by Kimi Flores
He took a step back. “Oh, I just assumed, since I only ever saw her.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Well she’s gone—permanently.”
“Can I get you to sign this?” He handed me the electronic tablet to sign, avoiding eye contact.
“Sure.” I scribbled my signature and handed it over, turning my back to open my package.
Feeling bad immediately, I turned to apologized, but he was gone. Oh well. Unless he asked to change his route, I would be seeing him again. I could ask for forgiveness later.
Inside the box, the vases were even more beautiful than they were online.
I’d tried to suppress my feelings about the whole Melissa debacle, but it seemed like I found something new every day. Even Zachary had been effected. He’d had a new wedding coordinator who didn’t know any better and booked a bunch of weddings for Melissa. Now I was afraid of hiring anyone else, but it was wearing on me. I was beginning to consider Stefen’s offer.
As I dug through the box, I noticed there was some bubble wrap mixed in with the foam popcorn. Careful not to break anything, I yanked the sheet out of the box and giggled. I’d always had a thing for bubble wrap. It made me smile.
Squeezing the large air-filled bubble, I waited for the pop, but it didn’t come. Damn, this one is hard. Moving to the next bubble, I was unable to break that one, either. Maybe there’s something wrong with my grip. Just as I was about to try the third one, my phone rang.
“Hello.” I held the phone between my shoulder and ear, trying to bust the indestructible bubbles.
It was Jenna from the dance studio. “Hey, Leah, the new owner is here moving things around and wondered when you’re going to come pick up your equipment.”
“What?” I dropped the bubble wrap and held the phone tighter.
Jenna hesitated. “Uh, didn’t Stefen tell you?”
I slammed the sheet of plastic down onto the counter. “Tell me what?”
“Shit, Leah, I thought you knew by now.” Jenna paused. “Stefen promised he was going to tell you that Celeste sold the studio. The new owners have other plans and didn’t leave any room on the schedule for your class.”
My face turned beet red with anger as I took a pair of scissors and began to stab the unpoppable bubble wrap. I grit my teeth. “Are you kidding me?”
What else is going to happen? And Stefen knew about this?
Trying to calm myself down, I took a deep breath. “Thanks for telling me. Can I call you later and make arrangements to get my stuff?”
What am I going to tell the kids? How could Stefen keep something like this from me?
“No problem. I can take your things to my house if you like. Today’s my last day and my daughter won’t mess with any of it.”
“That would be great, Jenna. Thanks.” I ended the call as Abby walked through the door in all her pregnant glory.
I was still in slaughter mode as I held up the bubble wrap, yelling at it. “There is a special place in hell for the sadistic bastard that invented this sick joke!”
Abby stopped, her smile disappearing. “What’s going on?”
Holding the scissors up, I scoffed, “I was just informed that the studio was sold, I no longer have a class, and Stefen knew all about it.” I couldn’t believe my shitty luck lately. “That’s on top of the crap that Melissa left behind. I just don’t know how much more I can handle.”
Removing the sharp object from my hands, Abby pulled me into a hug, stroking the back of my hair. “I can’t imagine Stefen was trying to keep it from you. Give him a chance to explain. He’s been calling Caleb a lot lately, getting all kinds of relationship advice. I get it, though. Guys just don’t think the way we do.”
I pulled back, sniffling. “I didn’t know Stefen talked to Caleb about us.”
Moving the strands of hair away from my eyes, Abby said, “Of course you didn’t. They have their own male bonding thing going on. I only know about it because I overhear Caleb sometimes. Hold on a minute.” She waved to me while doing her breathing exercises. “Braxton Hicks.”
I looked at her questionably. “Um, do I need to take you to the hospital?”
Blowing in and out through her puckered lips, she assured me, “No, give me a minute. It’ll go away.” She rubbed her belly, then bent forward a bit, the pain on her face finally ebbing. “Okay. It's over.”
