Disclaimer: I am not the owner of the characters in this story. All rights go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart." Any names or locations are simply for storyline purposes.
Chapter 45- And Her Name Is…
The LA traffic on I-10 was no match for the red light, siren screeching ambulance as the vehicles parted the pavement, allowing them to quickly pass through. However, the same could not be said for Rosa. While driving Jack's car, the path closed, and they were stuck behind the typical stop and go, bumper to bumper traffic.
"Go around them," Jack uncharacteristically snapped.
"Go where…?" Rosa jump right back at him. "I'm sorry, Jack. I know you're worried, but getting us into an accident won't help anything."
"I'm sorry, Rosa. I should be in there with her."
"Yes, you should, but for some reason there wasn't room, so be thankful that people are letting them get through," her words reminded him that the situation could have been much worse.
"You're right; she'll get to the hospital, which is where she needs to be…but I should be holding her hand," he remarked as the tapping he continued on the window, showed his nervousness.
Jack turned to Rosa, "You know I got her in this situation…"
"Really? I had no idea," she teased.
"Funny; you know what I mean."
"I do, Jack, but I can tell you one thing…" she was doing her best to redirect his thoughts.
"What's that?"
"She's right where she wants to be. Maybe not in an ambulance, but Jack, she wants this baby. Women have them all the time; she's gonna be fine."
"I shouldn't have…I just shouldn't have…"
"What; you shouldn't have gotten her pregnant? I'm fairly certain that before the night is over she will tell you how much she hates you, or you did this to her, or something comparably harsh."
"She hates me…?"
"Jack, when we're in pain, we take it out on those we love the most, so be prepared."
"I don't think I can handle her telling me that she hates me."
"Jack, whatever she say, just brush it off, because I'm telling you, as fast as the words come out of her mouth, she will just as quickly forget she said them; I promise."
"I need to call everyone."
"Well, go ahead; you can't do anything else while we sit in traffic. Make your calls…" Rosa encouraged him. She observed his hand shake as he tried to pull up the contacts on his phone.
"Jack, don't you have hands free calling on this fancy car?"
"Oh right…" he replied as he pushed a button on his radio.
"Give a command…" the voice from his radio sounded.
"Call William Thatcher…mobile."
"Calling William Thatcher…"
"Hi Jack; is everything okay?"
"William, I wanted to let you know that Elizabeth is on her way to the hospital. She's in labor…" Jack advised his father-in-law, doing his best not to sound too concerned, although he was.
"Let me speak to her…"
"I'm sorry, but she's in an ambulance and I'm following," he stated, clearly wishing that he was in fact right behind the vehicle carrying her.
"An ambulance; Jack is she okay?"
"We were at the stadium and she went into labor. Her water broke and the ambulance was called."
"Grace…Jack is on the phone. Elizabeth is in labor," William yelled out to his wife. "We'll pack a few things and head for the airport. Please let us know how she's doing."
"Yes sir, I will…"
His next call was to his mother, "Mom…"
"Hey honey, I was thinking about you and Elizabeth coming out for dinner on your next free night."
"Mom…"
"When is your next free night?"
"MOM…Elizabeth is in an ambulance on her way to the hospital."
"Oh no honey, what happened?"
"She went into labor, but the baby isn't due for a few more weeks…"
Rosa put her hand on his arm, when he turned his head to face her she whispered, "two weeks isn't really early. She's going to be fine; I just know it."
Back to his call with his mother, she was talking, but he'd missed some of what she'd said.
"Jack, are you there?"
"Yes ma'am…"
"I'm on my way, which hospital?"
"Cedar Sinai…"
"Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can."
When the ambulance pulled into Cedar Sinai Medical Center, the stretcher carrying Elizabeth was carefully removed from the back. As they rushed her in through the Emergency Room entrance, passed the main desk, through the swinging doors, and into an exam room, her contractions had intensified, and were now only a few minutes apart
She was scared, and in a great deal of pain, more than she ever dreamed possible. She watched as gadgets were attached to her body to monitor not only her, but the vitals of her unborn child.
"Is my husband here yet?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm sorry, I don't know, but if he checks in with the front desk, they'll let us know," the nurse advised.
"Can you check; I really need him here," Elizabeth asked as her next contraction took hold and she grabbed onto the bed railing and held tight until the pain eased.
"I can't leave you, but I'll call the desk," Amanda, Elizabeth's nurse advised. She picked up the receiver in the exam room and called the ER desk, "Hi Deb, I'm checking to see if Mr. Thornton has shown up yet?"
"If he has, he hasn't checked in. I'll send him back when he gets here," the desk receptionist advised.
Although the ambulance arrived at the hospital well ahead of Jack and Rosa, it certainly didn't take them "Days" to get there like Jack frustratingly remarked as they pulled into the parking lot.
He exited the car and sprinted to the ER entrance, leaving Rosa in the parking lot practically eating his dust. As the doors opened and he rushed inside, only then did he realize that he was still wearing his Dodgers uniform as the looks of surprise covered the faces of those sitting in the waiting room.
"Oh my gosh, you must be the Mr. Thornton they're waiting for… I mean, you're Jack Thornton. My husband is a big fan…" Deb commented as Jack nearly slid into the desk.
