A/N – This story was originally a one-shot that was created for the New Chapter contest called Not Your Average Commute. I had received feedback asking that this story continue and I had wanted to do so when I first started writing it, but I was stuck. I just couldn't make it happen. I got some really great feedback on my original entry from peppermintyrose that changed the way I was looking at the story. So with her feedback and encouragement I've retooled this first chapter and have it ready to go. Big, Big thanks to PMR for all of your help!
Also a nod to BathshebaRocks, who I found has a great one-shot called Do the Right Thing. It is a well-written entry for the Two Wrongs Make a Right Challenge last summer. Check it out! BR, thanks for the understanding with my new title!
Doing the Right Thing
It was a Wednesday like any other. I started my morning to the sound of my alarm blaring loudly at 6:30am. I managed to pull on my running gear, grab my iPod and head out the door to make my way into Riverside Park for my daily run. I know, it's not Central Park, but it's close to home, it's on the river and I love the breeze in the summer. And it's needed today. It's already warm.
Surprisingly, while I'm running I see Pam ahead of me. This can't be a good sign. She is a gym girl and she only runs when she's crazy stressed. I catch up to her and we're able to run together for a little bit.
"So spill; how was your date last night? Do you have plans for another?" Pam God love her was trying to play matchmaker. My date last night was a result of one of those matches and it will go down in the record books for one of the worst dates ever.
"I don't know that I'll be ever dating again after last night. It was god-awful, but we'll talk about that later. I'm worried about you. It's not often I see you running, especially at this hour."
"Yeah, 'you know who' has been pretty bitchy that I have had to take a few days to work on the L'Oreal shoot and has been making my life miserable. She doesn't have any public appearances scheduled until the weekend, yet she's acting like she can't figure out which pair of underwear to dress in if I'm not there. To top it off, I've been having trouble getting measurements for the talent for the shoot, so I'm worried about the clothes fitting. It's all been a nightmare."
Pam is one of my dearest friends. She's a wardrobe stylist and has been working for the past year with one well known female singer, whose diva tendencies have me amazed constantly. It's a great job for her career but I really wonder how Pam deals with all of the BS.
Four miles later after assurances to Pam that she will be brilliant and I'm back at home in my apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Eighty-Fifth between West End and Riverside to be exact. I've got the coffee brewing as I hop into the shower to get ready. I've got to hustle and get myself ready. As I am getting dressed, I check voicemail and the email that's already started to come in this morning on my blackberry. Shit. The proposal that was due Friday is now due by 2:00 today. A quick phone call into the office to get the team started on the edits and I'm running out the door. I'm not really dressed for running, I've got on my grey pencil skirt, my periwinkle silk halter top, my beautiful brushed steel 3.5 inch heels. The jacket I can't bear to put on yet. Kudos to Pam for making me buy this outfit. She's got great taste, and is responsible for some of my better wardrobe choices. Who am I kidding? She was responsible for most of my better wardrobe choices. And the discount she gets from most designer shops that she deals with makes it easier to be her life-sized Barbie.
I'm praying that it's still early enough that I can find a taxi or a car service without much problem. But as I head to West End I realize from looking at the traffic that a taxi is out of the question if I want to get downtown on time. I work for a marketing and communications firm in the village on 7th Ave just off of 14th Street. The subway it is.
God I hate taking the subway on days like today. If it's hot up here, it's absolutely disgusting down there. I trudge up to the entrance on 86th & Broadway and make the trek down into the soup. At least I don't have to wait long for a train to come, and by some miracle, I actually get a seat. God, I can't believe they changed the deadline on the proposal. I still wasn't satisfied with it yet. We would have to work quickly, but we could still get it done. I looked up when we were at 72nd Street and noticed a very pregnant woman get onto the train. I look around, and I can't believe that no one is offering to give up their seat to her. Not a single guy. They are all pretending that they don't see her. What assholes.
"Excuse me miss, would you like to sit here?" I ask. The relief on her face is evident.
"Thank you so much. You have no idea how much I appreciate it!"
"No problem." I stand up and we switch spots with her sitting down on the bench seat. She's got a maternity dress on with some flip-flops and is carrying the world's largest purse. I guess it must be practice for carrying a diaper bag.
