Book Three/Chapter Forty-Five: "An Unexpected Request"

Ami and I hurried to the hospital immediately after Sabrina's baby was born. A month too early at 4:30 a.m., she delivered a healthy, eight-pound, two-ounce baby boy. Ami was allowed to hold the stout infant and she cooed and fussed over him, telling him what a sweet little thing he was and how much he looked like his mother.

My opinion was a bit different, although I decided to keep it to myself. I could definitely recognize my brother Owen in the boy's face, not only in the way his mouth was set but also in his nose. It was probably too early to tell, but my nose was a little wide across the bridge as was Owen's. This poor little thing had obviously inherited that same trait.

Ami offered the infant to me, and I held him, noting how strong he seemed for someone so young. "I'm your uncle," I whispered to him. "And you should know I'm also a police officer. That means, if anyone ever bullies you, they'll have to answer to me! Yes, they will!"

As soon as the words had left my mouth, the infant's face puckered, turned red, and he then let out an ear-piercing squeal.

"Time to give him back to his mother," Ami told me before she carefully removed him from my arms, only Sabrina seemed very hesitant to take him.

"I think he's hungry," Ami said to try and coax her friend.

"Then someone should feed him! I'm not! I did what I had to and I'm done! I don't want anything else to do with him!"

Ami glanced at me revealing deep disappointment but was also asking for my help. We had known previously that Sabrina wasn't really interested in having a child, but the way she was acting right now seemed rather unreasonable.

"Have you definitely decided to put the baby up for adoption?" I asked while Ami tried to soothe the infant.

"Yes," she confirmed adamantly. "And I don't want you thinking I'm a horrible person. It's just that I'm too selfish and self-centered. I'd be a terrible mother! There are too many good people out there who will make a much better one than me."

"Did you inform your doctor or the clerk who admitted you that you plan on giving him up?" Ami asked. It was a responsible question that I doubted was going to receive an equally responsible answer.

"No," Sabrina seemed ashamed to admit. "Because at the time, I wasn't sure what I was going to do! But after what I've just been through? Are you kidding? I just want things to go back to the way they were."

Ami handed the baby back to me and took a seat at her bedside. I was doing my best not to judge Sabrina too harshly. For some reason, Ami adored her and I was trying to be supportive of their friendship. But for the life of me, I couldn't understand how someone could turn away from such a precious gift!

I was beginning to think the woman didn't have a heart until Ami reached for her hand and Sabrina began to cry. It wasn't just a few random tears falling, but a broken and tragic sob we heard before the young woman fell into Ami's arms. She continued on like that for nearly a minute.

"Should I go get the nurse?" I asked after becoming concerned. I'd heard of women becoming depressed and experiencing anxiety after giving birth. Maybe that's what was going on.

"Hang on," Ami requested, literally but gently pushing Sabrina away from her. "Tell me," she demanded kindly.

"What's wrong with me?" Sabrina blurted out, her eyes harboring guilt. "I know I said I didn't want this baby, but I was willing to wait and see. Everyone said; just wait until you see him, you'll change your mind. But I haven't! I don't feel any connection to him at all! And that's not right, is it? I've carried him around inside me for nearly nine months! Well, more like eight, so I should feel a connection, shouldn't I? Aren't I supposed to bond with him or something like that?"

"Easy," Ami consoled the young woman. "No one is judging you or blaming you for anything. This pregnancy - this baby was unexpected. Not every woman is meant to be a mother. Sabrina, if you can't love this baby, someone else will, I'm sure of it."

The woman sniffled and blew her nose into the tissue Ami just handed her. And then her eyes brightened and her brows lifted as if she'd just had a sudden epiphany.

"Would you?" she asked, looking squarely at Ami. "Would you love him? Of course, you could. You already do! I can tell by the way you look at him!"

The answer to Ami's dilemma and being unable to bear children was right here in my arms, and we had never even considered it. I think in her heart, Ami was one of those people who was hoping Sabrina would change her mind once she saw the baby with her own eyes. Apparently, that wasn't the case and now she had an important but difficult decision to make.

"Sabrina," Ami told her softly, apparently still struggling with the fact the young woman had no interest in her offspring. "Perhaps you should give it some more time…"

"I've had eight months to think about this," the new mother responded determinedly. "And I haven't changed my mind. I want you and Ben to raise him. It's only right. After all, he is your nephew Ben and you don't have many to call family. This is what I want," she confirmed.

Ami turned her head to gaze at me. It was difficult to read her expression. Her mouth was set in a grim line revealing her concern and worry, although her eyes were definitely pleading with me to consider the possibilities of Sabrina's request.

In my arms, the infant had gotten quiet and seemed to be content now. I took a minute to get to know him better and brushed back the soft reddish curls on top of his head. If we were going to do this, he wouldn't be my son. I wouldn't completely cut him off from his mother and his history. However, he would be made aware at an early age that he was my nephew, and I would love him no less than if he were my very own. In a way, he would be. Yes, I could love and take care of this boy and I was amazed at how easy that seemed from where I was standing.

I nodded my head once at Ami and smiled to silently signify my thoughts, though her slight frown didn't change. There was plenty to discuss and we had to decide on this together as a couple.

"Listen, Sabrina," she began. "I appreciate your kindness and consideration – but there are certain ways to go about this. You can't just go giving your baby away. There are legal papers to fill out, and child protection services need to be involved."

"We're not doing it that way," Ami stubbornly insisted. "As far as I'm concerned, you are his permanent babysitters. Once I leave this hospital, he's yours."

Once again, Ami glanced back at me. There were too many possible dire consequences of such an action, too many legal drawbacks, and potential complications. If we were going to do this, we needed to do it right.

"We'll talk about this later. I have to speak with Ben first, all right?"

"Fine," Sabrina informed us. "Just don't take too long. They're discharging me tomorrow."