When she opens her eyes she finds Rollie sitting next to her bedside. She's groggy, and every part of her body aches, and screams in agony. His head is tilted, and his hands are clasped together as if he is in prayer.
"What are you doing here?" She chokes out in confusion.
His chin snaps upwards, and he smiles at her with a tear in his eye. "Well, I'd like to ask you the same thing. They called me because I'm your emergency medical contact. I guess that you never changed it."
"I'm sorry. I…"
"No need for apologies. I am always here to help a friend, Leanne."
"What about…um…" her voice cracks.
He squeezes her hand, and pats the top of it gently, "You did good mama. You should see the work you've done."
"What happened?"
"Nothing like a little trauma, and blood loss to pull you from the seat of consciousness."
"How long have I been out?"
"A couple of hours. Just breathe. Let's talk, so that we can keep your vitals stable. I know you do not want to stay here as a patient any longer than you have to."
Without a word he offers a pink basin for her to vomit into. When she's done he disposes of the emesis, and returns with a wash cloth, and oral care supplies. He tips the head of her bed up slightly. He dutifully applies another blanket.
"They are going to come in here any minute to assess you. Why don't you get me up to speed?"
"I'm on the seventh floor in a gown."
He grins, "They told me all of that when they called. I got a glimpse of all the hard work you've done. I'm just trying to understand how all of this happened. I have to admit I'm in the dark."
"The usual way, Rollie. I came in like a hurricane, and decided to upend my life."
He nods, "You have a very signature style. I'm just trying to understand why you didn't say anything?"
"I was convinced there wouldn't be anything to say. All of the strikes were against this coming into fruition."
He smiles as he pushes hair out of her face, "But here we are. The NICU nurses were raving about that little girl. They said that she is knocking it out of the park. She is breathing on her own. Her temperature is regulating. I told them that I don't think they could expect anything else from baby Rorish."
"Did you see her?"
"I could only see her foot attempting to kick off her pulse oximeter from my view at the nurse's station."
"I need to see her."
He nods, "Understood. I'll bribe them if I have to."
Twenty minutes later a Rollie returns with a basinet. He rolls the newborn up to the side of the bed, and lifts her out. She squirms free of her swaddle. Her head is covered in a tiny pink striped hat. She wears a white long-sleeved t-shirt. She presses her tiny hand against Leanne's chest.
"Hey, sunshine. I bet you were wondering where that annoying voice went, huh? I'm right here."
"I should give the two of you a minute."
Leanne looks at the baby lying against her chest. Without warning her eyes fill with tears.
"Can you make a phone call for me?"
"Only if that is what you want."
"I tried to make it so many times, but I just couldn't. I didn't even know what to say. I couldn't figure out where to start."
"Why don't we make it together?"
She nods in agreement. She motions for her phone. He retrieves it from the bedside stand. The pair of them wait anxiously as it rings. After two rings a voice on the other end answers.
"Hello?" It responds sheepishly.
"Hey. I need to talk to you."
"Leanne? I'm sorry I was out cold. I pulled a double last night."
"I am here with Leanne," Rollie adds.
"Is everything okay?"
"We're here at Angels on the seventh floor," Rollie explains.
"What are the two of you doing up there?"
"Well apparently Leanne never updated her emergency contacts."
"What kind of emergency are you having on the seventh floor?" He tries to process.
"Son, I'm going to come pick you up."
"You need my surgical expertise for your emergency, Leanne? If you need a favor of course I'm there."
The newborn stretches, and yawns against Leanne's chest.
"That sounds like a baby," Cole points out.
"Yes." Leanne confirms.
"What? Why are you on the seventh floor with someone's baby, having an emergency?"
"Cole, how long were you awake?" Rollie queries.
"Maybe fifty hours."
"How long have you been asleep?" He questions.
"Three." Cole answers.
"You know I don't think either of us are going anywhere right now. Is it okay for Rollie to come pick you up?"
"I mean I'm just across town. That's fine by me."
Sometime later Rollie eventually manages to direct Cole to Leanne's room. He ushers him into the room, and casually backs out the door. Cole takes a seat in the green vinyl chair next to Leanne's bed.
"My head is spinning. You want to clear all of this up for me?"
Leanne offers an exhausted grin, "My arms are falling asleep why don't you take her?"
"Of course," he nods. He scoops her up into his arms. She stretches as he settles into the chair.
"That was a big stretch, for such a precious little girl. You are a beautiful little nugget. I'm exhausted, and so confused about what is happening here."
She sneezes, and her eyes flutter open for a moment.
"Cole, I don't know what to say. This is all… very um…"
"It's been a long day. Everyone is worn out. Leanne, just say whatever it is."
"We did this," she motions to the tiny baby in his arms.
"Come again?" He tilts his head.
"The two of us are responsible for this. This was the emergency. Her cord prolapsed, and I lost a lot of blood. I didn't say anything to anyone about any of this."
He rubs his eyes, and stares at the newborn baby in the crook of his arm.
She continues, "I don't even know if this is something that you want. I just thought you should know. Here she is. She is mine, and… you are also responsible for her presence."
"Man, God must have some twisted sense of humor."