by Terri Reid
Bradley placed a towel across his lap and bent forward, his eyes meeting Mary’s. “I love you,” he said, never meaning the words more than at that moment.
She sniffed and smiled. “I love you too,” she whispered. Then, once again, the contraction hit.
“Okay, Mary, push,” Bradley encouraged her. “Remember work with the contraction. Push down.”
More of Mikey’s head appeared, and Bradley waited for him to slide out. But the contraction ended, and he disappeared from sight. “That was so good,” he said. “I could see so much more of his head this time. You’re so close.”
She nodded, breathing heavily, but didn’t have the strength to answer him. “Here it comes,” she gasped.
Bradley bent down and watched Mikey’s head slowly appear, more and more of it showing. “Come on, Mary,” he cried. “He’s almost here.”
Mary screamed as she bore down, and suddenly Mikey’s head was out.
“His head is out,” Bradley said, cradling the tiny head in his hands, tears running down his face. “His head is out.”
Mary smiled. “Is he really a boy?”
Bradley laughed through his tears. “I can’t tell yet,” he said tenderly. “But one more push ought to do it.”
She nodded and pushed as another contraction hit. Bradley felt the force of her muscles as the rest of the baby slid out into his arms. He wrapped the baby in the towel and used his finger to gently clean the mucus from the baby’s mouth. Suddenly, a tiny wail echoed in the elevator box. Bradley lifted him up and put him in Mary’s arms. “You did it,” he said. “You were so amazing.”
“He’s so perfect,” she cried, gently gliding her finger along his face. “He’s a miracle.”
Bradley nodded. “Yes, he is.”
“Is everything okay down there?” Mickey called.
“Michael Timothy Alden was just born,” Bradley said.
“Congratulations,” Mickey said. “We’re not going to worry about the umbilical cord just yet. You guys just cuddle that baby and relax for a little while.”
“So, his birthday is January 12th,” Mary said.
Bradley looked down at his watch and shook his head. “No, it’s ten after twelve,” he replied. “Mikey was born on Friday, January 13th.”
Mary smiled. “A lucky day,” she said.
“A very lucky day,” he replied.
“I totally agree.”
Mary and Bradley looked up in shock.
“Mike?” Mary cried. “Mike?”
He smiled at them. “I’m gone for a few days, and you decide to have your baby in an elevator?” he asked. “What were you thinking?”
Joy filled her heart while tears ran down her cheeks. “Everyone does a labor and delivery room,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “How…How can you be back?”
“Well, I have a new assignment,” he said. “But I couldn’t show up until he was born.”
“Mikey?” Bradley asked. “You’re Mikey’s guardian angel?”
Mike shrugged and nodded. “I had to beat up a couple of other angels to get the gig,” he said. “But, you know, it was worth it.”
He shook his head, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Besides,” he whispered, “you’re family.”
Chapter Seventy-six
“Are you still okay down there?” Mickey called down ten minutes later.
Bradley looked down at Mary, asleep in his arms and Mikey cuddled in her arms.
“We’re great,” he said, moderating his voice, so neither baby nor mom would be disturbed.
“Okay, then I’m stepping back so Mel can close this door and we can bring the elevator up to four,” she said.
“Great,” Bradley said. “Thanks.”
A moment later the elevator lights came back on, and the box started moving. Mary opened her eyes. “We’re moving?” she asked.
“Yes,” he said, kissing her head. “We’ll have you in a clean, comfy bed in a few minutes.”
She smiled up at him. “I’m pretty comfy where I am right now,” she replied.
He hugged her tighter. “You are exactly where you belong right now,” he whispered.
The door opened, and they were met by several nurses and a gurney. Mary looked up at Bradley and smiled weakly. “Remember the last time I rode in one of those?” she whispered.
“Shhhh,” he whispered back. “Our little secret.”
Bradley slipped out from behind Mary and then knelt next to her. “Ready to go?” he asked.
