His Choice, Her Decision

by Williams, D. C.

  “Girl, please, what do you think that rock means coming from someone like Aiden,” Camille says.

  “Someone like Aiden, what is that supposed to mean?”

  “Come on Sharon, Aiden is territorial as hell. How many times has he asked you to marry him and don’t lie, because every time he does and you say no, he’s on the phone with Sebastian complaining about it.”

  Camille talks too damn much. “Thanks for clearing that up, Camille.”

  Glancing in her rearview mirror, “hey, I’m just telling you what everyone else already knows or has said.”

  Rolling my eyes at her, “I’m hungry, have you guys already eaten?”

  “I’m starved too,” Michelle says, “I think we should eat first before hitting the shopping strip.” Sharing the backseat with Michelle, she pats me on the arm and makes a facial gesture letting me know to just ignore Camille’s stupid ass remark.

  About two hours later, we’ve eaten, laughed and now on our way to do some major shopping damage. Leaving the restaurant that’s located in the heart of the shopping strip, we decide to go into a baby shop to look around. There are still a few items that I need to purchase like the comforters for the babies room, which they will share in the beginning at the suggestion of my mom and Mrs. Taylor.

  “What about this pattern?” Michelle is asking, holding up a beautiful, bold yellow and green comforter set that doesn’t really have a theme but would be perfect for their room.

  “These are actually perfect with what I already have in the room.” Looking at the price tag for the one comforter alone, it reads $200. I don’t want to pay that much and I’ve been trying not to use my American Express card since the pregnancy because I don’t want daddy to feel like he’s taking care of Aiden’s responsibility. Deciding that I don’t have much time left in my pregnancy and more than likely, I won’t be shopping much after today, I decide to just use one of my own credit cards. “Okay, I think I’ll get these.” Walking up to the counter, Camille and Rhonda are also standing in line with things for their kids.

  “Did you find everything okay,” the cashier is asking. “Your total comes to $545.89.”

  Pulling out my wallet, where are my credit cards? I see the American Express card, but where is my Visa card? Damn, I don’t remember taking those cards out. Hearing Rhonda clearing her throat for me to hurry, I grab the American Express card to pay for my items. Sighing, I didn’t want to have to use this card.

  “If you’ll please sign here, Mrs. Taylor,” the cashier says.

  “Mrs. Taylor,” I hear the Camille and Rhonda say at the same time. Trying to ignore them, I’m thinking that she’s probably been reading the tabloids and assumes that Aiden and I are married, so I decide not to comment. Giving me the card back, for some reason, I glance down at the name imprinted on the card, “Sharon Wen Taylor,” what the hell?

  Grabbing my purchases and quickly walking as far away from everyone as possible, I pull my cell out of my back pocket and dial Aiden’s phone.

  Answering on the second ring, “hey babe, is everything okay?”

  “Don’t babe me, where are my credit cards?”

  “Which credit cards are you talking about?”

  “Don’t play dumb with me Aiden, where are my credit cards?”

  “Is there a problem with the card that you have?”

  Sighing into the phone, “Aiden, where are my cards? You had no right to remove those cards from my wallet.”

  “Sharon, don’t make a big deal out of this, just use the card that you have and don’t worry about how much you spend, okay.”

  “I am so pissed at you right now. Stop trying to control things. I’m not going to buy anything else on your card.”

  “First of all, I’m not trying to control anything, I’m just taking care of my family and second of all, that’s the only card that you need.”

  Looking into my wallet for my bankcard, “where in the hell is my bankcard?”

  “Just use the American Express and have fun, we’ll talk later tonight. Goodbye,” he says as he hangs up on me.

  Seeing that Michelle is walking my direction, I want to scream. Damn that Aiden. When in the hell did he get this freaking card? Ugh!

  “Sharon, you okay?”

  Nodding my head, “yeah, I’m okay,” I say probably a little too dry.

  Smiling at me, “what did Aiden do?”

  “What hasn’t he done is the question.” Not really wanting to discuss Mr. Control Freak and desperate to change the subject to keep from throwing a fit, I ask, “where to next?”

