by Brook Wilder
Prescott sobbed quietly. The two of them stood at the bottom of the stairs, the moonlight shining down on them.
“What if the baby doesn’t survive?” Prescott sniffed. “Just thinking about it makes my stomach churn.”
Kate didn’t know what to say to him. The truth was, she had warned Della not to go down that path. She had warned her from Prescott and what his enemies were capable of. And then what did that do? Della went against what Kate told her, and she ended up where Kate thought she would. But right now, it didn’t matter whose fault it was.
“Della’s a grown up, she’s made her own decisions when it came to you,” Kate said, her voice grim.
“Well, that made me feel better,” Prescott said, smiling weakly.
Kate giggled. The truth was, neither of them knew what to say when it came to Della’s choices. Kate knew she had a good head on her shoulders, but she was also the most impulsive person she knew.
“I’m sorry,” Kate said, a smile coming to her lips. “I just never know what to say when it comes to these things.”
“I thought I was like that, too,” Prescott said. “And yet I’m here weeping in front of a woman I barely know,” he continued, raising an eyebrow at Kate.
“Well, is crying so bad?” she asked. “If anything it makes everything better.”
“I was never really used to crying in front of anyone, or at all, to be honest.”
“And why is that?”
Prescott paused, shifting in his place and looking up at the sky.
“Because, you know, I was brought up with the idea that men shouldn’t cry,” he said, his eyes dropping to the floor. “It sounds stupid now. But when you grow up with it, it just sticks in your head, and it’s really hard to get it out,” he continued.
“It’s okay to show you’re vulnerable, especially at a time like this,” Kate said. “We’re both in a vulnerable position right now. You’re worrying about you girlfriend, the mother of your first child, and I’m worried about my best friend. It’s okay, we’ll get through this.”
Prescott nodded.
“You’re right,” he said. “I hope she gets through it. She’s a strong woman, Kate. I hope she pushes through.”
“She is strong, Prescott. Now, would you care for another cigarette?” she asked, flashing him a smirk.
“I actually had plans to quit cigarettes,” Prescott chuckled. “But I guess I can’t say no to you,” he continued, smiling. The two of them sat side by side on the steps, making conversation and breathing in the cool night air. Something about the atmosphere made Kate feel like everything was going to be okay. She stared out, smiling as the stars glimmered in the sky.
“You know what,” she said. “I think it’s all going to be okay.”
“I wish I can say I feel the same way,” Prescott said, tears coming to his eyes again. “You know what aches me the most?” he sniffed. “That I was so blinded by my need to seek revenge that I may have just sacrificed Della’s life in the process.” He put his head in his knees and sobbed quietly.
“Hey,” Kate whispered. “Let’s go back inside, maybe they have some news,” she said, getting up and reaching her hand out to Prescott.
“I don’t want to go back in there, what if it’s bad news, Kate?” Prescott asked, his eyes growing wide with fear.
“There won’t be any bad news,” Kate said, smiling. It was something about her that reassured Prescott, that made him feel like everything was going to be okay. Maybe he was wrong about this woman. She just wanted what was best for Della, and he realized that now. He didn’t really expect it, but she was his rock at this point, and while he didn’t think anyone would be stronger than he was in that type of situation, Kate had definitely proved him wrong. He took her hand, and the two of them climbed back up the stairs and made their way in through the entrance. Everything was as it was before, but quieter. There was a stillness in the air, and Prescott could feel his body shut down and his knees buckle.
“Think I’m gonna lie down over there,” he said, pointing to a couple of chairs in the reception area.
Kate nodded, and the two of them walked together and sat down on the leather chairs. Prescott put both feet up, squeezing his eyes shut and trying to relax. He regulated his breathing, shutting everything and everyone out. Kate sat next to him and her eyes scanned the reception area. She gawked at the lady sitting at the front desk who smiled at her and then looked away. Suddenly, Kate could hear a door slam shut and she shot up in attention, waiting for the news. Her heart was beginning to race as footsteps hurried down the hallway.
“Oh, God,” she whispered as a doctor in a long white coat appeared from behind the corner. Prescott got up. He could feel his heart beating out of his chest. As soon as he made eye contact with the doctor, he smiled to him, and it was only then when Prescott breathed a sigh of relief. He got up and ran to him.
“Doctor, is Della going to be okay?” Prescott asked, his eyes wide.
“Let’s just say, Della has just welcomed a beautiful baby girl,” he said, beaming.
Prescott could feel a joy radiate through him, and before he could say anything, Kate bounced up and down in excitement.
“Can we see her?” she asked, a glimmer in her eyes.
“She’s asleep now, but you can definitely come see her,” the man said, motioning for them to follow him.
Prescott couldn’t believe this. He could finally breathe again, it almost seemed surreal. All the worry, all the fear, all the guilt...all those negative feelings were lifted off his shoulders, just like that. He knew he was being given a second chance, a chance at making things right and focusing more on building a family with the woman of his dreams.
