American Woman: Book 5 (Final)

Chapter 7

"So here we are again?!" Dr. Thatcher chuckles as she prepares to listen to the heartbeat. "It's so good to see you two again."
"Not planned. But we are excited." I smiled. "Any idea how far along I am? And a due date. Prince is doing Vegas for awhile and think we are going to have to keep flying back for appointments like last time."
"I'm measuring you at 9 weeks. So let me get my calendar out. I estimate your due date to be March 12...."
"Oh my gosh!" Prince and I say and laugh in unison.
"Is there something wrong?" Dr. Thatcher asked, puzzled.
"That's Devon's birthday. Ain't no way she's going to be ok with sharing it! Or probably even be within the same week!" Prince chuckles. "I play Vegas until until end of April too, so anyway we can stall for about 6 weeks?"
"Yeah, right!" I exclaim. "But I do agree about Devon! Anyway we can induce me a few days early or something?"
"I don't advise that." She chuckles. "But it's highly unlikely you will actually deliver on your due date. Now same week, very probable."
"We better start preparing her now." Prince jokes. "We may just have to celebrate this little ones birthday in February or March it's whole life."
"If I'm a few days late, I could have this one on my birthday. I wouldn't mind sharing at all." I grin as Prince winks at me.
"Yeah what's up with all these March birthdays?! We need to remember to have a no sex clause in June. Oh wait though my birthday is in June. Can't do that." Prince ponders aloud.
"Anyway!" I interject. "I stopped taking my meds for my postpartum psychosis about 3 months ago..."
"You had that?!" Dr. Thatcher asks in shock.
"Yeah. After Waverly. And I took medication for 6 months and was off for a couple months but symptoms came back. So I got back on for another 6 months and had been off for several weeks when I got pregnant. But I've gone longer without meds or symptoms than I did the first time...."
"Well that's good, but Jensen I've seen women get symptoms again long after getting off meds. You didn't give it long enough..."
"We know. We didn't mean to get pregnant. It was an accident." Prince explains. "Have you ever seen a woman with psychosis while pregnant?"
"Yes. A couple of times. And it was rough. Very rough. For everyone involved. In my medical opinion, I highly suggest terminating this pregnancy. You're too high risk." Dr. Thatcher explains.
"No, absolutely not!" I refuse.
"Then I'm sorry you will have to find another doctor. I told myself I would never do it again. I know you want this baby but this pregnancy is putting a lot of people at risk, especially your wife and your baby." Dr. Thatcher addresses Prince.
"You heard my wife. We aren't killing our baby." Prince says through gritted teeth.
"You know maybe it's best you find a new physician anyway. I was already hesitant with what happened last time and the hydrocodone. It may be best you two start fresh with someone new. I will give you some good recommendations." She says and leaves the room before we had time to respond.
"I'm sorry, baby." Prince lays his hand on my shoulder as I choke back a few tears. "I honestly think she used that as a cop out bc she was still upset over the hydrocodone. And that's all my fault."
"I don't think that was it honey. I think she was being honest about how bad it was for the women with psychosis. I'm scared. And now we have to find someone else and that's adds to my nervousness."
"Hey." Prince says, helping me up from my lying down position. "We've talked to Laura. It's all going to be ok. We have her IF, and that's a big if, symptoms arise. She assured us she would be there to help control them. I'm sure these other women didn't have help like that unfortunately. I won't let anything happen to you or our baby. I promise you that." He engulfs me in a warm embrace.
"Maybe we should just find a doctor in Vegas or LA." I suggest.
"Ok. If that's what you want momma. This may be a blessing in disguise. We won't have to rush back here for appointments or the birth. And if I remember my schedule correctly, I only have a couple of shows in early March and then none until April so we won't add any and we should be good for the birth. I'll get some people on who to see in Vegas and LA. Maybe we can see doctors in both places that way whenever it's time for delivery we can be in either place and be comfortable."
"Yeah. That's sounds great actually. I'm kinda sad I won't be having this one in Minnie though. I still want this to be our home...."
"It's going to be. Always. I mean Devon starts school in about a year. She ain't going to school in LA! We will be back here full time." He commands.
"Hey! I went to school in LA! What's wrong with that?!" I exclaim.
"My daughter ain't going to be no Cali girl. They're naughty." He laughs.
"I wasn't naughty! I made good grades, didn't do drugs, barely drank, was a virgin. Now let's compare you, who went to school here!"
"Hey all except for the virgin thing I did too! Maybe a little weed. But it was the 70s! And I think there would be a lot more access for her to get drugs in LA than here."
"In Kindergarten?!" I giggle. "Ok, we need to put this discussion on the back burner. But I am going to make a demand."
"Oh yeah, what's that baby?"
"I'm not bringing this baby home to Paisley. I'm done living where you work. It's been so nice in LA not living that way. I love Paisley. It will always hold a very special place in my heart. I'm good with having sleepovers there for fun or whatever. But I don't want it to be our main home with 3 children. And what if Devon has to ride the school bus. Is it really going to come pick her up and drop her off at Paisley Park?!"
"First of all, my kid ain't riding no damn school bus. And ok momma I will do it...."
"You've said that before." I accuse.
