Destined to Love (Starting Over Trilogy Book 3) (14 page)

“I wonder if Selena’s all right?” I say, looking at Mason.
 

“I’m sure she’s fine. I think it’s the first-time emotions of being a grandparent. All of a sudden, this seems so real. In a few hours they’ll be grandparents. She’ll be fine.”
 

“I hope you’re right.”
 

 
I walk back to Selena and hand her a few tissues. I lay the full box on the table beside her. 

“May I sit?”
 

“Yes, please.”
 

“Vincent tells me you decorated a nursery in your home for the baby.”
 

Selena’s eyes light up. “Oh, we did — it’s just beautiful. I found the cutest bedding for little boys. Have you ever seen those cute little bugs they have now with the lime green background decorated on the bedding?”
 

“The ones at Babies R Us with the frogs, bees, and caterpillars? They have the matching curtains, rugs, and even a plush mobile for the bed?”
 

“Yes, that’s the one. I did the room in those. Vincenzo painted the walls lime green and it is so cheerful and happy. We even found some plush stuffed animals to match.”
 

I smile, partly because I had seen those and they were darling, but I also smile because I didn’t choose those for Brea and Vincent’s nursery. “I’m sure the baby will love it.”

“Thank you, I am so excited, I can’t wait to hold him and have him stay over.”

At that time the door opens and in walks Sara’s Mom and Brea’s Mom, Dad, and sisters.
 

“Did we miss it?” Doris asks.
 

Vincent’s Mom and Dad stand.

“No, we are still waiting,” Selena says. “She’s resting. They gave her an epidural to help with her pain.”
 

“Oh, thank God,” Doris says, placing her luggage in the far right corner. “I want to see her.”
 

“I’ll walk you out to the nurses’ station.” Selena and Doris walk out the door.

Vincenzo and John gather around the coffee maker while Sara and Brea’s sisters head towards the restroom. Mason walks over to me and sits beside me.
 

“Are you hungry? You didn’t eat dinner,” he says, taking my hand in his.
 

“Neither one of us has eaten since lunch. I’m thirsty. I’m tired of water and coffee. I wish they had some juice.”
 

Vincent walks into the room. He looks even more exhausted. He walks over and sits down beside Mason. Donovan walks over to the coffee maker, returns with a cup of coffee, and hands it to Vincent.
 

“Thanks, man. I wish I had something stronger.”
 

“Sorry, it’s all we have. How is she?”
 

“Sleeping in between contractions. She is exhausted.”
 

“How much has she dilated?” Mason asks.
 

“Five, she dilated to five.”
 

“Well she’s halfway there, so that’s good news. How are you feeling?”
 

“I just want to support her and be there for her, but I have no idea how. She cries that her back hurts so I rub her back, and then she yells that she’s hot so I get her a cool washcloth, and then she yells that she’s thirsty so I get her ice chips, and then she yells that she wants water. Man, I didn’t know she was this bitchy.
Will she always be like that?” 

“No, Brea’s a sweetheart. Her body is going through some changes and it’s talking a toll on her. It won’t be long, so hang in there.”
 

Vincenzo comes over and kneels in front of Vincent. “You know, your grandfather Arturo once said that your grandmother was the sweetest woman he ever knew, except during childbirth. You have to remember that it’s not easy on her. As soon as the baby is born, she will go right back to being that sweet and wonderful girl you fell in love with.”
 

“I sure hope so.”
 

The girls come back in the room followed by Brea’s and Vincent’s mothers. “She’s asking for you, Vincent.”
 

Vincent goes back to be with Brea.

“They have such strong family ties. I realize how much I miss my family.”
 

I reach for my phone in my purse. “I’m going to look for a place in the hospital where I can have phone service. I want to call my Aunt Maria and tell her about Brea being in labor and tell her how much I love and miss her.”

“Do you want me to walk with you?”
 

“No, stay here, I’ll be right back. I love you.”
 

“Beauty, I love you, more.”
 

I walk the short distance down the hall to a large bay window with a small leather and wood loveseat that sits under it. I sit down and decide to send out a text. It’s late and I don’t need to wake them.

