Over

by Stacy Claflin

  It stopped and she relaxed. She opened her eyes and saw Macy and Alex helping Chad put meat and veggie burgers on the grill. Alex looked over at her and smiled. Zoey waved back. Alex turned back to his dad and spread sauce over the grill contents. Her eyes grew heavy, and just as she was about to give into them, Alyssa handed her a full glass of ice water.

  "Thanks." She drank most of it and set it on a tray next to her.

  Alyssa went over to the grill and Zoey looked up into the sky and watched a few small clouds. There was a painful kick in her ribs—that was the baby. She grimaced, waiting for more, but it was the just the one. Then her stomach tightened so painfully that she sat up. She couldn't even get a sound out. Beads of sweat formed along her face.

  When the pain finally stopped, she leaned back against the chair, catching her breath. Should she tell someone? The Mercers all looked so happy to be together. They were hungry and getting ready to eat. Zoey could let them enjoy their meal and then ask Alyssa if what she was feeling was contractions. Her water hadn't broke, so she had to be fine.

  Alex came over. "Do you want ketchup on your…are you okay?"

  Zoey nodded. "Fine."

  He sat on the chair next to her. "Are you sure? You're sweating."

  "It's hot and I've got two people's body heat."

  "I know, but you look…not right."

  "Just eat."

  "Aren't you hungry?"

  "There's hardly any room in my stomach." She closed her eyes.

  She felt Alex's lips on her forehead. "If you need anything, let me know."

  "All right." Zoey felt something similar to really bad cramps and then her stomach tightened again. Once that stopped, she felt nauseated along with severe lower back pain. She sat up in time to throw up on the lawn and not get anything on the chair.

  Everyone ran over, asking if she was okay. Zoey stood up. "My back hurts so bad." A new wave of nausea swept over her, but she didn't throw up. A new wave hit and her stomach heaved. "I'm going to be sick again. Oh—" She turned away and threw up on her other pile.

  Someone put their arms around her and guided her toward the house. Zoey stopped walking when her legs felt wet. She looked down saw the puddle around her feet on the deck. "I'm so sorry."

  "Nothing to be sorry about," Alyssa said. She turned to Macy. "Call her parents."

  Macy ran inside.

  Alyssa turned to Alex. "Go inside and get some towels and clean clothes for Zoey."

  He looked pale, but ran in also.

  "Sorry to ruin your lunch," Zoey said.

  Alyssa shook her head. "You have nothing to be sorry about. We'll get you cleaned up and then head to the hospital. Do you have a hospital bag packed?"

  "Mom's got something in her car."

  "Okay. One less thing to worry about. We'll just get you there. Do you feel like you have to throw up again?"

  Zoey shook her head. Her stomach tightened again, and she grasped it.

  "Where's Alex?" Alyssa asked.

  Macy burst out the door. "Valerie says she'll meet us there unless we can't take her. She's leaving work now."

  "We'll take her," Alyssa said. "It wouldn't make sense for her to come here. Get your brother. We need towels."

  Macy gave Zoey a sympathetic look and ran back inside.

  Zoey felt another gush of liquid. "How many times can water break?"

  "Only once, but it doesn't always rush out at the same time. We'll have you sit on some towels in the car just in case."

  "Okay." Zoey's head was spinning. The pain was horrendous—all of it—but it was actually nice to have the distraction. She was scared of giving birth.

  Alex and Macy ran outside, both carrying towels. They wiped Zoey's legs and soon she was inside changing her clothes. After that everything was a blur. She was vaguely aware of being in the car on top of a pile of towels.

  When they got to the hospital, her parents were already there, both looking nervous. They ran over as soon as they saw her, asking her more questions than she could focus on.

  A nurse came out and led them to her room. She asked even more questions than Zoey's parents. She answered them the best she could. Being in the hospital made everything feel even more real. Soon the baby would be out, and hopefully the pain would stop.

  Zoey went into the bathroom and put on a gown while the nurse spoke with her parents. Where were Alex and Macy?

  She went back into the room and was led to the bed, where she was hooked up to all kinds of things. The nurse said she would get the doctor.

