All Mye Queen's Men, Chronicles of Love - Volume II (80 page)

“
Well, I'm not sure if it's a boy, but I guess congratulations are in order. Are you going to follow up at the Women’s Center at Her Lady of Mercy or are you going to slum it down here with me?”

“
I'm not sure yet. I’ll have to give it some thought, if that’s okay.”

“
Okay.  So, in the mean time I’ll write you some prescriptions for your pre-natals and I’ll have Sandy give you a follow up call in a week or two. Alright?”

“
Thanks so much Melissa.” Queen said as she continued to stare at her little miracle on the sonogram screen.

“
Not a problem, but you owe me lunch. I’m serious Queen.”

“
Okay, well just call me and tell me when you want to go. Check your schedule for Monday.”

“
Actually that’s perfect, because this cloak and dagger suspense is killing me. Girl what kind of mess have you stepped in this time? You keep something going.”

“
I know. Melissa, please do me a huge favor and keep all of this to yourself for now. I promise I’ll tell you everything on Monday if you have time.”

“
Oh I’m going to make time, believe that.” Dr. Goodwin laughed before spotting Jade. “Are you okay? You don't look good. Queen I'm not so sure your friend is doing well.”

Queen looks over at Jade who is holding her belly and cringing in pain. “Jade, are you okay? What's wrong?”

“
Queen you're not going to believe this but my water just broke. I think I'm going into labor.”

“
Are you serious? Oh my God! When are you due?” Queen said jumping up from the screening table.

“
Monday or so.” Jade groan.

“
Seriously! Why didn't you say something before I let you follow me out of the house.”

“
What difference does it make?”

“
Jade, who's your doctor? I'll contact them for you.” Dr. Goodwin inquired.

“
Dr. Christian Love at Her Lady of Mercy.” Jade managed.

“
I think we'd better get you on an exam table and see what's going on. Queen, call Dr. Love and let him know what's happening.”

“
Oh no, you don't! We are not suppose to be here. Chris is going to kill both of us. Queen can drive me over to the hospital.”

“
Shit! I can't believe this. Look Jade she's right. Let her examine you and I'll call Christian.”

“
No you won't. I'll let Dr. Goodwin examine me but I'm going to Her Lady of Mercy to deliver.” Jade managed. “We'll call Chris when we are in route.”

“
Okay! Let's not even waste time arguing with her. We'll get her on a table and decide what to do from there.” Queen declared.

“
Good idea. Is that okay with you Jade?” Dr. Goodwin asked as she lead Jade to an examining room.

“
I'd better call Dorian.” Queen interjected.

“
No! Did you forget that Dorian is with Chris. Queen we have to get the hell out of here!”

“
Damn, I forgot! Look, let's just call them. It's okay.”

“
No, because I'm going to have my baby at Her Lady of Mercy. The sooner we leave the sooner we'll get there. So, let's go!”

“
Jade, you are not having a baby in my truck. And I am not delivering your baby on the damn highway, so no. I'm calling them.”

“
Don't you dare!”

“
Alright, what if I ride with you in an ambulance to Lady of Mercy? Queen will follow and she'll call your husband and Dr. Love on the way. Okay?”

“
Okay... I can do that, except Queen is riding with me in the ambulance and you can follow in your car. Queen we'll get your parents to pick up your truck.”

“
Sounds like a plan.” Dr. Goodwin agreed as she called her nurse in the room to make the arrangements.

“
Get on the table and take your underwear off.” Queen ordered as she quickly washed her hands and puts on gloves to exam Jade.

“
Hold up what the hell are you doing?” Jade asked as she watched Queen.

“
I'm going to examine you.”

“
Oh, no you are not. Dr. Goodwin can handle that. I'm not going to let you fumble around in my Lady Town.”

“
Jade cut all the bullshit and let me examine you.”

“
Queen I'm serious. We are not that kind of friends.”

“
Oh I can't examine you, but Christian can? You're being ridiculous. I'm a doctor just like Christian.”

“
You may be a doctor, but you're nothing like Chris. There's a big difference between you and Chris.”

“
You know what... whatever! Melissa please examine her before I strangle her silly ass.” Queen announced as she took her gloves off, threw them in the trash and began to wash her hands. “We're going to talk about this shit later and you're getting a new Ob/Gyn doctor.”

