You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me

Chapter 21

"Jamie, you don't have to take Frank's name..." Dean explained.

It was late now. Hours had passed since Dean left the hospital. Now, it was getting dark out, and they were sitting in Chrissy's home. Dean had explained everything to him in the simplest way possible. Jamie had been worried, but Dean promised that he was being honest with him about how his Momma was doing.

Jamie had begged Dean to stay at his own house, claiming that he loved spending time with all of the Martin kids, but wanted to be at home. Dean couldn't deny Jamie anything, so he agreed. Now, the two sat in the kitchen having a late dinner of pizza and soda.

"Right, Uncle Dino?" Jamie's voice broke Dean from his stare.

"I'm sorry, Jamie. What did you say?"

"This whole name thing... It doesn't feel right. I love Frank, but I feel like I'm hurting other people's feelings by having my name changed."

Dean's eyebrows furrowed, "Whose feelings?"

"Well, my real dad. Momma tells me he was a real swell guy. It's not his fault the accident happened."

Dean nodded, "I knew your Daddy. He was a wonderful guy, loved your Momma... I wish everyday that you could've met him. Jamie, if Frank is good to you and you want to have his last name, it won't hurt your Daddy's feelings."

"There's one other person." Jamie looked down at his lap sheepishly. Sometimes, the way Jamie talked and thought, Dean forgot he was only ten. Moments like this when Jamie's cheeks turned bright red and he became nervous, Dean remembered how small and impressionable he was.

"Hey, Sport. We're pallies... You can tell me."

Jamie mumbled something.

"Now, come on. You know how I feel about mumbling."

"It just doesn't seem right."

"Jamie... What?"

"I've always wished that you and Momma would get married. I've always wanted you to be my father."

"Jamie, that's grown-up stuff to worry about. You know that I will always be here for you. I don't need to be married to your Momma and you don't have to have my last name."

Dean could tell Jamie was deep in thought for the rest of the evening. Finally, after he had gone to bed, Dean dialed the hospital. Eventually, he was able to get Frank on the phone. Frank sounded weary as he spoke. His voice was hoarse and he could barely enunciate his words through the exhaustion.

Everything was pretty much as Dean had left it in the hospital, so he resolved to go to sleep himself in order to look after Jamie in the morning. Before he went to the guest room, he dialed his home.

Gail answered the phone, "Hi, Daddy!"

"Gailey! How are you, honey?"

"Good! How's Chrissy and the baby?"

"Chrissy's okay. The baby is having some problems, so keep praying."

"Daddy, why is mum so angry?" Gail asked, quietly.

"Can you see if she'll come to the phone?"

He waited for a moment. Another receiver was picked up, "What do you want, Dean?"

"I was checking in on the kids."

"Why do you care anyway?"

Her words stung. "Jeanne, of all the times to fight, now is not it."

"Fine then. I want a divorce. We can fight about that some other time."

He heard the phone being slammed down on the other end.

"Jesus Christ..." he mumbled, burying his face in his hands.

"Uncle Dino?" Jamie's small voice called out.

Dean took a deep breath, "What do you need, Sport?"

"Are you okay?"

"I'll be alright... You know what would make me feel better? A great big hug..."

Jamie hugged Dino tightly. "I love you, Uncle Dino."

"I love you too, Jamie."

"I can't sleep. Could we both sleep in the den?"

"Sure, let me get my pajamas on." Dean went to change and then to the den.

The two of them made themselves comfortable in the den and soon, Jamie fell asleep.

Just as Dean began to fall asleep, a phone call woke him from his slumber. He knew that a phone call in the middle of the night couldn't be any sort of good news. Taking long strides, his heart pounding in his chest, he answered the phone.

"Dino..." Chrissy's shaky voice said.

"Chris..."

"Dino, the baby..." she choked.

"Chrissy, what's happened?"

She couldn't hold it together any longer and sobbed as she spoke. Dean couldn't understand a word she was saying. He could only assume that the heart-wrenching sobs he heard through the phone had meant the absolute worst.

Dean's heart was in his throat. "Let me get somebody here for Jamie, and I will be there."

Less than thirty minutes later, Craig and Claudia Martin showed up at the house. "Daddy," Claudia said, giving her father a hug, "What's happened?"

"The baby died," Dean said quietly as tears escaped his eyes.

"Oh Daddy... Tell her we're all so sorry," Claudia hugged her father again.

Dean drove to the hospital in a daze. He entered the hospital and nearly ran to Chrissy's room. She sat alone. A pink blanket was upon her lap. There were no words between them. Dean walked toward her after meeting her gaze, crawled into the hospital bed with her, and wrapped his arms around her. Chrissy buried her head in his neck.

Finally, after an eternity of silence, Dean looked down at the pink blanket on Chrissy's lap, "I never even got to meet her," Chrissy whispered. 

"I'm sorry, Honey."

"Dino, I've done it again. I've failed again, and my husband has left me."

"That son of a bitch didn't..."

Chrissy let out a sob, "He said he needed time."

"We don't need to think about that now. My concern is you and only you."

"Does Jamie know anything's happened?"

"No, he was asleep. Craig and Claudia came over to your house to watch him." 

Chrissy gave a small nod. Dean looked at her. She looked so frail and broken, but no less beautiful than when they had met. He brushed some loose hairs from her face and tilted her chin up. "I will never leave you," Dean whispered and planted a kiss on her lips.