"I tell you, it's so freaking hot down here, between the heat and having to stand, I thought I was going to die!" She says while mopping at a sheen of perspiration on her brow. I'm sure I have a small one too. They say these cars are supposed to be air conditioned, but they never seem to be.
"I can imagine. When are you due?" She seems friendly enough and it will help pass the time for the remainder of my stops, so I figure I'll keep chatting.
"Not for another three long weeks. I'm really anxious to get this little guy out, but I really need him to stay in there for a little longer."
"Oh." I can't think of anything else to contribute at this point. In fact, I start thinking again about the proposal.
"My husband is in Iraq, and they are letting him come home for the birth of our son. So I need this little guy to stay in for at least another two weeks so Tray can make it." Man, I couldn't imagine that.
"Wow, it must be hard having your husband so far away while you are pregnant."
"Yeah, but with Skype and email, he does get a chance to see how big I'm getting, and see the ultrasound photos. It's all I can hope for at this point. That and that he's safe."
I see that we're at 23rd street, so that means that my stop is coming up soon.
"You're in the home stretch at least!" I'm trying to be encouraging. She's not saying anything anymore, and she looks a little uncomfortable. Her face is red and pinched up.
As the train slides into the 18th street station I ask, "Hey, are you okay?"
"Oh, um I am just feeling lots of pressure all of a sudden. And some weird cramping. I'm sure it will pass soon."
As I watch her, the expression on her face doesn't seem to let up. She starts to stand up, and doubles over a little bit. Before I know it I hear a splash. Looking down, I see that her water has broken all over the floor of the subway car.
"Oh my God!" I grabbed her bag from her and helped her to the platform at 14th Street. "Can you walk? Are you okay?" This poor thing was just telling me how her baby needed to stay in, and her water broke all over the subway. And a little bit over my Camilla Skovgaard heels! Damn it. I've got my arm around her supporting her as she's hunched over. My other arm has my computer bag and her big bag that must contain her kitchen sink.
"Oh shit. It hurts so damn much! This wasn't supposed to happen. Tray was supposed to be here. Where are we? What station?"
"We're at 14th Street. I'm taking you to St. Vincent's. It's right here. Can you make it up the steps?" Thank God St. V's was right around the corner. We were near the front of the train, so we would make it out the 12th street exit, right near the hospital. I pray she can make it, as all of the people here are hurrying to wherever it is they have to be, without paying this poor woman any mind.
"Yeah, I think I can make it. Can you please walk with me? I can't do it on my own."
"I wouldn't dream of leaving you to fend for yourself. I'm Sookie by the way. What's your name hon?" I figure since I'm helping this woman through the early stages of labor that she might as well know my name.
"Aaagh… Amelia. Sorry. It Hurts! Amelia Dawson."
"Well Amelia Dawson, it's a pleasure to meet you. Let's get you across the street to the hospital shall we?" We're moving very slowly, but as fast as poor Amelia can make it. As we're trying to cross the street I had to yell at a bike messenger who almost plowed us down. Come on, can't anyone offer to help?
We made it into the ED (emergency department) finally and I managed to get Amelia into a wheelchair and brought her over to admissions. The lady seemed busy and didn't look up. I finally had to say something.
"Excuse me mam, but this woman was on the subway when her water broke. She's not due for 2 weeks and is in a lot of pain." That seemed to snap her into action and had her bounding around the counter quickly.
"Ok hon, you'll be in good hands. Who is your doctor?"
"Dr. Ludwig. She's out of St. Luke's Roosevelt. She's away at a conference!" Amelia gritted that last word out through what I can assume is another contraction.
"It's okay hon, we'll take good care of you here. We'll get you up to labor and delivery and get you checked out. Can your friend here give us some particulars?" The nurse looked up at me, and all I could think of was the proposal that needed to get out the door and the fact that I have known Amelia for all of 30 minutes.
"I'll take the forms with me and I can help Amelia fill them out while she's getting checked out. Would that be okay?" What kind of person would I be if I left this poor woman all by herself in painful labor (was there any other kind of labor?).
I walked alongside a nurse who was wheeling Amelia up to L&D when Amelia's trembling hand reached up and took mine. God this poor thing! About to have her baby and holding onto a stranger's hand. I couldn't leave her now.
