Chapter Ten
Jack ran through the emergency doors at the hospital, and searched the area for a list of the departments on the wall. He located the maternity ward floor, and found the stairs. He ran up the stairs to the maternity ward, and pushed the door to the exit open. He ran down the hallway looking at each room number. He was going fucking crazy with worry. He had called Rabbo and Tammy on his way to the hospital, but no one answered his calls. He finally found her room and rushed in, but the bed was empty. He searched the room for evidence that she’d been there. His heart beat rapidly as he tried to catch his breath. Jack grabbed his phone and looked through his texts, and glanced at the room number Rabbo texted him. This was the right room. He placed his cell back in his pocket and combed his hair with his fingers. He couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was wrong.
A nurse entered the room with a fresh set of sheets in her arms.
“Where's my wife?” Jack blurted staring at the red head.
She continued in the room and started making the bed. “I'm sorry but you’ll need to talk to her doctor.”
“Lady, my wife was supposed to be in that fucking bed.” Jack pointed at the small bed. “Where is she?”
The nurse looked away. “I’m so sorry…”
“You're sorry?” Jack chest heaved uncontrollably. “For w-what?” His voice cracked.
“She didn't make it,” the nurse sadly said. “We tried everything we could to save her.” She finished making the bed, like she didn’t just fucking crush his future in a million pieces.
“You're sorry. That's all you got!” Jack yelled his nostrils flaring. “You're sorry for letting the woman who gave up her life for me, die? You’re sorry because she saved mine and gave hers up to bring life into this world?” His voice softened. “Fuck your sorries.”
“Sir…” she stared at him with saddened eyes.
“Don’t apologize!” Jack roared. “I want an explanation.”
“I’ll go get the doctor,” the nurse said leaving the room.
He just stood there in shock watching her leave the room. Jack clenched his jaw as tears ran down his face and his entire body began to shake, he didn't make it in time. He couldn't control the sobs coming from his mouth as be bent down in agony of what could've been. He leaned his back against the wall using it as support as he bawled for his wife. Kayla had given herself completely to him. Was this how Cindy felt when she was told he died? Like someone had ripped out her heart and everything around fell apart in a second.
Jack dropped to his knees, his breathing hitching as he wept. “Why me lord, why me again?”
Jack took several deep breaths, and wiped his tears with the back of his hand. He had to be strong for the daughter he still had, he stood straight. “Fuck!” The baby, did the baby survive? He rushed out of the room to catch up with the nurse. He couldn't find her, so he followed the signs leading to the nursery, basically jogging at this point. Tears continued to form and run down his face. Jack finally found the newborn nursery, he placed his palms on the glass looking around at the babies. He gently banged on the glass. “No…” Jack chanted, his baby wasn’t in the nursery. Maybe the NICU?
“Sir, visiting hours are almost over unless you’re staying with someone,” a nurse said walking toward him with a folder in her hand. “Are you okay?”
“No,” he said between cries. “My wife didn't make it.”
“I'm so sorry.” She touched his arm.
“The nurse didn't say if my baby made it.” Jack wiped his tears. “My baby isn’t here, maybe the NICU.”
“What's your last name?” The nurse opened the folder she had.
“Wood.” Jack couldn't stop thinking of how he let Kayla down when she needed him the most. She gave herself selflessly. If he had left his parents as soon as Rabbo called, he probably would've made it in time.
“Wood,” she repeated looking down the list. “There's no one with the last name Wood.” She searched the paper in her hand. “Maybe she used her maiden name.”
Jack wasn't thinking straight. Kayla wouldn't use his actual name, because she didn't know he was there. “Kayla Smith or Adams.”
“Oh, Mrs. Adams.” The nurse smiled confusing the hell out of him. She closed the folder without looking.
Why was she smiling?
“Your wife is funny.”
“What?” His eyebrows rose. “Do you think that's appropriate to tell in a time like this?”
“Who the heck told you she's dead?”
“She did.” He pointed to the nurse walking toward them.
“Sir, the doctor will be out soon.” The red headed nurse said.
“Felicia, we need to talk. Don't move,” the nurse instructed, and then pointed down the hall. “Your wife and son are doing great. He was a few weeks premature, but he’s strong. All his tests came back great. Last time I checked, they were both soundly sleeping. Your wife demanded I leave the baby in the room at all times.”