“
Whatever... I might not be the only one who's going to be changing doctors.” Jade teased.

“
Oh, I don't believe you took it there.”

“
Oh believe it. And you know why.” Jade laughed.

Dr. Goodwin immediately went to work examining Jade, totally ignoring Queen and Jade. “Okay, her water has broke, but she's only two centimeters dilated. Since this is her first baby, we have some time. I think we can make it to Her Lady of Mercy. The ambulance is on its way. If we leave soon we shouldn't have a problem.” 

“
Alright, well against my better judgment I'll ride with the crazy lady and I'll come back for my  truck later. You don't have to come Melissa, but thanks for the offer.”

“
No problem.”

“
Whatever.” Jade smirked right before another contraction hit her. “Exactly how long is the transport to Her Lady of Mercy?” She grimaced as she grabbed Queen's hand and squeezed as hard as she could in an effort to bear the pain.

“
We'll be there in ten minutes or less by ambulance. I'll call Dorian and Christian as soon as we get in.”

“
I'll check and see how we're doing with the ambulance. It shouldn't be much longer. You're doing great Jade. Just hang in there and keep track of those contractions.” Dr. Goodwin reassured. “They're coming a little quicker than I would expect.”

“
Somebody forgot to tell this little girl that we're on a covert mission that requires the utmost discretion. She's kicking my ass. We've got to get the hell out of here before I deliver her on this exam table.”

“
Don't worry we'll be at Mercy in a few.” Queen promised.

Christian peered up at Queen as she rubbed Jade's back for comfort and attempted to coach her to push. Queen's eyes met his briefly and she quickly diverted them from his stare. She couldn't even bare to look at him. How could she? As wrong as a stripper giving lap dances at a prayer meeting she searched for a way to avoid his piercing eyes.

“
Okay Jade, you're getting ready to have another big contraction.” Queen announced as she watched the fetal monitor. “Your daughter's almost here but you got to push with all you have this time.” She coached.

Dorian's eyes were as large as new moons as he watched over Christian's shoulders as Christian cleared a path for his baby girl to enter the world. ”Jade, I see her, she's right there! Push baby, push as hard as you can!”

“
Why are you still here?” Jade screamed. “I thought I put your ass out of here an hour ago! You did this to me. Now get the hell out! You’re lucky I can't reach you, or I'd punch you right in your damn face! Oh my God it feels like I'm shitting out a watermelon!”

“
Okay, stop fighting with Dorian and bear down and push! The baby's almost out!” Queen commanded.

“
Alright, this is it Jade. Take a big breath and push!” Christian yelled as the baby's head crowned further and prepared for delivery. “Okay, Great! One more big push and you can hold your daughter in your arms.”

Queen rallied Jade for one final push. ”You can do this. This is the last one. Big breath and push! Keep pushing... Oh my God I can see her! Push Jade! Push!”

Jade let out a blood curdling scream as she pushed her beautiful baby girl into Christian's waiting hands. Christian quickly cleared her airway and Baby Girl Swann took her first breath of reality. Christian carefully bundled her in a blanket and gave her to her father, kicking and screaming at the top of her lungs.

Dorian broke into tears as his eyes met hers for the first time. She looked just like her mother, but she had his eyes. “Jade she looks just like you!” He cried as he took her to her mom.

Queen wiped a fresh trail of tears from her own eyes as she watched the ecstatic couple dote over their newborn baby. Christian caught a glimpse of her crying. Unable to leave Jade to comfort her he simply asked, “Are you okay Dr. Queen.”

Queen's eyes met his as she choked back tears. “Yeah, I'm alright. Is everything okay?”

“
Yeah, everything is good. I'll be with you in a second.” He smiled and winked. “Is everybody okay? How's my niece doing?”

“
She's beautiful, absolutely beautiful!” Dorian declared as he kissed Jade hard on the lips. “I love you baby. I swear to God that you're the best thing that ever happened to me.”

A worn, tired and thoroughly beaten Jade managed to whisper, “I love you too. She has your eyes, you know?”

“
I know. I saw them.” Dorian said as he fought back tears of joy. “I know.”