"So Amelia, why don't you give me your phone? Is there anyone I can call for you? I know that Tray is overseas, but there must be someone in his command I can call. Is there any other family that I can call?"
"Yes. Yeah there is. Could you call my brother Eric? He's in the address book. Try him on his cell first and if you can't get him then call his office. His secretary will know how to get a hold of him. Thanks Sookie. I don't know what I would have done this morning without you!" She really was such a tough lady. I've never seen anyone in labor before, but she really seemed to be such a champ, and taking these weird circumstances in stride. Before I walked in the hall to make some calls she asked me to get her insurance card out of her wallet. I set it and the clipboard on the little stand next to the bed they had her in.
In the hallway I started scrolling through her address book and found the cell number for her brother Eric.
"Amelia, how are you feeling sis? How's the little bruiser?"
"Um, hi. It's not Amelia. My name is Sookie, and I'm with Amelia here at St. Vincent's downtown. She asked me to give you a call."
"Holy Shit, what's she doing there? Is everything okay with the baby? Did she get hurt? Who are you? How do you know Amelia?" I could understand he was stressed out about his sister, but really, so many questions!
"I was with Amelia on the subway this morning when her water broke. We were just pulling into 14th Street, so I managed to help her off and get her to the hospital. The doctors and nurses are working with her now, and she wanted me to call you and tell you what was going on. Is there any way you could come down here?"
"Shit, I'm in Connecticut heading to a meeting. I'll get the driver to turn around, but with all of the rush hour traffic, I don't know how long it will take for me to get back. Can I talk to her?"
"You know, right now she's got a lot of people all over her and I had to step out in the hall to call you. Why don't I call you back when she comes up for air and you can talk to her then? Okay?"
"Sure, sure. Your name again?"
"It's Sookie."
"Sookie, I'm Eric. Thanks so much for being there for Amelia. I really appreciate it. I'll wait to hear from you. Tell her I'm coming as fast as I can."
"Thanks Eric. Can you think of anyone else I can call for her?"
"No, I'll call our parents. They are in West Palm so they can't help much. Please, call me if anything happens before Amelia's ready to talk."
"I promise. Be careful. I'll call you soon."
I thought it was so sweet how concerned he sounded for his sister. I wish I was that close with Jason. We had our moments growing up, but ever since I moved to the "Big City" as he put it; things started to fall apart. He started calling me "Miss Corporate America" and thought that I thought I was too good for him and all of our friends from home in Massachusetts. He also was a bit pissed that since I moved to New York I finally took an interest in baseball and rooted for the Yankees instead of his beloved Red Sox. Boy those New Englanders really took their Sox pride to insane levels.
I found the number for Tray's unit command in the states and called them and asked them to get word to Tray that Amelia was in labor. I gave her cell phone number and asked them to please, please try and get him to call her.
I snuck back into the room and sat in a chair listening to the doctor go over stuff with Amelia. Right now it sounded like they were discussing the option of drugs. I wanted to raise my hand and say "me please!" This morning was getting to be a bit much. I thought I might like an epidural too until the doctor motioned to the tray that held one of the biggest freaking needles I have EVER seen in my life. I was scared shitless, and it wasn't coming anywhere near me.
The doctor turned to me and said "Are you her Lamaze partner?"
"Um no. No I'm not." I'm the person who gave up her seat on the subway and is now here when I should be… crap. I can't leave her. Not yet.
"Well, if you plan on staying then you're going to have to help Amelia by letting her rest on your shoulders while we administer the epidural. Otherwise we are going to have to ask you to leave while we do it."
"Amelia, I hope you don't mind, but I'd be more comfortable stepping outside for a moment."
"Oh. No. Go ahead. Just don't disappear on me please." A nurse stepped over by her at the side of the bed and took the position I was meant to. I just couldn't do it. That needle was so long.
I took the opportunity to make some phone calls to the office and to check up on how the proposal was going, and to check my emails and voicemails. I called into my boss Felipe, and let him know what was happening. He was remarkably calm, but I knew that his brother Victor would be flipping out with the change in the proposal deadline. Felipe was willing to run interference if necessary. My next call was to Lafayette, the lead designer for the project. He was on it and managing all of the edits and the printing. He was cheeky, and over the top at times, but he really was good and had never missed a deadline before. I was feeling a little bit better about not being there and insisted that Lafayette send me the file as soon as it was ready for review.
