Chapter Forty-Five
The Camden-Brewer Baby
Martin couldn't believe his eyes when he looked through the nursery windows at his daughter. Ruthie's daughter. Their daughter. He felt tears fill his eyes when he read the name on her bed, Mackenzie Rose. The name they'd chosen together.
"Martin we should be getting back before the nurse notices you're gone." Mac said nervously, "Besides, Olivia would kill me if she knew."
"If she knew, what?" Martin said, "If she knew you helped me come see my daughter?"
"Point taken," Mac replied, "but still…if the nurse comes back and you're gone…."
"Oh alright," Martin said reluctantly allowing Mac to lead him away from his new daughter and towards his hospital room.
"Ruthie?" Annie Questioned knocking on hospital room door that she hoped was her daughter's room.
"Yeah?" Ruthie's familiar voice called from inside.
"Oh Ruthie," Annie said flying in the room with Eric on her tail.
"Hey, Mom. Dad." Ruthie said as they both leaned in to give her a quick kiss.
"I'm so sorry," Annie said taking a seat on her bed.
"For?"
"Not being here." Annie said tucking one of Ruthie's curls behind her ear.
"It's ok."
"No it's not," Eric said, "It's my fault. I'm sorry too."
"Well it's over now." Ruthie said, "And I'm fine and your granddaughter is fine."
"Granddaughter?" Annie and Eric said in the same breath.
"It's a girl!" Mary said from the doorway.
"Mary?" Eric said happily pulling her into a hug.
"What…How did you know?" Ruthie asked as Annie gave Mary a hug.
"Mac."
"Mac?" Everyone in the room questioned.
"Yeah he called just about everyone." Mary said as someone came up behind her,
"Robbie?!" Everyone squealed, "How….the….how would Mac know about Robbie?"
"I was in Florida with Charlie and Carlos visiting Robbie when Mac called my cell phone." Mary said turning to Robbie, "I thought I told you to wait."
"You did. Hey Snookie." Robbie said walking over to Ruthie and giving her a hug, "So where's the baby?"
"She's so tiny." Robbie said looking at the baby that the nurse was holding up.
"I agree." George said.
"She's beautiful." Matt and Sarah both said smiling brightly.
"She's perfect." Annie added.
"She's just so…" Eric said unable to finish as tears filled his eyes.
"She has Ruthie's nose." Julie said.
"But Martin's eyes." Beau said moving closer for a better look.
"She's got Camden in her." Colonel said smiling proudly.
"But Brewer in her too." Ruth said smiling a Beau.
"She's so cute." Hank said putting his arms around Julie.
"So can we hold?" Carlos said asking the one thing they all wanted to do.
"She's too new." Lucy said having learned from Savannah, "Too much exposure to germs."
"I'm so proud." Annie said hugging Lucy, "I thought you'd never learn."
"He's gone?!" Michelle yelled running towards Beau.
"What?"
"I went to get a cup of coffee and when I came back he was gone." She said, "Martin's gone."
"Martin's gone?" Everyone questioned.
"That's what I said." Michelle replied.
"Did you check the bathroom?" Kevin asked.
"Well he can't actually use the bathroom but yes I checked!"
"Then let's go alert security." Colonel said with a sigh.
While the entire hospital searched for Martin who had actually returned to his room. Ruthie remained oblivious to the fact that he was even at the hospital. She assumed everyone was still owing and awing over the baby. Sighing Ruthie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It had been months since she'd prayed for anything but she found herself doing exactly that, "God, please give me the strength to do right by my daughter. And God please help me learn to let go of Martin, because I love him and…and he…doesn't…love…me."
Not far away Martin too was praying, which he didn't do very often, "Lord please forgive me for my sins and help me to prove to Ruthie that I do love her and always have."
"Martin?" Beau said entering the room and sighing with relief, "Thank God."
"What?"
"Michelle came back and couldn't find you." Beau explained, "Where did you go?"
"To see Mackenzie," Martin said closing his eyes.
"How did you…on your own?" Beau asked.
"Mac."
Author's Note:
Hey,
I hope you liked this chapter…I just added a Q&A on my profile so check it out:)
-Caroline