“Rest!”
“I will,” Debbie said in almost a whisper.
Micky hugged her one more time and then walked down the hall.
The pain was taking Debbie’s breath away. She walked to the small seating area almost doubled over.
After a few minutes, an older lady sat next to her. “Are you okay?”
Debbie forced a smile. “Just a little indigestion.”
“I’m waiting to see my new grandson.” The woman sat straighter, obviously excited. “I’ve seen them taking a baby in pink into Mrs. Young’s room. Is Mrs. Young your daughter?”
Debbie slightly shook her head. “No, but like one.”
“Babies bring so much happiness into the world.”
“Yes, they do.” The pain had subsided, and Debbie got up to go back to Gini. “Have fun with your precious grandson.”
When she went into the room, Robert was half lying on the bed with his arm around Gini, still nursing. Debbie stood at the door. It was so wonderful to see everyone so happy, so in love. They were going to make great parents.
A nurse walked in, and Robert took Jessica to his shoulder. The nurse helped Gini button up her top. “Are you up for a shower?” she asked Gini.
“Oh… yes…”
Gini gingerly got up off the bed, and as they walked past Robert, Jessica let out a loud burp. Gini giggled, and Robert chuckled. “I think she’s satisfied.”
“I think so,” the nurse said.
“Robert.” Debbie walked farther into the room. “I think I’m going to go home and get some rest. Looks like Gini doesn’t need me right now.”
“Okay, good.”
She stood close to him and ran her finger over Jessica’s eyebrow. “So perfect.” She looked at him. “She looks like you.”
“Oh gosh, I hope not. She looks like her beautiful mama.”
Chapter 8—Coch
Debbie went straight to bed when she got to Boston. After a few hours of sleep, she fixed herself something to eat. It was a little after six. The food seemed somewhat good, but she still had the heavy feeling of exhaustion. She talked to both Micky and Robert, telling them she was going to take the night off and just rest.
Robert stayed with Gini and the baby until nine when Vicky and John visited. Vicky immediately recognized how tired Robert looked and insisted he go home for a good night’s sleep. She wanted to stay with Gini for a while and would help her with the nursing. Robert didn’t put up much argument. He and Debbie had been up very early that morning, and they both needed to take care of themselves.
When he got home, the condo was dark. Debbie was already in bed. The next morning, he was up early—refreshed—and headed to the hospital about seven.
Debbie had a restless night with occasional jabbing pains. Around two o’clock she took some over-the-counter pain meds, and that seemed to help, but at seven-thirty she woke up in severe pain and burning hot. She forced herself up for water and some more pills. She called out for Robert, but with no answer, she knew he had probably already gone or had not come back to the condo to sleep.
Back in bed, she was out in a flash. And then at ten, still in pain, she knew something was terribly wrong. She tried to sit up but was too weak, so she searched her nightstand with her hand for her phone. Once found, she texted Robert:
Robert I need
A feeling like that of a sharp knife cutting through her stomach made her double up, and she dropped her phone. The force of her thumb on the screen when she grabbed her abdomen sent the message.
Gini suddenly looked up at Robert. “Nee… uff, help. Dee… bee.” Jessica had slipped off her breast.
“It’s okay, sweetheart.” Robert helped Jessica reconnect.
“Nee… uff, help.” She was still looking concerned. Jessica made a small squeak. Gini looked back down and put her hand on the baby’s head.
“Jessica’s doing fine,” Robert said, as he watched his beautiful wife nurse their precious daughter. He had such a wonderful feeling of satisfaction. Together he and Gini had produced a perfect child. This feeling of euphoria compared only to the first time he realized how much he loved Gini and that she loved him.
He felt his phone vibrate and took it out of his pocket to read Debbie’s message. It appeared the message had been cut off. He texted back:
Deb, are you in the hospital? Your text only partially came through. What do you need?
Jessica opened her mouth with a yawn and slid down off Gini’s breast.
“Be… uff, done.”
Robert stood and put his hand on the baby’s head. She was so sweet-looking and content. He took her to his shoulder.
Both Gini and Jessica were bathed, their beds changed, and their lunches eaten. Then Gini fell asleep. Robert had the baby-bundle up on his chest. He put his head back on the chair and closed his eyes.
“There’s a beautiful sight,” John said, quietly.
Robert put his head up and smiled.
“I hear only good reports on my patient.” John reached over and put his hand down Jessica’s back.
“Gini is doing amazingly well,” Robert said.
“See, you worried for nothing. You should have known that remarkable woman would have no problem having the baby she so wanted not only for herself but for you. Remember the ride I warned you about when you got married?”
Robert nodded his head.
“I can tell you, it just intensified by three now you have a child.”
Robert quietly chuckled.
“I have such a… I can’t even describe how I feel.”
“I know, no words needed. I can see the happiness on your face. Where’s Debbie? I haven’t seen her today.”
Robert sat up straighter and put Jessica down on his arm.
“Oh, Debbie, I
