Ch 7

A couple hours later, the doctor comes out. "Mr. Lorenzo?"

"That's me. How's Rita?"

"She was hysterical before we started. She was asking for you and Sam so she could nurse him."

Chris shakes his head. "Her. Sam is short for Samantha."

"Oh I'm sorry. I told her we couldn't wait and she had to go."

"Ok so did she get a chance to pump at all? There was supposed to be a note saying no surgery until she got some pumped and nursed."

"There was no note. And she didn't have a chance. I'm so sorry."

Chris sighs. "Thank you. How did the surgery go?"

"Fine. You can take her home once she is able to use the restroom as long as her pain is manageable."

"About that. What can she take that won't hurt Sam?"

The doctor tells him and Chris rocks Sam back and forth. "I know baby. You'll see Mama soon. Is she in recovery?"

He nods. "Follow me."

Frannie pushes the stroller for him and they head to Rita.

He goes over to her and kisses her cheek.

Rita moans. "Chris..Sam.."

"Right here. Sammy's right here." Chris lays Sam on her chest. "There's Sam."

Rita wakes up with tears in her eyes. "Hi."

"Hi." He kisses her softly. "I'm so sorry we didn't get here in time."

"I tried to tell them."

"I know you did. I even made sure there was a note too. But it didn't get put on your chart."

The nurse comes in. "I'm sorry. The baby can't be back here."

"I'm sorry but Rita asked for her. She's not going anywhere."

"Oh so that is Sam. I thought Sam was a boy."

Rita glares. "I said Samantha."

"We'll keep you tonight. And you can go home tomorrow."

"The doctor just saw me and said she can go home tonight as long as her pain in manageable and she used the restroom."

"And he just told me tomorrow."

Chris groans. "Would you get someone in here who can get this straightened out? Please."

She nods.

Rita starts crying.

"Hey..it's ok. We'll get this figured out. And I promise Sammy isn't leaving you. She'll be right there."

"But.."

"No. You asked for her and she's not going anywhere."

Sam grabs on to Rita's gown.

"Hi baby. Mama missed you."

Sam sighs.

Chris strokes her hair. "You ok?"

"I just want to go home and get in bed with you and Sammy."

"I'm going to get to the bottom of you being released and why the note wasn't put in your chart."

"Ok."

He kisses her cheek. "I might have Cap come switch cars with me. He can take Sammy home once we find out when you're released and we can take his so you can stretch your leg out in the back seat. Then I'll take you upstairs and get you settled."

"I don't want her away from me."

"I know but it's just for a little bit. She's not moving from that spot until I need to feed her and you'll get her back til you get released."

She nods. "Ok."

The doctor comes in. "Mrs. Lorenzo, I'm sorry for the confusion. There was in fact a note in your chart but it was put in the wrong spot."

She nods. "Ok so when am I getting out of here?"

"Tonight. Just as soon as you use the restroom."

"Ok. And what do I need to take for pain that won't hurt Sam?"

Sam whimpers.

"I know you're hungry baby. Mama can't feed you right now. Hopefully Daddy brought you some milk."

He nods. "I did." He takes Sam and feeds her. She goes to town on her bottle.

"Now, do you have stairs or anything at home?"

"Stairs yes. But Chris will carry me up and down.

"Ok. Good. No weight on that foot for a while. Let him take care of you."

"Oh he will."

Chris kisses Rita's cheek. "I'm gonna go change her and call Cap. I'll be right back."

"Ok."

He grabs the bag and takes her to change her and grabs his cell phone and dials the office.

"Yeah what?"

"Hey Cap. Did Frannie tell you what happened?"

"Yes. How's Rita?"

"Mad as all get out and ready to go home. Can you come up to the hospital and take Frannie and Sammy back to the loft in Rita's car and then I'll drive yours then we'll switch back?"

"Of course!"

"Thanks Harry. Rita isn't big on Sam being away from her right now but hopefully we won't be long."

"You know hospitals."

"Yeah. I do."

"She's in Room two zero five ."

"Ok. I'll be there soon."

"Thanks."

Harry hangs up and Chris takes Sam back to Rita.

"She's all ready for more snuggles Mama."

Rita reached out for her. "Hi my sweet girl."

Sam grabs a hold of Rita's shirt and holds on.

"Oh Sammy. I know baby. It's ok." Rita rubs her back. "I love you Samantha Rose."

Sam yawns.

"Cap is going to come up here and switch cars with me. He and Frannie will take Sammy home in our car and then we'll take his car home."

