Chapter 17: It's a Boy
April 17, 2005
Ashley's due date was March 3rd but we all had a feeling that our nephew was going to be an April baby. I was 4:30 in the morning, Ashley began to violently shake me awake.
"Ashley what are you doing out of bed?" I asked.
"My water just broke" she replied.
I shot out of bed and ran into Maddie and Randy's room.
"Get the fuck up she's having the baby" I yelled ripping the blankets off them.
Randy was the first one up, Maddie rolled over and tried to go back to sleep.
"Madeline our nephew wants to come out so get your ass up now" I yelled in her ear.
Maddie woke with a start.
"Oh my God it's too soon!" Maddie exclaimed.
"Yeah let's scare our sister a little more" I remarked.
We all threw on clothes and hurried to the car. Randy was in back with Ashley she was squeezing his good hand (remember he had surgery).
"Remind me to punch John in the face next time I see him" Randy hissed in pain.
"Punch him for me too" Ashley said through gritted teeth.
Finally we made it to the hospital. Dr Adams, the man who had treated Ashley before was waiting for us.
"It's nice to see you again Ashley" Dr Adams said.
"I wish I could say the same" Ashley replied.
"Let's get you checked out" he said.
We all waited outside the room.
"We need to perform a C-section" the doctor said as he walked out of the room.
"Can we be with her?" I asked.
"Normally we only allow one of you but I think we'll make an exception if Randy Orton agrees to sign an autograph for my sons" the doctor said.
"I think that could be arranged" Randy smirked.
We all suited up. Randy was in charge of the video camera.
"Hey Ashley you ok?" Maddie asked.
"Excited and a little scared" she said.
"He'll be here soon" I said.
I held onto Ashley's hand on one said and Maddie had the other.
"Just keep this in mind don't look over this curtain thing if you are squeamish" the doctor said.
"First incision" one of the nurses said.
For the next 10 minutes we heard a bunch of medical terms like "we need more suction" and other things of that sort. Of course Maddie looks over the curtain.
"Wow that is so cool" she said.
I looked over and almost passed out. The doctor pulled the baby out and took him away very quickly.
"Doctor why isn't he crying?" I asked.
"The cord was wrapped around his neck, he's breathing now and everything seems fine but we are taking him to the ICU just to be safe" he replied.
The doctor walked out of the room, I followed him.
"When can we see him?" I asked "my sister doesn't even know what her son looks like"
"I know you are scared but he wasn't breathing when he was first born… he was completely blue but everything that can be done for him is being done" he admitted "your sister needs to know her son is ok go to the ICU on the third floor and see for yourself"
I went up to the ICU, where they were keeping my nephew. He had an oxygen cone over his head. The doctor had told me that it was there to help him breathe. One of the nurses came out to talk to me.
"You a relation to one of the babies or are you just looking?" she asked.
"My nephew is the one they just brought up here" I replied.
"He has fluid in his lungs which is making it harder for him to breathe normally but he'll be fine once he coughs it up" she said "this condition is common with C-section babies.
"What about the cord being wrapped around his neck he wasn't crying when he was born?" I asked.
"That sometimes happens, the doctors had to help your nephew take his first breath"
"So he's ok?" I asked.
"Well he needs a name but that is about it" she said.
"I don't even know what she wants to name him" I laughed "she wouldn't tell any of us"
"Go see you sister, tell her that her son is fine and remind her he needs a name"
Walking back to Ashley's room I felt relieved. My nephew was finally here and he was going to be ok and now Ashley couldn't bitch about being on bed rest, everything was good.
"Addie did you see the baby is he ok?" Ashley asked.
"Yeah, he's fine the nurse I talked to said as soon as he gets the fluid out of his lungs he can be in the normal nursery" I said "she would also like to remind you that he needs a name"
"Randy could you get the doctor?" Ashley asked.
"Sure honey" Randy said.
Randy got the doctor.
"Is everything alright?" he asked.
"Yes I just wanted to know when I can see my son" Ashley said.
"Hopefully later on today but it depends some women have very bad reactions to the pain killers tomorrow morning at the latest" he said. "but if one of your sisters wants to go up and take a few pictures I'm sure that could be allowed"
"Randy and I will go" Maddie volunteered without even having to be asked. She grabbed the digital camera out of Ashley's bag and headed to the ICU.
"So how are you feeling?" I asked.
"I'm good the painkillers are working so I don't feel any pain" Ashley replied.
"So what's my nephew's name?" I asked.
"Boston Anthony John Mercer" Ashley answered. "and before you get all pissed off and go why did you name MY nephew after that jackass, know this John is Boston's father and I want him to have something of his to carry on"
"It doesn't matter what I think because he is your son" I said "let me call Maddie so she can have the nurse write Boston's name on the birth certificate" I said.
"Hey Maddie" I said into my cell phone "tell the nurse that the baby's name is Boston Anthony John Mercer"
"Where the hell did she get the name Boston?" Maddie asked.
"Ash, Maddie wants to know where the name Boston came from" I said.
"I wanted to give him a name that meant something to, both his father and I love the city so I was like what the hell name him that" Ashley replied.
That night I went to the ICU to see Boston before I left and I couldn't believe what I saw. John was in there rocking the baby.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I wanted to see him" he said.
"I intercepted the message you left my mom and I knew I had to come here and see him" he said.
John put the baby back in the incubator thing. He made sure he was covered up.
"Are you planning on seeing my sister?" I asked.
"No I don't want anyone to know I was here" he said "I can't be a father I have no idea how to take care of myself"
"That is a cop out excuse and you know it" I said.
"Boston needs so much more than I can give him I'm leaving him because I love him" he said "I need for you to know I never once doubted he was mine for even a second, I was scared of having that much responsibility"
I watched as John went over to the baby once again.
"You come from good people don't forget that" he said "I wish I could make you proud of having the name John but I can't"
He kissed Boston before walking out of the hospital.
I sat up all night thinking about what John had told me. I decided not to tell Ashley about John because it would only hurt her in the long run.
The next morning I got to the hospital just as visiting hours were starting.