“Are you sure it's Kayla?” Jack was about to burst with happiness. In an instant, his sadness turned into overwhelming joy.
“Yes, she's in room 544...”
Jack didn't let the nurse finish talking as he sprinted down the hall looking for her room.
“Congratulations!” she called out after him.
And then he heard her scolding the other nurse, but he didn't care. His Kayla was alive. He’d almost had a heart attack when he thought his soul mate was dead, leaving him empty. Rabbo must have given him the wrong room number. Jack silently prayed for the woman who did pass away.
He was about to enter when he heard a familiar voice. “I know you’re exhausted,” Tammy said holding Kayla’s hand. “And visitation is over, so Ben and I will be leaving you in peace now,” she raised an eyebrow looking over at the man. He wasn’t at all what Jack thought he would be. He was a short and skinny, nerdy looking guy, not at all Kayla’s type. All this time he was jealous for no reason.
“If you need anything give me a call,” Ben grabbed his coat.
Kayla wouldn’t need shit from him. Jack concluded.
Kayla’s eyes were heavy with sleep. “I’m going to take a nap.” She rested her head on the pillow closing her eyes.
Jack watched as Tammy gave a now sleeping Kayla a kiss on the forehead. “You and the baby are in the best care possible.” She picked up her purse off the chair. “Your mom is on her way. I'll be back first thing in the morning,” Tammy said before leaving the hospital room.
Jack walked down the hallway as Tammy and Ben left the hospital room. He waited until they were out of sight to walk back. He didn’t have time to answer more questions, his only concern at the moment was his woman and child. He rushed back to the room and slowly pushed the door open. The first thing he saw was a baby bassinet next to the hospital bed. His lips curled into a smile now staring at Kayla as she slept. Her hair was wrapped up in a black scarf, the one she wore before going to sleep. She was hooked up to an IV and heart monitor, he guessed taking her vitals. The blue balloons revealed the sex of their baby, a boy.
He gently closed the door, strolled up to the bassinet and smiled seeing his son for the first time. Baby boy was tiny, he could fit in the palm of his hand. His complexion was the mixture of his fair and her brown skin. His little boy had his nose and her lips. Their munchkin was the most beautiful baby he'd ever seen.
He chuckled. “Hey lil man.” He caressed his son's rosy cheek with his index finger. “You are so loved.” Jack carefully picked him up. “Your mom has changed my life in so many ways. You're the product of unconditional and pure love,” he whispered trying not to wake her. “Your grandparents, uncle and aunts will shower you with love. You also have a big sister, her name is Melissa.” He bent his head kissing the baby's forehead. “Our love...”
Jack sat down next to her bed just staring at what their love created. Baby boy was a fighter just like them. Kayla began tossing and grunting in pain. That was a short nap. Her eyes fluttered open and she grabbed the bassinet inching it closer, and her eyes widened when she didn't see their baby. “I told her not to take him,” she said under her breath.
“She didn't,” Jack voiced.
Her head snapped in his direction. “Jack,” she muttered. “How, when did you...”
“I wanted to surprise you, but the surprise was on me.” He glanced at the baby.
She twisted her mouth smiling. “Surprise!”
He shook his head. “Why didn't you tell me?”
“I was supposed to go back to Dubai after thanksgiving, but they couldn’t control my blood pressure.” Kayla touched her still swollen stomach. “I wanted you to come back because you wanted to, not because you felt obligated to.” She sighed. “It would've been selfish of me to make you feel guilty, when you haven't physically seen your daughter in years. I wanted you to want to be here with me or even your family.”
“Were you taking your medication?” He stood and placed the baby back in the bassinet.
“Yes,” she replied. “They tried to get it under control, but couldn’t.”
Jack sat on the edge of the bed. “Are you and the baby going to be okay?” he asked concerned while tracing her full lips with his fingertips. “You scared the shit out of me.”
“I’m okay.” Kayla pointed at the monitor. “Your son wanted to make his grand entrance right before Christmas.”
“I did it.” He climbed on the bed with her. “I finally went home, and it was overwhelming to say the least.”
