I disconnected the line and felt relieved that I just got that off my chest. I said what I had to say. I just hoped he believed me and would reach out to me.
SIXTEEN
I jumped out of my bed when I felt a hand touch me. Since I was the only one living in my condo, I didn't know who it could be. When I saw it was Cynthia, I calmed down and couldn't help but laugh at the telephone I held in my hand to defend myself. I had forgotten all about giving Cynthia a key to my place.
"Ha, ha, what is your fat ass going to do with that telephone?" Cynthia was laughing uncontrollably.
I couldn't help but laugh as well. I couldn't laugh too hard though. I didn't want to pee on myself.
"Girl, what are you doing here?" I asked, putting a hand on my hip.
"I came to help you pack that hospital bag. You are aware you're a week away from giving birth, right? Your bag should be packed a week before hand because he could arrive at any giving moment. That's why I'm staying this entire week with your fat ass."
I couldn't help but smile at my friend. She was just like my mother. Worried about me and would do anything to make me feel special and comfortable. It had been years since Cynthia stayed the night with me, let alone a week. We both had families and were grown ass women but I guess you were never too grown to spend time with a friend.
"A week? What about Mike and Daisy?" I asked.
"Mike took Daisy to visit his parents in Colorado, they'll be there for a week. So I'm free and all yours honey."
I smiled warmly. I loved her to death. We started packing the diaper bag for the hospital. Even though it's been five years since Tayla been born I didn't remember what all to bring. It took Cynthia to pack the bag while I watched on. I was actually happy to have a son. No matter the situation I loved Travis Jr. already and nothing or no one would change that. Once the bag was packed, Cynthia sat it by my nightstand on the side of my California king sized bed. Next, she made breakfast and we sat around watching SpongeBob and eating popcorn. It felt like we were teenagers again. I knew I would never forget this moment for as long as I live.
Once things got settled and Cynthia went to make dinner, I received a message from Travis. It was him reminding me that there was only one week left until our son arrived. I smiled at the message. Just then Cynthia walked back into the living room.
"What you all smiling for Miss Fatty?" she joked, taking a seat beside me.
I glared at her for a second. "Oh. It's nothing. Just Travis texting to remind me there is only one week left until his son arrives," I told her.
"Mmmm, I see Travis is really excited about the baby."
"Yeah, he is. He already has everything Travis Jr. will need. He's better prepared than I am." I laughed.
"So have you spoken with Taylor?"
My laughter quickly faded away. It was then that I remembered I didn't receive a response back from Taylor after the message I left him. My heart instantly dropped and I became sad all over again. Tears began to stream down my face.
"Sundy, what's wrong? Did I upset you?" Cynthia asked with sympathy.
I shook my head. "No, no. You didn't. It's just, I called him yesterday and left him a message pouring my heart and soul out telling him how much I miss him and Tayla and wanted our family back. You just reminded me that I hadn't heard back from him." I begin to sob uncontrollably.
"He doesn't love me anymore, Cynthia! He don't love me anymore! My marriage is over!" I cried in Cynthia's arms. She was the only person I could cry to and express just how I felt without holding back.
Cynthia gently stroked my hair and told me over and over that everything was going to be okay. I didn't know if I believed her but I knew that I would find out soon enough.
SEVENTEEN
The feeling of water soaking my bed woke me up out of the incredible dream I was having. It was so surreal. Me, Taylor and Tayla were back together again and we were one big happy family.
It felt like I had just peed on myself. I reached over and turned on the lamp. That's when I realized my entire bed was soaked and so was my nightgown. I called for Cynthia who was in the guest room. She came bursting through the door immediately.
"What's wrong?" She asked in a frantic tone. She looked down to the bed and between my legs and shouted, "Oh my God! Your water broke, girl!"
Panic and excitement hit me all at once. I didn't know what to do. It had been 5 years since the last time that I'd given birth, so nothing was familiar to me at this moment.
"We need to call your doctor and call Travis!"
I rushed to grab my phone and immediately dialed Dr. Matthews' number. He answered almost immediately. Before I could blurt it out, he already knew it was time. He told me to head to the hospital quickly. I hopped out of bed as quickly as I could.
Cynthia ran into the guest room to throw on some clothes, while I did the same. I changed out of my soaked nighty and threw on some pink sweat pants and a plain white shirt from the Pink store. P My feet were swollen so I couldn't put on regular shoes. I slid on my big comfy slippers and put on my coat. Cynthia grabbed the diaper bag and the keys then we were out and in route to the car, fast and in a hurry.
It took us almost 15 minutes to get to Mercy Fairfield but we made it. I got checked in, and Cynthia called Travis to let him know his son was coming.
Within an hour, Travis came through the doors of my hospital room looking like he had just run a marathon. All eyes were on him. He was sweaty and out of breath.
"Damn, what did you do? Run all the way here?" Cynthia asked. Seriously.
"Hell yeah. I was running around getting dressed and almost got stopped by the cops for rushing to get here. I wasn't going to miss this for nothing." Travis flopped down in a chair to control his breathing. I was already hooked up to IV's and in bed feeling every contraction as they hit me hard.
Dr. Matthews came charging into the room. He looked around, I guess to see who was all here with me. It was only Travis and Cynthia. I knew by the expression on his face he wanted to ask where Taylor was, but by being a smart educated man, he knew better than to take it there.
"Mrs. Jones, how far apart are your contractions?" he asked, grabbing his pen out of his jacket.
"About two minutes," I told him, gripping the rails.
He washed his hands, and put on gloves. I knew he needed to check to see how much I had dilated.
"Mrs. Jones, you're fully dilated," he told me, with his hand still up my coochie. "You'll be ready to push in no time."
I had to admit that I was scared as shit. Even though I'd been through this before, it was like it was my first time. I remember being in a lot of pain with Tayla. I went natural because I didn't believe in all the medicines they had to stop the pain. It was natural for a woman to feel the pains of labor because in the end, it was all worth it.
Dr. Matthews returned back to the room suited and booted. Cynthia and Travis both held my bottom feet so I could push harder. I could tell Travis was a nervous wreck. He was still sweating and looked as if he would pass out.
But he held it down through it all. It only took about ten pushes to get Travis Jr. out and he was finally here. He was a big baby weighing in at 8 pounds 2oz. I could've sworn I saw tears fall from Travis eyes when he first heard his son cry. Travis cut the cord, and was snapping pictures like crazy.
When they whisked baby Travis off to get cleaned up, I got cleaned up as well. Travis Jr. was here and now our lives were definitely going to change.
EIGHTEEN
TWO MONTHS LATER...
Having baby Travis was more than just a blessing. He was a happy baby and was always smiling. I had to admit he looked just like his daddy. He had Travis brown sugar complexion and big brown eyes. His hair was straight; no curly texture to it period. Every day since I had baby Travis, Travis had been over my place every night. He refused to leave and go home and sleep. He wanted to be with his son day in and day out. I didn't have a problem because it was always good to have help dealing with a newborn. Travis Jr. was a chubby little thing too. His cheeks were as big as can be and he just giggled all day.
Travis said it was because he was happy to have parents like us. He thought babies could sense those sorts of things; I did too.
I was even more surprised when Taylor called me and congratulated us on our baby. I didn't know how to feel about it because he left a message on the answering machine and it sound as if he thought me and Travis were together. I called and left him a message thanking him but I let it be known me and Travis were in no way together or sleeping together. That was two weeks ago and I hadn't heard anything else from Taylor. I didn't know what was going on with him but I wanted to just talk to him so bad and not through the answering machine.