Della was a week overdue and miserable. Perry was worried and she knew why. "Relax," Della said, "it's the physical discomfort that's bothering me."
"You'll tell me right away this time if you start feeling that way again?"
"Yes, I promise."
Later that July day, Della's water broke. It took forty-nine hours for the baby to emerge. There was no cry. "Perry, what's going on?"
"I don't know," he said as he watched the medical staff work quickly.
Della began to cry, "this is my fault."
"No, it's not," Perry said.
"I didn't want this baby. I took the medication when I shouldn't have."
"Darling, you are not to blame. You needed that medication."
A nurse walked over to Della with the silent baby, "place her on your chest so she can hear your heartbeat." Della did and silently prayed. Perry prayed too. Something he hadn't done in a while. Finally, a loud cry was heard. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Did you know that would work?" Perry asked.
"Her heart sounded strong. We couldn't figure out why she wouldn't cry or wake up. I thought maybe she was a mama's girl and needed her mother."
Della was in tears, "thank you."
"Of course," the nurse said, "we'll leave the three of you alone."
"I'm so sorry, baby girl," Della said. "I love you so much." She kissed her daughter's forehead.
"See, everything turned out alright."
"Remember when I said that Margaret was going to give us trouble?"
"Yes," Perry answered.
"I may have been wrong."
"Violet Della Mason," Perry said.
Della looked at him surprised, "I thought we decided on Danielle for her middle name?"
"She's a mama's girl. Therefore, she should have her mama's name. Especially since her mama worked so hard to get her here."
"I love you," Della said.
"Not nearly as much as I love you. You're incredible," Perry said, "I don't know how you do it."
"Very painfully," Della said.
Perry kept a close eye on Della after Violet's birth. He'd ask her regularly how she was doing. If she was overwhelmed, he'd take over. Everything was going well. Peggy was really excited to have another sister. Nicky was too, but this was Peggy's first time meeting a baby right from the beginning. Della returned to work after three months like the other times. The day she returned to work, her doctor showed up. "I hope you don't need a lawyer," Perry joked.
"No," he slightly smiled, "I have some news and wanted to tell you both in person."
"Have a seat," Perry said. The three sat around the table. "What's going on?"
The doctor sighed, "Della's pregnant."
"What?" Perry was surprised. "When did she have a test?"
"A few days ago, she went to her regular doctor for a check-up. They did bloodwork and, well, I told them I'd break the news."
"Why do you look like you just gave someone a death sentence?" Perry asked with worry.
"Due to Della's age and how quickly she became pregnant after giving birth, there are risks."
"What kind of risks?"
"There's no guarantee that she'll carry to term or that this pregnancy will result in a live birth. You both have to think ahead. It may come down to the baby or Della. I'm really sorry," he said, "I'll show myself out."
The couple sat there in shock. "I need to take a walk," Perry said as he stood and walked out of the room. Della confided in Gertie who told Paul. Perry was afraid of one thing and one thing only. Losing the love of his life.
While Perry was out, Gertie walked in, "Della, Perry's mother is here."
Della was a bit shocked. It had been two years since she'd seen Paula. Phillip would still come around. He loved Della like a daughter and wasn't willing to let his wife ruin anything. In fact, the woman left Los Angeles while her husband stayed. "I guess you can let her in." When the woman walked in, Della could tell she was nervous, "what can I do for you?"
"Forgive me," Paula said. "I know it's been two years, but the more time went by, the more I thought it was too late. Look, I really shouldn't have said those things about you. I guess I'm still set in the ways of my youth. Phillip, Patrick, and Penny have told me how wonderful you are with the children. How much they love you. I'm sorry for everything. I'd still like to live here, but I promise to work on respecting your boundaries."
"How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"I guess you don't. All I can do is show you."
"What do you think, Perry?" Della yelled.
The man walked in from the door that led to the hallway, "how did you know I was out there?"
"I saw the door start to open."
"Mom," Perry walked over to the woman, "let's sit at the table. There are some things we need to go over with you." The three sat at the table, "darling, I'll let you take the lead."
"Perry, could you do it? I don't think I can."
"Sure," he said as he put his arm around her. "After Maggie was born, Della was extremely depressed. I thought she just needed to get out of the house, but I was wrong. One day, here at the office, she revealed that she had been thinking of leaving us. That she had also been thinking about killing herself." Paula's eyes widened in shock at that confession. "She said she'd felt like she was dying inside since Maggie had been home." He looked at his wife for permission to continue. Della nodded, "I left the room for a moment and when I returned, the girls were here, but Della wasn't. I found her in the park. That's the day she found out she was pregnant with Violet. She hadn't even realized the children were in the office when she left. Anyway, I took her to the doctor that day and after careful consideration, it was decided that she would go on medication. When Violet was born, she didn't cry. Della immediately blamed herself and said it was because she took the medication and had doubts about wanting Violet. The nurse placed Violet on Della's chest and our baby finally cried. Today, Della found out that she's pregnant again. Only this time," he paused to collect himself, "not only could we lose the baby, but we could also lose Della."
"What?" Paula was trying to absorb everything her son had just told her.
Della took over for her husband, "because of my age and how quickly I got pregnant after giving birth, the doctor said I might not carry to term or it could be a stillbirth. He also said that my life is in danger too."
"Well, the two of you have certainly been through a lot the past two years." Paula looked at Della, "if you hadn't taken that medication, would you have killed yourself?"
"I don't know," Della answered, "probably."
"And your children who were already here would have been left without a mother?"
"Yes," Della said as she looked down, ashamed.
"Della, look at me," Paula said gently. She waited for her daughter-in-law to raise her head, "you did the right thing by taking that medication. Don't ever doubt that. Now, if the two of you need anything, let me know. I will help in any way I can."
"Thank you, mom," Perry said. "We've also adopted again. Her name is Peggy and she's nine years old. You should also know that Della's parents are back in her life. They've made amends to her and are a big part of our family now. Dan's become best friends with dad."
"They even go fishing together on the weekends," Della smiled.
"Sometimes they let me and Della's brother, Denny, go too," Perry said.
"That's really great," Paula smiled, "I'm glad that worked out for you. You deserve it. I can't wait to meet Peggy and make amends to Nicky."
"Thanks, Paula," Della smiled.
Nicky ended up telling Paula that in time he'd forgive her. That he had to see the change in her first, which Paula understood. Paula and Daisy took care of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Della was too tired to do either. While Dan and Phillip watched football, Della was lying on the couch with her feet on her husband's lap. Perry massaged his wife's feet and legs. On Christmas, there were movies on for the children, but everyone was in the same position, "Perry," Della groaned.
"What's wrong?"
"My back," she said in pain. She was only three months along, but she felt she was in her sixth month.
"I'll go get some pillows from the closet," he said.
Dan stood up, "I can go," he said.
"Thanks, pop," Perry said.
When Dan returned, Phillip helped Della sit up while her father put three pillows behind her, "how's that?" Dan asked after Della was settled.
"Much better," she sighed, "thank you, daddy." She looked at Phillip, "thanks, dad."
It was difficult for Della to enjoy the holidays, but she did her best. Her family, children included, could tell she was miserable. Della wasn't sure how much longer she'd last.