"Yes I am…my wife, Elizabeth…"
"Yes sir, just go through those swinging doors," she stated and he was through the doors before she could even finish her directions.
"My wife…" he called out as he reached the nurse's desk.
"You're Jack Thornton…" the nurse stated as if he didn't already know. Her acknowledgement had others peeking out of exam rooms, and it was one of the few times that he wished that he was an electrician, or teacher, or better yet, a doctor.
"Yes, that's me, but I need to find my wife, Elizabeth. She's in labor…"
"Oh, right…she's in the exam room all the way at the end on the left," the nurse advised, as she watched him run down the hall. "Mmm, I love a man in uniform."
"Elizabeth," he called out as he rushed into her room. Finding her clutching the bed railings and grimacing in pain, his heart sank.
She was so in tune with the happenings within her body that his arrival went completely unnoticed.
As the nurse monitored hers and "Ariel's" vitals, Jack stood by the other side of the bed. He reached for her hand, and as she squeezed harder, he realized at that moment how strong she actually was.
"Can you give her something?" he asked.
"The anesthesiologist will be in shortly to do the epidural," the nurse replied.
"Why can't he come now; she's in pain?" Jack felt helpless as she again squeezed his hand.
"He's in surgery…"
"In a hospital this size he's the only anesthesiologist?" Jack's voice was taking on a stern tone.
"No sir, but with the flu going around, we're doing the best we can. I've called the doctor and he's on his way," the nurse added, just as a handsome young man in a white coat entered the room.
"Well Elizabeth… I'm Austin Johnson; your doctor for the evening. What do you say we help this baby into the world?"
"So, are you doing this without an epidural?" he asked.
"I wasn't planning to. If I'd known it would be this painful, I'd have had the epidural done at conception…" Elizabeth stated as Jack, assuming she was joking, softly laughed, stopping immediately when she glared in his direction.
"Where's the anesthesiologist?" Dr. Johnson asked the nurse.
"I have a call in, but he was tied up in surgery."
"Who is it?" he asked.
"Dr. Barton…" the nurse replied.
"Oh good, Jimmy is one of the best," Dr. Johnson responded.
Dr. Johnson sat on the stool at the end of the bed. With her legs bent and in the stirrups, he completed his first exam, "You are dilating, but it isn't time to push yet. I'll be back in a few minutes."
Ordinarily, Elizabeth would have felt uncomfortable in this vulnerable situation with a man she did not know. However, as each contraction took a grip on her body, she would have gladly welcomed the janitor into her room as long as he was able to help her.
Dr. Johnson started for the door but before leaving, he called the nurse over to him.
"Yes sir," the nurse waited for instructions.
"I have another patient to check on, but I'll be right back. I'll see if I can track down Dr. Barton."
Elizabeth watched as the doctor and nurse quietly spoke before he left the room, and she returned to the monitors beside Elizabeth.
Given a cup of ice chips, Jack lovingly fed them to her. Spoonful, after spoonful, after spoonful, they were placed at her lips.
As the last spoonful spilled down onto the front of her hospital gown, she snapped at Jack, "Could you wait until I finish what you gave me before…"
"I'm sorry; I'm just trying to help," he quietly responded.
As another contraction took hold she stared at him with steely eyes, "I think you've done enough here, don't you?" she stated but as the words passed her lips they also left her memory; that was until the next contraction hit… "I hate you right now and don't you ever think that you're touching me again…"
Thankful to have had the conversation with Rosa, he could only hope that she would, in fact forget everything once the baby arrived.
She seemed to focus on the clock hanging on the wall, repeating that she needed to push. However, as Dr. Johnson stepped back into the room, washed his hands and slipped into gloves, her vaginal exam caught everyone by surprise as he snapped, "Not yet…"
Suddenly Elizabeth seemed to scream out in pain as Jack felt his chest tighten. Dr. Johnson was quickly barking out orders as Elizabeth's bed was being rolled toward the door.
Elizabeth was scared; she was completely focused on the pain to the exclusion of everything else around her.
"What's going on?" Jack barely released the words as he felt as though the wind had been knocked from his body.
Elizabeth observed the doctor pull Jack off to the side, "Is something wrong?" she asked as another sharp pain grabbed hold of her.
Jack stood motionless…
"Mr. Thornton, your wife has a prolapsed umbilical cord…"
"Well, fix it…whatever it costs, I have the money," Jack demanded, not even certain what it meant.
"It means that the umbilical cord has dropped through the cervix into her vagina ahead of the baby. She's pushing and…"
"Doctor…" the nurse called out. "The baby's heart rate is slowing."
"I'm sorry, but we don't have time to discuss it. We need to deliver the baby immediately, so do we have your permission to do a c-section…?"
"I don't understand; are they okay?" Jack cried out, feeling nowhere near the strong man that the uniform he wore would imply. "Please, what's going on?"
"The prolapsed umbilical cord is cutting off the baby's oxygen. She's in distress; we have to go now…" the doctor motioned for Elizabeth's bed to be wheeled out. "Do we have your permission?"
"Of course…go…go…save them!" he yelled as he ran down the hall beside the hospital bed holding her hand.
