Love & Secrets (Unedited)

Chapter Eighteen

Rosemary

    A week after the wedding, Rome surprised me after work. He completely emptied out the room across from ours for our son. He said we can slowly, but not too slow, add things before he comes. Ever since, we started looking into themes and I never knew it could be so hard. All baby items are just so cute! Rome wants to do cars and I feel like everyone does that.
 
  Sighing I close my textbook and pack up my bag so I can head to my next class. Rome has me working less so I can focus more on school. So I work two days a week and three days I'm at school. Over the weekend I do some extra schoolwork online. At this rate I should be done for next month.

  I grab my water bottle after putting my bag over my shoulders and head out the classroom. Walking through the hall I get a sudden sharp pain in my lower stomach and feel wet between my legs. I crouch over clutching my stomach and someone comes over.

  "Hey, are you okay?" The girl asks and I shake my head no as my heart starts to pound. "I..I think my baby is coming." I try not to cry. She helps me take a seat at a nearby bench as some teachers come over, one already on the phone calling for help.

  "Ambulance is on the way, how far along are you?" The male teacher asks. "I'm only six months." I choke out and he repeats it to the other person. "Just sit there and rest while you wait. They don't want any stress in the baby." I nod even though I have zero intention of moving.

  At that moment I remember I need to tell Rome. "My phone, my phone I need to call my boyfriend!" I panic as I don't want to go through this alone. "I got it, stay calm." The girl who helped me says. "I'm Eli by the way. Here put your pin so I can call him for you." I do so and she steps back to call as a loud crowd keeps building up.

  One of the other teachers starts yelling at them to back up and go to class. Slowly they spread out and soon it's just me, two teachers and Eli. Five minutes pass by and the doors open. Two EMTs rush in with a bed.

  "Is there anyone to go with her?" The guy asks and I glance at Eli. She gives me a nod and grabs my hand. "Okay we have to get her on the bed."

  —

At the hospital, I'm lying on the bed with Eli next to me on a chair. She said Rome was pretty far for a conference but he was ending it after the call to head over here. I wish it was sooner. So far I'm one centimeter dilated which isn't too bad but they did say my water started to break. A little tear must've occurred at some point and I'm slowly leaking water. Now we're waiting for the doctor to come back with an ultrasound machine.

  "Thank you, Eli." I break the silence. "No problem." she smiles as pain flashes through her eyes. "A crowded hallway and you helped me. Why did you by the way?" I ask curious. "I've seen you in the halls before so of course I knew you were with child. I had to help." she looks at her hands. "I appreciate it."

  "Last year I was with child and lost my baby halfway through my pregnancy," she admits after a few minutes. My heart breaks as I reach for her hand. "I'm so sorry, this must be a terrible reminder of that. You don't have to stay here, I'm sure Rome will be here any moment."

  "I'm okay. I don't want to leave you alone. It's a sucky feeling I know all too well." she half smiles. "I really don't mind being here." she gives my hand a squeeze.

Dr.Kenya walks in at that moment with a nurse wheeling in a machine. "I'm sorry, we had to wait for an available machine. Have you had any pains while I was gone?" she asks as she walks over to the monitors, looking at the charts. "Just slight cramping, nothing bad."

"Okay, I'm going to do an ultrasound to check on the baby." I nod and lift the gown up. Dr.Kenya moves the monitor wrapped around my belly so she can have access. She squirts some gel onto my lower stomach and places to wand into it. She spreads it around and looks at the screen. I look too and before she can say anything, the doors open. Rome walks in with panic on his face until he sees me. His body relaxes as he comes to my side, Eli moving down the bed.

  "I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you from the start." He says , grabbing my hand and kisses my forehead. "It's okay Rome, I had Eli," I point to her, "she's been great to me." I smile and her cheeks tint pink. "It's not a problem. I should get going though, I added my number to your phone so you can keep me updated." She waves bye and I thank her again.

  "Alright, baby is in position already. You are leaking fluids and slowly dilating. I'm putting you on bedrest. That means you stay home and in bed. No intercourse as well because it will help you go into labor and we need you to stay pregnant a little longer." Dr.Kenya says and I nod. "Thank you. When can I go home?"

   "I want to keep you overnight to make sure you don't dilate anymore since baby is in position and then you can go home." I thank her and she leaves us.

  "Are you okay?" Rome speaks first and I nod. "I'm so sorry Rosey. I'm sure you have doubts now when it comes to the birth. I swear I'm going to put you and our son first. I want-" he kept rambling on and on so I pulled him in for a kiss and he obviously shut up. When we pull apart he smiles in a daze. "That's one way to tell me to be quiet." I laugh and shake my head. "Rome, I'm not worried about what type of father you're going to be. I know you will always show up even if you're late. I mean I hope you're not late to the birth but love, I understand. You get busy, you're running your own business and before we decided to give us a chance I knew what I was getting into. But no I don't have negative thoughts about how you're going to be." His eyes bore into mine sharing all his emotions and I wrap my arms around his shoulders.

  I hold him in my arms and he rests his head on my chest. "I love you." He says and I smile as I use one hand to play with his hair. "I love you too babes, more than you probably think I do." He chuckles and pulls back slightly from the embrace. "Marry me." He says and I freeze.

  "Wh..what?" I'm shocked and wanted to make sure I heard him correctly. He takes hold of my hands and sits at the edge of my bed. "Rosemary Frey, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" This time tears fall and I nod. "Yes, yes Rome." I smile and he kisses my lips in a passionate kiss. When he pulls back he wipes my tears and reaches into his jacket pocket.

  "Rome.." I say as he pulls out a small velvet, red box. "I didn't think you were this prepared! I thought it was an 'in the moment' type of thing." I smile at him and he blushes. "I've been planning it actually.." he starts as he places the ring gently in my finger. "I was going to do this grand gesture to propose but after today I couldn't wait." He kisses me deeply when he finishes his sentence. I moan into his kiss and he smiles.

When we pull apart I scoot over on my bed so he can join me in the small space. I lay against him, cuddled up, careful of the wires and monitors. "I love you so much, my Rose." Rome says softly and my heart skips a beat. "I love you too Rome."

We cuddle until I fall asleep.