She nodded, and Bradley scooped his wife and their baby into his arms and placed them both gently on the gurney. Mary looked back at the elevator and grimaced. “Sorry about the mess,” she said.
The nurses laughed. “We’ve seen worse,” one said. “Lots worse.”
One of the nurses stepped into the elevator and picked up Mary’s and Bradley’s belongings. “I’ll bring these along,” she said. “You three just worry about each other.”
They rolled Mary down the hallway towards the other set of elevators, right past Stanley’s room.
“Wait,” Mary called out.
They stopped immediately. “Is something wrong?” the nurse asked. “Are you feeling sick or dizzy?”
She shook her head. “I know this is unusual,” she said. “But can we just make a quick stop?”
“A stop?” the nurse asked, confused.
Bradley chuckled and nodded. “Mikey’s grandparents are in this room,” he said. “We’d like to stop in and see them.”
With a shrug, the nurse turned the gurney towards the door and knocked before she entered.
“Have you heard anything?” Rosie called out. “Is she…”
Rosie opened the door, immediately saw Mary holding the baby and started to cry. She hurried forward and hugged Mary tightly. “We were so worried about you,” she said through tears. “Mel kept us informed, but to imagine you in an elevator giving birth…”
She looked down at the baby, cuddled against Mary’s chest, and smiled. “He’s just perfect, isn’t he?”
Mary nodded. “Yes, he really is,” she replied. “Is Stanley still awake?”
“Awake? He’s been calling anyone he could think of to get you out of the elevator,” she said, moving out of the way so the gurney could be pushed into the room. “Mel had to stop him from calling in the National Guard.”
Stanley looked across the room, and his eyes filled with tears. “‘Bout time they got you out of there,” he grumbled, his voice thick with tears. He wiped a hand across his wrinkled face to dash away the tears.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice cracking.
Mary nodded as she wiped away her own tears. “I’m great,” she said. “So great. I wanted you to meet Mikey.”
They pushed the gurney as close as they could, and Stanley looked over from his bed to see the baby sleeping in Mary’s arms. Then he shook his head and pushed his legs over the side of his bed. “I ain’t gonna meet my newest grandson laying down like some invalid,” he said.
“Stanley, no!” Rosie called, trying to get around Mary’s gurney to him.
But Bradley was quicker. He stepped to Stanley’s bedside. “You ain’t gonna stop me,” Stanley said, determination in his eyes.
Bradley shook his head. “No, sir, I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said. “But I would like to lend you a hand.”
With glistening eyes, Stanley wrapped his arm around Bradley’s shoulder, and Bradley gently helped him from his bed. They walked slowly, one step at a time, until Stanley was at Mary’s side. He looked down at the baby and nodded, his lips trembling with emotion. “You done good, girlie,” he finally said. “Real good.”
Mary reached forward and hugged him. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you for being my extra dad.”
“Okay,” Bradley whispered to Stanley. “Ready to get back in bed?”
Stanley smiled at the younger man. “Reckon I’ll get in all kinds of trouble if I don’t,” he said.
&nb
sp; “Well, I know you’re not afraid of trouble,” Bradley said in a lowered voice. “But Mary is exhausted, and I know she won’t want to leave if you’re still up.”
“Help me back then,” he said quickly.
Bradley and Stanley walked slowly back to the bed. But Stanley stopped him before he helped him up. “Just wanted to tell you I’m proud of you, son,” Stanley said. “You love that girl more than life itself, and I can see it. You did good tonight too. Proud to know you.”
Bradley moved around and hugged Stanley. “Thank you,” he said. “That meant the world to me.”
They lowered the bed, and Bradley helped Stanley get back in and situate himself. Stanley looked over to Mary. “You go get some rest, hear?”
She grinned. “Yes, sir,” she replied. “You too.”
“Well I would if there weren’t an entire circus in my room,” he blustered with a smile. Then he lowered his voice. “Sleep well, girlie. You deserve it.”
