Photographing Love

Chapter 16

Andrew Ross

I'm arranging one of the newest bouquets in the window when a vase shatters behind me. I turn to see Lucy staring at the shattered glass, "Luce? You okay?" I ask her. She looks at me with a calm expression, "My water broke." she says with a serene look on her face.

My eyes widen, "Why are you just standing there?! We need to get you to the hospital!" I exclaim. I pull my phone out, taking Lucy's keys from her. We get in her car and begin the fifteen minute drive to the hospital. I dial Jacob's number and tell him the situation.

The car is silent as Lucy doses in the seat next to me, "How are you so damn calm about this?" I ask. She shrugs, pulling her phone out and scrolling through her text messages. We pull up at the hospital, "Stay here. I'll be back." I say. I get out and get a nurse's attention hurriedly.

She brings a wheelchair, much to Lucy's displeasure she's forced to sit in the wheelchair. I walk as far as they'll let me, taking a seat in the waiting room as Lucy's taken back. I dial Duncan's number and he picks up after the second ring, "What's up?" he asks.

"I'm at the hospital with Lucy. Her water broke and I had to drive her up here in her car. You might have to pick me up from here later cause I'm not leaving until she has the baby. Jacob is already on his way here." I say. The line is silent for a few seconds, "I'm on my way." he says.

"I'm not saying you have to come now I'm just giving you a heads up that I might be here until late." I say. "You're going to get bored just sitting there, besides it's not like there's anything I have to do today." Duncan responds. Before I can argue he hangs up.

I sit in a silence filled with the faint beeping of machines as I wait for news on Lucy. Jacob appears a few moments later, a cane in his right hand as he hurried towards me. "Any news?" he asks. I shake my head no and begins to pace the small area of the waiting room.

I lean my head back against the wall, closing my eyes and dozing off. A few minutes later Duncan takes the seat next to me, resting a hand on my thigh. "How's she doing?" he asks. I shrug, "I assume good, they haven't told us anything yet." I tell him quietly.

My eyes find Jacob, he's taken a seat and he's wringing his hands nervously. I lay my head on Duncan's shoulder, once again dozing off to sleep...

*** *** *** *** ***

I don't how long I'm asleep but Duncan shakes me awake. He motions to where Jacob is talking to a doctor. Jacob smiles, the tension evaporating from his shoulders. I stand and walk over to him when the doctor leaves, "What did she say?" I ask him.

"Both are fine, Lucy gave birth to a baby boy." Jacob says. I smile, Duncan walks up behind me. "She's okay. The baby is too." I tell him. I hug him tightly before turning back to Jacob, "Did she say when you can see her?" I ask. "She said we can go now if we want." he says.

I take Duncan's hand and we follow Jacob down the hallway to Lucy's room. I stop outside the room, "You can go in first. We'll wait here." I tell Jacob. He nods distractedly, a weak smile forming on his lips as he disappears inside the room to see Lucy and the baby.

We wait in the chairs outside the room until Jacob peaks back out and tells us that Lucy wants to see us. She lays in the hospital bed, sweat plastering her hair to her neck with a small baby in her arms. "He's so tiny." I say in awe. Lucy offers him to me.

I take him into my arms gently, admiring his slightly flushed skin and cute little nose. "What's his name?" I ask. "Harrison, after Jacob's grandfather." Lucy says. Duncan chuckles quietly, coming up behind to admire he small bundle clutched in my arms.

"He'll be in the sixth grade before he can say his name." he comments. Lucy glares playfully at him, "Would rather I name him Clifford?" she asks. I choke, fighting to hide my laugh. "No, Harrison's fine." Duncan responds. The baby stares up at me with eyes as dark as midnight.

"We're naming you his godfather, if anything were to happen to us." Lucy says to me. I meet her gaze with my own surprised one, "I'm honored." I say. Harrison cries, squirming in my arms. I hand him back to his mother, blushing crimson as she moves to feed him.

"I'm so happy for you two, you'll make great parents." I tell the pair. Duncan wraps an arm around my waist and I wave goodbye, Lucy smiling and Jacob waving as we turn to leave...