“Is that normal?” I tried not to panic. I hadn’t been around when Elena went into labor. And Abby still had another four weeks to go.
“Perfectly,” she assured me again. “I've been having these for a week. But a few more today than normal. I didn’t tell Caleb because I wanted to come see you. I only need to be concerned if they start coming close to each—” Her face crumpled again. “Holy moly, here's another. Oh, mother fucker. This hurts. Okay, I give,” she gasped, doubling over. “Call Caleb.”
I’ve never heard Abby cuss before. That shit must really hurt.
Abby squatted down holding onto the counter next to her, breathing in and out, and I grabbed her cell. Oh please don’t have the baby right here on the floor of my store.
Rushing through my contacts, I dialed Stefen without thinking.
He quickly answered, “Are you at the shop, sweetie? I was just about to call you. Leaving Caleb’s now. I need to see you, so we can talk about something.”
“Not now Stefen,” I snapped, all my earlier anger returning. “I think Abby’s in labor. Tell Caleb I'm taking her to the hospital.”
Abby’s breaths were quickening and getting noisier.
There was a brief pause on Stefen’s end, then he said in a low, quick voice, “We’ll meet you guys there.”
I hung up without saying goodbye, ran to lock up the front door, then waited for the next contraction to finish before helping Abby up. We waddled together out the back of the store into my van.
As soon as Abby was seated, she moaned with another contraction, grabbing hold of the dashboard.
Okay, I was officially panicking now. “Is this normal?”
“Every pregnancy is different, but this is too early,” she grunted.
I zoomed around and got into the driver’s seat, started the van, then drove like a bat out of hell.
“Oh my gosh Leah!” She grabbed my shoulder and squeezed. This hurts like a son of a bitch.” Suddenly, her eyes went wide as she started to cry. “Oh crap!”
I followed her gaze and saw her seat was soaked.
“My water just broke in your car!” she wailed.
Trying to remain calm myself, I said. “Abby, it’s okay. Don't worry about it. Let's just get you to the hospital.”
At a red light, I sent Stefen a quick text.
Leah: Water just broke in the van. Definitely in labor.
Stefen: K. On our way.
I was thankful that the hospital was less than ten minutes away because Abby screamed in pain the whole way. Pulling up to the emergency entrance, I ran in, practically shouting at the voluptuous, grey haired lady at the desk. “My friend is in labor. Can I get her a wheelchair?”
The receptionist answered, “Yes. I'll have it brought out to you.”
Energized by pure adrenalin, I ran back to Abby, reached around and rubbed her back. “They’re bringing a wheelchair right now.”
Tears ran down her cheeks. “Leah, I'm so sorry. We'll get your car cleaned.” She was in between contractions, but still breathing hard.
“Seriously stop!” I yelled. “It’s a freaking car, and we are having a baby right now! I'm so excited!”
Someone came up behind me with a wheelchair.
I asked, “Can I leave my van here for a minute? I have someone coming to move it.”
“Sure.” The dark-hair male orderly shrugged.
I grabbed my phone, shooting Stefen another text.
Leah: Please move my van from emergency.
Stefen: Almost there!
Turning off my phone, I ran to catch up to Abby as they wheeled her into the labor and delivery unit.
>
Chapter Twenty - Four
That Wasn’t a Joke
Stefen
“Dude, you need to calm down,” I told Caleb for the thousandth time. “We’re almost there. She won’t have the baby without you. I'll drop you off and meet you inside, but you seriously need to chill out before you see her. She needs you to be strong right now.”
Caleb’s eyes were unfocussed. “I'm good. Pull up right there.” He pointed to the curb in front of the hospital, then jumped out before I came to a complete stop.
Madison sat in the backseat with a worried expression.
“Are you okay, squirt?” I looked at her reflection in the rearview mirror.
Madison’s little bottom lip stuck out. “Is Mama going to be okay?”
I turned around to look at her. “Of course she is. She’s having your baby brother or sister right now.”