I had been on the phone long enough for the anesthesiologist to come walking out of the room, so I walked back in to check on my new friend.
"So how are you feeling now?"
"It's starting to kick in a little bit. I don't feel like my insides are being ripped apart, just pressure. Did you get a hold of Eric?"
"I sure did. He wanted to talk to you but I told him you were knee-deep in doctors and nurses. He was on his way to a meeting in Connecticut, but was turning around. With rush-hour traffic he wasn't sure how soon he'd make it here, but he's on his way. I also called Tray's command and asked them to relay the message along to him and asked him to call asap. Now do you want to talk to Eric? Should we call him now?"
She shook her head. I took her phone out of my bag and redialed Eric's number and handed her the phone. It was very sweet to hear her end of the conversation. She was trying to settle him down. After a few minutes of talking and promising she'd try to wait until he got here, she handed me back the phone and asked for some ice chips. Apparently, that's all she was allowed to have. Boy did that suck!
It looked like we were going to be here for a while together, so I started to ask her how she and Tray met.
"Well, we'd have to thank my brother for that. Eric and Tray both played on the same hockey team down at Chelsea Piers. Eric had been after me to come and see the team play, and one day I gave in and went. They played and won that night. Eric said that the team was going down to Chelsea Brewing Company for some drinks and some food and I figured I'd go too. We were all having a great time that night, everyone buying round after round and as it was getting pretty crowded, I decided to step outside on the pier for a moment to catch some fresh air. Tray walked out after me and asked if he could keep me company. We stayed talking out there for a while. It got cold and he gave me his jacket to put on. Well, at the end of the night, I forgot I had it on and left! The poor guy was locked out of his apartment because I had his keys! He got my number from Eric and called. We ended up meeting at an all night diner and sat there talking until the sun started to rise."
"That sounds really sweet Amelia."
"Oh he was. He insisted on walking me home, and then stood on my stoop and kissed me. I knew then Sookie that he was the guy for me. There was just something about him. Something about the way he kissed. No one had ever kissed me like that before. And I felt so comfortable with him because Eric knew him. Not like some random guy that I'd hooked up with at the bar."
I wasn't one who really believed in love at first sight, but I am sure if she felt it, she experienced it. She started to flip through her phone to find a picture of him to show me. He was handsome in a rugged way. He seemed average height and had broad shoulders, wavy black hair and green eyes. He wasn't my type, but he certainly wasn't bad on the eyes either.
"He's really handsome Amelia."
"Thanks. That's before he had to cut his hair for Iraq."
"What branch?"
"He is in the Army Reserves. He did ROTC in college, served 2 years after graduating and then came to the City afterwards. He had thought that he was done, but he was reactivated last year and sent to the front. He doesn't want me to worry, so we don't talk about much of what he does over there."
"How long has he been gone?"
"Oh, 17 months now. They told him that his tour was 18, so only a couple more weeks to go!"
Okay – work with me here. If he's been gone for 16 months, and pregnancy took 9 months – so how was that possible? Amelia must have seen me trying to do the math in my head and laughed.
"Tray was home on leave for the holidays and we had a really nice reunion!" she said with a blush.
"That's great Amelia!" I said with a genuine smile. She started to shift uncomfortably in her bed. "I think you should try and get a little rest Amelia. You need your strength."
"That's easier said than done. But I think you're right. Why don't you tell me some stories about yourself Sookie?"
"Well, I don't know how exciting it will be, but I'll give it a go. I grew up in Massachusetts, in a small town on Cape Cod. It's full of people in the summer. So much that you almost can't move. But during the off season, it really quiets down. It was a nice place to grow up. I have an older brother Jason. He still lives there. How about you Amelia? Why don't you tell me about your family?" I really didn't want to get into the story of how my parents died when we were kids and how Gran took us in.
"Well, you've talked to my brother Eric. He's actually my step-brother. My mother and his father got together when we were still both really young. We've been together so long that I can't remember a time when he wasn't around. Mom and Dad live down in Florida, and have been begging Tray and I to move down after the baby is born. They want to be close to their grandson. That's not going to happen though."