Christian’s eyes continued to haunt Queen. Try as hard as she could she could not avoid their glare. Every time she glanced in his general direction there they were, searching her core. Unable to withstand his gaze any longer she excused herself from the room. “Jade I need some air. I’ll be right back.”

“
Is everything alright Dr. Queen? You’re not getting woozy on me are you?” He asked a little concerned as he watched the color quickly drain from Queen’s face.

“
No, I’m okay I just need a little air. I’m alright.”

“
Are you sure?”

“
Yeah, I’m sure. I just need to sit down for a minute.”

“
Okay, well wait for me in my office. I’ll be there in less than ten minutes.”

“
No... Take your time. I’m fine. I’m just a little overwhelmed. I’ll just lie down in the office until you finish with Jade.”

“
Queen is everything alright?” A concerned Jade asked as she searched Queen’s face for a clue what was going on.

The plastic smile on Queen‘s face quickly told the whole story. “Yeah, I‘m good. I just have to get out of here for a second.”

“
Alright... well don’t worry about us. We’re fine. Go get some fresh air. We’ll be here when you get back.”

“
Congratulations. She’s beautiful.” Queen managed as she hugged Dorian and then softly kissed Jade on the forehead. “I’ll be back in a few, after I get myself together.” She whispered in Jade’s ear.

“
I understand.” Jade whispered back.

“
Dr. Queen, I’m almost done. I’ll meet you in the office in about ten or fifteen minutes.” Christian interjected as he continued to clean Jade up and prepared for the delivery of the afterbirth.

The distraught Queen did not respond. She reserved what little strength she had to propel her wobbly legs as far away from that delivery room and Christian as she could get. Unfortunately that wasn’t very far. She managed to get as far as the waiting room before collapsing in a chair.

Ten minutes later an anxious Dr. Love emerged from the delivery room to find his Queen balled up in that same chair. Concerned and confused he gently wrapped his arms around her and comforted her while she sobbed. “ Queen, what's going on? You've been a bundle of emotions every since I got back from LA.” Realizing the answer to his own question. Christian decided not to press the issue. “Come with me. Let's go to my office. You can lie down there. I'll take you home after I get Jade situated and sign out to Dr. Flowers.” He whispered in her ear.

Queen did not respond. Still she managed to muster up the courage and strength to walk with Christian to his office in the professional building adjacent to the hospital. Queen's legs felt as if they were turning into lead as they navigated the maze of corridors that led to Christian's office.  The seven minute walk felt like an eternity as the two continued in silence, neither one knowing what to say to comfort the other. In all actually silence would soon be the only comfort the two of them would ever expect to enjoy for a long time.

~*~*~

It
was late Saturday night and the professional building was like a ghost town. The lobby and corridors were oddly empty and deathly
quiet.
So quiet in fact that Queen could hear the loud repetitive thump of her own heart beat as they neared Christian's suite. Jade's warning to tell Christian about Logic from a rice patty in Indonesia suddenly sounded like a very good idea. Unfortunately that option was no longer on the menu.

Christian unlocked the door and Queen headed straight for the restroom to wash her face and blow her nose. Oh yeah, and to figure out a way of getting out of there without Christian fucking her up!

“
Lie down. I'm making tea.” Christian yelled from the employee break area.

“
Okay. Thanks.” Queen managed as she removed a blanket from the linen closet and made her way over to the sofa in the deserted waiting room of Christian's swank office.

The moment she curled up on the sofa and tried to get comfortable Christian was there with a steaming hot cup of tea. “Here, drink some of this it'll make you feel better.”

Queen set up and took the cup from Christian's hands. Their eyes met as he sat down beside of her. Christian's eyes were compassionate, genuinely concerned and filled with unconditional love for Queen.

“
Drink up, I'll get my things and we'll go home. You look terrible. I can only imagine how you feel.”

Queen reserved comment as she watched Christian head for his office to grab a few things from his desk. It was up to Queen to choose her battleground. Did she tell him now and risk both of them being hauled off to jail by hospital security, or did she wait to tell him at home?

“
Alright, I got everything are you ready to go?”

Queen took a final sip of her tea and decided to hold her peace and live to fight another day when she was stronger, more agile and able to run. Besides why ruin Jade's and Dorian's special day with her bullshit? “Yeah, let’s go home.”