In Need of You

Chapter Forty-Four

Sabrina held onto her husband's hand as they entered the reception hall. She smiled, watching their daughter smile and giggle as Elisha carried her on his shoulder. Cheers, whistles, and bubbles floated in the air while they walked to the center of the dance floor.  Applause filled the dim-lit room. Lit candles housed in clear opened-ended vases illuminated the large log-styled room. Strings of small white lights hung from several wooden beams. Elisha leaned over and kissed Sabrina's forehead.

"How are you feeling, beautiful?" Elisha placed Madeline on the floor and watched her run toward Edward and Jennifer.

"I'm happy." She rubbed her stomach. "To be standing here with my family."

"I am too," Elisha said. He took her into his embrace and kissed her lips. Cheers and whistles erupted around them, making them smile. 

"That's right, sis," Jennifer yelled from the other side of the dance floor. "You better show yo' mister off."

Sabrina glared at her best friend and smiled. She watched Jennifer and Edward flirt with each other as the sounds of drums, guitars, and keyboards boomed through the sound system. Shalamar's voice followed up the melodies. Elisha took Sabrina by the hand and spun her around as they danced. Sabrina covered her wide smile with her hand, watching him do the two-step by himself. She joined him as the sultry voice of Luther Vandross graced them. 

Jennifer danced onto the dance floor, pulling Edward behind. She jumped beside Sabrina and flowed into the rhythm of the song. Grandma Zora walked onto the dance floor and picked up the dance steps seamlessly. 

"That's my grandmama, y'all," Jennifer yelled. "Go ahead then, Ms. Zora."

Elisha pulled Sabrina into his embrace and kissed her. "You want to rest your feet for a bit."

Sabrina rubbed her stomach. "I probably should."

He led her by the hand and helped her sit down at the table. Taking off his suit jacket, he placed it around her shoulders. They watched Madeline dance alongside Amber and Ms. Lori. She waved at Elisha and Sabrina with the widest grin on her face. 

"That's our little girl, huh," Elisha said. He looked into her eyes and smiled. He moved a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You're my blessing, Mrs. Brysen."

"And you're mine, Mr. Brysen." She held her stomach, then winced in pain. 

Elisha frowned. "Sabrina, are you okay."

"I think so," she replied, breathing deeply. "These must be Braxton Hicks."

"Is that normal?"

Sabrina smiled. "Of course, Papa."

Elisha smiled. "Alright then, Mama. But if you're feeling any pressure, we leaving here ASAP."

She nodded. "There are no complaints from me, Mr. Brysen."

Feeling the pressure again, she reached for his hand and squeezed it tight. "Sabrina?"

She glared at him, then at the floor. A small puddle of water rested on the floor between her shoes. 

"Elisha," Sabrina glared at him. "My water just broke."

He kissed her lips, then smiled at her. "Alright, beautiful. Let's get you to the hospital."

Amber, Jennifer, and Edward walked toward the table. As they watched Elisha help Sabrina up from the seat, Amber folded her arms and pursed her lips. "I knew I was right."

"Right about what?" Jennifer asked.

"That that baby wasn't going to wait until next week," Amber said. "He's every bit like his father."

Jennifer covered her wide smile. She ran up to Elisha. "Is Sabrina in labor?"

He nodded. "Looks like the little man couldn't wait."

"I'll go get the munchkin," Edward said. He ran back toward the dance floor.

Sabrina held onto her stomach as Elisha guided her toward the exit. Edward ran back with Madeline on his shoulder. Grandma Zora and Ms. Lori were right behind him. 

"Let's go meet Nathaniel, shall we," Elisha said, helping Sabrina out of the building. 

"What about the guests?" Sabrina winced in pain as she stepped on the pavement. The cool spring air touched her skin. 

"Captain Alders and Mr. Stanley have us covered, beautiful."

She glared into his eyes. "You already had this planned out, didn't you."

He smiled, then kissed her lips. "I did."

"I love you, Lisha."

"I love you, beautiful. I always will."

***

He was so perfect. His tiny fingers wrapped around Elisha's index finger as he cooed. His small eyes were closed tight. The thick black mass of curls was sprawled about his head. Elisha rocked him in his arms and smiled. Madeline laid her head on his lap as she slept. He looked at Sabrina and smiled. She had finally dozed off to sleep. 

After nine hours of contractions, tears, and pushing, Elisha's family was complete. He kissed his tiny forehead and listened to him breathe as he slept in his arms. 

"I love you so much, Nathaniel," Elisha said. "Daddy's not going to let you go. Neither one of you."

He felt Madeline shift on his lap. He smiled. Everything his father did to him, he refused to do to his children. Yet knowing that Jonah only got twenty-five years in prison after taking a plea deal, he knew there was a sheer possibility that he could rear his ugly head again. 

Elisha sighed. Nathaniel stirred a bit in his arms. "Shh, it's okay, Nathaniel."

"He's probably getting hungry again," Sabrina said tiredly. 

He looked at her with a smile. "Are you sure? You only slept for about two hours or so."

"And have you slept any, Elisha?"

"I haven't," he replied. "I'm just so in awe of this little human that we've made."

Sabrina smiled. "Wait until that little human makes a big stinky."

Elisha chuckled. "My mom said the same thing."

He watched as Nathaniel opened his eyes and glared into his. The child frowned for a bit, then smiled, then kissed his forehead once more. 

"Elisha," Sabrina said, sitting up in the bed. "Did he open his eyes and smile at you too?"

Elisha nodded. "He's done it twice since I've been holding him."

"Madeline did the same thing to me when she was born."

"I love you, Sabrina."

"I love you too, Elisha."

He sat back on the couch, still holding Nathaniel in his arms. Dad could try to come back into their lives if he wanted to, Elisha thought. But it wasn't going to be a happy ending for Jonah. It was going to be his end.