You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me

Chapter 6

Chrissy was gowned up and holding Betty's hand as she delivered a beautiful baby girl. Once cries were filling the room and Betty was happily holding the baby, Chrissy ran out of the room. She dashed to the ladies' room where she vomited immediately in the toilet. She began to cry in the bathroom stall. She placed her hand on her lower stomach and sobbed harder. 

She didn't want the baby at first, but when they removed the tiny, cold angel from her arms, she was heartbroken. It hurt enough that she lost the baby, but then for her husband Lenny to leave her hurt that much worse. All she had was Noni. Her heart was shattering. In between her grief and divorce, she was also healing from a major surgery. It was all a nightmare. It...

She was snapped out of her thoughts by a familiar slow, deep voice, "Chris! You in here?"

"Dean! Get out! This is the ladies' room!"

"Ack!" he ignored her, "Are you okay?"

"You're supposed to be with your wife and your new daughter." 

"She's feeding her. What the hell is going on with you?" she saw his feet walking toward her, "Open the door. Why are you on the floor?"

Chrissy wiped her face and flushed the toilet. Then she stood and opened the door, "Congratulations," she gave him a smile, but he saw the tears in her eyes. 

"Chrissy, come here," he wrapped his arms around her, "This isn't my best friend. What's got yo all bothered?"

She shook her head, "This is a happy occasion. Another time, Dino."

"Swear?" he stuck out his pinky which she grabbed with hers. 

"Swear," she nodded, "Next week, you can come to the house, and we'll have a drink."

"Good deal. Now, come on. I'd like to formally introduce you to my daughter since she has a name now."

Dean and Chrissy walked into the hospital room, "How are you doing, Betty?"

"I'm well. Thank you for everything, Chrissy." 

"We'd like you to meet Deana." 

"Aww, I love it! Congratulations, you two!" 

One Week Later

"Hey, pally!" Dean said walking into Chrissy's house, "I've missed you, pally." He gave her a hug and took a breath of her flowery perfume. 

"I missed you too! Come in. Noni's away for the week visiting her sister. I made some food for us to munch on. I have one of mine and Noni's wines, but I know you like your bourbon so I have that too. I think-"

"Wow, whatever you're about to tell me must be big. You're never ramble this much." Chrissy began to cry, and Dean instantly regretted what he said, "Oh, God... Chrissy, I'm so sorry. I'm a big dumb jerk. You know that. I would never... I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay. We should sit," Chrissy accepted a handkerchief that Dean handed her to dab her eyes. She cleared her throat and nervously fumbled with her hands, "Well, it was about six years ago now. I married a wonderful man and I became pregnant. Everything went fine. I was healthy; the baby was healthy. When I went to the hospital to have the baby, things took a turn almost immediately. I was rushed off for a Caesarian at which point Lenny told Noni that he didn't want a weak bitch for a wife-"

"I'll kill the son of a bitch," Dean interrupted, "God... I'm so sorry, Chris."

"Thank you, Dino... Long story short, when I got out of surgery, I had no baby and no husband and I had a giant scar to remember it all by."

Dean reached for her hand and squeezed it, "You deserved better.

Chrissy sat silently for a few minutes, "I'm sorry I never told you. You're my best friend, but I was scared of what you might think. I couldn't lose you too."

"Well, best friend, you just told me something big. It's time I reciprocate. Betty and I are splitting up." 

Chrissy put her hand on Dean's shoulder, "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Dean's eyes grew wet and he let a few tears slip down his cheeks.