Disclaimer : I don't own anything so there!
Chapter 1
Here I was, at 29 years of age, a wife, a step mother and a mother. You might be asking how I can be all 3, well it's quite simple really…
"Lights out Jonah". I said softly, as I entered the room of my step son, pulling the covers higher still, then turning on his night light, before turning out the main light. "Night". I whispered, leaning over and pecking his forehead gently.
"Connie"? His child like voice beckoned me.
"Yeah"? I turned in the doorway, the light from the landing behind me, shining on his innocent face.
"Do you think my mom's watching us"? His question in all innocence, shocked me.
At 8 years old, he very rarely asked about his mother, not really remembering much about her. He'd asked a few questions about her, but he just didn't seem as though he had any to ask as both me and his father made sure he remembered her. I often wondered why he didn't feel the need to know more about her, but daren't push it any further. I suppose I knew he'd ask more one day, a day where he'd understand everything much easier.
He had her looks, with every day, he grew more and more like her, not only in looks but he had her ways. Even as a young child, he seemed to have her way of sorting problems out – thinking about it, weighing up the pro's and con's before deciding either against the decision or for it.
It had been hard at first, more on Jonah's father than anything. He could barely look at Jonah, I suppose scared of admitting that he was going to have to raise his son on is own, the way Jonah seemed to resemble everything his mother was, he was grief stricken, yet trying to remain strong for everyone including himself.
It had all started about 8 years ago…
My best friend was 6 months pregnant, with her first child. Both fresh out of college, she had settled for the mother to be lifestyle, staying at home cooking, being the dutiful housewife. I on the other hand wanted more, I was ready to take on the world. I had graduated college, majoring in photography, and headed straight into my first job as a professional photographer. I loved every minute of it, I got on well with my assistant, however my boss was always uptight about my work.
We had gone to Minnesota college, along with her then boyfriend and husband Charlie Conway. The two had been dating since sophomore year of high school, and were absolutely inseparable. I often felt like the third wheel with them, well that was until I met my then husband Miles Ryan. Charlie was now, what he'd always wanted to be - a professional hockey player, playing for the Minnesota Wild, whilst Miles was a law intern with my old team the ducks, first sponsor Ducksworth, Savor and Grose.
FLASHBACK
"Ladies and Gentleman, that's a wrap". I shouted over the loud music that was being played in the studio.
"Connie, that can't be a wrap, you've hardly shot anything. You don't seem to realize these are some of my top clients". My boss Jonathan hissed in my ear.
"Jonathan, do you trust me"? I asked, smiling toward the clients, who were looking dubious thanks to Jonathan's fussing.
"Not really, but I suppose that's why I hired you". He rubbed his temple in stress.
"Thanks… I think". I laughed. "I'll be back in about an hour with the finished product". And with that, I dragged Xander, my assistant with me, to the dark room.
I got on really well with Xander. He had been working with Jonathan's company for nearly 5 years, and boy, there was a lot of experience in those 5 years. Often while we were in the dark room, he would tell his 'dark' tales, of how Jonathan enticed new clients. Sometimes I knew he was joking, sometimes, he was deadly serious.
"So, the honeymoon bliss over yet"? Xander asked, as he began pouring the liquids into their dishes.
"Well that depends how you look at it". I winked mischievously at him.
"Oh, what it was to be young and in love". He said in his reminiscent tone.
"Come on Xander, you aren't exactly over the hill". I nudged him.
"The hill is in full view though. They say life begins at 40, well whatever jerk came up with that, I'd like to kill". He chuckled.
"Yeah, but you have a beautiful wife and 3 gorgeous kids. You've got it made". I told him, just as my cell phone started ringing. Xander grabbed it for me, whilst I wiped my hands on the cloth, ridding them of the strong smelling liquids I had been using. "Hello"? I answered.
"Is this Connie Ryan"? I was asked, I was about to say no, when I realized they were using my married name, it still felt weird answering to it.
"Speaking". I replied.
"This is Minnesota Memorial Hospital calling". Panic struck right away. "We have a patient under the name Julie Conway here, she's requested we call you to ask you to come to the hospital".
"Is she ok? What's happened"? My hands were shaking, and I suddenly felt sick, hoping that there was nothing seriously wrong with her or the baby.
"I'm sorry, I can't give information like that over the phone, are you available to come"?
"Yeah, yeah, sure. I'll be there right away". I put the phone down hastily. "Xander, I have to go. Julie's been taken to hospital, and Charlie's away with the team". I began babbling, whilst rushing around for my car keys and jacket.
"Whoa, whoa, slow down there. Ok, take a deep breath, Julie will be fine. I'll finish up here, and give the finished product to Jonathan for him to present to the clients". Xander soothed.
