"This is just how we practiced," I say, being her coach, "you just gotta go with the counting, focus on the end result." She nods, breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth and I can't help but let the tears fall. "You can do this," I whisper, my forehead against her temple.
"Baby, listen to Rhea." Reno's voice is loud and clear through the speaker of my phone, and I turn to look at the screen. Both he and Chad are leaning toward the computer screen on their end, their attention locked onto the scene playing out live before them. Her hand squeezes into mine a little tighter and I know a contraction is coming.
"Hold her leg for me, nurse," the doctor says just as Rosa bears down; her mother, the doctor, Kendall, and I counting down from ten to one. "Doing well, come on, one more time for me," he says again, and we repeat the process, Rosa throwing her head back and breathing hard.
"You're doing great," I whisper, and she nods against my forehead. I brush some of the matted hair back from her forehead, and she nods in thanks.
"With the next set of pushing we should meet your little girl, Mrs. Martinez," Dr. Rhodes says cheerfully, and Rosa sinks her head into my chest, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Does the father want to see?" he asks and I look back to my phone, wiping away tears of my own. Marisol is almost here. It is amazing.
"Hell yes," Reno's words echo and Rosa chokes out a laugh. Kendall looks scared as I nod for her to move the phone down past the small sheet covering Rosa's bent thighs. "Chief, I don't mean to sound like an ass, but if you don't turn around I'll have to kill you,” Reno says and everyone in the room bursts out laughing, even the Doctor.
"Kendall, you don't have to look," Rosa says, trying to arrange herself to be more comfortable for the end. I can see Kendall give her a relieved look. "Just hold the phone over." She nods and I can see Chad's back to the screen as she holds it over the middle of Rosa, so she can see her husband.
I can see Reno scrub his hand over his face as the doctor says, "Alright ladies, here we go." It is six more minutes of pushing, coaching Rosa on, and then the first shrill cry breaks through the noise, shattering what control of my emotions I have left.
The tears stream down as I cry with Rosa, our faces turn to one another as her baby girl’s cries fill the room along with Reno's cheers through my phone. "I'm a dad; holy hell, I'm a dad," he yells as Kendall brings the phone back up to Rosa’s face. "You did awesome, Rosa."
She just gives him a grin, her breathing still fast paced. Standing back, letting Rosa and Reno have a moment, as her mother holds my phone and the doctor hands her Marisol, I feel weak. I lean into Kendall, who wraps her arms around me for support.
"You okay, Ray?” she whispers into my ear, and I can feel my heart jump in my chest.
"I need to sit," I say, but it comes out as a whisper and Kendall slides a chair behind me, getting me to sit. The lightheadedness makes my ears ring and spots appear in my vision, the room buzzing around me.
"Take her blood pressure," I hear Dr. Rhodes say as I feel cool fingers go around my arm.
"No, no, “I say, the spots disappearing from my view and I can see that everyone is looking at me. "I'm okay, I just need some fresh air." I try to stand, but the nurse in front of me shakes her head.
"Are you having contractions?” she asks me as she takes my blood pressure, peering at me over thick rimmed glasses.
"No, I just need fresh air." I smile at her, and she takes the wrap from my arm, standing and nodding at the doctor.
"Okay, but if you feel lightheaded again, we're gonna have to admit you; your pressure was a bit high." She lets me get up and Kendall is at my arm.
"Rhea," the familiar deep voice echoes from my phone and I know he's going to chide me for something. Looking at Rosa holding her bundle of joy, I smile, leaning down and kissing both of them on the forehead.
"Take your phone, Rhea; my mom has mine up for Skype now so we'll see Reno there," she whispers, kissing my cheek. "You're sure you're okay?" I nod and smile at her, not missing the concern on her brow, but taking my phone and heading out with Kendall to get fresh air anyway.
"Rhea, is there something wrong?" Chad's voice fills the hallway, and I shush him, meeting up with Harlan and getting into the elevator.
"No, Chad, I just need some fresh air." At least, I am hoping that helps. I really don’t want to give birth today. I really am not ready; I want the extra month. I want Chad to be here when it happens. Just outside the doors, Kendall steers us to a wooden bench near some roses, and Harlan and her each wait for me to plop down.