"No. I can't.."

Chris sits on the bed beside her. "Rita, listen to me. I don't want to leave Sammy in the house or in the car alone even for a split second. And you know she's safe with them."

"Yeah. I know."

He kisses her softly. "I promise as soon as we get home, I will get you settled wherever you want and Sam will cuddle with you."

"Ok. And you're going to have to carry me upstairs and anywhere I want to go."

"I will."

The doctor comes back in. "Once you get up to use the restroom, you're free to go."

Rita nods. "Thank you. And about what happened..who do I need to talk to?"

"I already made the nursing director aware and she'll be calling you in the next day or two."

"Thank you."

Chris takes Sam and puts her in the stroller.

Rita glares at him. "Where.."

"Relax. She's in the stroller right there by Frannie. You want to go home right?"

Rita nods. "Yeah."

"So let me take you to the restroom and we can get you out of here."

She relaxes. "I'm sorry. I just.."

He shakes his head. "No apologies." He carefully picks Rita up and takes her to the bathroom. "I'll be right outside."

She nods. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. I love you."

"I love you too."

A few minutes later, Rita sighs. "Chris?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you bring me some water please?"

"Sure."

He brings a big mug full.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"How's Sam?"

"Asleep with Frannie."

"Good. They won't leave without telling me, right?"

"Right. Cap wants to see you."

"Ok."

She sighs. "I just want to go home."

"I know. I want you home too."

He goes in and strokes her hair.

She leans forward and puts her head on his chest.

"I'm sorry..I didn't mean to fall and do this.."

"It was an accident. It wasn't your fault."

Chris kisses her. "I love you."

"I love you too."

She wraps her arm around his waist.

"It'll be ok. I promise."

She sighs. "I just…"

"I know. It'll be ok."

He rubs her back. "Other than Sammy cuddles, what do you want to do when you get home?"

"Right now? Sleep."

"Ok. Ready to get in bed?"

She shakes her head. "At home."

"Did you finally go?"

She nods. "It wasn't much."

"I'm sure they'll take it."

He goes to get the nurse and goes back to Rita.

He scoops her up in his arms and takes her back to bed. "I'll help you get your capris on if you want to get dressed."

"Ok."

He puts her capris on and takes them as far as he can go. "Ok. You got it from there?"

"Yeah."

He helps her up and she pulls her capris up the rest of the way. He helps her back on the bed.

She puts her top on.

As she finished getting dressed Sammy whimpers.

"Hand her to me."

"I was getting ready to." He smiles and picks up Sammy.

"Hi baby. Want some Mama cuddles?"

Sammy snuggles against Rita and grabs a hold of her strap on her tank top.

Chris smiles. "You know Mama needed you huh?"

There's a knock on the door.

"Come in!"

Harry opens it. "If you wanted extra attention, you just had to ask."

Rita laughs. "Hey Cap."

Sam opens her eyes and looks around.

Cap smiles. "Hi Sam."

Rita moves Sam up a bit. "Hey pretty. You see Grandpa?"

He goes over and takes her. "There's my pretty girl."

Rita smiles. "Thanks for swapping cars Harry."

"You're welcome. She about ready to eat?"

"She already did. But I think there's still some milk in the freezer at home."

Harry smiles. "You taking a bottle now?"

"We wanted to get her used to it for when I go back to work. She's not too happy about it at first. But she'll take it."

"And that's the only milk we have to get her thru for twenty four hours. All because they didn't let her pump and nurse Sam before they took her back."

Frannie sighs. "I can't believe they did that. As for the milk...If you have to, you can get donor milk."

"What?"

"Moms who have an excess of milk will donate it for premature babies or babies who are failure to thrive."

"Oh wow. I had no idea."

"I'll get some for you."

"Thank you Frannie."

The doctor comes in with a couple days supply of donor milk and her discharge papers.

"Mrs. Lipschitz reminded me about the donor milk. I got you a couple of days supply just in case. But when you pump, dump it for the next 24 hours then you can nurse her again."

"Thank you."

Rita signs the papers and Chris hands Cap the keys to her car. "We'll see you at the loft."

"Be careful."

"Always. You be careful."

"Extra precious cargo on board. Always careful."

Rita sighs.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't want to be a burden to you."

"You are not a burden."

"You have to carry me everywhere in the house"

"So? Just means I get to hold you more."

"But.."

"No buts. Let's get you home and in bed so you can get some more Sammy snuggles."

"Ok."

He puts her in the wheelchair, grabs her stuff and takes her out to the car and takes it back up.