She’s waiting for me in there, he thought to himself, and then he chuckled, not knowing which “she” he was talking about. He had a baby girl waiting for him in there, too, and he couldn’t wait to see what she looked like. Deep down he hoped she looked like Della, in fact, he hoped she resembled her mom in every possible way.
“Oh my God,” Kate whispered, trying to contain her excitement. She stepped into the room before Prescott did, rushing to the baby’s crib to get a glimpse of her. Kate peered over the crib, pursing her lips as she looked down on the baby girl. She still had her eyes closed, her skin pink and healthy. “Prescott, Prescott, come here!” Kate said, motioning for Prescott to come join her. He had been staring at Della, who was asleep in her bed. He was almost in a trance, but then he snapped out of it, rushing over to the crib to get a glimpse of his baby girl.
“Hey, there,” he whispered, picking up his newborn daughter and taking her into his arms. “She’s so small,” he said, smiling at Kate.
“She looks like you,” she said, a smirk on her face.
“Nah, she looks more like Della, see, she has her nose,” he chuckled, inspecting the little girl’s face. She had a small button nose, like Della’s, and big chubby cheeks that bloomed with healthy radiance. “Hey, baby,” Prescott said again, pressing his forehead to hers. He held her in his arms and looked at Della, who was fast asleep in her bed.
“Come on, let’s check up on her,” Kate said, nodding towards Della. Prescott put the baby back into her crib, kissing her on the forehead and following Kate to Della’s bed. Prescott sat down on the edge of the bed, his eyes roaming Della’s face, her neck and her hair.
“Hey, hey, Della,” he whispered, brushing a hand through her hair. She looked peaceful, like she could feel him next to her. He reached down and held her hand, but she didn’t squeeze back. Prescott sighed. He just wished she would wake up so they could have a look at their daughter together. What were they going to name her? A million thoughts rushed through his head, and he liked each and every one of them. For the first time, he wasn’t worried, as long as everything had fallen back into place. He bent down and thanked the heavens for this second chance he had been given, promising himself that he would never do anything to compromise Della’s life ever again. Now that there was a bab
y in the picture, Prescott thought it best that he stay away from the club for a while, that he start all over again. The thought scared him; being in the club was all he knew. But he had to try. He had to try for his daughter and for the woman that birthed her. When he thought about a house full of kids and Della by his side, the thought of leaving the club didn’t seem that bad, after all.
Kate was over by the crib when Della opened her eyes and squeezed Prescott’s hand.
“Della, Della, can you hear me?” he asked, moving over closer to her.
“Prescott,” she whispered, her voice trailing off. She tried to move but then she felt a pain shoot up her belly again. She laid back, blinking at him as he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. “You have no idea how good it feels to be able to kiss you again,” Della said, rolling over to her side. She clenched her eyes and went back to her original position, the pain was a reminder of what she had gone through.
“Hey, take it easy,” Prescott said, supporting her as she rolled over on her back again.
“Della, Della!” Kate said, rushing over and sitting down on her knees by the bed.
“Kate,” Della smiled, reaching her hand out to her best friend. Kate started to tear up.
“I’m so happy you’re okay,” she said, wrapping her arms around Della. She took in her smell, that smell she had missed so much.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Della said, not letting go. “I’m sorry I put you through this,” she said, her eyes locked on Kate’s. It wasn’t long before the two of them started weeping, feelings of regret and relief washed over them.
“Don’t be sorry,” Kate said, pressing her forehead to Della’s. “You were only following your heart, and your heart led you to Prescott,” she continued, smiling at him. “He’s an amazing guy, Della, and I’m not just saying that because he’s here.”
“Why, thank you very much,” Prescott said, raising an eyebrow at Kate. “I thought that day would never come,” he continued, chuckling.
“It hurts to laugh,” Della said, giggling. “I want to be able to laugh again,” she continued. “Prescott,” she said suddenly. “Will you bring her to me?” she asked, nodding to the crib.
“Of course,” Prescott said, getting up and taking their daughter into his arms. He put one foot in front of the other, carefully walking back to Della’s bed and handing the baby over to her. Della was careful, spreading hers arms out and wrapping them around her daughter, fully engulfing her.
“Hey, baby,” she said, stroking the baby’s nose. Prescott sat down next to her, and, soon enough, the two of them were in tears.
“I’m so sorry,” Prescott said, sniffing. “I’m sorry I put you through this.”
“Hey,” Della said, cradling the baby in her arms. “We’re not going to talk about that. The most important thing is that we’re okay,” she said, looking over at Kate.
“Well, she’s right,” Kate said, raising an eyebrow at Prescott. “You have each other, and that’s all that matters, doesn’t it?”