"Kendall, is she okay?" Chad asks, knowing she won't leave my side. I give her a pointed look, transmitting to her to tell him what I want her to say, but he sees it. "Don't give her that look, Baby. Kendall? Harlan?" He is reaching out, and it makes my heart hurt that he is worried, tears rimming my lashes.
"She's just fine, Chad." Harlan leans in, his head on my shoulder, setting his John Deere cap in his lap. "She needed some fresh air, that’s all. I was startin' to get light headed myself, sittin' in that damn waitin' room." He chuckles, and Kendall giggles lightly, making a smile cross my face.
"What are ya gonna do when I give birth, Har?" I ask, leaning my cheek on his head, seeing Chad's smile.
"I have to be there?” he asks, as if he's shocked, and Kendall reaches across, punching him in the chest. Chad's hearty laugh flows from my phone, and we all join in. "I guess if I have to be there, I'll bring my headphones."
"I might have to borrow those, Bro," Chad laughs, and the guys chuckle as I try to interject.
"Hey, hey," I say, putting my finger to the screen, trying to give him a stern look, "you're not putting headphones on at any time. You're gonna hear every little grunt that I have to give to bring your son into this world."
"Grunts! Pssh, I'm not worried about those. I'm worried about the screams." He breaks out in a round of laughs again, dragging Harlan with him, and both Kendall and I hit Harlan in the chest.
Kendall steps up to my defense. "My Rhea isn't gonna be a screamer. She's too tough for that." I nod at her in thanks, but the guys keep laughing.
"Oh I know for certain that your Rhea," Chad gets real close to the screen and whispers, "is already a screamer." Did he really just say that? My two friends burst out laughing, causing heads to turn our way as my face and entire body flushes. I'm at a loss for words as the three of them laugh it out at my expense.
Getting the three of them to calm, we settle into conversation over the last few hours, Kendall and Harlan leaving me to have a little privacy with Chad. "I'm proud of the way you helped her, Ray," he says, and his words wrap around my heart.
"Well, she’ll do the same for me, if you aren't here when I go into labor," I say and see the pain cross his face. He wanted to be home by now. "But you'll be here, so she'll be in line behind you of course." I try to give him a sweet smile, and he grins, but it doesn't reach his eyes.
"I love you, Rhea," he says, leaning close to the screen, and I can see a bruise starting to form above his right eye. I'll have to ask him about that at another time, because my heart aches for this man. I can feel his pain, and I want his arms around me, holding me and telling me everything will be okay.
"I love you, too, Chad," I say, resting my phone on my belly, leaning back on the wooden bench. "I've settled between two names." I grin at him, trying to lighten the mood. "I have them written down and kept in an envelope in my purse, so when I give birth you can pick one you like." I want him to pick our son’s name. I want him to feel as if he hasn’t missed anything.
"Alright, Baby," he smiles, kissing his fingers and holding them to the screen closest to my belly, "I think I can do that."
CHAPTER ELEVEN:
October 30, 2012
Rhea
Today, well today is the day. Chad is coming home!
He is due to touch down at three PM in Norfolk, and from there Rosa is going to pick him up and bring him and Reno here for a huge party that I'm currently planning. The par
ty may have to be put on hold, though, because as of three minutes ago, I started having contractions.
It is minor, yes, and doesn’t last more than a minute, so I'm not going to let it concern me right now. I need to make sure the house is perfect for when he gets home. If the contractions get worse and become closer together, I'll alert Brad, the ever ready EMT, and have him take me to the hospital. Until then, however, I'm going to focus on cleaning and cooking.
Brad and Garth are out back with Harlan and his brothers, putting up a couple large tents and stacking fire wood in the pit. Kendall is in the kitchen with Dana, putting together salads and prepping food for a cookout. I had called my cousin Ellie last night, and talked with her for almost two hours, finally getting her to promise she is going to show up today so that we can see each other face to face. I have called her a couple of times since reading her letter at my shower, but every time she says she's too bogged down with a case for the DA to come visit, so I haven't seen her yet. I'm excited to see her and to see how she's changed in the past twenty years.