"Did you grow up in Florida Amelia?" I wanted to keep her talking as she seemed to be doing a bit better when she was distracted.
"No, we lived in Chappaqua which is just north of the city. It was only when Eric and I were in college that Mom and Dad got the place in West Palm. It's been a great escape in the dead of winter, I'll tell you that."
"I can imagine. The winter here isn't much better than where I grew up. I've always been more of a summer girl. Although after a walk through the subway on a day like today, I might change my mind." I laughed and so did Amelia.
"Especially today right? I think you got more than you bargained for today Sookie."
"It certainly isn't your average morning commute!"
At that point, a nurse came in and checked the monitors attached to Amelia, and then checked to see how dilated she was.
"Good Girl. You're five centimeters. You're moving right along and it should be soon!" The nurse happily chirped while writing something down on her chart before leaving the room.
"So tell me Sookie. I don't see a ring on your finger. Is there anyone special for you?" Why did it feel like everyone was always checking out my hand to see if there was a ring on it? Like there was something wrong with being single?
"Um, no. I've never found Mr. Right. I've certainly had my fair share of Mr. Right Now… but no one like your Tray." She was looking at me with sad eyes. I hated that. "It's okay. There's no one special now. I've had my friend set me up on more than one disastrous date; so I've kind of decided that I'll just let things happen on their own without trying to force it. Does that make sense?"
"Yes." She replied with a grin. "Now tell me about your disastrous dates so it will take my mind off of my pain!"
"Oh God! I had a horrible one last night. John was my friend Pam's friend from the gym. He was a big strapping guy, with muscles bulging from just about everywhere. Well, we went out for dinner, and the conversation was a little slow and was difficult. He wasn't really easy to talk to; he went on and on about his workouts, what he ate and what exercises I needed to do if I wanted to um… if I wanted to tighten my ass."
"No!" Her hands went to her face and she was laughing. I could laugh about it now; but I distinctly remember the difficulty I had last night trying to keep myself from standing up and walking out then!
"Yeah, he went there. I run every day, and I know that doesn't solve it all, but really! Wait, it gets even better!" It felt good to get this off my chest. I could only imagine what Pam's response would be when I finally told her.
"Do tell!" Amelia was laughing and I was glad to be able to make her smile while going through labor.
"Well, after dinner, I tried feigning an early morning meeting that I needed to get home and get a good night's sleep for. He insisted on me going into the bar next door for a drink. I knew I should have just gone home but I went in with him because after that dinner I really wanted a good stiff drink. Turns out that he worked there part-time as a bouncer and needed to show up to work! Who does that when they're having a date? Here's the clincher though, some redhead came up to him screaming because he walked in with me. She threw a beer at him, and the jerk had the nerve to pull me in front of him so I took the brunt of it!"
Amelia looked horrified, but I couldn't tell if it was because she couldn't believe the nerve of the man, or if she wanted to laugh and thought she shouldn't.
"Oh God Sookie; if I had had a date like that, I think I might start up with women!" I liked Amelia. She was funny, and had the ability to be funny when in a lot of pain. I had to laugh.
"Yeah. I'm not ready to start with women, but I definitely am not looking forward to dating anytime soon based on that experience. If I wasn't on that date, I wouldn't have believed how bad it truly went. I'm not sure that I'll ever come across someone who will be the one for me. Right now I'd settle for someone who didn't tell me I needed to firm up, and who didn't get me covered in beer."
"Such high standards. Are you still friends with Pam?"
"In fact I saw her this morning. She's a friend of mine from college." She was definitely going to owe me one. I just didn't have the heart to tell her this morning when she was so stressed. "So tell me Amelia, where do you live?"
"Oh, Tray and I live on 75th and Columbus."
"Right near the museum, how fantastic! What a great location."
"We love it. How about you Sookie? Where do you live?"
"I'm on 85th between West End & Riverside."
"Ooh, what a nice street. Right near the river. My brother loves Riverside Park. He's right near there. I'm a Central Park gal since that's a little closer." It never ceases to amaze me that if you are east of Broadway, you rarely make it over to Riverside Park. And if you are west of Broadway, Riverside Park is your backyard.