Elizabeth was scared; the pain was periodically controlling her, but in this slight ease from the discomfort, all she knew was that something was wrong. "Jack, make them save the baby."
"Elizabeth…" Jack's voice was soft and weak.
"Promise me Jack; if something happens, you tell them to save the baby…"
"Elizabeth…I can't; I can't…"
As the door to the elevator opened and the bed was wheeled inside, Jack was advised that there was no room for him and Dr. Johnson would explain everything when the surgery was over.
As the doors started to close, Elizabeth yelled out, "Promise me Jack…Promise me…"
The door closed, "I can't…" he whispered as he collapsed on the bench.
"Mr. Thornton, are you okay?" the charge nurse asked as she handed him the authorization for surgery form to sign.
"No, my wife…" he looked at the elevator door, "Can you tell me something?"
"I'll help if I can," she responded.
"Looking at the form he asked, "What is this?" he pointed to the term Prolapsed Umbilical Cord.
The charge nurse took more time to explain the concerns for the condition. She advised that generally the mother is not at risk, but the baby, whose oxygen supply may be seriously reduced, needs to be delivered immediately.
"But Mr. Thornton," she continued, "Anytime you undergo a surgical procedure, there is always a chance of something going wrong."
"I know she needs the surgery; does it generally end up okay?" he asked.
"I can tell you that Dr. Johnson is very skilled. He's brought a lot of children into this world through c-sections, and the women have gone on to have other successful pregnancies," she stated. "Look, I can't tell you not to be worried, because I can tell that would be futile. What I can tell you is that if I was a man, and my wife needed a c-section, I'd be thankful that Dr. Johnson was my doctor."
Once Jack signed the authorization form, he was taken out to the surgical waiting area, and the charge nurse promised to find Rosa and bring her to him.
Luckily the waiting area was empty as Jack stood by the window. Thinking about the conversation he'd had with her father, and the promise Elizabeth wanted him to make to her, he realized how quickly his life had gone from excited anticipation to frantic concern.
Not certain that he'd be able to make a connection if the jet was in the air Jack still made the call he was dreading. "William…"
"Is the baby here already?" William asked.
"No sir; she's in surgery…"
"SURGERY; what happened?" William's tone although previously concerned, was now distraught.
"The umbilical cord slipped through the cervix and, well I don't know all the particulars, but the baby was in distress," Jack explained.
"Son, are you okay?"
"No sir…"
"Are you by yourself?"
"Rosa is in the hospital, but they haven't brought her to the waiting room yet."
"Jack, you're strong; no matter what happens, you need to be there for Elizabeth."
"Yes sir; I know, and I am…"
"We're on our way, and we'll be there as soon as we can."
"Okay, fly safe…"
Jack's next call was to his mother, "Mom, Elizabeth is having a c-section…"
"Honey, are she and the baby okay?" Charlotte asked.
"I don't know, mom; since it was an emergency, I couldn't be in there with her," he advised. "Mom, it's something about the umbilical cord prolapsing or something like that; it just sounds so bad…"
"She's in great hands, I'm sure. Jack, I left the house when you called before. I'm not far away; I'll be there soon," she advised.
"Okay mom…"
A few floors away, Elizabeth lay on an operating table, under anesthesia and completely unaware of what was happening. With the precision of his skilled surgeon's hands, Dr. Johnson performed the c-section, as everyone in attendance jumped in and immediately worked to save the child who at delivery was not breathing.
Staring out the window Jack was in his own world when Rosa was directed into the room. She walked over and startled him when she put her hand on his back, "Are you okay?"
He put his head in his hands, "Rosa, it wasn't supposed to be like this."
"What happened?" Rosa asked.
"She has a problem with the umbilical cord," he stated.
"Is it around the baby's neck?" she responded.
"Oh God, that can happen too? How do people go through this?" he held his hands up as he started pacing the room. "This was supposed to be a beautiful experience."
"Jack…Jack, look at me," Rosa demanded. Although she'd heard the fear in his voice, once he stopped and looked in her eyes, she also observed it on his face. "She's where she needs to be, Jack. She's gonna be fine."
Rosa had known Jack for a long time, and never had she seen him cry…until now.
"Rosa, if anything happens to either of them, I don't…"
"Stop it Jack," she placed her hands on his upper arms. "She's going to be fine. She's strong, and she went through Hell to bring this baby into the world. So you have faith; she and the baby are going to be fine."
"You're right; I know she'll be fine," he stated as he took a seat. "She just has to be," he whispered.
Jack was still sitting when Dr. Johnson walked in the room. His heart pounded as he jumped up uncertain how to read the doctor's face.
"Congratulations, you have a beautiful, healthy, 7 pound 10 ½ ounce daughter," Dr. Johnson advised as he stuck his arm out to shake Jack's hand.
"My wife; how is she?" Jack asked, uncertain how the words were able to pass the massive lump in his throat.
"She's fine. She'll be in recovery before they take her down to her room," he advised.
Dr. Johnson pulled out his cell phone and pushed a few buttons eventually bringing up a picture. "Once we're able, we try to get a picture of the baby taking his or her first breaths, that way when a husband can't be in the room; it makes him feel as though he was.