  Chapter Forty Two

  It’s after eight o’clock and we’re leaving Rhonda’s house heading back to Bakersfield. Sharon is moving around in the seat, I guess trying to get comfortable. “Are you okay over there?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve been feeling this pain or maybe it’s just pressure from the babies for like the last few hours.”

  “You don’t think they’re labor pains, do you?”

  “I don’t think so. When I described them to my mom and Rhonda at the baby shower, they said that it’s probably because the babies don’t have much room to move around. Besides, from what they said in Lamaze class, I’ll know when I’m in labor.”

  Placing my hand on top of her stomach, “wow, your stomach feels tight.”

  “It always feels tight so I can’t tell the difference.” Moving around more, “um, it’s just really uncomfortable.”

  “Maybe you’re having contractions.”

  Sighing because I have no idea what’s going on, she says, “I hope not, I really want to go home and sleep. Today was really a trying day with my dad.” Looking over at me, “did you talk to him at all today?”

  Laughing to myself, “yeah, I talked to him or rather, listened to him.”

  Leaning her head to the side, “he was really short with me today.” Moving around more, she has one hand on her stomach and the other on the seat, “he asked if I am being properly taken care of since I no longer need his support.” Laying her head back against the seat with her eyes closed, “Aiden, this really hurts.”

  I’m getting nervous as hell. I think she’s in labor. “Don’t you think we should go to the hospital and have you checked out?”

  “Umm, yeah. You’re probably right.” Shifting around a little more in the seat and breathing like the pain has gotten better, “I don’t know what he meant and I’m tired of trying to figure him out. By the way, where is that American Express card, you never gave it back to me?”

  Taking a deep breath, I’m not sure that now is the time for me to tell her that I mailed that card back to her dad about a month ago. “Promise you won’t overreact?”

  “Ahh,” she says through clenched teeth, taking a deep breath, “why would I overreact?”

  I really think she’s in labor and I’m nervous as hell right now. “I gave that card back to your dad over a month ago.” Waiting for her to explode, it doesn’t happen. Instead, she has her eyes closed with a slight frown on her face.

  About ten minutes passes before she finally responds, “how far are we from the hospital?”

  Oh my God, I think she’s in labor. Stay calm Aiden. “We’re probably thirty minutes away, are you having contractions?” She has tears in her eyes as she nods her response. Pressing my foot down on the accelerator, my mind is going haywire. All I can think right now is get her there soon because I have no idea of what else to do. Grabbing her hand, “just breath like they told us in Lamaze, we’ll be there soon.”

  “Okay,” she says in a calm voice. “I think the contractions are maybe ten minutes apart.”

  “You said that you’ve been feeling this pain for like the last few hours, exactly how many hours?”

  “I don’t know, probably right before the shower began so I guess since maybe eleven this morning.”

  “What!” Frowning at her, “why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I did say something.”

  “You didn’t
say anything to me about you having contractions.”

  “I told you earlier that I mentioned it to my mom and Rhonda.”

  She mentioned it to her mom and Rhonda. These are my kids but she mentioned it to her mom and Rhonda. I’m trying my best not to show that I’m pissed at her right now, but it’s really hard to do, “why didn’t you say anything to me?”

  Taking a deep breath, she rolls her head in my direction, opening one eye, “I don’t know Aiden but it’s probably like you not telling me that you mailed that card back to my dad.”

  “What in the hell is that supposed to mean? Don’t compare a damn credit card to you not telling me that you were probably in labor almost nine hours ago!”

  “Don’t yell at me, this is my first and last pregnancy, how was I supposed to know that I’ve been in labor?”

  She’s right, I need to calm down. It seems like we’re never going to get to this damn hospital. Hearing her moan, I know for a fact, these babies will be here tonight. “You’re right, I’m sorry.” Squeezing her hand, “we’ll be there soon.”

