Families
Book Three from the series Forever Friends
Novel by
Karleen Staible
Copyright © 2018 Karleen Staible
www.kssnovels.com
www.facebook.com/KSSNovels
All rights reserved.
ISBN-13: 978-1724225450
ISBN-10: 1724225456
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my friends and family who have encouraged me to pursue a writing career. Especially my mother and sister, who faithfully read the first draft to the end, even though it needed some work. And a big thanks to my two friends Jeanne and Claire. They both pushed me, back in 2010, to start writing, encouraged me to finish my first book, and then took the time to read it, critique it, and congratulate me for my efforts.
Then I found Margaret Diehl. She not only made corrections, but mentored me to open my mind to make the book much stronger and easier to read.
Of course, I couldn’t have accomplished my mission without the understanding of my husband and his tolerance when I go into “project mode.” He lovingly supports all that I do.
Chapter 1—Babies
“Debbie, make this stop,” Lisa cried. “No more labor! No more pain. You should have—why didn’t you tell me this was so hard, you should have told me! Aaah!”
Debbie brushed back the fine red strands of wispy hair matted to Lisa’s forehead. “Leesy, just a couple more pushes, and your baby son will be here.”
“No. I can’t do this, I can’t.”
“Yes you can. You’re doing a wonderful job. I promise it will be worth the pain.” It made Debbie uncomfortable to see Lisa in so much agony. She wanted to get in the bed and hold her—somehow ease the crushing contractions. But she couldn’t. Lisa belonged to Lenny now, not her.
Lisa squeezed Debbie’s hand and called out again. Debbie knew it was unbearable for Lisa, but Lisa would forget the stabbing pain once she held her baby in her arms. It was Debbie’s job to help her through labor. Although Debbie was not a hospital nurse any longer and had not participated in childbirth since her nurse’s training many years ago, she knew enough to get Lisa through this.
“Come on, dovey, you’re doing great. Just breathe.” Lenny had wanted a family for so long, and now he was about to be a father. He was so full of excitement, even though Lisa was digging her nails deep into his forearm. But that didn’t matter; he was sure it was nothing like the pain she was experiencing.
“Okay, Lisa, push,” Dr. Linda Nelson said. “I see the head. You’re almost there.”
“This is what you’ve been waiting for.” Debbie squeezed Lisa’s hand and helped her sit up for the push. “Little Timmy is about to enter this world.”
“Lenny, if you want to see your baby born, come here,” Linda said.
The other nurse in the room went to Lisa, and Debbie sat to catch the baby. Lenny put his hand on Lisa’s leg and stepped closer to watch his son’s arrival.
“Aaahh…” Lisa cried.
The baby quickly slid into Debbie’s waiting hands.
“Oh, Leesy, he’s a big one.” Debbie silently gasped. It took all she had to keep her choking emotions in check—she wanted to cry. She wasn’t sure if it was happiness for Lisa or sadness that the baby just born wasn’t hers and Lisa’s. She and Lisa had once talked about having a family together. And here she was with Lisa’s husband, Lenny, delivering his son. Maybe the reaction was just happiness for her best friend; happy she was a mother, and that she had a loving husband. All she knew was that the baby was amazing. His little body was covered in afterbirth, his skin purplish, but he was beautiful, the most beautiful baby Debbie had ever seen.
“Let’s get him to the table,” the attending nurse said, noticing Debbie’s expression. “I can take him.”
“No, no, I’ve got it.” Debbie took Timmy to the table and syringed his mouth and nose until he started to cry. She brushed his face gently with her hand, then picked him up and laid him on Lisa’s chest. “Lee… see,” Debbie’s voice cracked. She swallowed. “He’s absolutely the cutest baby in this world.”
“Oh… Lenny, look, he looks like you,” Lisa said, cuddling the little boy.
Debbie sniffed and stepped back so the adoring parents could enjoy their newborn.
Robert walked into the room. “I hear we have an addition to the Jones family.”
“Dr. Young, come look, he’s perfect.” Lenny pulled a cigar out of his pocket and gave it to Robert.
“Congratulations, you two. He’s very handsome.” Robert gently touched Lisa’s arm and then shook Lenny’s hand. “Where’s Gini?” he asked.
“She’s with Maggie,” Debbie answered. “I figured this was too much for her to witness. Maggie was going to take her to the bakery and then have tea and treats in Maggie’s office.”
“I’ll go get her,” Robert said. “I know she’s anxious to see the baby. That’s all she talked about this morning before I left for my meeting. I’m not sure how she knew Timmy would be born today, but, well, you know Gini.”
A half hour later, Gini stood next to Lisa’s bed. “Bay… be.” She smiled big, her eyes wide open.
“Isn’t he cute?” Debbie asked, moving her hand slowly down Gini’s hair.
“Bay… be, gill.” Gini put her hand down to her tummy, then looked up at Debbie. Gini’s eyelids slowly closed, but the smile remained.
“No, baby, it’s a boy, remember? Timothy Leonard Jones. Lisa has a son.”
“Be… uff, bay… be, gill.” Her voice rose at the end of the sentence.
Robert stepped up next to the two women. He reached down and wrapped his arm around Gini and kissed her. Gini would understand once she saw the baby undressed. He had to admit he was excited for Lisa. Seeing the little boy lying in Lenny’s arms brought