"I love Riverside. I go running there every morning." It's at that moment that Amelia's phone rings. It sounds like she is talking to her parents. Yup. I can hear her telling her mom not to worry. It sounds like she's getting on one of the next flights out. Amelia starts to grimace, and I can tell that it must be another contraction coming on. This doesn't look fun. I get up and hold her hand and rub it and tell her that she can do it. She's dropped the phone and I can hear her mother on the other end calling for her. Within a moment Amelia got back on the phone breathing a little heavier, but convincing her mom that she was doing just fine.
I thought I'd give them a little privacy and went out in the hall to check my email and voicemail. I had the new draft of the proposal from Lafayette, comments from Felipe, and a whole host of other emails requesting materials and setting up times for meetings. It's amazing how many emails I get in a day. How did people work before email? (I'm being sarcastic here.) Speaking of work, I was beginning to feel guilty that I had left Lafayette and the team in a bit of a lurch, despite his reassurances to the contrary. Turning my attention to voicemail, I had a message from Pam, a message from my cleaning lady asking to reschedule and a few work-related messages. After listening to them all, I decided to head back into Amelia's room to find her in tears.
"Amelia, are you in pain? What's wrong?"
"I miss him so much. He was supposed to be here. I don't want to seem ungrateful, I'm so glad to have met you, but Tray should be here with me for this!" She managed to get out before sobbing again.
I walked over to the edge of the bed and took her hand in mine, and with the other hand I rubbed her hair. It was as comforting a gesture I could think of with a near stranger.
"So tell me more about Tray. You said you knew he was the one for you right away. How long did you date for? When did you get married? How big of a family are you hoping for?" Through sniffles she started to respond.
"Oh, we were inseparable after that night, or morning at the diner. I met him for dinner that night. I'd watch him at practice and at games. He came down to meet my parents for the holidays. I had pretty much started living at his place within six weeks, even though we never really talked about it. I had just as much clothing and makeup at his place as I did at my own. I spent every night there. I just hated to be away from him, and he hated to be away from me. Don't get me wrong, I still had nights where I went out with the girls and he went out with the guys. For the most part though, we just found that we were happier together. Some of our friends thought we were rushing into it. My brother gave me a tough time too, even though he knew Tray from hockey. He just didn't want to see me get hurt.
Tray asked me to marry him after dating for about eight months. We were in the park for Opera in the Park and we had a blanket spread out and some wine, some dinner. It was a beautiful night. We were supposed to meet up with some friends, but the crowd was so huge that we just couldn't find each other despite going to our pre-arranged spot. He was so sweet. He poured a glass of wine for me and told me how lucky he was to have found me. He told me that he felt like he was finally complete, and couldn't imagine life without me. He pulled out the ring and asked me to marry him and I screamed! I was so thrilled."
"Oh Amelia, that sounds so romantic." How sweet. To see her face as she was telling the story, you could see how in love she was. She just glowed. And through all of the pain, and the drugs and the labor to be glowing, I was impressed.
"We got married a few months later. We managed to get a cancelled date at the Bryant Park Grill, which was a dream location for me. So we managed to pull it together quickly. That was 3 years ago. When Tray got reactivated for the guard, I thought it would kill me. I couldn't imagine being without him. But I've gotten used to it. I'm just so excited he's almost home for good."
I looked at the clock and was shocked to see that it was after 11:00. The morning goes by fast when you end up meeting someone in labor on the subway. And when you are cool. The hospital was air-conditioned, so it made everything easier. At least for me. I stepped out into the hallway because it was time for the doctor to come back in and check Amelia again. I thought I should give them their privacy. I've been through a lot with Amelia this morning, but I don't think that she needed me to see the doctor sticking his hand up where the sun doesn't shine.
I was pacing back and forth in the hallway on the phone again with Lafayette when I saw a really tall, blonde, handsome and well-dressed man racing down the hall in my direction. I absentmindedly wondered who the lucky mom-to-be was. He raced up to the nurse's station and asked for Amelia's room. This must be Eric. I walked up beside him and reached out for his arm.
"Excuse me, are you Eric?"
"Yes. You must be Sookie. Where's Amelia? How is she?" He looked down at me with relief in his eyes.
"Yes. And don't worry. You made it in time. The doctor is just in checking with her right now. She was in a lot of pain when we first got here, but they have given her some pain meds, and she seems to be doing well. Why don't you wait out here with me and then we can go in when they're done? Okay?"