Cocking her head, she seemed sure I didn’t get what she was asking. “I know, but is she going to be alive? My mommy in heaven died after she had me.”
A stabbing pain took ahold of my chest as I turned to look for a parking space. This sweet little girl was afraid that her new mom was going to die giving birth because her biological mother died a year after giving birth to her.
“Oh, squirt,” I murmured. “Your mommy in heaven was sick, and it had nothing to do with having you. Abby, I mean your mama, is in perfect health. She’s going to give you a gorgeous brother or sister and everyone will be fine.”
Now that I was thinking about it, I hoped I was right. All sorts of things could happen during labor. I pulled into a parking space after driving by the emergency entrance, spotting Leah's van.
Her worried eyebrows broke my heart. “But my daddy looked so scared.”
I turned around in my seat, so I could look Madison in the eyes. “Daddy wasn't scared. He was excited. He can't wait to meet the baby. Come on. Let's go move Auntie Leah's car.” I got out, opened her door, and held her hand while walking to Leah's van.
Grimacing at the very wet passenger seat, I was thankful that I’d already made plans regarding her mode of transportation.
⁂
Leah
When we finally made it into a room, Abby was quickly hooked up to all of the machinery to monitor the baby. The nurse discovered that the baby was in distress, and the heart rate was weak. Abby hadn’t dilated as much as they had hoped by now, and the contractions were stressing the baby out further.
I tried to keep myself together for my friend’s sake, but my heart was breaking right along with her. Abby had already lost one baby when she was younger. I couldn’t even imagine how she would handle losing another.
After examining her, the on-call doctor decided they needed to get her into the operating room for an emergency C-section.
Caleb must’ve run into him when he exited the room because I heard his whispered voice.
“What can I do?” I asked, feeling helpless.
Grabbing onto my arm, Abby begged, “Just hold my hand. I’m so scared. I can’t do this again.” Tears welled up in her eyes.
Caleb came from behind the privacy curtain just as another contraction began, and Abby screamed out in pain. Rushing to her side, he carefully bent her forward, massaging her back. “Oh love, I’m sorry you’re in so much pain.” He kissed her temple. “Everything is going to be fine.”
The contraction ended, and Abby let go of her death grip on my hand, then she started to sob into her husband’s chest. “I can’t lose another baby.” Clutching onto his shirt, she pulled him even closer. “I can’t.”
I had to turn away as the tears escaped my own eyes. Rather quickly, a crew of nurses came in, transferred Abby to a rolling bed, and gave Caleb a pair of scrubs.
As Caleb put the scrubs on, he stood next to me, assuring me that everything was going to be fine. He called out to me as he left the room, “I’ll come out to the waiting room with good news.” His genuine smile looked assured that this was going to turn out fine.
If only I had the confidence he did.
Grabbing a few tissues on my way out the door, I trudged to the waiting area. Stefen was sitting on one of the couches, leaning on his knees, twiddling his thumbs. Madison was snuggled up between her grandparents.
All eyes were on me as I stood at the entrance. I put on my best brave, smiling face for Madison’s benefit.
Stefen knew me well enough not to buy it. Getting up from the couch, he looked back as he led me away from innocent eyes. “What’s going on?”
I began to sob. “The baby is having problems, and they had to rush her in for an emergency C-section. She’s beside herself. She’s already lost one baby.” I sniffed, using the tissue to wipe the tears from under my eyes.
He pulled me into his chest and kissed my head. “I didn’t know she lost another baby.”
“It’s not something you bring up over Thanksgiving turkey, but yeah, she had a miscarriage when she was seventeen.”
Moving my face to look at him, he told me, “We have to remain positive here. Until something bad happens, we’ll just think about the good.” Stefen wrapped his arms around me, and I felt like I was home.
I sunk into his warm arms and sniffled again. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He kissed my forehead before pulling my hand.
