The Gemini

51 - Oz

May 6, 1991

May 5th, 1991, a week and a half before his scheduled arrival date, Elijah Antwon Miller was welcomed into the world. Jody was every bit of upset that she couldn't be present for the birth, but she made sure to zip on over to Chicago the very next day.

The hospital room in which Nikki stayed was colorful with balloons and other congratulatory items. In the bed she sat full of loving emotion and still dead tired. She yawned at least six times in the short fifteen minutes that Jody has been here so far. But the sight of her son in her best friend's arms was enough to keep her going for a little longer.

The same couldn't be said for Elijah however. His eyes were shut. In the arms of his aunt, he drifted off into newborn slumber. A misty gaze of amazement Jody cast over his swaddled form. She placed him in the bassinette at Nikki's beside.

Grabbing a tissue, Jody dabbed the corners of her eyes. "I'm not crying."

Lightly Nikki huffed.

Sitting back in her chair, "It's so weird you're a mom now. How's it feel?"

"Sleepy. But I'm just glad he's out. When I tell you it was hell, Jo...it was hell."

"Well he's cute. And you look good too."

Nikki shook her head. "Heh."

"When do you get to go home?"

She grabbed her cup of ice chips from the side table. "Day after tomorrow."

Viewing over at Jody, Nikki's focus went straight to green. A blushed smirk was received.

"I can't knock it, it's a nice ring."

At the compliment, Jody's smirk turned into a smile as her eyes took to the jewelry.

"I hope you know what you doing." Nikki sounded with a genuine care.

"I do. I love him, Nik. It's not like before either. It's...."

Seeming to be at a lost for words she paused. A smile creeping back onto her lips. Her eyes twinkly.

"I'm in love." she finally summed. "I don't think I've ever felt this deeply for anything or anyone. He's who I'm supposed to spend the rest of my life with."

Nikki could see the conviction and the honest joy flowing. Sitting before her now was a woman, no longer the indecisive girl that she'd seen only a few short months ago. Jody wasn't pretending to be happy anymore, this here was the truth. Her entire aura was shifted. No matter how Nikki felt about Roger, there was no denying that he's the one that brought about this change.

Pointing to the hospital bed and then to Elijah, "And you want all of this?"

Jody nodded, "Yup. All of it."

Tipping up a carnation pink cup, Nikki crunched away at frozen water. "So when is the wedding?"

Jody's answer came with a faint air of disappointment. "September."

"What's wrong with September?"

We were aiming for the summer. He wanted it on his birthday, but –"

Nikki's laugh to herself cut into Jody's words.

"What?"

"Nothing, I'm just thinking of the magical ass reason he must've had for wanting it on that day."

She had seen interviews, read a few of them here and there. He had a parable and an analogy for basically everything.

Jody humored and confirmed, "Rebirth."