As they began to pull the gurney out of the room, Rosie came up beside Mary. “We’ve been texting with your mother all night,” she said. “Both Mel and Mickey would give us updates, and we would share them with her immediately.”
“Thank you so much,” Mary replied, giving Rosie another hug.
Rosie held up her phone. “I think she would love a photo of all of you,” she said.
Mary smiled and nodded. “Bradley, Rosie needs to take our picture for Ma,” she said.
Bradley put his arm around Mary and smiled. “Now she might sleep tonight,” Mary said.
He shook his head. “I kind of doubt it,” he replied.
They pulled the gurney back out into the hall.
“Thank you,” Mary said to the nurses. “That was so nice of you.”
“After what you’ve been through tonight,” the first nurse said, “that was the least we could do. Now let’s get you to your room.”
Chapter Seventy-seven
They stopped in front of the elevators, and Mary shook her head. “I have to admit I’m not looking forward to getting back into an elevator,” she said.
Bradley put his hand on her shoulder. “But just remember the amazing things you accomplished last time you were in one,” he teased.
She looked up at him. “I’m not quite ready for an encore performance,” she replied.
“It will be a breeze this time,” the nurse assured. “Besides, we really can’t take the gurney down the steps.”
“That’s true,” Mary said, taking a deep breath as the doors opened before them. “Okay, let’s go.”
The trip down to the second floor was done quickly and without incident. “Your doctor and Mickey will be waiting for you in your room,” the nurse explained. “And your pediatrician is also there to give Mikey an exam.”
“Perfect,” Mary said.
The halls of the maternity wing were filled with lovely pictures of mothers and babies. The wallpaper was a soft pastel hue, and the lights were soft and dim. Mary slowly looked around. “This is so much prettier than the inside of an elevator,” she said wistfully.
“Well, I think we’ll be keeping you for at least a day or so,” the nurse replied. “So, you’ll be able to enjoy it.”
The nurse punched in a security code, and the doors opened. Then she turned to Mary. “The doors are always locked,” she said. “And family and friends are given a security code, or they can press this button and speak to the nurses station to gain entrance.”
“That’s nice,” Bradley replied. He bent down and whispered to Mary, “Now I won’t have to place armed guards on this floor to protect you and Mikey.”
She smiled up at him. “I’m sure they will be relieved to hear that.”
“Your room is right here, Room 222,” the nurse said, pushing the gurney through the open door.
“Mary!” Margaret’s voice rang through the room as she and Clarissa rushed forward to meet the gurney.
“Ma?” Mary exclaimed. “Clarissa? How did you get here?”
Bradley shrugged. “I may or may not have had one of my guys pick them up and drive them over,” he said.
She smiled up at him, her eyes glistening. “Thank you.”
Margaret hugged her daughter. “We were so worried about you,” she said, brushing a tear from her cheek. “And look at you! More beautiful than I’ve ever seen.”
Bradley leaned down and kissed Mary’s head. “I agree,” he said.
Clarissa came up on the other side of the gurney and gently touched Mikey’s downy skin. “This is my brother?” she asked, her voice filled with awe.
Mary nodded. “Yes, this is Mikey,” she said.
“Can I hold him?” Clarissa asked.
“Well, not yet,” Mary replied. “Because the doctors still have to do a couple of things to him and to me. But soon, you’ll be able to hold him.”
“I’m sorry,” the nurse said. “But we really need to have the doctors look at you.”
“Well, Clarissa and I are going down to the cafeteria for a bit,” Margaret said. She smiled at Mary. “Can I get you something to eat?”
“Oh, Ma, that would be wonderful,” Mary said. “I could eat an entire buffet.”
Margaret laughed. “Aye, I know that feeling well,” she said. “Having a baby is hard work.” She turned to Bradley.
“And for you?” she asked. “Because, I imagine helping with the birth is just as hard.”