Jack held the phone in his hand. With the tears he had already shed, he assumed there could be no more. Seeing his daughter being held by the doctor, her umbilical cord still attached, his tears began again.
"May I have this picture?" Jack asked.
"Of course, let me have your number and I'll send it to you," Dr. Johnson advised.
"It's…" Jack's mind went blank. He turned to Rosa, "What's my number…?"
Fearful that if the doctor left before the picture was sent, that this moment would be lost forever, Rosa took the phone from Dr. Johnson's hand, "Here, let me…"
In the blink of an eye the picture was sent to both Jack and Rosa's phones. Handing it back to Dr. Johnson, Rosa added, "Thank you; this is such a beautiful touch."
"Your daughter is in the nursery if you'd like to go see her."
No one had to mention it twice as Jack was out the door and standing in the hall suddenly realizing that he didn't know how to get to the nursery.
Rosa called out, "Hey Jack, this way." She pointed to the sign on the wall which gave directions to various departments, with Maternity and the Nursery being located on the third floor.
When the elevator door opened, Jack and Rosa were entering as his mother was exiting.
"You made it," Jack stated as he rushed forward and hugged her.
Seeing his tears she was afraid to ask, but did, "How is Elizabeth…?"
"Mom, I'm somebody's daddy…" he breathlessly remarked as he wrapped his arms around her again and pulled her into his embrace. As they separated, he immediately thrust his phone in her face, "That's my daughter…" and again his tears fell.
"The baby's okay?" tears quickly filled her eyes.
"Both of them are fine; Elizabeth is in recovery, but we're going down to see my daughter…your granddaughter. Do you want to go with us?" he asked.
"Just try to stop me," she responded as all three of them stepped back into the elevator and he pushed "3" to head for the Nursery.
Stepping off the elevator on the third floor, Jack was torn between the maternity ward and the nursery. Seeing both signs, he stopped at the nurse's station, "My wife, Elizabeth Thornton, is she in a room yet?"
"Oh, Mr. Thornton; my husband and I are such fans of yours…" the nurse behind the desk gushed.
"Thank you…uh, my wife, is she in a room yet?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. Let me check," she stated as her eyes reluctantly left him and concentrated on the computer before her. "She isn't in her room yet, but she'll be in room #322.
"Okay, I'm going to go meet my daughter…" Jack's excitement and enthusiasm was contagious as everyone within earshot smiled broadly.
Initially he walked with Rosa and his mother down the hall, but as the nursery never seemed to be getting closer, the length of his stride and speed of his gait increased.
Outside the window were sheets of paper and markers for individuals to write the last name of the child they were there to see. Jack, forgetting that he was still in his Dodgers' uniform began to write his name on the paper, unaware that the pediatric nurse was well aware of who he was, and just which beautiful child was his.
Before he could hold the paper up, Rosa tapped him on the arm and pointed to the window. There in front of him he observed a bassinet with "THORNTON- GIRL" written on the attached card, and it contained the most beautiful, perfect baby he knew that he had ever seen.
As his tears fell, and his heart melted, he knew that the little girl who was barely the size of a minute would forevermore be the most important thing in their lives.
He stood mesmerized; watching as her eyelids fluttered and her lips curled. Placing his hand on the wall and resting his forehead on the nursery observation window, he whispered, "I love you so much. You have the best mommy, and she is going to be so happy to meet you face to face…"
"Mr. Thornton, your wife is in her room," the nurse who had been behind the desk, and knowing how anxious he was to see her, approached him to advise.
She started to walk away, but turned back and continued, "You're wife is still asleep, and we're bringing the babies into the rooms for a visit. Only partners are allowed in the rooms with the babies," she advised as she glanced at Rosa and Charlotte. "If your guests wouldn't mind waiting in the room at the end of the hall, I'll be glad to let you visit with you little girl for awhile."
Charlotte had only seen her son cry on a few occasions…once when his father died; once when Josh's wife Catherine was killed, once when he visited her and he thought he'd lost the love of his life, and now with the birth of his first child.
She observed the same sparkle in the eyes of his father when he first saw Jack, and if she didn't know before, she knew now that he would be a father that his own dad would have been so very proud of.
With Rosa and his mom heading down to the end of the hall to wait, Jack stood in the hallway outside her room and called Mr. Thatcher.
The phone had barely rung once, "Are they okay?" Mr. Thatcher's usually stern voice was filled with emotion.
"The baby is here, and she and Elizabeth are doing fine."
"Jack, we just arrived. I'll get a car and we'll be right out," Mr. Thatcher advised. "Tell Elizabeth that we love her…"
"I will…"
Cautiously, Jack stepped into Room #322 and sat beside her bed. He took hold of Elizabeth's hand and through his continuous tears he whispered, "Thank you…you have given me the most precious gift possible. She's beautiful, just like her mom."
He took his free hand and wiped his face, only to have the tears continue to streak his cheeks. "You need to wake up; our little girl will be here soon, and you need to see this beautiful human being you've brought into this world. I know you're going to say it, and I'll go ahead and admit it, I'm already wrapped around her little finger."