"Thank you. You are the greatest". I told him before making a mad dash for the parking lot.
All the way over there, I was trying to convince myself it wasn't anything serious. I was agitated and just about every single other driver was annoying. I must have been doing well over the speed limit, and to be truthful, I was probably far from in control of my actions. I was going through a mental list of ways I could contact Charlie if needs must. One thought after the other plummeted into my mind, everything from death, to labor was in there. I was half tempted to call Charlie now and get him to come straight home, but then common sense prevailed and I knew that if I did, it would probably be nothing and I would be worrying him for nothing.
"C'mon, put your bloody foot down". I cursed the driver in front, willing him to speed up.
Finally, with many more cursing of other drivers, I rolled up outside the ER, luckily finding a parking space immediately, and parking init, far from the way they taught us in driver's ed, but I didn't care. I ran into the building as though any second Julie could be taking her last breath, and I wasn't there with her.
I impatiently waited in the queue at the reception, knowing that other people were just as desperate as myself. I fidgeted my way to the front of the queue, where a friendly looking nurse was manning the desk.
"How can I help you"? She asked, as though this were the best place to be, which of course in an emergency it was, but in so many more cases it wasn't.
"Um, Hi, yeah, I've just been called about my friend". I spoke quickly and still out of breath from my exhilarating journey here.
"What's your friends name". She turned to the computer, ready to type the name in.
"Julie Conway". I said quickly.
"Ok, let's see". She typed it in, and waited for the results. "She's been moved up to the 3rd floor".
"Thank you". I said hurriedly, as I made a dash for the elevators.
All the way up to the 3rd floor in the elevator, my left legs was twitching compulsively, and the more I thought about it, the faster it seemed to twitch. The journey up seemed to take forever, and seconds later, my right foot began tapping. Finally after what seemed ages, the elevator pinged an the doors opened, letting me get out. I walked briskly down to the end of the corridor to the nurses station. The nurse behind the desk looked up at me, as soon as I got there, and directed me to the room where Julie was. Upon finding out where she was, I dashed to her room, barging in, to find Julie sat up in a bed, looking perfectly healthy.
"Jules, oh my God, what's wrong"? I ran to her bedside, giving her a huge relieved hug. "Are you ok? Is the baby ok"?
"Yes, we're both fine. I just fainted in the shopping mall, that's all". She answered simply.
"That's all, that's all"? I questioned. "There's a reason why you faint Julie". My voice peaked his normal steady tone to a high pitched one.
"Fainting is quite normal for pregnant women Connie". She answered simply.
"So if fainting is quiet normal Jules, why are you still here, laid on a hospital bed"?
"Arh, you must be Mrs. Ryan. I'm Doctor Manners, I've been treating Mrs. Conway". A young female doctor walked in with a clip board.
"Hi". I greeted the doctor. "So what's wrong with her"? I asked.
"Oh nothing too serious. She simply fainted. A lot of pregnant women, especially those who are first time mothers to be, faint. It's simply that their hormones are going a little hectic". The doctor told us.
"See". Julie gloated, looking at me, with the classic, I told you so expression.
"However, one more big reason is because, as the pregnancy progresses, the mother seems to neglect the fact that they are eating AND drinking for 2". The doctor continued, a small smile playing on her lips. "This may not be the case with you Julie, but we would like to keep you in, just over night, to get some more fluid into you. We've also taken some blood, just to test, to make sure there isn't anything wrong with you".
"See". I gloated back.
"I'll leave you two alone". Dr Manners, excused herself.
"Thank you Doctor". I turned and smiled, whilst watching her leave the room. "Do you want me to call Charlie or something"? I asked. I was unsure what to do.
"NO. Don't call Charlie. He has a game tonight, if he knows he won't be able to focus on the game". She told me.
"I'm pretty sure he'll be more concerned by the fact that his wife is in hospital". I argued.
"Look, you can call him later, but please, not until after the game". She replied sternly.
"Ok, ok, I won't call Charlie until later. Are you sure you're ok though"? I looked at her critically, hoping I could tell if she was lying.
"Yes I'm fine. Honestly". She reached up for my hand and gave it a squeeze. #
END FLASHBACK
She was telling the truth, then. There had been nothing seriously wrong with her. Though the way Charlie acted when he rushed home after the game, you'd have thought she was seriously ill. 3 months later she gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby boy – Jonah Shane Conway. After Jonah was born, Charlie was given 3 months paternal leave, of which he spent very waking minute with his wife and newborn son.
I watched them with a slight pang of jealousy, though I still was definitely not ready to start my own family. However, I knew that once I was ready, I wanted to be just like Julie and Charlie.
So, what do you think? PLEASE R&R!!!!
