A Melwood Classic

Chapter 19

The night was absolutely amazing! It kept me in a great mood. Chris and I got so many gifts for our baby. We had wanted to keep everyone else in the dark about gender so they could get a little surprise, but after we opened all the presents, I decided we were telling them. Chris wasn't about to step in my way, so he sat there smiling keeping his hands on my shoulder.

"So, we found out the gender after accident..." I say to the crowd. I saw Kristie's face gets all mad, and I let out a laugh.

"And you didn't tell us?!" She said with attitude. I felt a rush of annoyance wash over me, but I battled to stay in a good mood. I felt Chris squeeze my shoulder with love and I took a deep breath. I loved up to him. His kind eyes sparkled in the moon light.
"We're having a BOY!" I say super excited, turning to the crowd. Chris squeezed my shoulder again. Everyone lit up with excitement.

"We are going to name him Oliver." Chris announced and I looked over at his parents who melted with joy. I see a small tear run down his mother's face.

"Ollie for short!" I say the excitement overwhelming me. I look back up at Chris whose eyes meet mine. We both laugh utterly filled with joy.

We couldn't stop laughing and suddenly my mom appears from the side with a cake. I turn quickly, and my eyes become bigger. There were candles on it. My mom holds it near me and waits for me. Chris crouches down next to me.

"Thanks, mom." I whisper to her. Her smile said it all. I sit up taller and blow them all out. I feel a little bit of discomfort in my stomach, but I shake it off and figure I'm just hungry.

The cake gets cut and everyone scatters all around the resturant except for me. It was getting closer to midnight. I didn't move from where my wheelchair was parked. Chlyer and Jeremy come over to sit with me because Chris has gone off to talk to someone.

"Ollie, huh." Chlyer says.

"Yeah, Chris wanted it on the down low." I joke causing them to laugh.

"Do you guys have everything you need now?" Jeremy says gesturing to the gifts.

"I think so. Chris said he set up the crib, painted the room, built the changing table, and built the play container." I say with a shrug. I wasn't able to go home, but Chris spent many days in and out of the hospital working and then doing improvements at our home. He was a super star honestly. "He's been absolutely amazing."

"You put him to work." Jeremy said with a laugh. I think for a minute.

"I guess I did." I say laughing too. I felt another sharp pain and I drop the plate I was holding. "Ah." I say clunching my swollen stomach.

"What's that?" Chlyer says standing concerned. The pain immediately disappeared.

"Oh, it's okay. I'm just hungry." I said even though I had no idea, but this was just so great that I didn't want it to end.

"I'll get you more cake." She said getting up.

"So, how's the wifey?" I ask turning to Jeremy while Chlyer left.

"She's coming back next week. I'm excited to see her. I'm pretty sure my sister is sick of me.." He said and continued but I had lost focus. I tried to refocus, because I did want to know.

I feel myself stand to see if this would help the pain. I couldn't balance so felt myself start to fall. I couldn't speak. Jeremy jumped up to catch me. I felt water in my toes. I look down and saw red blood.

"Chris" I whispered as I felt myself go completely numb. I saw his face appear and his protective arms wrapped around me.

"Mel? Mel, stay with me." I heard Chris said in panic. I began wail in pain. My hearing started to ring, and I couldn't make out what everyone was saying around me. Everyone was in pure panic and I couldn't find the breath. I couldn't feel anything anymore, the pain has vanished. Suddenly, they all look at me and instantly they became statues.

"Chris" I whispered again, but it was too quiet he couldn't hear me. I looked up past his face which was looking for something other than me. My eyes gazed out the window at the fireworks. They were so beautiful. It must be 12:00am. I feel my eye lids get heavy.

Then, nothing.