"I know. And I have wanted to get that ball rolling but that's going to be a big step for me. I had Paisley built in 1987 and started living there shortly after. That's almost 20 years! But I never intended it to be a family home. But don't make me get rid of it." He pleaded.
"You know I wouldn't do that! I said I wouldn't mind still staying there sometimes, even with the kids. But it needs to be more like the 'play house'."
"Ok. We can look at some floor plans and build on some of my property nearby. Is that ok?" Prince asks.
"Sounds perfect. Oh this is going to be fun! I've never got to pick, let alone design, a house before." I giddily respond.
"Damn it!" Prince groans.
"What?!"
"Well now I feel bad bc I'm going to have to let you make all the choices since you've never gotten to do it and I just...."
"Don't trust me..."
"We just don't have the same style. Please don't have me living in some plain Jane house. It needs flavor and personality." He begs.
"Babe that's what you've gotten to do with all your other residences. And after we move out of Paisley you can foo foo that place up! But our main house is going to be normal. Very normal. So deal." I demand as I open the door to leave.
As we walk back into PP that afternoon, the phone at the main lobby's desk begins to ring. "Nobody is here. Can you pretend to be a secretary and answer it?" Prince chuckles.
"Sure!" I pick up the receiver as he tried to protest. "Paisley Park Studios, home of the legendary Prince....musical genius, master instrumentalist, greatest performer of all time. He's a pretty good husband and father too. How may I help you?"
Prince buried his face in his hands, trying to contain his laughter.
I put my hand over the receiver trying to shield the caller from hearing my giggles. "Wow! Ok, um, this is Greg Davidson, mayor of Miami Florida."
"Yes sir?" I respond, puzzled as to why the mayor of Miami would be calling.
"We wanted to speak with Mr. Prince about being the half time performer at the SuperBowl."
My eyes grew wide and I held the phone out to Prince who waves it off. "You take it."
My heart began to race as I shuffle to find a writing utensil and paper. I knock over a bucket of pens and scurry to grab one. "Oh my gosh. Ok, ok."
Prince furrows his brows at me and begins to pick up my mess. "Who is it, the Queen of England or something? I've already met her by the way."
I kick his shoe in an attempt to shut him up.
"Ok sir, um Mr.Davidson, he is not here at the moment but do you mind if I get some information from you?" I ask politely.
"Certainly."
After getting his call back number, I begin to ask some questions. "Ok, so I assume it's in Miami?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Nah, I'm not playing some random show for some rich person in Miami. Hang up."
Prince demands and tries to grab the phone from me.
I swat him away and give him a death stare. "Ok, and um, when's the date?"
"February 4 of next year." He states matter of factly as I write it down.
"How much does it pay?"
Prince huffs and rolls his eyes. "I don't care how much it pays, baby."
"Oh, we don't pay the artist but we do cover all expenses for them and their band and staff. Of course most artists do it for the exposure. I'm not sure how Prince has never performed at one, but we would love to have him." The man couldn't contain his anxiousness.
"Me either! I will relay the message to him and someone will get back with you! Thank you! Have a nice day!" I slam down the phone in excitement. "You will NEVER guess who that was!!!"
"Who?" Prince asks dryly.
"The mayor of Miami, Florida wanting you to perform at the Super Bowl!" I squeal. "Can you believe it?!!"
"Oh, well it's been a few years since they last asked." He seems disinterested.
"What?! You've been asked before?!"
"Yeah, a couple of times." Prince responds.
"And you turned them down?!" I asked in disbelief. "Nobody turns down the fucking Super Bowl!"
"Well a legend does!" He smirks. "One time it was honestly a scheduling conflict. The other time I just wasn't feeling it."
"Well are you feeling it this time?!"
"I don't know. When is it?"
"February 4."
"Nope." He takes no time to reply and begins heading towards the elevator with me hot on his heels.
"Why?!" I exclaim.
"Bc that's too close to your due date. I can't be in Florida!" He says, pushing the button on the wall.
"Babe, that's 5 or 6 weeks before my due date. That's not that close. I'll go with you."
"Jensen, no doctor is going to advise you to get on a plane that close to your due date. And I won't allow it anyway." He replies as we step into the elevator.
"Humph!" I sigh, crossing my arms.
"Maybe next time." He suggests.
"After three turndowns, I doubt they'll ever ask again." I pout.
"Oh yeah they will. I'm Prince! Musical genius, master instrumentalist, and greatest performer of all time. Oh and a pretty good husband and dad. I'm a little offended by the way."
"Oh shut up." I laugh. "Please baby, do it. For me?" I plead.
"Why is this such a big deal to you? Especially when you won't be able to even go?" He asks as we step into our living quarters.
"I don't know. It was always a big deal in my house. My dad and I would watch the game and my mom and I would watch the half time show. I have such fond memories."
"Come on baby. Now I can't say no. But I honestly don't know if I have time for it. I mean I don't even have the Vegas show figured out yet. I don't know if I will have the time to prepare for a Super Bowl performance. No way can I half ass it."
"You will already be seeing your band everyday so you could just slowly start working on it."
I suggest.
"Maybe you're right. Fine I'll do it. Just for you."
"Thanks baby. It means a lot to me." I wrap my arms around his neck and plant a big kiss on his lips. "Now, I'm going to start planning our house."
"What is happening? I've lost total control...of all aspects of my life!" Prince laughs.