  Her parents spoke over each other again.

  "Can you guys get Macy and Alex? I want them here." Zoey looked around the room. "It's big enough for everyone."

  Her mom took Zoey's hand. "Are you sure you want to give the baby up for us to raise? You can still change your mind, you know."

  Zoey shook her head. "It's better for everyone. We'll still live in the same house, and I can keep going to school and everything. It's not like she's going anywhere. Besides, I always wanted a sister." She tried to smile. "I just never thought it would be like this."

  A doctor came in. "Dr. Johnson is on her way, but in the meantime, I'm going to check you out, Zoey. Is that okay?"

  Zoey nodded, and then her stomach tightened again. This time it was so painful, she couldn't help but yell out. Once it passed, the doctor asked her the same questions the nurse had already asked and logged into a tablet. Zoey answered them again and then he examined her.

  "It looks like you're progressing fast." He rattled off something about centimeters and other stuff that meant nothing to Zoey.

  She was waiting for the next wave of pain to hit. "Can I get some medicine?"

  When he left, Zoey looked around and asked her dad, "Where's Mom?"

  "She went to get Macy and Alex. Do you want me to leave? I understand if you do."

  Zoey shrugged. "You're fine, Dad."

  His face softened. She had never called him that before, and seeing the look on his face, she was glad she chose that moment.

  He wrapped his arms around her. "Even though I haven't been around, I want you to know—"

  Another round of pain struck and Zoey clutched her stomach, crying out in pain again. She was vaguely aware of him taking her hand. When the agony finally receded, Zoey opened her eyes.

  Alex was next to her. He looked upset. "I'm so sorry, Zoey. I never meant to do this to you."

  Family

  Macy's heart pounded as she walked down the hospital hall with her parents and Zoey's parents. Even though she'd had some time to adjust to the thought of becoming an aunt, her heart continued to beat harder. That wasn't even the crazy part. Her baby brother was a dad now, even though he wasn't going to raise the baby.

  The nurse opened a door on the left. "They're ready to see you. Go on inside."

  Macy held her breath as she walked in. She let everyone else go in ahead of her. She was nervous, and she couldn't figure out why. Everyone in the room were the people she knew and loved most.

  But it was different now. The baby changed everything. Her brother and best friend were parents. Her mom and dad were now grandparents. She looked at them, trying to grasp that. They definitely didn't look old enough.

  The nurse moved aside a curtain. Macy saw Zoey in the bed with Alex next to her. She looked around her parents, wanting to see the baby. Everyone crowded around the bed, gasping about the baby.

  Macy went around to the other side of the bed. Zoey held a tiny bundle with a little face poking out from the blanket. The eyes were closed, but she could tell the baby was beautiful.

  She walked to Alex's side and gave him a hug. "How do you feel?"

  "Too much. I'm proud and scared and overwhelmed. I'm glad that Zoey's parents are going to take care of her, because I would just mess her up."

  Macy put her arm around him. "And you'll get to see her anytime you want."

  He looked down at the baby. "I'm glad. Even though I know I'm too young to take care of her, I
don't want her going far. I feel like I need to protect her."

  Macy kissed his cheek, and then turned to Zoey. "How are you?"

  "I just want to sleep for the next week, but I'm so sore. How are you, Auntie?"

  "Better than you guys." Macy smiled.

  Zoey handed her the bundle, and Macy sat down, afraid she'd do something to hurt the baby. "What's her name?"

  "We're going to let Mom and Dad name her. They wanted to let me, but I think they should."

  "Maybe you could pick the middle name."

  "That's a great idea," Zoey's dad said. "What do you think, Zoey?"

  "Alex and I could."

  Macy got up and handed the baby to her mom and then stood near the bed, talking with Zoey and Alex. Zoey fell asleep mid-sentence and then Macy sat in a chair, tugging Alex to sit next to her.

  They were quiet for a moment, listening to the adults talk. Zoey's parents assured hers they could all visit the baby anytime, and that they would honor them as the baby's grandparents. Macy's mom thanked them and said they would respect them as the parents.

