Love & Secrets (Unedited)

Chapter Twenty

Rome

   
   After helping Rosemary off the exam bed and into the wheel chair, we focus back on the doctor.

"She hasn't dilated anymore, she is to stay on bed rest still. Her fluids are doing well, baby is still safe. So keep doing what you're doing. Don't change anything so he can stay in just a couple more weeks. You are thirty-four weeks and I'd rather he stay until full term but if we can get him to last four more weeks I'll be happy." Doctor Kenya smiles at us and we nod. "We will try our best. I've been staying in bed and Rome has been an amazing help. Without him I would've gone into labor already." We all laugh.

"It's good to here you're looking at the brighter side of this, Rose. Hang in there, you're doing great, soon you get to hold your bundle of joy." She says as she logs today's visit into Rose's charts. "Oh I did have a question." Rose speaks and Dr.Kenya looks over. "Are you going to be delivering the baby or another doctor?" Ah the question that's been haunting her for a few weeks now.

"If I'm on call yes I will be the one." Rose's face falls a bit but she smiles nonetheless and thanks her. We leave and sign out before heading back home.

—

"I just can't believe we get close to our gyno during our pregnancy then have to let someone new be down there for delivery. It's insane!" Rose says frustrated as I push her up to the door. As I unlock it I look at her. "Baby, why does it matter who delivers. You're most likely not going to care in the moment. You'll be too tired pushing and too excited to hold our baby." I push the door open and grab hold of her chairs handlebars wheeling her in.

"I guess so." She huffs and I close the door with my foot before heading into the living room. "SURPRISE!!" The small group of people yell. "My gosh!" Rose says and holds her chest. "What's this?" She says again and looks around. The blue and pink balloons scattered across the ceiling. The teddy bear themed wallpaper on what used to be a blank wall. A table covered in treats and a small cake.

There's a brown decorated chair surrounded by plenty of gifts for our baby. My parents, two sisters, Henry and Rose's two friends are here. Along with a few of my relatives but not many. We wanted to keep the party small so Rose didn't feel overwhelmed.

  "Rome.. you did this?" Rose looks at me and I take her hand. "It was their idea but I joined in and helped." I smile as I point at my two sisters who walk over. "I hope it wasn't too shocking and that you love it!" Lily speaks first and leans down to hug Rose. "Yes! I love it! This is amazing, I was afraid I wasn't going to have everything we needed but ... you guys this is lovely. I'm so happy and excited and come here!" She cries and we give her a group up. "Thank you guys so much. He's already so loved and I can't wait for him to meet you." She says to the Lily and Ruby.

"You're welcome. We are family now, you're marrying our brother and the mother of our nephew. We're happy to have you part of us." Ruby says and gives Rose's hand a squeeze.

  I wheel Rosemary around to greet the guests, introducing her to some close cousins of mine and when we reach my parents she glares at me. "I didn't think they would actually come." I quietly tell her as we approach them. "Mother, father, you're here."

  "Yes we did. We had an invite, did we not?" My mother says and my father rolls his eyes. "We're here to give you both a chance. Once the baby is born and the dna test says it's yours we will happily be part of its life." My mind is blown again. They really think I'm going to get a dna test still, after all this time.

  "Now is not the time or place to argue about a stupid dna test. Either stay and be positive or you can leave and let us enjoy our party." I tell them and walk away with Rose. "Rome.." Rose speaks up when we're alone in the hallway. "Are you okay?" She asks when I don't speak. I take a seat on the bench facing her.

  She takes hold of my hands and kisses them. "I'm sorry to be a downer. They just aggravate me so much. Why can't they accept that I'm acknowledging he's mine? Why can't they trust me? They don't have to trust your word but they can at least trust mine! I don't when we slept together and I know you're not going to put up with everything you have so far just for the baby not to be mine. We're engaged for goodness sake! They need to suck it up and accept things are they can leave my life."

  "Rome.. my parents.. I wish I had a bond with them. I used to be close with my mom but my father got in the way of that since he never wanted children. You're lucky to have parents who actually care about you even if it's in a way that could be better... they still care and love you and want what's best for you." She says as she places her hand on the side of my face.

I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding, "I guess we'll have to invite them over for dinner to talk." Rose nods agreeing with me and leans in for a kiss. I give her what she wants and a little extra making her giggle. "I love you." I tell her and she smiles at me. "I love you too Rome."

—-

Everyone eats food and munches on the snack table. Ruby walks over to us and tells us it's present time. We sit on the decorated comfortable bench and my two sisters hand us the gift bags first.

We received lots of onesies, pajamas, blankets, socks and bibs. We also received regular clothing for going out but I'm pretty sure the onesies beat everything if it was a race.

Rose has not stopped smiling, I know how happy she must be because of how much she was worrying about not having stuff for our son. She deserves the world and I'm proud to give it to her even with the help of my sisters.

Next we are handed, or in some cases pushed, the wrapped boxes. We open them together and are greeted with a bouncer, high chair and walker. "You guys.." Rose looks stunned. "This is a lot. We are thankful but it's ... too much." I finish for her and she looks at me appreciative.

Lily steps forward and raises her hand. "I got excited and maybe got carried away. I couldn't help myself!" She please and kneels on the floor at Rose's feet. "Oh stop!" Rose laughs at her and pulls her in for a hug.the girls laugh together and my heart warms. Everything's going to be fine.

—

  Everyone leaves, my parents being the last ones.

"We wanted to invite you to dinner so we can talk things over including the DNA test." I mention as we get to the front door. "Alright. This better not be nonsense and you better not be disrespectful to me or your mother." My father says and I roll my eyes. "Just come on Saturday so we can have dinner and talk." We say our goodbyes and they leave. I lock up then head upstairs to the bedroom.

  I lay next to Rose and she leans into me. "Did you enjoy today?" She hums a yes. "Tired?" I chuckle and she nods against my chest. I chuckle and kiss her forehead. "Go to sleep baby. I love you." I whisper and she response with a soft snore.

 
Two hours into our sleep and Rose sits up quickly. "What wr-" before I finish, I feel wet. "Did yo-"

"My water broke. It fully did I mean. We have to go!" She starts to panic but I grab her hand and make her look at me. "It's okay. I'm right here, we will get to the hospital before anything happens. Stay calm." She nods and does her breathing exercises we practiced.

"I'll grab the stuff. Let's go have a baby." I smile.