A few moments later, the bassinet was wheeled down the hall containing Zara, Precious, Ainsley, Sarah, Rainbow, Abigail, Sophie, Chelsea, Addison, Princess, Penelope, Fantasia, Poppy, Everly, Beatrice, Rosebud, Quinn, Delilah, Colette, Haley, Molly, Rachel, and Ariel, all wrapped up tightly in one bundle of joy.
Once in the room, they wheeled the bassinet next to Jack. "Would you like to hold her?" the nurse asked.
"Are you sure it's okay?" he asked as his finger brushed gently across her cheek causing her to yawn.
"Well, I'm assuming that you'll need to hold her at some point; you might as well get started…" the nurse responded as she picked up the baby and carefully placed her in Jack's arms.
Sitting beside her bed, he held the baby tightly in the crook of his arm, while his free hand rested across hers. "How is it possible to love something so completely at first glance," he whispered; his voice quivering with emotion. "I guess I should be used to it…I fell in love with your mommy when I first met her."
His fingers brushed across the top of Elizabeth's hand as he continued, "You know, you and I are pretty lucky; your mommy is the sweetest, kindest, generous and most loving person I have ever met." He laughed softly, "Although, I had to work really hard to get her to let me into her life. And now look, we're a family, and we have you, the most precious gift I could ever imagine."
Elizabeth's eyes slowly opened as she quietly watched Jack talk to "Baylee."
"Claire," Jack whispered. "No, that's not your name," he responded to his own declaration as the baby opened her eyes. "You have your mommy's crystal blue eyes, her beautiful nose, and her perfect flawless lips…oh God, there will be no kissing boys; are we clear on that?"
"Right now the only thing of me that I see is my hair, but I'm sure that will grow out beautifully like your mommy's," he continued to talk with his daughter. "What do you want your name to be?"
Hearing Elizabeth softly laugh, his heart practically exploded to see her eyes open. Slowly her smile broadened and covered her face, "Hi…"
"So you're talking to me now?" he asked.
"Did I say some ugly things?" she replied.
"It's okay; I know it was just the contractions talking, at least I hope it was."
"Jack, what did I say?"
"Elizabeth, it's okay. We have this beautiful gift, and truly nothing else matters."
"I'm sorry…" she whispered.
Jack's free hand brushed away the tears that slipped from the outside of Elizabeth's eyes as his emotions again consumed him.
Concerned by his expression, she asked, "Is she okay?" somewhat afraid of the answered.
"She's perfect…" he leaned down, bringing the baby close so Elizabeth could see her. "She has ten fingers, ten toes, two ears, and a beautiful button nose; I am so in love. Elizabeth, she looks just like you."
As his own tears, which he assumed were done, flowed down his cheeks, he continued, "Elizabeth, thank you for this beautiful gift; I didn't think my heart could grow anymore…I was wrong."
The nurse stepped back into the room, "Oh good, you're awake. Do you feel up to trying to nurse her?"
"Yes, of course," she stated, wanting desperately to get her hands on her baby.
The nurse raised the bed slightly and then much to Jack's disappointment took the baby from his arms.
"Oh Jessica," Elizabeth whispered. Looking back at Jack and seeing him pout she quickly added, "Sadly for you, you aren't able to nurse her…" she teased.
The nurse helped to position the baby as Elizabeth's gown was untied revealing her breast. "Come on Jessica," the nurse commented assuming that to be the baby's name.
Initially uncomfortable, as their daughter began to suckle, the hormone oxytocin was released which stimulated her milk production.
"It feels warm and tingly, is that normal?" Elizabeth asked.
"Yes," the nurse replied. "As the milk is let-down, many women describe it just as you have."
As the baby took her first meal of mother's milk, Elizabeth asked, "How often should I nurse her on each side?"
"Well, it is best if you switch her at some point during the feeding to prevent the breast that isn't being nursed from getting engorged and painful," she advised. "But when you nurse, you can put a pin in your shirt on the side that you last nursed on. Then the next time, you'll know on which side to start."
Watching as Elizabeth seemed uneasy, the nurse added, "Once you get comfortable with it, it will truly be like second nature."
Feeling awkward, she replied, "I sure hope so."
"I'll be back to check on you in a few minutes," the nurse mentioned before leaving the room to check on other patients.
Fifteen minutes later, "Monica, you need to nurse on the other side too," Elizabeth stated as Jack helped her switch the baby to her left breast.
The nurse returned, "How did it go?" she asked as she observed Elizabeth's gown tied and in place, and Jack sitting on the side of the bed as they both held the baby between them.
"It went well; thank you for the help," Elizabeth replied.
"So, what is Jessica's middle name?" the nurse asked.
Elizabeth giggled, "We haven't decided on a name, but I'm fairly certain it won't be Jessica."
"Oh, I'm sorry; I thought that was the name you'd decided upon." The nurse took the baby and placed her in the bassinet, pushing it up against the bed so both parents could kiss her goodbye, "You need some rest," the nurse stated as she wheeled the bassinet out of the room.
"I'm going to take mom and Rosa down to the nursery so they can see her. I'll be back shortly," he stated as he kissed her forehead before walking toward the door.