  Macy looked back over at Alex. He looked like he was going to fall asleep, too.

  "Are you okay?" she asked him.

  "I want to sleep for the next day too. Then you know what?"

  "What?"

  "I'm never having sex again."

  Macy laughed. "Ever again?"

  "Well, maybe not never. But it's going to be a long, long time."

  "I'm sure Zoey feels the same way." Macy patted his hand.

  "She was in so much pain, Macy."

  Macy looked over at Zoey. "She's doing well now."

  Alex ran his hands through his hair. "You didn't see her."

  "She had a baby, Alex. It's not supposed to be easy."

  "I don't ever want to do that to her again. Like I said, I'm never—"

  "Don't make any rash decisions now. Besides, take another look at the baby. She's totally amazing."

  "Yeah, I know. I can't explain how I felt when I first saw her."

  "You guys made a whole new person, Alex. She wasn't here this morning and now she is. Don't feel too bad. Get some rest." Macy stood up, kissed the top of his head and went over to her dad who was holding the baby. "Can you believe how cute she is?"

  Her dad smiled at her. "She looks a lot like you and Alex did as babies."

  Macy looked at the little, sleeping face thinking back to her and Alex's baby pictures. She hadn't looked at them since before she was kidnapped, and that made it hard to remember. "I'll have to take your word on it, Dad. I was pretty young then."

  She sat, listening to everyone talk for a while and grew drowsy.

  Macy looked at Alex. "I'm going to get something with caffeine from a machine. Want to come with me?"

  He shook his head. "I'm going to stay here with Zoey and the baby."

  Macy kissed the top of his head, and then went out into the hall. She looked around trying to remember where she had seen the vending machines. Macy thought it had been to the left, so she went that way. Just as she was about to turn a corner, she heard a voice she would know anywhere. Rebekah.

  She peeked around the corner, and sure enough Rebekah stood in the hall talking to some nurses. Her stomach was bigger than Zoey's had been, and she was talking with a nurse. An older man and woman were also with them.

  "Are the babies okay?" asked the man. "We didn't know there were two. We couldn't even get her to come to a doctor until now."

  The nurse looked at him. "They'll be fine. We just need to get her ready for the birth. It appears that we're going to need to break her water." The nurse looked at some papers. "I have here that she's not to be left alone because of psychological issues. What's the plan after being discharged from the hospital?"

  "We're her parents, and she's staying at home with us. Between the two of us and her brother, she's never left alone. We're not letting her out of our sight until the psychologist gives us the okay."

  The nurse scribbled notes on the paper. "I see something on her about an arrest warrant. We don't generally release—"

  "As long as she stays under the care of her psychologist, she's able to avoid that. If she fully rehabilitates, they're going to remove that from her record," said Rebekah's dad. "The babies will be safe."

  "Okay." The nurse scribbled more notes, and then they walked down the hall in the opposite direction as Macy.

  She leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. As shocked as she was about having seen Rebekah, she was glad that she was at least getting counseling. Even though their relationship had ended strained, Macy would always be glad for the friendship Rebekah had shown her when Macy first moved into the community.

  Surprise

  Macy waved to the receptionist at her counselor's office as she put her hand on the doorknob. "Bye, Shelley. See you next week."

  "Have a good one, kiddo."

  The sun was bright, so Macy dug into her purse and put on her sunglasses. "Good thing I parked in the shade," she muttered. She pulled out her cell phone and saw she had no missed calls or texts. "Looks like I have the afternoon to myself. The mall sounds like fun."

  As Macy neared her car, she noticed someone leaning against her car. She groaned. The last thing she wanted was to deal with another reporter. She prepared herself to give a harsh answer—the only kind that would get rid of them—but she stopped cold when he turned around and looked at her.

  His eyes shone brightly in the warm sun and the skin around his eyes crinkled as his lips formed a smile. "Hi, Macy."

  "Luke, what are you doing here?" She ran into his arms, squeezing him tight.

  He hugged her back. "I have the afternoon off. Thought I'd come by and see my favorite girlfriend."