I'm giddy as all get out, and let out a little squeal to myself as I check myself one more time in the mirror. It is a little past eleven in the morning as I trot down the stairs, greeting Kendall and Dana with a wide, cheer filled smile.
"Rhea, all the stuff you wanted to clean Rooster's truck with is out in the garage. I had Brad put it there for ya." Kendall smiles, giving me a one armed hug as she cuts up a cucumber.
"Alright, I'll be out there if ya guys need anything," I say, kissing Dana on the cheek and almost bouncing through the side door into the garage.
The happiness running through my limbs is almost too much to bear. I can't believe he's finally going to be home. He's finally going to be with me. I can touch him, kiss him, fall asleep next to him. I feel like I'm going to explode with giddiness as I fill a small bucket up with water and soap.
I am planning on washing up Randy's old Chevy as a surprise for Chad. I know it's a small gesture, but I also know he'll love it. He loves this truck as much as my brother did, and seeing it in tip-top shape will make him so happy. So, plunging my hand into the cold bucket of soap suds, I swirl the sponge around and get to work; pausing only when I have another contraction, which, as I keep an eye on the clock, are about twenty minutes apart. I silently cross my fingers that they stay far apart as I rinse the truck, opening the driver’s door to clean the interior.
Somehow, in the midst of the window cleaner and dust rags, I feel closer to my brother. I haven't felt this at ease being around his things since before his death, and it makes me smile. The cab even smells like him as I'm rummaging through it. The smell of old, worn in leather from his old baseball mitt under the bench seat brings tears to my eyes as I remember the good times we had playing catch together when we were younger. Randy and I both loved baseball, and in the spring time, that's exactly where you would find us. Randy would be on the baseball diamond, catching grounders and turning double plays from his position at short-stop, and you'd find me on the softball field; backing up plays at third and thwarting home run attempts from left field.
We could spend hours going over plays and highlights; finally our mother would tell us to watch TV in our rooms, because she got sick of listening to ESPN. I really wish he was still here, but I know he's up there, in heaven, watching intently over his little sister and best friend.
I Armor-All, wipe, dust, and vacuum until the interior of this old truck looks perfect. Stepping from the cab and taking in a sharp breath to fight off the squeezing pressure of another contraction, I see that on the garage clock it is already quarter to three.
Oh my God, he’ll be back on U.S. soil in fifteen minutes or less. I squeal to myself as I throw the window cleaner and paper towels back in the large box Brad had set out for me, slamming the door shut as the radio cranks out Georgia-Florida Line's "Cruise".
"Hey, Ray," a deep voice says and scares me. I swing around, holding my breath when I see Duke.
I haven't seen or heard from him since our encounter at my baby shower. I have a restraining order, telling him that he has to stay away all together. He isn’t even supposed to be on the street. He looks horrible as I scan my eyes over him. His blue-green eyes are blood shot, his face unshaven and greasy, and his clothes are dirty. He smells like sweat, beer, and chew; the scents finding me even though he's ten feet away. He lifts his old Earnhardt cap, raking his hand back through his hair, and I can see that it's greasy and matted. What happened to him?
"Duke, you’re not supposed to be here." I keep my voice down as not to draw attention. The last thing I need is a brawl, so I need to get him out of here. "You need to get out of here before I call the Sheriff." I look around him and don't see his truck. Well, that's weird. Has he planned to be alone with me? Fear trickles into my veins, and a chill meets my arms even though it is a warm fall day.
"I needed to talk to you. To see you." His voice is full of pain and he takes another step toward me, sending my back up against Chad's Harley. "I'm sorry about acting like that at your baby shower." He smiles, and his teeth are stained from the Copenhagen, giving them a yellowish-brown tinge. "I love you, Rhea. I need you to know that. I can't live without you."
"Duke, we've been over this. You need to let this go. We can't be together, ever," I say harshly, but still with a whisper. His eyebrows knit together. "You took advantage of my good heart. I wanted to be your friend, but you wanted more and I can't give that to you. I love Chad. I'm having Chad's baby, and we are going to be a family. Today is his coming home party." I smile sweetly, but his eyebrows stay together. I can see his nostrils flare as he lets out a huff of a breath.
