Chapter 45
Elena
THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WERE A WHIRLWIND OF ACTIVITY.
True to their words, Evie stayed with me for two months, working from my lounge.
Enzo came over every day, fussing over me, taking me for my appointments.
He never missed a single one. He was always there, for everything…
just like he’d promised six months ago. We decided to keep the gender a secret so we could all be surprised when he or she made their arrival.
I’m due in a few weeks. Enzo is here working in my spare room, which will now be the nursery.
We’ve done all the things that couples do, movie nights on the couch, dinner dates, visits to the park with Angel.
He’s really making an effort. He’s been my pillar in every way possible, even more so than I could have ever hoped for.
So, two nights ago when he begged me to give him a second chance; after asking me every day since we came home to my apartment…
needless to say he was stunned into silence when I finally said yes.
I waddle over to the nursery when I hear a string of Italian curse words. I can’t help but smile to myself as I lean my head against the doorframe watching him.
He’s sitting on the floor in the middle of the room; head bent over an instruction manual, pieces of wood all around him.
“You okay in here?”
“Sì, la mia Sirena, (yes, my Siren) I am fine. It’s only a crib; I’ll figure it out.”
And he did.
The room looked amazing, painted in yellows and soft shades of green.
A rocking chair sits in one corner. The now fully assembled crib in the far-right corner against the wall.
A baby changing station, chest of drawers and a remodelled built-in cupboard for the baby’s clothes.
A plush yellow rug adorns the centre of the room and behind the door is a tower of diapers in a variety of sizes.
Yes, we may have gone overboard a bit but in my defence, it was Evie who requested every single guest bring a pack of diapers along with a gift for my baby shower.
I’m still staring into the room with a ridiculous grin on my face when strong warm hands attempt to wrap around me. My wide girth makes the gesture far more complicated than it needs to be.
“You happy baby?”
“So happy.”
He nuzzles my neck and places soft kisses there. It’s amazing but his touch still sends jolts of electricity up my spine.
“We should get ready Beauty, or we’ll be late for dinner.”
“Hmmm, I’ll go get dressed.”
“You need help?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“Yes, you are.” He smirks at me and I swat him with the back of my hand.
“I am not. Look at me; I’m ginormous.”
He frowns at me; his gaze transforms into something intense… more serious.
“Elena, there is nothing sexier than having the woman I love carry my child. You’ve granted me such an honour by being my partner, my love, my life. Every stretch mark on your body belongs to me, every curve of your body belongs to me, the swell of your belly? Also, mine.”
He comes closer to me so that we’re facing each other toe to toe. He cups my breasts then.
“As for these… dear God can we keep these?”
I laugh at him. Over the past few months, Enzo has gotten increasingly bold in his vocabulary.
“Those are for the baby.”
“Sharing is caring Sirena.”
“You’re insufferable. Let’s go or we’ll be late.”
We’re meeting Cece, Tony and Evie for a catch-up dinner. Once the baby arrives, I doubt we’ll have the time to get together like this so Enzo planned this evening for us.
I look over at my friend; she seems okay but there is something about her eyes that seems off. The sparkle she once held is diminished. The same could be said for Tony. He’s been unusually quiet.
“So, Evie; how is Roman?”
“He’s good, really good. I’m sorry he couldn’t make it tonight. He’s been busy at the office.”
“That’s okay. Hopefully we’ll see him soon. Maybe you both could come around when the baby is born?”
“Yeah, sure that sounds great. I’ll run that by him. He really needs a break. Some time off here would do him a world of good.”
“Yeah, you guys can stay over at my place. You can use Elena’s old room.”
“Thanks Caveman. Mighty generous of you.”
“Think nothing of it.”
“So, Elena, you’re really not moving in with Enzo after the baby is born?”
“Nope.” I don’t elaborate on it and Evie doesn’t push.
Just two weeks ago Enzo was at my place, we’d just had a lovely dinner and we were curled up on the couch watching the final episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty; when Enzo stood up in front of me, fished a small box out of his pocket and dropped to his knee.
I felt it coming for weeks but I hoped he would change his mind.
He did it anyway. He’d proposed and I had gently turned him down.
He was disappointed but not heartbroken. He’d expected it.
I wasn’t ready to move on to marriage until I could be certain that our relationship was a hundred percent solid.
Not fragile like it was, where, one mistake and everything fell apart.
I wanted to evaluate our life and our relationship after the baby was born.
If that isn’t a test of strength, I don’t know what is.
Dinner was lovely, Evelyn seemed to come out of her shell eventually and Tony came around towards the middle as well.
I know he and Evie had something, neither have admitted as much to me or Enzo but I know my friend.
Even if I didn’t, the looks of longing and the scent of regret would be noticeable by a toddler.
I know Tony is heartbroken over Roman but I’m hoping the two can work their issues out… eventually.
We all make to leave the restaurant but a slicing pain in my lower back has me dropping back down in my seat. My breathing accelerates and I double over in pain as a warm gush of liquid splashes onto the seat and all over the pretty carpet. Well, that’s ruined now.
“Elena! Baby, are you okay?”
“I’m fine Enzo. I think I’m,” I double over in pain again. Taking deep breaths, I try again.
“I think I’m in labour.”
“Oh my God. The baby? It’s coming now?”
“Yes Enzo. The baby’s coming now; and it’s coming right here if you don’t get me out of this damn restaurant.”
He just stares at me for a moment, frozen as if in suspended animation.
“NOW!”
He snaps out of it and everyone starts to bustle around in a frenzy.
“Oh, for Christs sake would you people calm down! Everyone just STOP!”
They all freeze. I take another breath as I clamp down again. Oh God is it supposed to be so close together?
“Right, Enzo my hospital bag is already in the car, let’s get moving.”
“Yes. Right.”
We start making our way to the door.
“Evie, you ride with us.”
“Gotcha.”
“Tony and Cece, you both follow us to the hospital. I want you all there.”
"Sì, Mamma."
I narrow my eyes at him but he gives me that shit eating grin and drags his mother towards the exit.
“We’ll be right behind you.” He calls out as they disappear through the doors.
Our car finally arrives and Evie and Enzo both help me in.
The entire ride to the hospital, Evie holds my hand and Enzo reaches in the back to hold my other hand while we all breathe in harmonious synchronicity.
All three keeping the pace with our heee, heee, heee, hooo, hooo, hooo, followed by ear splitting screams from all of us while Enzo manages to scream, hold my hand, reassure me and drive like a maniac to the hospital.
I should be impressed but I swear to God I’m dying.
“Why are we all screaming? Only one of us is in… urgh… pain god dammit!”
“I’m sorry Sirena, if I could take your pain away I would. You know that right?”
“Oh, shut up Enzo. You did this to me you jerk.”
“Yes, I did, didn’t I?” He has the biggest smile plastered on his miserable face. Do Italians have extra teeth? I should stab him.
Mercifully a team is awaiting our arrival and I’m wheeled into delivery in no less than what may have been five minutes but seemed like hours to me.
It’s the fourth time I’ve been instructed to bear down and push. Enzo is at the foot of the bed spurring me on, tears in his eyes and a look of adoration and pride on his face.
He gives me the strength to push through and I do.
I bear down one last time, all the air leaving my lungs as I try with all my might to bring our little jelly bean into the world.
And just like that, one final push and a brief moment of what can only be described as a ring of fire; the pain is gone and my body collapses onto the bed. A beat of silence before her tiny cry fills the room and my eyes meet Enzo’s. Blue skies meeting green seas.
In that moment, there is only this. There is only us; and I know I have everything I have ever wanted.
THE END