He takes her hand and kisses it. "Want to stop anywhere?"

"No. Just want my girl."

"Ok. Wanna go to bed or on the couch?"

"Couch for a while."

He nods and they pull up to the loft. "I'm going to take your stuff in and prop the door open but I will be right back for you."

She nods. "Ok."

He leans over and kisses her. "I love you and don't you forget it."

She smiles. "I won't. I love you too. Where's my ring?"

"I've got it right here."

"Ok."

"I will be right back."

He takes her stuff inside and kisses Sammy. He props the door open on his way back out to the car.

"Ready?"

She nods. He slides his arms under her and kisses her again.

"What was that for?"

"Just because I love you and I wanted to."

"I love you too." She wraps her arms around his neck. "Don't drop me."

"Never. Precious cargo." He scoops her in his arms and turns her around so she can close the door.

Harry sees them coming in. "Doin ok Rita?"

She nods. "Thanks. Just need to rest and get some cuddles."

He smiles and gets Sammy out of the swing. She didn't like that one bit and made her displeasure known.

Rita laughs. "She did that after they took her to weigh her after she was born."

"Which side?"

Rita points to the farthest side. "So I can see everything."

Chris carefully sets her down. "Good?"

"Almost."

Harry takes a still screaming Sam over to Rita and she instantly calms down.

"Good now."

Chris closes the door. "Thanks again for bringing Sammy home."

"You're very welcome. Call us if you need anything."

"We will. Thank you Cap."

"Get to feeling better soon. And let me know if you need anything for work."

"I will."

Sam grabs a hold of Rita's shirt.

"I got you baby. You're ok."

Chris puts the milk in the freezer and fixes a bottle for Sam and puts it in the fridge.

Frannie goes over and kisses Rita and Sammy's cheeks. "Love you two."

Rita smiles. "We love you too Frannie."

Chris smiles. "Thanks for coming over so quickly earlier."

"Anytime. I'm always available for Sam."

Cap and Frannie leave.

"What do you need?"

"You."

Chris goes over to her and carefully lifts her feet up. He sits down and puts her feet in his lap. He holds out his hand and she takes it. "Other one."

She looks at him. "What?"

He holds up her ring.

"Ooh." She holds her hand out and he slides it back on her finger.

"Better?"

She nods. "Thank you."

Chris smiles. "You're welcome. I made a bottle for her. Do you want to feed her when she is ready?"

"I wish I could nurse her."

"I know baby. But it's just til this time tomorrow."

Rita sighs. "Maybe she'll take it better from me."

Chris nods. "Maybe."

"I hate this."

Chris gets up and carefully sets her legs down. He takes Sam and lays her in the bassinet.

"What.."

He scoops Rita up and puts her in his lap. "I know it's not what you wanted to do. But we'll make do. I'm just glad you're ok."

She kisses him. "Me too."

He strokes her hair. "Tell me when you want to go to bed ok?"

She nods. "Soon I think. I'm sleepy."

"Ok. Let me get you up there and settled. I'll bring Sammy up too." He carefully gets up with Rita in his arms. "Tell me if I hurt you."

She nods. "I know you wouldn't hurt me on purpose."

"Never. I'd hurt myself before I hurt you."

He takes her upstairs to bed. "Ok. Tell me what you need.

She carefully scoots back up against the headboard.

"Pillows under my foot."

He nods and gets the extra pillows and carefully puts them under her foot. "How's that?"

"Good. Almost perfect."

He smiles. "You want her with you or in her crib?"

"Us please."

"Ok."

Just as Chris gets downstairs Sam wakes up and cries.

"Hey baby girl. You're ok." He picks her up and heats up her bottle. "Let's go see Mama."

He gives Rita the bottle and changes Sam quick. "You wanna feed her or.."

"Yeah."

He lays Sam in her arms. "Need anything?"

Rita shakes her head. "Just you."

"Always here for you."

She nods and gives Sam the bottle. She screams not wanting the bottle from Rita. "Sammy. It's ok baby. I know you don't like the bottle but you need to take it. Mama can't feed you right now."

Chris sits back on the bed beside them. "Sammy, it's ok."

She slowly calms down and starts on the bottle.

"There you go baby."

Rita kisses her forehead. "I'm sorry baby. Tomorrow night will be better."

Chris kisses Rita's cheek. "I got your pump too. I can take Sammy downstairs while you do it if you want."

"She can stay up here. I'll need you to dump the milk though."

"I can do that."