consequences of winning

part two

It had been three weeks and I wake up at 4:00 am to Ma in labour.

Drew and I panic our way grabbing what we need while a calm but labour suffering Sophia just walked through the house and sat patiently in the car. By the time we finally got to the hospital, thanks to Drews poor driving Ma's contractions were minutes apart, when she was in a room they were seconds apart. Then the pressure built and out came my baby brother Theo. I picked the name by the way. I didn't see him delivered and I'm really glad the first sight of him I had was him washed and bundled up in a cute red blanket I brought from the gift shop. His little fingers were wrapped around Ma's pinky and she was smiling and cooing and looking like giving birth was the easiest thing in the world. Pops and Nan were there too armed to the teeth with plush toys, flowers and big blue 'its a boy!' ballons. Ma waved and signaled us over. Theo was so tiny, his eyes shut and his other hand moving slightly in his sleep hitting himself in the face twice before resting it by his side. Ma offered me to hold him and I took him gently. I rehearsed this 100 times in my head and three times with a small and narrow cushion. I cradled his head, smiled looking down at him.

A nurse came in asking for a name and everyone turned to me.

"Theo." I said without looking away from my baby brother. The nurse left Drew and Nan following her to fill out some paper work. Pops got Ma a drink and Ma rested while she waited and I spent my morning telling a sleeping Theo about how beautiful the world can be.

"Now I'm your big sister and I will get you out of all kinds of trouble. You name it I'm there, no matter what. When you get a cell phone I give you my number before Dad can figure out the touch screen."

I hear a low chuckle and know it's Drew, Pops and Nan have said their goodbyes earlier after the paper work was done. Time fly's huh.

"That's the first time you called me Dad." Drew smiles.

"I should probably call Ma Mom as well, we are a real family after all." I smile up at him, glancing at Ma sleeping in her hospital bed.

The nurse from before comes in and says that Ma will be able to go home around 3:00 pm, they just want to keep an eye on her for a few hours.

We smile and nod.

"What's the time?" I ask Drew.

"Only 10:00 am. You want brunch?"

I chuckle nodding.

"Do you really have to ask, she always wants food." Drew and I flick our heads around to see Ma up.

"Yeah, yeah the mother is up." She smiles. "Now gimme my boy." She sticks her arms out like an enthusiastic child. I gently lower Theo into her arms and kiss Ma's forehead.

"Thank you Kida, it means so much that you're here." Ma smiles warmly and I know she means every word.

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.. " I hesitate before continuing "Mom." I smile and Ma smiles with a small tear in her eye.

She takes one if my hands in hers and squeezes it tightly before letting go.

"Now go eat. I have to teach this kid to say Mamma before Dadda." Mom giggles.

Drew and I retreat to the hospital cafeteria. Mmmm hospital food, yuck.

"Kida... I was hoping... Maybe you'd... I don't know... Keep calling me Dad." I look at him as we walk, there's a pleading look in his eyes, a softness I don't see to often. I grab his hand and give it a gentle squeeze.

"Of course Dad." We smile and actually seem to get eatable food from the cafeteria.

"Here or with Mom?" I ask.

"Here's good, let her rest, we'll bring her a chocolate bar or something."

We sat and ate, taking our sweet time and getting lunch right after.

"Time fly's when you're having fun, its a half hour until she's free to go." Dad chuckled at his own joke. I roll my eyes but laugh along, its hard not to sometimes. Dad jokes get to me.

We dump our rubbish into the bin on our way out.

"Race you back to Mom!" I yell down the hall as I take off, turning quickly and nearly crashing into walls. I reach the elevator and laugh. My foot won't stop tapping and it's probably annoying the hell out of the others stuck in the tiny box with me. The doors open slowly and I dive out, racing down the hall like a maniac and made it!! Ha take that old man. I was half expecting something embarrassing, like me being at the wrong room or Dad mysteriously beating me but no. It's the right room and Dad hasn't made it yet. It takes about a minute for him to pop through the doors all calm and collective.

"Next time you won't get away with cheating." He teases not even half serious. I gasp in mock surprise and fake innocence.

"Me? Cheat? Never!"

This causes an out burst of laughter which wakes Mom just as the nurse comes in saying that we're good to go.

"I can't wait to get home." Mom sighs. "I have a secret stash of chocolate in the pantry I am in desperate need of." I'm not surprised about Moms "secret" stash, she makes me get it for her every now and then.

"Well get dressed and ready to go love. There are other pregnant women that need this room." Dad coos softly helping Mom out of her bed and over to the pile of her stuff. I pick Theo up from his little hospital crib. Mom insisted that he stay with us, not wanting a mix up I bet.

I tuck him in his wee car seat we brought up with us and pick him up along with a bag full of his presents. Dad tucks the keys to the family car into my hand and we smile at each other.

"Get the little man comfy will you?"

I smile back. "Of course Dad."

Once everyone is comfortable in the car we go home, home sweet home.