“I would love food,” Bradley agreed. “Anything will be great.”
“Okay, we’ll be back in thirty minutes with food for both of you,” she said.
Clarissa hesitated, holding onto the gurney. “Are you going to be okay?” she asked, worry creasing her brow.
Mary smiled and nodded. “I’m fine, sweetheart,” she assured her. “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with me.”
“Are you sure?” she asked. “Mommy Jeannine died when I was born.”
Bradley walked over and pulled Clarissa into his arms, holding her and rocking her for a moment. Then he released her and looked into her eyes. “What do you see on my face?” he asked.
She lifted her hand to his face. “I see a smile,” she said. “All the way to your eyes.”
He smiled wider and nodded. “Do I look worried?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No, you don’t. You look so happy.”
“I am so happy,” he said. “Because Mary is safe, and Mikey is healthy, and nothing is going to happen to either of them.”
She studied Bradley’s face for a moment longer and then returned his smile. “I’m a big sister,” she whispered happily.
He hugged her again. “Yes, you are,” he said. “And you’re going to be great at it!”
Chapter Seventy-eight
After giving Mary and Mikey clean bills of health, the doctors and nurses left Mary and Bradley alone with Mikey. They both watched in amazement as Mikey hungrily nursed for the first time.
“This is so unreal to me,” Mary said.
“What do you mean?” Bradley whispered.
“Well, first, the whole idea that this baby I’m holding was inside of me just a few hours ago,” she said. “I keep thinking, how the heck did he fit?”
Bradley chuckled. “As the official catcher, I can assure you that he did fit and that he did, indeed, come out of you,” he said.
She laughed softly. “I know, but it seems so…I don’t know, miraculous,” she said. “And now, to be able to nourish him from my body. It’s all so remarkable that it all works this way.”
He nodded. “Yeah, this whole process has been remarkable,” he said.
Mike appeared in the corner of the room, far enough away to give Mary and Mikey some privacy.
“It is more than remarkable,” Mike said. “It really is a miracle.”
“I’m so glad you’re back,” Mary said. “I feel like our family is whole again.”
He smiled back at her. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to be back,” he replied. “But now, you have to deci
de something.”
“What?” Bradley asked.
“Do you want Clarissa and Mikey to be able to see me?” he asked. “You two will still be able to see me. But, do you think having them being able to see me presents more problems than solutions?”
Mary shook her head. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I would like to give Clarissa a chance to apologize to you. And I think it would be sad if Mikey never got to see you.”
Mike smiled. “Well, Mikey is going be able to see me until he’s about two years old,” he said. “Babies can see angels for a while because they’re so new to the earth. But then they grow up and become more a part of this world, so they lose that sight.”
“So, normally, children wouldn’t be able to see you,” Bradley said. “After that age.”
“Yes, although some of them still remember their angels,” Mike said, “most don’t.” Then he grinned. “Obviously I would be one of the unforgettable ones.”
“Obviously,” Mary agreed. “What do you think?”
He sighed. “As much as I loved my interaction with Clarissa,” he said, “I realized that maybe by always being there, she didn’t have to rely on faith as much. She’s prayed more, real prayers, since I left than she ever did before.”
He shrugged. “She actually did pray for me,” he said. “And tonight, Mary, she prayed for you and Mikey like she had never prayed before. And her prayers were answered.”
“It will be weird, though,” Bradley said, “not having that same interaction with you and the whole family. But, I see your point.”
Mary turned to Bradley. “So, what should we do?”
“I think we need to take Mike’s advice on this one,” he said. “I think Clarissa needs to start understanding faith.”
“Wow, there are going to be a lot of changes in our family,” Mary said.
Mike met her eyes and nodded. “More than you even realize,” he said.
“What?”
“They’re coming back,” he replied quickly. “Gotta go.”
He disappeared just before Margaret and Clarissa came back into the room, their arms filled with take-out boxes from the cafeteria.