Della looked into Prescott’s eyes. She could see that twinkle, that mischievous sparkle that made her fall for him in the first place. She knew he was going to turn a new leaf for her and their family. She knew he was responsible enough to let go of this lifestyle. Prescott reached his hand out and Della grabbed it, the two of them breathing a collective sigh of relief, like a weight had been lifted off their shoulders.
“Well, I better go now,” Kate giggled, pretending to walk out the door.
“No, wait,” Prescott said, getting up and running to her. “I want to thank you,” he said, his eyes dropping to the floor. “I don’t think Della will ever find a better friend than you,” he continued, nodding towards Della, who flashed them an affectionate smile.
“I know you get sick of me sometimes,” she said. “But that’s what friends are for, right?”
Kate let out a snicker. She walked over to Della again, getting between her and Prescott and wrapping her arms around her best friend. The two of them held tightly onto each other, Della knowing that she was never going to find a friend like Kate.
“I’m never going to get sick of you,” Kate said. “Now, I have a question for the two of you,” she shot up, eyeing the couple. “What are you going to name her?” she asked, a smile coming to her face.
Silence. All of a sudden Prescott started laughing, and then Della burst as well, the two of them shaking their heads as they looked at each other.
“You haven’t thought about it at all, have you?” Kate asked, rolling her eyes.
“Not at all,” Prescott chuckled.
“No, no,” Della said suddenly. “I think I know what I want to name her.”
CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
Della woke up to the sound of hammering. She got up, threw her feet off the side of the bed, put on her robe and barged outside, squinting at the inched open door of the guest bedroom.
“Prescott?” she asked, popping her head in through the door.
Prescott was hammering away at a crib by the window sill. Della smiled to herself, stepping into the room and walking to him. “What are you doing?” she asked, coming up from behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist.
Prescott got up, turning to Della and lifting her up. “Well,” he said. “Just thought I’d set up a crib for Martha.”
Della couldn’t contain herself. She leaned in and pressed her lips to his. “I thought Martha already had a crib,” she said, her lips coming to a smile. The truth was, Prescott had been doing his best since he became a father. He had been getting up early in the morning and putting together furniture for his baby girl, who they ended up naming after Prescott’s mother. He had always been attached to her. She was his idol. And when Della suggested that they name their daughter after her, Prescott was ecstatic.
“Yeah but I thought I’d make her a sturdier one,” he said, turning back and going back to hammering away at the wooden boards. Della felt her heart skip a beat. She couldn’t believe they had gotten through it together, that they had a baby girl, that they were alive and well. It all seemed so surreal to her, like it never happened. But it did. And she couldn’t have asked for anything more.
“You’re the man of my dreams, you know that?” Della asked, raising an eyebrow at Prescott. “You’re the guy I’ve been dreaming of since I was a little girl.”
“You flatter me too much,” Prescott smirked. And then he turned to her, a serious look on his face. “Della, you’re the woman of my dreams...I’m so happy to have you,” he said, taking her hand. “I’m sorry I put you through this,” he said again, his eyes dropping to the floor.
“And I’m sorry you feel the need to apologize to me every day,” Della said, sniffing. She promised herself she wouldn’t cry, but something about the way Prescott was staring at her made her feel like the luckiest woman in the world. “I don’t blame you, and right now I’m just happy we can open up a new chapter in our lives,” she continued, stroking his cheek with the back of her hand. Prescott tilted his head and kissed it, and then he looked into Della’s eyes, leaned in and pressed his lips to hers passionately.
“How about we go out tonight?” he asked.
“What d’you have in mind?” Della asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
“It’s a surprise,” Prescott said teasingly. He had always been good at planning surprises. Della’s eyes grew wide. She looked Prescott up and down expectantly.
“Well, say something! Give me a hint!” she said, jumping up and down. The truth was, she was excited. Prescott flashed her a sly smile. He knew exactly what he wanted to do.
“But first, tell me where you feel like going,” he said, his head cocked to the side.
Della paused. “I’m thinking of all the fancy places there are,” she said. “But wait...”
“What?”
“We’ve never been out without Martha, who do you think we should leave her with?” Della asked. Since she gave birth to their daughter, Della couldn’t stay away f
rom Martha for two seconds. She had been playing the full mother role, and she couldn’t be happier. She was still studying, researching and doing the things she liked to do, but when it came to Martha, Della would do anything to be sure that she was her number one priority.
“I know exactly who’s going to take care of her,” Prescott said, raising his eyebrow at Della. “I’m going to call up Kate.”
Della could feel the smile form on her face. “Kate? Of course! How did I not think of her?” she asked, her eyes wide in surprise. She knew Kate was the perfect person to take care of Martha. It was true she didn’t have kids of her own yet, but she loved babies more than anything. “Well, since that’s sorted, you wanna help me pick out my outfit?” she asked, blushing.
“Nah, that’s your thing,” Prescott said, pretending to roll his eyes. “I’ll be out here hammering away if you need me.”