  Finally, we arrive at the hospital. I’m parked in the hospital emergency entrance and I can’t believe this idiot guard is all awe struck. I don’t have time for this shit! As calmly as I can say, “what the fuck are you staring at, can’t you see she’s in labor, can we get some assistance?”

  Shuffling around like he’s lost, “oh yes sir,” the moron finally says. Getting a wheelchair for us, I help Sharon to get out of the car and she’s all but refusing to get into the wheelchair. Can this get any worse? “Sir, I can take her up to labor and delivery while you park your car.”

  “Sharon, you really need to get into the wheelchair.” I say while ignoring this idiot talking to me.

  “Aiden, I’m going to walk. I think I’ll feel better if I walk.”

  Rubbing my hands through my hair, this woman! “Can I leave my car parked here while I take her upstairs?”

  “Um, no sir, you have to park out there,” he says pointing to the patient parking area, “so that you don’t block the entrance.”

  Looking around, “how are we blocking the entrance? There’s plenty of room for other people to get through here.” This guy has pissed me off and Sharon is getting agitated. “Look man, it will only take a few minutes.”

  “Sir, these are hospital…”

  He’s cut off midsentence by Sharon, “Aiden, go park the car, I’ll wait here for you.”

  “Um mam, I can take…”

  “Look asshole, just get away from us, can’t you see we don’t have time for this shit?”

  Oh yeah, she’s pissed, annoyed and in labor. “I’ll be right back.” Finding a parking spot, I jog back to the emergency entrance. Sharon is standing at the check in desk waiting for me along with a lady dressed in blue scrubs.

  “We’ll take these elevators here,” the lady in blue scrubs says, as we follow behind her. “So you said that you started feeling uncomfortable about eleven this morning, is that correct?” Sharon nods her response. “Well once we get you in the room, the nurse is going to check to see how far you’re dilated before contacting your obstetrician.”

  Taking us into our room, she points out all the features on this remote showing how to call the nursing station and change the channels on the television. Handing Sharon a gown, she tells her to get undressed and exits the room. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m just nervous. Can you call my mom to let her know that we’re here?”

  Helping her to get undressed, I’m surprised that she didn’t mention her dad. “Sure, I should probably call my parents too.” I can’t believe that tonight we are going to finally get to meet our babies. Sharon isn’t saying much of anything, just a moan here and there. Standing facing me, we’ve removed her shirt, jeans and underwear, but of course, she wants to keep her bra on. “I think they want you completely naked with the exception of this gown?”

  “I’m not taking my bra off.”

  Looking at her while contemplating if I should debate the issue, I decide it’s a lost battle and just proceed to help her into the gown. Once she’s settled into bed, I take out my cell to call our parents. While on the phone with Sharon’s mom, the nurse and a doctor enter the room, a male doctor. What the…

  Extending his hand to me, “hello, I’m Dr. Byron Mills, and I’ll be assisting with the birth of your babies,” he says in this Barry White voice. Going over to stand next to Sharon, he pats her on the hand, which she has on top of her stomach. “I understand from Dr. Fura that you want to do this the natural way without any type of anesthesia, is that correct?” Nodding her response, he walks to the foot of the bed to assist the nurse with checking to see how far Sharon has dilated. After an exchange between the two of them, he looks from Sharon to me and says, “Ms. Wen, your cervix is dilated at 7cm which means it’s too late for an epidural at this point.” Walking back to the head of the bed, he’s staring a little too long, “however, there are other medications that can be given to assist with the pain in the event that you change your mind, just let us know and we’ll be back to check on you to see how you’re progressing.” Patting her on the hand again, he turns to leave.

  “Where is Dr. Fura?” Sharon is asking.

  Smiling at Sharon with that, “you don’t trust me” look, he says, “she’s off duty tonight but I promise I’ll take really good care of you.” Leaving the room, Sharon looks at me, “so what are you thinking about Dr. Suave?”

  Shrugging my shoulders, “of course I don’t like him or the fact that he’ll be looking at what belongs to me but, I’m going to behave.”

  Shaking her head, “good, I just knew you were going to start acting all insecure about a male doctor.” She closes her eyes while taking a deep breath.