We joined the rest of our group. While we were in the hall, Bri and Dani had arrived. Everyone sat impatiently waiting for any news.
Madison fell asleep by the time Caleb stepped into the room. As he grinned from ear to ear, the entire room seemed to exhale.
He threw his arms up. “It’s a boy.”
⁂
I stood just inside the hospital room doorway, watching Abby and Caleb with their children, Madison and baby Max. It was breathtaking. Stefen came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder.
“Do you see that?” he whispered.
“Yes.” I leaned into him. “It's beautiful.”
We swayed slightly back and forth as he said softly, “Someday, we’ll have that.”
I turned to look at him, and he noticed my watery eyes. Pulling me out, he told everyone, “We'll be back.”
Caleb gave a knowing look and smiled. Abby was too hypnotized by the squirming little guy in her arms.
Stefen led me out to the parking structure where his car was parked. “Come on, get in, I have something to show you.”
Situated in his car, we started out.
As they drove, I remembered everything that happened earlier. “I got a call from the studio today.” I watched him closely.
He gave nothing away. “Oh yeah? What did they say?”
“That I no longer have a class there and that you knew about it.” I bit my lip nervously.
“Hmm. Interesting.” He slowly nodded.
We pulled up to the curb of an unmarked building, and he got out.
Opening my car door, I asked, “That’s all you have to say?”
“For now.” He smirked.
He was being so cryptic as he led me to the back of the red brick building.
What is he up to?
Whistling as we turned the corner, he searched his keys until he found the one he was looking for, then he opened the heavy, metallic back door.
“You’re renting a building here?” I questioned.
He flicked on the bright lights. “Nope, you own it.”
As soon as we stepped inside, I began to take in the room.
The floor was the same kind of refurbished wood I'd admired at the tasting room at Zachary's vineyard. The walls were covered in mirrors and ballet bars. I looked up and saw several large intricately designed chandeliers hanging from the ceiling in a row. On the left was a beautiful soft chocolate-colored leather sofa sitting diagonally in the corner.
Is this a dream?
I walked into the center of the room, hoping the gush of air coming from the vent above me would help me catch my breath and stop the tears from streaming.
“Do you like it?” Stefen moved his hands from behind his back and lifted my chin.
Raising my hands, palms up, I motioned around them. “What is this?”
He looked confused by my tears. “It's for you. You said you wanted a better space for your kids. I wanted to open this one for you.”
I cried even harder, and he looked like he was afraid that he’d made a mistake. His voice was soft when he said, “I thought this would make you happy.”
“Stefen, it's too much.” I shook my head. “Way too much.”
Understanding now, he sighed with relief and pressed my teary face to his chest. “Nothing is too much for you, Leah. You deserve everything.”
I pulled away to look up at him. “All I've wanted this whole time was you. Not what you could give me.”
His face beamed, full of love. “That's good. This next part would be really awkward, otherwise.” He lowered onto one knee.
Shocked, I gasped, “Stefen, what are you doing?”
“Leah Valdez, I love you with all my heart and soul. I can’t stand it when we’re not together. I want you with me always. You’re the only one I want. You’re my perfect girl, the one I dream about spending the rest of my life with, raising kids and enjoying grandkids with.” He choked up. “I promise to do my very best to make you happy and to deserve you for the rest of our lives.” A nervous smile spread across his lips before he asked me, “Will you marry me?”
He picked up my hand and slipped a beautiful red ruby and diamond ring onto my finger.
I was speechless. It took me a moment to even remember I was still breathing. Finally, I whispered, “Yes.”
Jumping up, he lifted me off my feet and spun us in a circle, pressing his lips to mine.
When we broke our kiss, I looked at his face. “It’s not too soon, is it? I was thinking we’d wait a while. What changed?”
“You changed me, ma cherie amour. I didn't believe in marriage before I met you, but once I realized how much I would miss out on if I didn't marry you, I became a believer.” He smiled and kissed me again.
