Chapter 8 | Brooklyn
Brooklyn
“Yeah.” I cheered and clapped my gloved hands together and said to the young woman who went into labor three weeks early and was all alone as she delivered a healthy baby boy. “You have a Christmas miracle.”
The new mother smiled and held her baby to her naked chest. “Should I feed him?”
“Yes...he needs to be skin-to-skin so the world is not such a crazy place after being inside of Mommy for so long. Put him closer to your breast. Is he rooting?” I peered at the precious newborn whose eyes were closed as instinct steered him toward his mother’s nipple.
“He’s ready. It might sting, but it’ll pass. ”
“He latched. He latched.” Tears started running down her face.
“Thank you, Dr. Kelley, for taking over. I didn’t like that other doctor who treated me like I didn’t matter.
She ignored my birth plan and was about to do a C-section.
If you didn’t step in, I would’ve had an unnecessary procedure that I never wanted and a scar for no reason.
You made me feel like what I wanted mattered and helped me get through this.
I didn’t expect to be alone, and he came so fast.” She sniffed.
“If you ever have a clinic or something, I would come to you. You’re too good for this place. I can tell you that now.”
I patted her arm. “I appreciate your words. I’m also trained as an OB doctor, which is why they sent me up here when we realized that your doctor wouldn’t be here on time.
And you and your little one are special.
Tonight, you did one of the hardest and most dangerous things in this world on the most magical day.
Do you have anyone I can call since we can both breathe now? ”
She looked down at her sleeping baby. “It’s just him and me. Came here from St. Louis to write screenplays, fell for the wrong man, now I’m a reluctant single mother.”
“You mean a grateful single mother who realized before it was too late she was dealing with a deadbeat,” I gently corrected.
“Women have been raising these babies alone since the beginning of time. You got this. And if you’re struggling, I know a community center that has support groups for single mothers. It takes a village.”
“And you’re part of it. Thank you.” She kissed the top of her son’s head. “He’s my very own Christmas gift.”
“He is.” I smiled. “Your regular doctor will stop by in the morning to check on you, and she might even release you by tomorrow evening. I’ll be leaving soon. The nurse will be here in a few to check on you. For now, rest and bond with your new little one.”
She reached for my hand again. “Thanks for giving me hope that everything will be alright.”
“Three Little Birds. I play that sometimes when I’m feeling overwhelmed.”
“Bob Marley. I like that.” She smiled and cooed at her baby as I quietly exited the room.
Pulling my lab coat closed, I hurried down the hall and caught the elevator to the first floor, feeling a renewed energy about the path ahead.
This was the first time in three years that I’d delivered a baby, and all I wanted to do was deliver more.
Maybe giving up my residency in the E.R. wouldn’t be just for love.
“Any other fires?” I asked as I smoothed back my hair, I wore in a ponytail.
Denise smiled as I approached the nurse’s station.
“You can go. Dr. Boswell was pissed when she heard how Dr. Tan almost fucked up that delivery, recommending an unnecessary C-section. She made her work longer and said that you can go home since you safely delivered a baby without surgery. It’s not too late, you could still spend Christmas with Carter. ”
“He’s at his ex’s house with his family, and I don’t know how far away it is. I don’t want to pull him away from his people,” I lamented.
“At least call him.”
“Yeah. I could at least do that. I haven’t spoken to him since he left this morning. I miss him,” I wistfully said.
She shook her head. “That man has you so sprung. You're rocking that hair, wearing makeup, and pretty earrings instead of that Plain Jane look.
“Um...the same look that got Carter’s attention? You mean that look?” I reminded her with a twist of my neck.
Denise giggled. “Just saying that love looks good on you.”
“Thank you. He does look good on me.” I flicked my tongue at her, pulled my phone from my pocket, and ducked off into an empty lab room.
“New York.” Warmth caressed his deep voice. “Must be on break. Haven’t heard from you all day.”
“That’s because I averted a medical fuck-up crisis and delivered a healthy Christmas baby after five hours of labor.” I leaned against the counter.
“Congratulations. Not bad for the best resident at L.A. Pacific,” Carter bragged.