“I bet they couldn’t stop staring at you at first.” Kayla’s lips curled into a smile. “Was it as bad as you thought?”
“Yes.” He rolled his shoulders. “They were all at my parents’ house as I suspected. Melissa saw me first, and she yelled making the others come see what the all commotion was all about. The looks on their faces.” It had been one hell of a day; his emotions were everywhere. First appearing to his family, then being told Kayla was dead, to discovering she and their newborn are alive and doing great.
“Like they’d seen a ghost.” Kayla took his hand in hers.
“Yep.” He entwined their fingers and kissed her knuckles. “Melissa is so beautiful.”
“I know.” She watched him closely. “She’s a girl version of you.”
“I didn’t want to let her go. It felt so surreal having her in my arms. Babe, she’s perfect.” He sighed. “I was about to explain, but then Rabbo called me.”
“Tammy and her big mouth.” She shook her head. “He told you I was in the hospital.”
“Yes. You know he’s my partner in crime.” Jack squeezed her fingers. “I would've been here sooner, but they wanted answers.”
Kayla released his hand and cupped his face. “This is what I wanted for you. Don't feel guilty for taking the time to explain anything they needed to know. Jack, I've watched you transform right before my eyes. I wanted you to be happy and your family makes you happy.”
“You make me happy too. If anything would’ve happened to you…” He leaned forward and kissed her sweet lips.
“I’m still here,” Kayla whispered against his lips. “How's Melissa?”
“It was amazing to hold her and tell how much I love her.” Jack inched back getting comfortable in the small bed, like they used to do. “You amaze me every day,” he said out of the blue before he forgot. “What you did for me and mine I can never repay. The teddy bear.” He chuckled softly. “You recorded my voice.”
Kayla’s smile disappeared. “Did you see Cindy?”
“Yes.” Jack rested his head back on the pillow looking up at the ceiling. When their eyes met after eight years of being apart, he didn’t feel any connection to Cindy. Everything he felt romantically for her was gone. Now all he felt for his ex was compassion. She was a great mother to their daughter. He was sorry for all the pain he’d caused. Cindy kissed him and he felt nothing. “I'm where I want to be.” He turned his head gazing at her, making sure Kayla knew she was who he wanted. “I'm happy with you and only you. I can have both my past and my future.”
“Please don't stay with me because you think you have to.” Kayla brushed her hands together.
“You know me better than anyone in this world.” Jack combed the loose strands of Kayla’s hair peeking through the scarf with his fingers. “The love I feel for you is unexplainable. I can't breathe right without you, and I defiantly can’t see myself without you.”
“I feel sorry for Cindy.” Kayla wiped at the corner of her eye.
“Don’t be. Cindy is happy, and I want her to continue to be happy with me around. The love she has for her husband of seven years shouldn't change because I'm back. Yes, it was my presumed death that led to what is now, but it doesn't change all the decisions we've both made.” Jack searched his pocket. “I got you a Christmas present.”
“Christmas is tomorrow.”
“You gave me a big gift already.” Jack pointed at their son and glanced at his watch, “Christmas is right around the corner.” He searched his pocket, and grabbed the ring. “Mrs. Wood.” He took her ring finger, and slipped the solitaire ring above her wedding band. “On our wedding day, I made you promises and I always keep my word.”
“Jack, it’s beautiful.” Kayla lifted her hand in the air staring at the sparkling jewelry. “But—”
“I already know, you don’t need shit like that,” Jack mimicked. “Diamonds are a woman’s best friend no matter what you say.” He jiggled his ring finger. “We have matching bands.”
“I love you…”
Jack lowered his head and gave her a light kiss on the lips. “I love you more.”
The baby grunted a little.
“I got him.” Jack sat up and turned, carefully picking him up. “You didn’t name him without me, did you?” He kissed his nose.
“No.” She chuckled. “I wouldn’t. What should we name him?”
“Elijah…” He removed the baby’s little hat. Elijah was her father’s name.
“Are you sure?” Kayla brushed the baby’s dark curly hair with her fingers. “My father would be so proud and happy to have his grandson named after him.”
“I’m sure,” Jack gazed at his little boy, thanking God for all his blessing his bestowed on him through his pain and suffering. “Our Christmas Miracle.”