Chapter 6
It was on a warm Saturday when Grace had just walk into their little apartment, that her water broke.
She stood there stunned; staring at the puddle on the floor, not believing it.
Moments passed.
She stayed like that until fear tried to seize her, covering her face with her hands she fought back the panic. She didn't know anything about giving birth, Spot wouldn't be home for another half hour, and there was no one to call on the midwife for her.
Heart in her throat, she was shaking as she started to move to the bedroom; leaving the puddle on the floor.
She wasn't sure if she felt sick from what was happening to her, or if it was the fear that was making her feel as though she would pass out. Either way she wanted to lie down. The minutes passed by slowly. She cried and preyed the time away, begging for Spot to come home soon.
The infamous leader wasn't even able to close the door, before he heard his name being called from the bedroom. As he quickly walked through the little living room, he saw the puddle of fluid on the floor. When he reached the bedroom he saw his wife crying. He wanted to help her, she looked so terrified, but he didn't want to go near her. He was afraid and didn't know how to help.
"The midwife." She begged. "And my momma. Go get them. Please. Hurry."
At first Spot only nodded, as he backed out the door. "I'll be back soon. Don't worry I'll get them." He found his voice before he dashed out.
If anyone had that had known the Spot Conlon, leader of the Brooklyn newsies, the blue-eyed Brooklyn devil himself, a little over six months ago, they would not have recognized him now. He was running like a mad man down the streets of what once was his territory, with a panicked looked on his faced. If you would have shown him to his life long best friend, the one and only Jack Kelly, Kelly would have denied that was the great hero of the Brooklyn.
Spot went first to the midwife, and told her it was time, then he rushed over to where Grace had once lived with her family. He banged on the door to the small apartment, until a short, round woman answered the door, with a bewildered look on her face.
Spot racked his brain for what Grace's maiden name was, but at the moment, couldn't remember it. "Are you Grace's mother?"
Opal looked at the young man, as his chest heaved up and down for breath. "Yes. What's the matter? Has something happen?" She looked afraid and worried.
"She's getting ready to have the baby, she's asking for you." Spot watched as the older woman battled with herself about going.
Opal was terrified of what Jared would do when he found out that she went to help Grace.
"Please Mrs., she needs you." Spot put in, not wanting to let Grace down.
Opal would worry about Jared later she decided. She nodded once, and followed the young man out on to the street then to their small apartment.
Hours passed slowly for them all. Grace clung to her mother, while Spot sat in the next room, after being herded out the bedroom by his mother-in-law and the midwife. He felt sick with worry and the wait was killing him.
It wasn't an easy delivery for Grace, and it lasted until the wee hours of the morning. Spot listened from the next room, feeling helpless as Grace cursed and screamed.
"One more big push, love, just one more." The midwife said yell over Grace.
Grace screamed louder than ever.
Every thing went silent for a brief second, then Spot thought he was going to choke on his relief at the sound of a baby's cry.