"The Neighbors: A new Emaya story"
Hello again…thank you so much for your great baby name suggestions! I hope you like my choice from a faithful reader!
Rate M for Mature Content.
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"Maya, you went through quite a bit while pregnant and I think it's only fair that you officially name our baby," he says "our" while looking at me and Maya. He really is a changed man.
She looks at our baby smiling and says, "After much thought and much love, on this seventeenth day of May, we've decided to name you…"
Chapter 44: It's Official
Maya POV
"…we've decided to name you Grace Fields-St. Germain," I look up at Josh needing to feel his reassurance with the last name. He smiles and it feels right. I look up at Emily and she's beaming from the unexpected news.
"It's perfect Maya," Josh says. "I'm feeling honored that her first name is so much a part of me."
I take his hand squeezing it tenderly, "Josh, we made her and I think it's only fitting."
Emily agrees, "It really is beautiful. And I couldn't be happier to be included in her name. I'm kind of overwhelmed. You changed it last minute and," she gets choked up, "I thought you were going for a more classic choice."
"You don't think Fields is classic?" I jest.
We laugh and the baby gurgles and we all "ooo and ahhh" over her.
"Grace Fields-St. Germain is now officially her name," the nurse says as she writes it on her birth certificate. "Father's name is Joshua Grayson and Mother's name is Maya St. Germain. And, we're done."
"Excuse me," Josh says to the nurse. "Can you fit another name on her birth certificate?"
"Sir?"
"I would and Maya, I'm assuming, would like you to add, Emily Fields under mother."
My mouth quivers by such a selfless act and Emily buries her face in her hands once again overwhelmed by this enormous gesture of respect and love.
"Oh Josh," Emily tearfully says. "I never in a million years would ever think that you could make me cry," she gives a soft laugh.
And we all join in. Finally, we can be a family without worrying about someone trying to take custody of our baby…
Narrator POV
But do they have to worry about someone taking custody of their baby? Will Miriam stay away or will she make her final play to destroy Maya's happiness and her son's cowardice by designing a plot of revenge with the ultimate prize being Baby Grace…
Emily POV
The baby rests in her warming bed while Josh goes back to the hotel to rest. He's been non-stop since arriving from New York and needed to step away for a little while. I, too, step away, going home to shower and change leaving Maya to rest alongside Grace Fields-St. Germain. I just can't say it enough! Grace Fields-St. Germain. I love it! And I love Maya and Josh for doing that for me! It's such an amazing gift and I feel so blessed.
Narrator POV
The phone at the nurse's station rings. Since Miriam and Joseph would be arrested if they tried to come back to the US, it slips everyone's minds to tell the nurse that neither of these two people should be given any information about the baby.
"Hello? Baystate General? How may I help you?"
"This is Miriam Grayson, unfortunately my husband and I have been out of the country and upon our return home we found out that our son, Joshua Grayson's wife had her baby. We're just so thrilled for everyone. We will be arriving as soon as possible and we'd like to have some things hand embroidered with the baby's initials. Could you help us with that? My son must be busy with the baby and has not checked his messages."
"I'm sorry you can't be here before Maya and the baby are released from the hospital. But I cannot give the name over the phone with HIPAA rules and all. I'm so sorry."
"Oh, yes, HIPAA. It's a great policy and I don't expect you to give me the name but I was hoping the initials would be acceptable."
"Hmm, I suppose that would be alright. Her initials are GFSG."
"Thank you so much. You're so kind and so very helpful."
"You're welcome. Enjoy your new granddaughter."
Miriam hangs up the phone, "You stupid, stupid cow giving the initials over the phone. But you're stupidity is quite welcome."
"What did she tell you?" Joseph asks.
"The baby's initials are GFSG. The SG, I'm assuming means St. Germain. And, uh! I can't believe they included Maya's lover's name! The F must be for Fields! I'm sickened by their bluntness, how dare, they bestow their sexuality upon my grandchild!"
"It's just a name Miriam."
"A name that should end with Grayson!"
"Well, what about the other G? Did they name her Grayson Fields-St. Germain?"
"I should hope not. Grayson is a surname and will always be respected as such."
"Then what?"
"Grayson, Gray-son, Grays-on…ahh, yes, Grace."
"That's a beautiful name," Joseph says with an air of delight.
"Grace Fields-St. Germain, you, will never know what it means to be a Fields-St. Germain! I will see to that personally!" Miriam seethes.
Maya POV
I stretch, oh, and I ache. I have to be careful for the next six weeks so I can heal for my baby. Hmm, my baby, I never thought I would ever say that. It just wasn't in the plan for Josh and me. But I guess the universe knew better for it was in the plan for me and Emily…
I rest comfortably while baby Grace rests next to me. She's so tiny and right now it feels so easy. But, I'm a mom! I can't even believe it! I start feeling emotional when my door opens and it's Emily. I'm so happy it's her and I'm having trouble trying not to smile so widely.
"Hey, you, whatcha smiling about? Hmm?" she sits on the bed next to me.
"You, you make me smile."
"Wait, I thought it was you who made me smile that smile only you can make me smile."
"Ah ha, so it is true."
She puts her arm around me, "Yes, yes it is. You made me so nervous cuz there was so much sexual tension between us."
"It was so powerful. And it was so immediate."