"Hey Jack…"
"Yeah honey…"
"Would you bring me a vanilla milkshake when you come back?"
"I sure will…"
Jack disappeared down the hall, walked into the waiting room, and was shocked to find the room not only contained his mother and Rosa, but Mookie, and many of his closest friends on the Dodgers.
He shook many hands as he gladly stated over and over to each person that he had the most beautiful daughter in the world.
Although the nursery could support many guests, Jack felt it was best to take those who wanted to see the baby down in shifts. Rosa, Charlotte and two Dodgers players were in the first group. Once Rosa and Charlotte laid eyes on the baby, they refused to leave, so the remaining six guests went down in groups of two.
Jack thanked his teammates for showing their support as he walked with them toward the elevator. "Thanks for coming guys; I really appreciate it."
"Oh Jack, we won…"
"We won what?" he asked.
"The game…we won the game today."
Jack laughed, "Oh, I forgot we played today."
As several of the guys pointed at him someone else stated, "Do you wear your uniform all the time?"
Jack looked down and joined in their laughter, "Sorry guys, my mind is somewhere else."
"We know…you left it in the nursery and in your wife's room."
As the elevator door closed, the one beside it opened. Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher rushed out, excited, nervous, anxious, and thankful.
"Jack, how are they," Mr. Thatcher asked.
Just seeing Elizabeth's father again brought about a great deal of emotion and tears again filled his eyes. "They're doing great. Elizabeth is taking a nap. Do you want to see my daughter..?"
Mr. Thatcher held out his arm and shook Jack's hand as Mrs. Thatcher rushed over and hugged Charlotte.
"Don't you mean my granddaughter?" William teased.
At Jack's request, Rosa and Mookie ran to the closest In-N-Out Burger and grabbed milkshakes for everyone, including staff, which allowed Jack time to show off his daughter to her grandparents.
Once the family meandered back to Elizabeth's room, she was awake, and ready to visit. She was very quick to thank her parents for the love and guidance they'd given her throughout the years, hoping to impart their many words of wisdom upon her daughter when the time was right.
"Jack…"
"Yes sweetheart…"
"Did you get me a milkshake…?"
Just as Jack opened his mouth to answer, Mookie and Rosa walked in with her much desired milkshake, along with carrier after carrier of many more for everyone including the staff.
"Thanks Mookie," Jack mentioned as he took several carriers of milkshakes out to the nurse's station.
"Help yourself," he advised the nurses standing around. "We hope you enjoy them."
Elizabeth's parents, Jack's mom and the Wilsons hung around until close to the end of visiting hours. As Mookie and Rosa were leaving, he stopped and pulled Jack's bag from beside the chair.
"I'm sorry; I meant to give this to you earlier, but here's a change of clothes."
"Thanks…"
"Are you leaving now?" Mookie asked as he and Rosa kissed Elizabeth goodbye and started for the door.
"No, I'm not ready to go yet."
"Don't forget, we have a game tomorrow afternoon," Mookie commented.
"I remember…"
"I'll call you tomorrow to remind you."
"Really, I'll remember," Jack remarked.
"I know you will, but I'll still call you tomorrow…" Mookie advised as he and Rosa left the room.
Jack removed his car key from the ring in his pocket and handed the remainder of the keys to Elizabeth's father. "Here are the house keys; I'll be home later."
"Thank you Jack, but Grace and I are staying at the Marriott down the street," he advised.
After everyone else left, the nurse brought the baby back to Elizabeth to nurse. It was late and she was exhausted, but once their baby was placed in her arms, and she began nursing, nothing else seemed to matter.
The baby latched on to Elizabeth's breast, and Jack gently rubbing the back of her head with one hand and Elizabeth's arm with the other. Once the baby was in the full suckling rhythm, and although still slightly uncomfortable, Elizabeth could tell that the entire process was getting a bit easier.
Once finished, Jack sat beside Elizabeth in bed. No words were said, none were needed; all they did was stare, watching the miracle beside them sleep.
Although there was activity on the floor and the maternity ward was uncharacteristically noisy, they tuned everything out except the sweet cooing sounds from their daughter.
"What do you think of the name "Bella?" she asked.
"I like it… Isabella Thornton; it has a nice ring to it."
"Okay, at the count of three, say your favorite name, okay?" Elizabeth suggested.
"Okay…" he replied.
They counted in unison, "One, two, and three…"
"Addison," he replied.
"Everly," she replied.
"So Bella is out; I thought you liked it?" She questioned him.
"I do like it, but you asked for my favorite name and right now, she looks like an Addison," he explained. "Besides, you didn't pick it either," as the smile which hadn't left his face since the baby's arrival broadened even more.
As if a light bulb had gone off in his head he suggested, "How about Addison Everly Thornton?"
"Well, she'll never have anything monogrammed."
"Why…?"
"Jack, if we name her Addison Everly Thornton, her initials monogrammed on a sweater would read 'ATE.' I think not…"
"Oh no, not only do we have to come up with a name that she won't hate us for, but it has to fit appropriately on a sweater too?" he asked. "WOW, this is a lot of pressure."
"What about this…"he took a pen and paper on the table by her bed and wrote out his suggestion.