"I don't know how to begin thanking you for what you have done today for my sister. I didn't think that there were any good-hearted people left here in the city." He ran his hand through his hair absentmindedly. I motioned for him to follow me towards Amelia's room.
"Oh, it was nothing really. How could I not help? Besides, I'm starting to really like your sister. She's funny, easy to talk to and a good listener. All while she's in labor. I can only imagine what she's like when she's on the top of her game!" He laughed. God what a laugh. He gave me a little smile and then we walked into Amelia's room.
"Look who's here Amelia!" I proudly said as I entered the room first. Her eyes lit up at the sight of her brother. I couldn't blame her. I couldn't imagine if I were in her shoes how I'd be feeling.
I could tell that they had much to talk about and I knew I needed to get over to the office to help out on the proposal, so I used the opportunity to say my goodbyes and them some privacy. Amelia wouldn't hear of it.
"Please don't leave me Sookie. I know that I just met you, but I never would have been able to make it this far if it weren't for you. It wouldn't feel right if you left now. Will you stay here until the baby comes? I'm 9 centimeters now, you can't leave so close to the end."
She looked up at me with big puppy-dog eyes. Ugh! I knew I couldn't say no. Eric was holding her hand and rubbing circles on the back of it absentmindedly. He offered me a smile. I couldn't help but smile back at the two of them.
"I won't leave you Amelia. Are you sure that you don't want some time alone with each other?"
"No need Sookie." Amelia started to say something else but then was caught by a huge contraction and started squeezing Eric's hand so hard he actually yelped. I stifled a giggle that this big man was yelping.
"Have they all been that bad Amelia?" He asked her.
"They haven't been a walk in the park Eric, let's put it that way." With that, the nurse came in to check on Amelia again. Eric and I walked over to the windows together and looked down on the busy avenue below.
"I can't believe this is happening today. I thought that the little man would hold on until his dad made it back home." Eric was staring ahead out the window. "Amelia looks like she's holding up pretty well." I nodded in agreement. "So you really just met her today?"
"Yes. Believe it or not we met because I gave her my seat on the subway. We were making small talk when her water broke. I've never known anyone else who's been in labor before, but she's been doing great. I've had her laughing a bit to try and get her mind off of things. She did have a moment earlier where she was really missing Tray, but I think talking about him helped. She told me you are the reason they met."
"Yeah, we play hockey in the same league down at Chelsea Piers. He's a good guy. It's a shame that they recalled him. We'll all be glad when he's home for good."
"Okay everyone." The nurse announced. "It's time for our mommy to start pushing. The doctor will be back in a minute. Will you both be staying for the birth?" Eric said yes immediately.
I have to admit that I was a bit nervous. Was I really doing this? I didn't really know her. This is such a private moment, probably best left between Amelia and her brother.
"I think Amelia would understand if you'd like to go now." Eric offered. Could he sense my indecision? Amelia shouted from the bed.
"Like hell you're going! You can't leave me now!" I guess that settled it. I was staying.
We were instructed to both go up to Amelia's head, one of us on either side of her and take her hand. That was good, because I really didn't want to see what was going on down below if I could help it. It would appear that her brother felt the same way.
The next 20 minutes were spent with me and Eric giving Amelia words of encouragement, and alternating between holding her hands, and being asked to hold up her feet. She complained about the stirrups. She was such a champ. I couldn't imagine having to pass something so big, through an opening so small. I tell you, if they showed a film of childbirth in our science classes in high school, then I bet you Crystal Norris never would have gotten pregnant her junior year.
"Okay Amelia." The doctor was preparing her. "You are really close. It's going to be a few more pushes now before we meet your child. Do you know what you are having?"
"Yes. I'm having a little boy."
"Well mom, give me some good pushes so we can all meet your little boy!"