"That first day we met, you made me drop so many things when I was unpacking and you knew it too didn't you."
"I suspected," she raises a perfectly sculpted brow.
"You took advantage."
"That too."
We laugh.
"I needed to know why I felt those feelings when I was near you Emily. I had to know."
"Yep, I would be so distracted by those lips when you spoke. I would lose my train of thought and have to make stuff up to cover myself. Did it work?" she asks feeling silly about it all.
"Not really. I knew you were anxious around me but I needed to be sure as to why."
"Well, swimming certainly got me entranced by you."
"I think when we were in the hot tub and your bra strap fell off your shoulder and you were about to fix it but I stopped you, was a defining moment. I would've kissed you then if we weren't interrupted."
"And I would've let you."
"Kiss me now."
Emily lifts my chin with her index finger; we look at each other for a moment before our lips meet.
"Mmm, that's exactly how it would've felt," I say.
"I was so conflicted, Maya, but I couldn't stop thinking about you and I never wanted to hurt Ryan. He's such a good guy and he still is. But I couldn't let you go."
"I feel the same."
"I just wish I could've done something to have kept you from getting in that SUV. I wasn't strong enough to stay and help you. And I'm so sorry for that."
"Don't, Emily. Don't do that. It's done. It happened. I made poor choices that could have ultimately taken Grace away from us forever. But we're here now and we're safe and we're going to raise Grace as a Fields-St. Germain. And that sounds perfect…it is just perfect!"
"It is Maya. It so is."
We kiss and I rest in her arms, protected and surrounded by her love.
One week later…
Emily POV
"I'm so happy to be out of that hospital."
"Well, you still have to be careful. The doctor said you need to rest."
"And walk and nurse and pump and I know."
"Well, soon to be wifey, I'm just being cautious of the one I love."
"Oh, come here," she commands, "I need a kiss."
"Even in your condition you still get what you want when you want it."
"I guess I'll never change," she smiles with her mouth slightly agape.
"I love you."
"I love you too baby."
"Let's get Grace settled in her nursery," I suggest. "Do you think we'll be able to let her stay in her own room?"
"I'm thinking we should otherwise someone will think she can sleep with mommy and mommy whenever she wants and maybe mommy doesn't want to sleep with mommy. Maybe mommy wants to play with mommy."
"Damn Maya, you just had a baby, you just got home and you're already talking about having sex!"
"It's the hormones and it's you, you do that to me," she gets all cutely defensive.
"Well, I have to admit, I'm looking forward to week six too!"
"Ah ha! I knew it!"
And we look into each other's eyes falling in love all over again…
Since Maya is resting on the couch, Grace sleeps in the bassinet near her. The nursery will have to wait because Maya can't be so far away from Grace these first few weeks it will put too much of a strain on her stitches. She needs to be careful but once she gets the all clear we'll have Grace in her own room. Hopefully she's not a crier. But I guess we'll soon find out!
The baby lies peacefully in her bassinet while Maya watches her sleep. I join her on the couch to see if there's anything I can do to make her more comfortable.
"Em, I'm fine. I just can't stop looking at her. She's a miracle, a beautiful miracle."
"Yep, she is."
"So, what's the plan for today?" she asks.
"For you? Or for me?"
"Well I know what I'm doing," her eyes move in the direction of Grace.
"I figured that. So I thought maybe I could do some writing if you're okay with that."
"Of course I'm okay with that. Are you finished with the novel yet?"
"Almost. I have to write the ending. I was just waiting for it to happen."
I lean in for a kiss and she captures my lips a bit more passionately than I expected but I like it.
"I can't wait to read it."
"I better go Miss Hormones," I get up and feel a pillow hit my back. "Hey!"
"You deserved it," she smiles.
"Well it's true," I smile back, "But seriously, Maya, if you need anything, anything at all please yell for me."
"Thanks baby, I will."
But before I even get the chance to enter my study the doorbell rings.
Ding Dong.
"I'll get it," I say.
"Who is it Emily?"
"Hold on," I sign for the delivery. "It's a package addressed to you."
I bring it to Maya.
"Hmm, I wonder."
"Open it."
She pulls at the tape and the ends pop up. She takes out a gift box and places the cardboard one on the floor.
"There's no card."
"Maybe it's in the wrapped box."
"Let's see," she carefully removes the wrapping.
She gently takes off the cover handing it to me. She lifts the tissue paper over the sides and there's a beautiful baby blanket in it. And it's monogramed with the baby's initials.
"Oh Emily, it's beautiful! And the embroidery is magnificent!"
"Well, who sent it?"
"Here Em, hold this it's probably at the bottom of the box," she takes out the tissue paper, "yep, here it is."
She takes the card out of the envelope and reads,
"Congratulations, you have a healthy baby girl named Grace Fields-St. Germain. How lovely for you. But rest assured, my dear, she will never be a Fields-St. Germain. She will always be a Grayson! Oh my god it's from Miriam."
"What the eff! How does she even know the baby's name? Do you think Josh?"
"No, he wouldn't. Marion is a resourceful woman. I'm sure it didn't take much for her to get it."
"Maya, she knows where we live. She sent you a warning, not a gift."
"I know Emily, but what? What am I supposed to do?"
"Call Josh at his hotel. Get him over here now!"
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To Be Continued…