exactly what he needed. Someone to make him appreciate what he had in a wife. She loved him, oh yes, was loyal and faithful to him, but she didn’t make the mistake many did, of making him her entire world. They were both scarred by life, broken by a past that made them each vulnerable - baggage galore, but when it mattered most of all she proved where her heart lie. Where her allegiance and loyalty reigned. Gert backed out of the room and left them alone. They needed this time. She would go and sit with her granddaughter, see Ben.
Mundo came in just to see how his mother was doing, she was hissing and blowing. “Oh man… mama? Oh man, you can do it, don’t be scared - breathe mama, I came in to see uh, how you doin’ - now I see, I’ah come back later… after…” He shivered, shook his head and went right back out again deciding he was too young for such goings on.
Lying back once more, Sylvia tried to rest, “Shawn that really hurt, I - I’m so sorry - I didn’t mean to go into labor this soon, I thought it would go away. I thought it would stop - I-…”
“Sylvia! Going into labor early is not your doing. It’s all the stress I’ve put on you - where is Dr. Edmond! What? Has he got his thumb up his a-…”
Sylvia covered his lips, “Sh baby… he knows… he knows…OH! It’s coming again - oh it’s really bad… OH!” She started trying to pant and breathe but felt something else, “I feel like I gotta PUSH!”
“NO! Baby wait! I’ll go -…”
“I’m here-I’m here-I’m here!” Edmond burst into the room, “Sylvia, no pushing yet darlin’ - let me check and see what’s going on okay? Then we’ll get you to the delivery room.” He explained sitting down to check her once more.
“We’re not gonna make it!” She grunted, “I wanna push!”
Edmond moved her gown up to see, her knees were already spread, “NOPE! Not gonna make it, you’re right - head’s already crowning!”
“Ow ow ow - It’s burning, I’m tearing -…”
“Wait Sylvia…” Shawn tried to get her to hold it back.
“I GOTTA PUSH!” And she did, bearing down hard.
“Leave her - he’s not waiting either!” Edmond warned Shawn.
The nurses entered to hear and see what was happening and one stayed to help while the other ran to get everything needed for the preemie.
“I’m sorry I can’t wait… I can’t wait…”
“I know baby I know… I know…” Shawn crooned.
She rolled up and pushed hard as she could.
“That’s a good girl, more more more… WHOA! Head full of jet black hair! Take a breath, wait for me, take a breath… let me undo this.” Edmond called to her, removing the cord from the infant’s neck.
Sylvia began rapidly shaking her head to and fro - she wanted to push, the contraction was hurting, “OH GOD - Please… Oh, Shawn - Shawn…”
He climbed up behind her, gathering her into his arms, “I’m here, I’m here, not going anywhere, I love you so much - we’re almost there, almost done… almost…”
Her head rolled around in agony, and tucked beneath her husband’s chin, “I’m gonna push!” She grunted unable to hold back anymore. And did - bearing down with Shawn holding onto her, his large hand interlaced with her small hand for leverage to brace against and push. Shrieking from the overwhelming contraction and clamping down on her body to expel her child, finally he slid free. Sylvia fell back against him gasping and breathing hard.
Edmond began laughing and bragging, “Right again! Undeniably, it’s a boy! Hahaha, whoa and I would say, close to seven if not.” He grinned, clearing his throat and nose. Jesse James didn’t like it one bit and let out a wail so loud, Shawn burst into tears and began sobbing. He held Sylvia and cried along with his son. He couldn’t hold it back. While his world was falling down around him, his son came to him when he needed him most as a ray of hope.
“Dad? You wanna come cut the cord?” Edmond asked.
Shawn couldn’t collect himself enough to do it. Lying on her back now, Sylvia held her husband to her breasts as if he were Jesse James, “Aaah baby… he’s here… he’s here. You got what you wanted, you wanted him so bad - he’s here now, your lil’man’s here.” She stroked his hair to soothe him.
Sniffing, Shawn pushed out of her arms, ashamed to lose it in front of the doctor, and two nurses. He wiped at his eyes, sniffling and grabbed the Kleenex beside him and blew his nose. Taking several deep breaths, he glanced up at his wife. Sylvia was lying flat, her eyes on him, smiling, proud. “If I died this day, giving you him - I would die at my happiest.” She smiled reaching up smoothing his thick brow. “Go look at your boy, count his toes.” She smiled saying.
Shawn cleared his throat, fighting back more tears from her words. Taking a deep breath, he squeezed her hand, kissed her knuckles, mouthed, “I love you,” and stood walking to where one nurse worked to weigh Jesse James - pull his legs to get his length. He was fighting mad, and the moment his father stood above him watching,
he glanced his way with a mean look on his face. Shawn’s head went back and he burst into a deep bark of laughter. Asking the nurse, “You see the look on his face?”
She smiled, nodded, played along. She’d seen too many babies to notice any particular look, but if he said so, it cost her nothing to humor him.
“He’s going to be like my son Mundo, now he’s funny! Oh wait ‘til his brother sees him. And his sisters! We have three others. Oh wait, wrong - four others, I almost forgot my oldest son, Ben. That means I’ve got three boys and two girls. Wait until Derrick sees him, and my brother Jake - he thought Ben was his, but Ben is mine.” Shawn cheesed realizing he was babbling, and saw the look on the nurses face after all that and burst out laughing again.
They were almost finished cleaning and stitching Sylvia when she called over to them, “Anybody gonna let me see my lil’man?”
“Patience…” Shawn turned to her smiling, “You had him all to yourself for almost eight months, my turn now.”
“Ach!” Sylvia gasped and then laughed shaking her head.
He was watching her, smiling and then winked.
Sylvia sighed, and fell in love with her husband, all over again.
At Home…
Three days had gone by before Sylvia, Angela and Jesse James McPherson were driven up and into the driveway of home. However, during those three days, a great deal of cleaning up had taken place.
Day one, after Deidre saw the devastating effects the entire fiasco had on her daughter, she called in the big guns, her mother. After an hour’s worth of arguing, and Deidre reminding her that what Oscar T. did wasn’t supposed to happen, her mother explained that the moment he walked into the media and began to “talk” all bets were off. However, her mother got on the phone, called the top networks and set up a live interview report where they would get Deidre’s and Jeremiah’s side of the story. That alone made Georgiana act and act immediately - after all, she wasn’t the best of grandmother’s - but what was hers, would go to her daughter and what was her daughter’s would go to Angela. It simply was the way it was done. Inheritance, family wealth and their legacy depended upon heirs - Angela was the future heir of a banking empire - suicide - nor an enemy to provoke it - simply was not allowed. As the matriarch, lacking or not, no one - including Oscar T. was going to mess with her daughter’s head, or her granddaughter’s for that matter.
Beauty of Man and Woman - Volume 13: Bomaw Page 39