  "You mean your only girlfriend." Macy looked into his eyes, her lips forming a grin. "I'm so glad you did. Where's your car? I didn't see it anywhere, and it's not easy to miss."

  Luke laughed. "No, she's not, is she? Mom took The Beast in for a tune up and dropped me off here. Hope you can give me a ride."

  "I'll have to think about that." Macy paused, pretending to consider it.

  "Or I can walk home. No big deal. See ya around." He turned around and took a couple steps.

  "Get back here." She grabbed the back of his shirt.

  "Yes, Ma'am." Luke spun around and placed his lips on top of hers. He smelled of aftershave. "Mind if we make a quick stop first? I have to drop something off for my mom."

  "Sure." Macy unlocked the doors of her car with the remote and then climbed in. "Where to?"

  "Near the corner of Third and Russell."

  She started the car. "What's over there?"

  Luke smiled, looking as gorgeous as possible. "Nothing exciting until you get there."

  Macy's breath caught. She never got tired of looking at him. She pulled out of the parking spot. "Did you guys finally get the last of the boxes unpacked?"

  "Yeah. It's great to be in our own place now. Renting that small room until we got on our feet was stressful."

  "When do I get to come over and cook you guys a meal?"

  "As soon as you want. I know my mom won't mind."

  "Now that she's working full time finally, I'm sure she'd love the help."

  "And I wouldn't mind the company." He elbowed her in the arm.

  Macy nudged Luke back. "Watch out. I'll make you cook."

  Luke laughed. "Don't make threats you don't intend to keep."

  They continued to tease each other as Macy navigated the heavy afternoon traffic. It was summer, but this part of town always seemed congested.

  "Okay," said Macy. "We're on Russell Street, and Third is coming up. Where do I turn?"

  "There's supposed to be a turn right after we pass Third. Go right."

  When she pulled into the parking lot, she looked at the nondescript little building. "What is this place?"

  "Oh, some kind of hall or something. Want to come in with me?" He batted his eyelashes.

  Her heart
skipped a beat. Even though he was teasing, she couldn't help adoring him. "Anything for a little extra time with you."

  They got out and Luke took her hand and they walked in the front door. It was dim inside and looked set up for a party.

  "What's going on?" Macy asked.

  Luke turned the light on and nearly fifty people jumped out and yelled, "Surprise!"

  Macy stared at them for a moment and then looked at Luke. "What's going on?" Macy repeated.

  Zoey and Alex ran up to her, wrapping her in a hug.

  "We love you, Macy," Zoey said.

  "Thanks, but what's this for? It's not my birthday."

  "It's the anniversary of your return home," Alex said. "I thought we should celebrate. Zoey's the one who thought we should surprise you."

  "It worked." Macy clutched her heart.

  Other guests swarmed Macy, hugging her and expressing their gratitude for her safe return a year earlier. Macy teared up as people shared about how worried they had been for her, spending hours searching or handing out fliers. Some of the people she barely knew.

  Luke's mom, Caroline, wrapped her arms around Macy. "I can't thank you enough for everything you and your family has done for us. We really wouldn't have been able to get back on our feet without you guys."

  "And I never would have gotten away from Chester without Luke."

  Caroline shook her head. "I don't know how I ever fell for everything Jonah and the community taught."

  Luke hugged his mom. "You were trying to get us off the streets, and they offered you that and more."

  Tears shone in her eyes. "Thanks, Luke. If I could go back in time, I would do so much differently."

  Other people came up to Macy, wanting to talk. Caroline squeezed her hand. "We'll talk later."

  When Macy finally had some space, she sat down at a table to breathe. Zoey brought over a plate full of cake and other sweets. Alex and Luke followed, carrying what looked like cups of punch.

  "Did we surprise you?" Zoey asked, smiling.

  "My heart hasn't returned to its normal speed yet."

  Zoey grinned. "Good. That's what we were going for."

  Valerie came to the table and handed little Ariana to Zoey, and then gave Macy a huge hug. "You've always been like a second daughter to me. I was so relieved when you were found safe and sound." She turned to Zoey. "Can you hold Ari for a few minutes?"