The grunting was incredible. She swore up a storm, but as soon as the doctor said he saw the head, it seemed like the pain went away and Amelia was really focused. I know that the whole ordeal had kind of put me off earlier on, but it really seemed like something so amazing was taking place. I was in awe. Minutes later, her baby boy was born. 2:12 pm, August 5th Calvin Thomas Dawson was born. He had all 10 fingers; all 10 toes. He was 21" long, and weighed 8 lbs, 4oz. Amelia asked me if I would take some pictures of them. I took some with Amelia's phone to send to Tray. I took some with Eric's phone to send of the three of them together and of Eric and Calvin together. And then, with my phone, Eric took a picture of me holding Calvin. I was so honored. The nurses had already weighed and measured Calvin, and put that shiny goop on his eyes, but they said they needed to take him for a few minutes. The doctors needed to finish up some stuff with Amelia, and I really didn't want to know what.
I took that opportunity to step outside and call the office. I spoke with Lafayette, who told me the team was able to get the proposal out the door; and that Felipe and Victor were looking for me though and wanted to see me ASAP. Lafayette had asked me about what was keeping me out of the office since it was so unlike me to not be around when there was a deadline to be met. He couldn't believe it when I told him, so I said I would send the picture. I knew he would be shocked. I was shocked too truth be told. I told him that I would say my goodbyes and make my way into the office now that the baby was born.
As I made my way back to the room, I saw Eric holding his nephew, cradling him in his arms and talking baby talk to him. I couldn't help but smile. Oh I could have just melted. I think I might have.
"There you are." I was in my own little world and was surprised when Eric noticed me.
"Hey there. That was really amazing wasn't it?"
"It was. Amelia was incredible. Calvin, he's just awesome!" He looked down at the baby with a smile.
A nurse came and said she needed to take Calvin again for another few tests. Eric gave me an excited hug and said he needed to step outside to call their parents. Amelia turned her head to us and smiled. She sure looked tired, but she looked much better than I would expect someone to look who just had a baby. And her grin was huge. Apparently while I was outside calling the office, Amelia got one of her own. From Tray. She gushed on and on about Tray; how excited he was and that he saw the pictures that Eric emailed him. Amelia said that everything was still on track for him to come home in two weeks. She told me that they were going to be moving her shortly to the post-partum floor, and would bring Calvin up to her once she got there.
"I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to try and take a little nap before they bring Calvin back to me. I don't think I'll be getting much sleep after that. It's not that I don't appreciate all you've done, but I really need a little sleep."
"No problem Amelia. I need to be heading out anyway. You know, you really were amazing today. And Calvin; I don't think I've ever seen someone so perfect. He is truly amazing."
"He is isn't he? Sookie, I don't know how I can ever thank you enough. Truly, I never would have made it without your help today. You'll stop back again won't you?"
"Sure Amelia. If I can't make it back later, I'll stop by tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing that handsome little son of yours again. I still think you should have named him Sookie." I told her with a laugh. Hey, how better to remember the complete stranger who helped get you to the hospital and stayed with you all day? I really wouldn't want that for a boy. He'd get beaten up on the playground, but it was still fun to tease her.
"Maybe the next one. Thanks Sookie. I'll see you later." I tucked her in her blankets and headed out the door. Eric was still on the phone and I didn't want to disturb him as I was heading out. I gave him a wave, which he returned with a big smile and then I made my way to the elevators.
Ugh. It was downright oppressive outside. You could see the heat rising from the street. It didn't take me long to wish that I was back in the air conditioned hospital again. As I walked down 14th Street towards the office, I couldn't help but think back to everything that happened today. I had never seen anyone giving birth before and I was truly amazed by how strong and brave Amelia was. I don't know how I would handle it if my husband wasn't around. I then found myself remembering watching Eric cradle Calvin in his arms. I smiled at the memory of him making little cooing noises. He really was a great brother. He dropped everything he was doing to be by his sister's side when she needed him. I found myself wishing that Jason could be a little bit more like that.
The ringing of my phone brought me out of my daydreaming. It was the office.
"I'm about two blocks away. I'll be there in five."
"You sure better doll. They're lookin' for you."
"Thanks Lafayette!"
I hung up and picked up the pace back to the office. Not a minute after walking in the office I was slammed with work. There was a presentation for with the proposal that went out earlier today and it needed major re-working. There were hours and hours worth of redesign, revisions and discussions. It was 10:00 before I slipped into a cab and headed for home. Obviously, I never made it back to the hospital to see Amelia. There was always tomorrow.
Disclaimer, since I forgot it at the top… Charlaine Harris owns the SVM and all characters therein.