Things with Ben were going a bit better. He helped her and spoke to her with respect. Never once did they tell each other I love you.
Raya was just about to give birth. Neither of them wanted to find out what they were having.
Raya mostly because she didn't want to let her dad down by telling him it was a girl. Maybe he would hate her a little less if she was surprised too.
"Push Raya", the nurse yelled.
This would be easier if her mom was here, but again, she couldn't stomach being around Ben and his life.
She screamed as she pushed. They didn't want to let Ben in with her no matter how much he and she begged.
"One more, I see the head", the doctor yelled.
She felt like she couldn't anymore.
"Your baby is almost here. One more big push.", the nurse who was holding her hand said.
Raya nodded before pushing again.
"And she's out", the doctor said.
Raya relaxed, till the word she hit her.
"What?", she asked.
"It's a beautiful little girl", the nurse cleaning her baby said.
"No", Raya replied, shaking her head.
The other nurses and doctor gave her a strange look.
"You're wrong, check again", she said.
"Raya, it's a girl", the doctor said.
"Here, look at her. She's beautiful", the nurse said, trying to hand her the baby.
Raya looked away and closed her eyes, shaking her head no. The nurse looked at the doctor.
"Take her to show her father. I'm sure he's anxious to see his new baby", the doctor said.
The nurse nodded. She glanced at Raya once more before walking out the door.
Seeing Ben, he smiled.
"You have a beautiful baby girl, Mr. Garcia", she said.
"It's a girl? I have a girl?", he asked happily.
The nurse nodded and handed the baby over. He smiled down at his first born. His daughter.
"She is beautiful isn't she", he said.
The nurse nodded. She looked back at the room.
"Your wife, she didn't want to hold her, or name her", she whispered.
Ben nodded, not taking his eyes off his daughter.
"Her name is Melina Garcia.", he said.
The nurse smiled.
"Beautiful name for a beautiful princess", she said.
Bayley was getting back from the store with Milo. A car pulled in behind hers. Victoria getting off, made Bayley roll her eyes.
"Why don't you get it", she sighed.
"Because I love you, I…", Bayley cut her off.
"Stop. You don't love me because you don't know me. My life was perfectly fine and now, I don't know what to do.", Bayley said.
"The relationship between you and your sisters will always be there. I'm just hoping you can make a little room for me and your brother", she said.
Bayley stopped.
"Brother? What brother?", she asked.
Victoria sighed.
"I thought your sisters might have told you. Your dad and I, we have a almost six year old together. You have a little brother", Victoria said.
Bayley chuckled and shook her head.
"Wow", she mumbled.
"Bay…", she stopped Victoria.
"Please just go away. Please", Bayley begged.
Victoria nodded before opening her car door. She stopped before facing Bayley again.
"I do truly love you. From the moment I knew I was pregnant. Hearing your heart beat for the first time was the best part. It's the most amazing sound you will ever hear", Victoria said.
Bayley had tears welling up.
"I won't ever get that because I can't get pregnant, but thanks for showing off that you can. Maybe this is god's will to end our line", Bayley said.
"Bayley, I'm sorry, I…", Bayley shook her head and left her standing there.
Victoria watched as the door slammed shut. She was just digging the hole deeper.
"Its not you", she turned to see Seth.
She smiled at him.
"Okay well, maybe just a little bit you. You have to understand, her world just turned upside down. Everything she ever knew was not real.", Seth added.
She nodded.
"She will give you a chance, you just need to give her room to breathe.", he continued.
She nodded.
"I just spent so much time away from her. Watching her grow through pictures or from far away. Its hard on me too", Victoria said.
Seth nodded.
"I know. I just got my son, I'm still getting to know him.", he said.
"Bye, and it was nice meeting you, Seth", Victoria said.
He nodded.
"You too", he replied.
She left and Seth made his way inside. Bayley was watching from the window.
"You can't blame her for something that was out of her control. Your sisters gave you their blessing to get to know her. Try it.", he said.
She looked at him and wiped her tears.
"I lost my mom, babe. You have yours", he added.
"They tell me you don't want to hold Melina? Why? She's your daughter", Ben said.
Raya just kept her eyes on the ceiling.
"She's beautiful. The most adorable little face. She has your nose", he kept going.
She shut her eyes.
"She's hungry", he added.
"They can give her formula", she replied.
"Maybe if you just try, you two can bond. They tell me it helps", he said.
He was desperate.
"I don't want too", she said.
A nurse walked in with Melina. He looked from his baby girl to Raya.
"Try", he repeated.
"No", she replied.
The nurse stepped forward.
"We can have you pump. Bottle feed her", the nurse said.
Ben looked at Raya. She rolled her eyes.
"Fine", she mumbled.
The nurse handed Ben his daughter as she left to go get a pump. He looked down at Melina and kissed her cheek.
The door to the room opened again and her father walked in. He looked excited.
"So, what did you have?", he asked.
He noticed the bundle in Ben's arms. His smile slipped.
"It's a girl. My Melina", Ben said happily.
Raya kept her eyes on her dad. He continued to look from Ben to the baby.
"Are you sure?", he asked.
Ben's smiled slipped.
"Of course I am. She's beautiful", he said.
Her dad glared at her now. Raya shifted in her bed.
"Want to hold her?", Ben asked.
Her dad made a disgusted face before shaking his head no and walking out. Ben shrugged.
Once they were alone, her dad walked back into the room.
"As soon as the doctor allows it, I want you pregnant again and it better be a boy this time.", her dad said.
She didn't like getting pregnant or giving birth. She felt disgusted through it all. It will also take forever for her to get her body back to the way it was.
A nurse walked in and looked between them.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Its just, Melina is hungry and so I brought this to help you pump", the nurse said.
Her dad huffed.
"If it was up to me, we would have let that child starve to death", he mumbled.
"Excuse me?", the nurse asked, not hearing what he said.
"Nothing", he replied, walking out.
The nurse shrugged and helped Raya.
"She is a beautiful little girl. You got lucky, she hardly cries", the nurse said.
"You want her then? Take her. I won't tell anyone", Raya replied.
The nurse's smile fell. Raya chuckled.
"Relax, I was kidding", she said.
"Oh", the nurse laughed nervously.
The nurse had a feeling the first part was the truth and the second was the lie.
"Your husband is absolutely in love with her.", the nurse added.
Raya shrugged.
"How long do I have to wait before I can have sex and get pregnant again?", she asked.
The nurse was confused.
"Why?", she asked.
"Do I really have to answer that? No.", Raya replied.
"Usually a year, just to be sure you healed well", the nurse replied.
Raya groaned and rolled her eyes.
"I guess I have to wait", she mumbled.
The nurse had so many questions. Couldn't she just be happy with the baby she had?
"Done", Raya said, handing the nurse the bottle.
"You should pump on the other side. If you don't it will hurt, you know, since they are full", the nurse said.
Raya nodded and did as she said. The nurse hoped someone did actually want this baby and loved her.