"I can love you ten times better than he can, and you know that," he pleads and I shake my head, dropping my gaze to my flip-flops and my light blue toenails. Why can't he just see that this isn't going to be? "Rhea, I can give you the life you've always wanted. I can give you the house and the kids and the secure feeling, I know I can. Just give me the chance." His tone pulls at the part of my heart that always holds sympathy for the underdog, making me feel bad that I am hurting his feelings.
"Duke," I try to say calmly, "you had your chance. At one point, I thought that maybe we could've been something, but you went off and slept with Holly and that was that." It is true. I had faced it long ago. It was months before Chad had come home and before my mother had died. We had hooked up, and for once, in a long time, I felt as if I was worth something to a man.
Duke had his eyes on me at every turn, his gaze making me melt, and I had felt like that could have been it. We could have made something of it, but then I heard through the grapevine of his tryst with Holly, and I ignored his phone calls after that. I let the frustration and tiredness of the situation display all over my face, and I can see his gaze darken. He isn't getting his way and he doesn’t like it one bit. "You need to leave, please."
"You know I'd give you anythin' you want!” He says with anger, taking another step toward me, and I have to look up at him. He's within a foot and the smell radiating off of him makes me want to gag. He looks like he spent the last month wallowing in alcohol and chew, never bothering to shower.
"I'd give you the fucking moon if you asked, and you know it. I'd raise that baby as my own, just to make you happy, and that isn't good enough for you? What the hell is good enough for you?" His hands shoot out, grabbing my forearms, and pull me to his chest, and I have to swallow down a scream. This is turning bad, but I don't want a brawl. I need to get him to leave on his own.
Pushing against his chest with both my hands, Duke releases his grip and gives me a step of space. "Duke, you can say you'll give me all these things, but you can't give me the one thing I need." I take a step around the front tire of Chad's Harley, putting more space between us. I am now in eye line with the side door leading into the kitchen, and if anyone walks past it, they'll see me. Just in case.
"What you need, is to realize that Chad will leave you time and again. He'll come home
for a week, a month, but then he'll leave again and you'll be left with a baby, wondering where he is. Wondering if he's alive. Wondering if he's finding comfort in someone else's arms on base somewhere." A sneer crosses over his face and my stomach lurches. I shake my head furiously at his comment. Chad will never cheat on me. Never.
"What you need is to see that one day he might not come back, just like Rooster." He did not just bring my brother into this. My blood begins to feel as if it's boiling, and my fists ball at my sides. "He'll die out in some desert and leave you alone. Like Randy did, and like your mother did."
"Don't you dare bring my brother or my mother into this!” I hiss back at him, feeling the flush of anger fill my body. "This is the last thing I'm gonna say to you, Duke Orr." I step up to him, pointing right in his face to get my point across loud and clear. "I do not, have not, and will not ever love you. I am with Chad, and you need to get over that." I turn on my heels, feeling the baby kick and another contraction start.
"Ray!” His voice rings out through the garage in an echo, making me stop. I hear him pull something out and then that unmistakable click of a handgun being cocked resonates in my ears. Fear fills my limbs and I turn slowly toward him. I run ideas of how to diffuse this through my mind as I face Duke Orr, a nine millimeter in his hand, pointed right at me. I can't say anything.
"Ray, that right there.... that is why you gotta die. If I can't have you, nobody's gonna have you. Especially not that Navy fuck...."
It seems like slow motion. I think I scream, but then BANG! Smoke fills the air from the barrel and my right shoulder is on fire.
BANG! And my chest is on fire, and I'm falling.
BANG! And my right leg is on fire.
I can hear screams and yells. I can feel pounding footsteps on the concrete, shadows passing over me, heading toward the driveway. I'm lying on the floor and my head is swimming; my body is on fire. Kendall and Brad are kneeling, their faces above me, but all I can think is, "Oh God. Please save my baby."
Coming Home: Book 2 The Wakefield Romance Series Page 14
