Chicago RX

16. Lily

Hank had come home early today. Justin and Olive were on there way back home for few days.

They all sit around the kitchen table to discuss what's coming. The room at that moment was the quietest it had ever been. Everyone to afraid to start up the conversation. Olive held a scowl directed at Shay for obvious reasons.

Ok look no one wants to start so hear is how this is going to go. Olive how about you get things off your chest.

Look im still pissed this happened in the first place.

Well none of us are happy about it. It was wreckless, selfish, and incredibly stupid we all agree. Let's move forward. My grandchildren need a safe and happy home and they will always have that here.

Look Olive I'm so sorry. Shay broke down with a heavy heart.. Please what happened was totally my fault ok and Justin and I we would never....

You say that but how do you know?

Eww because I dont see him like that I swear.

What do you mean Ew. Your not so great Shay. Justin trying to be defensive. I'm so sick about it babe. Really.

Shay looked like she was about to argue but then shut down when she looked over at Hank who had just gave her a stink eye.

Alright now thats done. Let's eat.

It was done. Olive had forgiven us as best she could, Justin was excited about having a girl and all was well.

Shay waits for hank to come home
She's worried staring out at the black through the window. Checking every car light that came down the street.

Don't wait up you will worry yourself sick. My mom would do the same. She would sit at her chair in the living room watching out the front as she crocheted whatever she was working on. She always said she couldn't rest if he wasn't beside her.

You love him dont you? Justin finally got up the nerve to ask.

I don't know maybe.

He's a difficult man to love but my mom didn't think so. She used to say he was everything he was meant to be and more. Whatever that means. Then he started to joke. So it will be weird dont ya think. Wanting to be with the grandpa.

Well when you say it like that. She laughed throwing a pillow as she scrunched up her forehead at him.

.......

Ugh!!!!

Whats the matter?

My clothes don't fit. Shay stood looking back at herself in the mirror her face all distorted in disgust. What the hell am I gonna do? She cries. I'm never gonna be pretty again. And look at this. Thats a stretch mark Hank. I can't believe I decided to do this. I'll never get my body back.

Thats not true. Your emotional right now.

I'm ugly.

Hmph he chuckled under his breath. She looks up at him clearly upset. There he is getting off on her emotional trauma.

Shay let me tell you something. He explained. You are one of the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

There he was getting that serious face again. The one where he distorts his features to get his expression across.

And even if that weren't true, right now in this very moment and even until the end of you giving birth. Your never going to be as beautiful as you are right now.  Then he walked up behind her and placed his hand over the hump in her belly and gave it a rub as they both looked in the mirror.  She glanced back at him then down at her hand on his.

He always had a way of making the most traumatic events seem like something of the past. Like see that wasn't so bad. Look at all the good that came out of the world ending. Its just birth but when you realize what you have created everything changes.

I could tell he was getting excited. I was getting real close.

Towards the end I started to see it myself. The small things that normally didnt matter started to matter. The little moments that made everything worth it like watching Hanks face as he felt the baby move for the first time.

His face lit up. Smiling brighter than the morning sun. Always comforting me making me feel like I would never be alone or when I'd see him cuddle Daniel that made me feel hopeful.

The delivery date was close. I was nearing my final week and I was more than ready to have this baby. I had been home now about a week from work duty. Everything was in order so it was a waiting game now.

Hank went to work that morning and I decided to take a walk. I made it about seven houses down when the contractions began. When I made it home they were ten minutes apart.

I was going to call Hank but then didn't. I didn't want to jump the gun so to speak. I worried it was a false thing that everyone kept talking about. I wanted to make sure. When I decided on a bath my water burst on the floor and I knew it was time at that point.

Hank was on his way.

When we reached the hospital I was fully dilated and screaming in pain. We had just made it in time. Hank held my hand through it all. Even cut the cord. He was perfect in there. I dont know what I would have done without him.

He was right. There's no feeling in the world that compares to holding your child for the first time. She was beautiful. It was the first time I ever saw him cry.

Justin finally shows up with Olive two days later. It took a bit to drive home but they finally made it.

Lily, I named her Lily shay cried as Justin took his daughter into his arms.

She's beautiful isn't she Hank?

Hank looks over at Shay. You did real good kid.

It felt good to have them home.