"Oh Jack, that's nice…" she responded, "But I'm not a fan of the middle name."
"You don't like the middle name? I personally love it," he sounded disappointed. "So I guess it doesn't sweep you off your feet…"
"Certainly not like you did…"
"Well, my dear, if I recall correctly I was far from sweeping you off your feet. I almost lost you…"
"Jack, we've come so far in our relationship; you've taught me so many things about people, misconceptions, and about not closing myself off. You're a wonderful man, and 'Beyonce' and I are so lucky to have you."
"Um, we're not going with 'Beyonce,' are we?" he asked.
"Why not; you don't like it?" she responded.
"No, it isn't that I don't like it, but don't you think people will expect her to sing, and do it really well? I mean, I sing, but I don't do it well, which means that only half her genes will give her music talent," he explained.
Jack continued, "I mean if we have a boy and name him Pele, people will expect him to play soccer, and to do it well. We want to be fair with our kids, right?"
She started laughing, "I was just kidding, but in all seriousness, 'Colby' needs her forever name." Although tired, she had no intention of yawning in his face, but she did.
"It's late and visiting hours are over," the nurse stated as she walked in the room and found him sitting on the side of the bed. "I let you stay since your wife needed to nurse her, but…"
"Say no more; I'll be back in the morning," Jack disappointedly remarked as the nurse carefully took the baby from Elizabeth and returned her to the bassinet.
"Wait," the nurse called out. "Do you have your cell phone on you?"
Jack pulled his phone from his pocket, "Did you need to make a call?"
"Oh no; I just thought you may enjoy some pictures of you and your wife with the baby," she suggested.
The nurse took several snapshots of Jack, Elizabeth and the baby together before zeroing in on a picture of their hands; Jack's, then Elizabeth's and the baby's on the inside. The final picture was of the baby's feet with Elizabeth's hands cradling them in the shape of a heart, and Jack's hands securely surrounding them.
"There you go," the nurse stated as she handed the phone back to Jack. "Let me get this precious one back to the nursery."
Alone in the room, Jack leaned over and gently pressed his lips to hers. "I love you. I didn't think it was possible to love you more than I already did, but I was wrong." He brought her hand up to his lips, "I'll be back first thing in the morning."
"Jack, don't you have a game tomorrow afternoon?" she asked.
"Yes, but I can still stop by and spend some time with my two favorite girls before I go to the stadium."
"Okay, get some rest; you must be tired. 'Emma' and I will be fine…"
"We need to make a decision on what to call her, because I can't keep up with you in this name game," he teased.
"Well, I like what you suggested…"
"Elizabeth, do you like it, or love it?"
"I love part of it; I like some of it."
"You need to love all of it. Think about it tonight and let me know tomorrow what you like the best."
"Okay, you do the same."
With the decision of a name being left on the table, Jack headed down the hall to the elevator. Having been too preoccupied to change out of his uniform, heads turned, whispers were vaguely heard, and people stared as he walked out of the hospital.
He drove home, and took a shower. Lying in bed, he stared at the ceiling unable to sleep. Finally tired of lying in bed, sorely missing her body beside him, he glanced at the clock, 5am. He dressed, grabbed some clothes for Elizabeth and cookies that Rosa had previously made and dropped off, and sat everything on the counter. He rushed through the house looking for Elizabeth's journal, feeling certain that she'd have some important things to write about. However, it was nowhere to be found. With the other items in hand, he closed up the house and walked out to the car.
Standing in the driveway, he heard the beach calling to him. Feeling the need to walk and smell the salt air, he made his way out to the water and headed for the rock formation where he and Elizabeth often rested and talked.
Jack stood on the rock and stared out into the ocean… "Dear Lord, I come to you with a heart full of love and thanks. When I saw my daughter for the very first time, everything became so clear. I remember talking with my dad shortly before he died. He told me that what was most important in life was our walk with you, the need to take care of family and helping our children grow into the miracles you intended them to be."
Although it was now a new day, his falling tears were becoming all too familiar. "Lord, I have so many things I want to teach her. I want her to know how very special she is; I want her to be confident in the fact that she is capable of doing anything she chooses, and I want her to understand that she is the most precious gift from you. She will be taught to treat others with compassion, kindness and respect, and she will know that she should expect to be treated the same by others."
Jack, thinking about his father, took a deep breath, "Dad, I'm so sorry that you aren't here right now. Your granddaughter is beautiful…she thankfully looks just like her mom," Jack laughed softly. "I miss you so much, and I guess more so right now, as I would love to share this time with you."
Jack wiped his eyes before continuing, "I want to thank you for being the kind of man that I always looked up to, and forever wanted to emulate. You taught me what being a man meant. It didn't mean being in control, louder than others, or demanding respect. It meant being honest, listening, giving up his seat to a woman, telling his worst truth instead of his best lie, accepting the mistakes he makes, loving hard, being trustworthy, giving up his life for his family and in your case people that you didn't even know. You taught me how to be a gentleman, and to always treat a lady courteously. Dad, you taught me that your handshake was just as binding as a contract, and that respect was earned, not demanded. You were the best father, and I pray now that I have my own child that I can live up to your memory. I love you dad!"
