Page 80 of Cherish

“Hold on, Jason! My legs aren’t as long as yours, and I had too much pie.” He slows down but doesn’t let go of my hand as we make our way to Natalie’s hospital room. She’s not on the labor and delivery floor like she should be. No, her husband texted Jason after she gave birth, not before like they agreed to.

We’re buzzed into the maternity ward and sign in. When we turn the corner to Natalie’s room, Daniel is waiting for us outside the door.

“You were supposed to call us when she went into labor.” I don’t bother with pleasantries. The fact that they went back on what we agreed to already has left a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

“She didn’t want you guys here while she was in labor. She has the right to change her mind.” He doesn’t bother with pleasantries either.

“Change her mind? What the fuck does that mean?” Jason asks.

Daniel takes a step closer to Jason, gets in his face and says, “It means exactly what the fuck I just said. Are you deaf?”

I step between the guys and push Jason away.

“Is Natalie okay?” That question mollifies Daniel because he nods. “Can we please see her and the baby, Daniel? We want this to be as drama free as possible under the circumstances.”

“Wait here.” He abruptly turns from us and walks into the room, closing the door quickly before we get a chance to peek inside.

“You okay, babe?” I let Jason wrap me in his arms, offering him solace. “I’ll call my dad if I have to. Take him up on his offer.”

Jason relaxes against me and even laughs. I don’t bother telling him that I’m serious. I watch, envious, as people with bouquets of flowers, balloons, or plush teddy bears enter the other rooms. I swallow my jealousy at the fact that another woman just gave birth to my husband’s baby.

“It’s your baby too, Alex. That’s our baby in there.”

“How do you always know what I’m thinking?” I ask as I wipe a stray tear. “You always know exactly what to say.”

“What kind of husband would I be if I couldn’t read my wife’s moods? Don’t want your dad coming after me.”

We hold on to each other until Daniel steps out of the room. “She wants to see you alone.” Unable to say Jason’s name, he points at him, then at the door.

“What? She’s not going to get alone time with my husband. No way.” Jason kisses the top of my head as I continue to look at Daniel. Behind the anger, is sadness wrapped in fear.

“Let her say goodbye, Alex. Please. Let her do this. I told her she has five minutes. Let her have five minutes so she and we can get on with our lives.”

I slow nod at him, understanding this closure is as much for him as it is for her. He leans against the wall, exhausted and about ten pounds lighter than he was the last time I saw him. He looks gaunt.

“I won’t go in there without you, Alex. I told you we were going to do this together.”

“It’s okay, Jason. Go.”

“You know you’re the only woman I love. The only woman I have ever wanted to spend every single day with. Tell me you know that.”

I look up at him. His eyes are searching mine, unsure. Despite the amazing day we’ve had at our first Thanksgiving together, he looks exhausted too. Just an hour ago, he was relaxed and happy while having dessert, and now this.

“I don’t ever worry about that. I know. Go say goodbye.”

“Can I ask you something?” I say to Daniel a few minutes later. When he doesn’t respond, I continue. “Why? Why are you staying with her? You seem like a nice person. Hell, you’re loyal to a fault. You deserve better, if I’m being honest.”

When about half a minute passes by and he doesn’t respond, I assume he’s either going to ignore me, or he’s thinking of a stinging retort to put me in my place. But he doesn’t do any of that.

“It’s the same reason why you married a man who had a baby with a married woman.” I open my mouth to respond, but he waves me off. “I know. I know. Jason didn’t cheat on you. I was already engaged to Nat when she got pregnant by him. I’ve considered walking away. In fact, when she told me the truth, I did walk away. I managed to stay away for a week, but I came back because I love her. We’re seeking therapy, and she promised she will never hurt me again. I’ve forgiven her, Alex. It’s that simple.”

I mull over his words. There’s so much more I want to say and ask, but I don’t. Daniel and I are not friends, and his marriage is not my business. I check my watch and see it’s been four minutes. As I’m pacing in front of the door, it opens.

“Can you both please come in?” Jason holds his hand out to me, and I take it. The blood pounds between my ears, and I feel my heart rate accelerate, but I plaster a fake smile on my face and walk through the door. Daniel follows behind us and takes a seat on the edge of Natalie’s bed.

I don’t bother looking at Natalie. My heart practically stops as I see the bundle in the bassinet next to the bed. I grab hand sanitizer and walk to the baby.

“It’s a girl,” I say wistfully when I notice the pink knit cap on her head. I pick her up and sit in the chair by the window. Her face is pink and pinched into a frown. Her perfect pink lips are like little rosebuds, and I fight my need to kiss them. Her eyes are closed, but I know from the shape, she has her mother’s eyes, but the rest is all Jason.

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