Gripping the phone tighter, I added, “Now, I get to go home, and I wanted to see you. I know you’re with the fam, so I can stay up late and wait for you.
I can catch a ride with one of the nurses since I don’t have my car.
” I respected and accepted that he didn’t like me to drive late at night alone or catch rides with strangers.
“Or I can leave and pick you up now. We’re just sitting around talking at Darren’s house. Ethyn already left. Elle and Sekani are playing video games and will stay here. Just have to drop my Mama off at my house first.”
“Are you sure?” I bounced a little, getting happier by the second at the thought of seeing him soon.
“Be there within an hour.”
“Okay.” I clicked the cell and danced around the room. I loved that man, desperately.
I stopped moving and hugged myself, wishing I said it to him when he professed his feelings yesterday.
It’s been exactly a month since we officially met in this hospital, and my logical side couldn’t let go of the plausibility of falling in love so soon.
As much as I wanted to reciprocate his words, something in me stopped me.
Can I really love someone after a month? Then another voice screamed.
Yes, and he needs to know.
An hour later, I pulled on my jacket as I strolled out of the sliding doors, full of anticipatory energy. Ready to shout my love for him as soon as I saw his handsome, chocolate face, and the man waiting for me stopped my heart. He held a beautifully wrapped gift in his hand.
“What are you doing here?” I screeched. My chest burned with rage at his audacity to not only show up at my job but on Christmas.
Bishop smiled sheepishly. “I’ve been waiting for hours. Stopped by the house first and then came here.”
“You were at my house?” I grabbed the collars of my jacket. My breath seemed caught in my throat. Bishop was here. Standing in front of me with a silly ass grin. How did I ever think this man was worthy to be my husband?
His face frowned with concern, and he moved closer. “Shh...it’s alright. I know you’re in shock. It’s been a long time.”
I held my hand up. “Stay away from me. My man will be here any minute, and I don’t want any trouble.”
Bishop rubbed his bald head in frustration. “Let me explain why I left you, like I did. Please.”
“I blocked you for a reason. I. Don’t. Give. A. Fuck.” My clapping hands accentuated my thoughts.
The security guard walked beside me. “Is he bothering you?”
“Yes, but he’s not a threat. I can handle him. Thank you, Markie.”
The husky security guard huffed at Bishop before returning to his post.
“Were you dying and didn’t know how to tell me?” I asked as calmly as my beating heart would allow.
“No.” His brow furrowed.
“Then there’s no reasonable explanation for you to handle me like you did.
You said you weren’t ready. What’s more to say than that?
Don’t come around me anymore, okay?” I started walking toward the main street, searching for Carter, unsure whether I wanted Carter to see Bishop.
Bishop wasn’t a weak man, but he also wasn’t an ex-football player who still worked out regularly.
Carter would beat him down without much effort.
“Not until we talk. I wasn’t ready then. I am now.” He blocked my path, and I tried to move around him. “I’m serious. We need to talk. I can tell you’re still angry and that’s not good to walk around...”
“You don’t ever get to tell me shit else to say or do. That ended the day you left without a word to me, you fucking coward,” I yelled. “You can’t come here uninvited, messing up my peace. Never again.”
Bishop placed the gift in my hand. “Can you at least hear me out? I deserve whatever you want to say, or if you want to hit me, then do it. Just let me explain since you refused to read my texts or answer my calls.”
“Get the fuck away from her now. She might not hit you, but I will.” Carter’s deep voice startled both of us. He walked up and stood between us, with me behind him.
Bishop scowled, and before he could protest, his eyes widened. “Wait...aren’t you Carter St. Patrick?” He then looked at me and scoffed, “This your new man? Or are you still trying to make me jealous because I know he’s just fucking around with you?”
Carter cursed and balled his fists.
I quickly grabbed his waist and held on to him, pressing my face to his back. “He’s not worth it, baby.”
His body trembled from anger, though Carter calmly said, “I can guess who you are by her reaction. I won’t repeat myself.”
“She still loves me. That’s why she’s so pissed,” Bishop thundered. “You see, she took my gift and still lives in the house I bought her. My key still works.”