Excited to see Elizabeth and "Samantha," he rushed back to the driveway and slipped into his car, quickly finding himself in the typical LA traffic.
"Excuse me," Elizabeth called out to the nurse who had just taken the baby back to the nursery but returned to pull the doctor ordered blood work.
"Yes, do you need something?" she asked.
"Would you mind handing me my bag over there?" Elizabeth asked as she pointed to the chair by the window.
"Sure," the nurse placed it on her bed, pulled her blood and then gave her privacy as Elizabeth began rummaging through her bag.
Pulling out her journal, Elizabeth smiled as she thought about all of the joyous and most likely trying times that will fill the remaining pages. Right now, at this very moment, the only thing she felt was joy, excitement, thankfulness and love.
She flipped the journal open to the next blank page, took a deep breath and attempted to put her feelings and emotions into coherent sentences…
"My dear sweet baby girl, I pray that you have smiles when sadness intrudes, hugs when you feel down, sunsets to warm your heart, confidence when you have doubts, friendships when you feel alone, laughter to lighten your day, faith in what you cannot see, rainbows to chase away the clouds, acceptance of things you cannot change, comfort in the face of pain, and love to always light your way.
You are most definitely a gift from God, and your daddy and I feel blessed and over the moon in love with you. You know, I didn't think there was any way that I could possibly love your daddy more than I do; that was until I saw him holding you. His smile was so bright and the look of love in his eyes was so powerful. He is such a kind and gentle man… you'll know what I mean as you get older. I'll bet that you'll look for a man just like him to spend your life with, and trust me; you couldn't do any better than that.
I make you this solemn promise…I will do my best to fill your days with laughter, teach you the importance of dreams, encourage you to believe that anything is possible, but above all else, I will love you until the end of time. You, my little one, hold a very special place inside of me; for truly you are the only one who has ever seen my heart beat from the inside."
Walking passed the waiting room on her way back from breakfast; Elizabeth's nurse caught a glimpse of Jack asleep on the sofa.
"Mr. Thornton, are you okay," a nurse tapped him on the arm.
"Uh…no, I mean, yes…I just wanted to be here early."
Looking at her watch, 6:30am, she responded, "Well, you managed that. Would you like a cot?"
"I'm sorry; I don't want you to go to any trouble," he stated before yawning and stretching to alleviate the kink in his back.
"Look, my boyfriend is a diehard Dodgers fan and if he knows that I let you sleep out here, he'll never forgive me. Just give me a minute…"
Jack followed her down the hall and stood quietly by Elizabeth's bed as the cot was rolled into her room. Little did he know, she had recently nursed their baby and had fallen asleep just before he arrived.
Jack lay down on the cot and by the time he'd inhaled four times, he was asleep.
At 8:30am, Jack began to stir. Opening his eyes he slowly focused and found Elizabeth smiling as her eyes never left him.
'"Did you get much sleep?" she asked.
"Not at home, but I think I passed out once they gave me a cot next to you," he admitted. "How long have you been awake?"
"Not long; I never even heard them wheel the cot in."
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm sore and it hurts to move, but that little girl of ours in the nursery makes all of this worthwhile."
"Did you think of names?" he asked.
"I did…" I liked the other name, but I'm just not fond of her middle name."
"I love the middle name, but then again, I find the name 'Elizabeth' to be beautiful, just like her mother."
"What about this?" she asked, as she handed him a piece of paper.
Opening it up, he smiled.
"Should I take your expression to mean that you like it?" she asked.
"I love it…"
"Good morning…oh my, did you spend the night here, Jack?" William Thatcher asked as he and Grace walked into Elizabeth's room.
"Not all night. I came back earlier this morning and her nurse had the cot brought in."
"So how are you, sweetheart?" her father asked as he approached her bed and kissed her forehead.
"I'm feeling so blessed, daddy," she responded.
"So, have you decided on a name?" Grace asked.
"We have," both Jack and Elizabeth responded.
"So, don't keep us in suspense…" Mr. Thatcher remarked.
The nurse wheeled in the bassinet, "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought it was just you and your husband; I'll bring her back in a little while."
"Is it okay if she stays…?" Elizabeth asked.
"Well, we aren't supposed to leave them in the room with anyone but family," the nurse advised.
"Well, these are my parents," Elizabeth explained.
"Ok, if you need anything just press the call button," the nurse advised as she headed for the door.
"Thank you," Elizabeth replied as all eyes were immediately on their precious bundle of joy.
"Good morning…" Charlotte walked in.
"Mom, how did you get here so early?" Jack asked.
"I stayed in a hotel…" she stated, wearing the same clothes she'd worn the day before. Thankfully for her, no one else noticed.
"You could have stayed at the house," Jack quickly added.
"I know, but I was planning to go home, and then I realized that it would be easier getting here this morning if I stayed close by," she explained. "So, did I miss anything?"
"We were just getting ready to tell William and Grace the baby's name…" Jack responded.
"Please, what is it…?" Charlotte gushed.
Elizabeth glanced over at Jack as he walked closer and took hold of her hand. "Mom…dad, Charlotte, Jack and I would like to introduce you to Addison Isabella Thornton…"
To be continued…