  Taking a seat next to the bed, “our parents are on their way here.” Sharon has her hair straightened and pulled back into a ponytail. Taking my fingers to push back the stray hairs that have managed to escape, I hear her moan, “Sharon, are you having another contraction?”

  Nodding her head, "yeah, I just hope this isn't going to be a long labor."

  Sighing, "I'm hoping the same thing." Rubbing her stomach, "are you sure you don't want any pain medication?"

  "I'm sure, I don't want the babies to come out all groggy."

  Sitting back in the chair, I feel so helpless. Hearing her moaning lets me know that the pain must be pretty intense.

  Two hours later...

  Our parents have arrived and Sharon is adamant about not taking any type of pain medication although, she can hardly lie still from the labor pains. Laying my head at her side while holding her hand, "babe, please let them give you something for this pain, it's only going to get worse." Shaking her head, she doesn't say anything.

  Getting up from the sofa that is across the room, Sharon's mom comes to stand next to the bed, "sweetheart, Aiden is right, this is only going to get worse. I know you want to do this the natural way, but you're about to deliver twins."

  Moaning, she squeezes my hand really, really tight. "I don't want the babies to be groggy when they're born."

  Standing with her hand on my shoulder, my mom asks, "son, who encouraged natural childbirth for a first time mother delivering twins."

  Running my free hand through my hair, Sharon's dad is staring at me like he could literally kill me. Turning my attention back to Sharon, "our Lamaze coach encourages natural childbirth. She said it's healthier for the mom and baby."

  I'm not sure when it started, but our parents are going back and forth about why we shouldn't be listening to some Lamaze coach, how this how that, back and forth. Sharon who hasn't said much all night with the exception of responding to questions she's been asked looks at me and in a raspy voice, she says, "Aiden, please make them leave, I can't take all this noise and pain at the same time."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yes."

  "Okay, that's enough, everybody out!"

  "What do you mean everybody out?" Sharon's dad
is asking.

  "Just what I said," I'm now standing, pointing towards the door...

  The nurse enters the room just in time. "I'm going to check Ms. Wen again to see how far she’s dilated so I’ll need everyone to please leave the room with the exception of dad." She says this with an inside smile on her face. It’s just what I need with having to deal with two overbearing parents. After everyone has left the room, the nurse begins her exam. Removing her gloves, "well, its show time."

  Exactly one hour later, Jaxson Aiden and Maddison Leigh have made their entrance into the world. I don't think I've ever been so emotional. Watching Sharon deliver my babies was nothing short of a glimpse into God's greatness. Sitting here holding Maddison while Sharon is breastfeeding Jaxson, this little girl already has my heart. "You did very well, baby. Thank you so much for this special gift."

  Chapter Forty Three

  3 months later...

  I'm not so sure that motherhood is all its pumped up to be. For starters, I applaud all single mothers because this hard work. Jaxson is always hungry and each feeding for him takes over 30 minutes while Maddison is always crying and wants to be held constantly. It's too much for one person. I'm so pissed at Aiden for accepting that role in Colorado knowing full well that he'd be gone for an extended period of time. Ugh! And I think what bothers me most is the fact that when I try to express my feelings to Rhonda, all she can say is, "welcome to motherhood, we don't get breaks." Screw that, when Aiden gets back to Bakersfield, I'm taking a break and I don't care how he feels about it. Looking down into Jaxson's blue eyes, as usual, he's taking his time to eat. He's so adorable so it makes it hard for me to get too frustrated with him even though, Maddison has been crying for the last ten minutes for me to pick her up. Hearing the home phone ringing, it's probably Aiden. He'll have to wait until after I finish feeding Jaxson. Picking up my cell phone which is now ringing, "what is it?"

  "Why aren't you answering the home phone?"

  "I'm feeding Jaxson."

  "Oh. Well why is Maddison crying?"

  I guess sensing that Aiden his asking about her, she starts to cry louder. Here we go with the questioning crap again, "She's crying because thanks to you, she wants to be held all the time."