A: I’m sitting at the hospital waiting on the birth of Brea and Vincent’s baby. I realize how important family is and how much I love and miss you and Uncle Raùl. I may not tell you often enough, but I do. Brea’s family and Sara’s Mom all flew in for the birth. Being surrounded by their family makes me happy and sad. I’m happy for them, but sad for me. I have so few family members here in the states and I never get to see them. I’m feeling sorry for myself. I’m sorry. The beach house is sitting empty, so anytime you’re ready to visit, it’s there. I love you both.
 

I hear a noise and look up to see Mason standing in front of me. I wipe the tears away from my cheek with the back of my hand; I didn’t realize I was even crying. Mason doesn’t say anything, but he sits beside me. He lifts me up and sets me on his lap. I bury my face in his neck and inhale deeply.

He leans back and looks at me, “Did you just sniff me?” He laughs.
 

I wipe my eyes and nose with the backs of my hands. “No, my nose is running,” I lie.

I bury my face in his neck again and take another deep breath. He smells like his signature scent, spice and sandalwood. He smells like home, comfort, and love. This is a smell that will always comfort me. I swear, I could inhale him all day.

Mason rocks me and doesn’t say anything. He kisses the top of my head and leaves his mouth there. He inhales deeply. We sit in the loveseat at the end of the hall in silence.
 

My phone chimes that I have a text. I look around and see that it is now daylight. I look at the clock on the wall: 8:14 a.m. I reach for my phone, realizing I had fallen asleep. I check my phone while still sitting on Mason’s lap and it’s from my Aunt Maria.
 

A.M.: Angel, I just saw that you texted. Your Uncle Raùl is still in bed. We both love and miss you more than you’ll ever know. If we could, we would move down there now. I still have work and so does Raùl. I’ll visit as soon as I can. Please, congratulate Brea and Vincent on the birth of their new baby. We love you, Pumpkin.

Mason’s phone dings that he has an incoming text. He reads it.
 

“Mom,
Dad, and Madison are here with breakfast. I’m going to get Donovan to help me carry everything up.” 

I stand up from Mason’s lap and turn around to extend my hand to help him up. He laughs before reaching for it. He stands up and leans forward, then backward. He moves his head from side to side.
 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you.”
 

“I’m not,” he laughs. “Let’s find Donovan to help me.” He takes my hand and we walk down the hall and into the Labor and Delivery waiting room. The waiting room is full of Brea’s and Vincent’s family and friends. The time is 8:28 a.m. Brea’s sisters are all playing cards in the back of the room, Vincent’s and Brea’s parents are gathered at a sitting area on the right and Sara is sound asleep on Donovan’s lap on a couch to the left of the room.

“I’m going to make fresh coffee while you wake sleeping beauty.”
 

“Great idea. I almost hate to bother them,” he says, walking over to the couch where they are asleep.
 

I empty the old coffee and start two fresh pots. I walk over to the only free table and remove the magazines and empty coffee cups from it. Sara comes over with some disinfecting wipes that she got from the counter top near the coffee pot and starts wiping the table down. Mason, Donovan, Bruce, Lilly, and Madison all walk in carrying two bags each, which are filled with drinks and glass casserole dishes of food, as well as other items. They look around the room and see Sara and me and walk over to us. They set everything on the table and then walk around the room exchanging pleasantries with everyone. Sara, Donovan, Mason, and I start to arrange the food and drinks on the table. I open the paper plates, napkins, cups, and plasticware and set them out. The casseroles smell delicious. Potatoes, ham, onion, egg, and cheese. I place the homemade biscuits near the casseroles and my mouth begins to water from the aroma. Mason walks over to me and hands me a cup of cranberry juice.

“Drink up.”
 

I back away from the table so others can start filling their plates.

“Thank you, I’m so thirsty.” I take the cup from him and down the juice in one gulp. He laughs.
 

“Let’s eat, I’m starving,” he says taking the empty glass from me.

Mason and I are the last to eat, and I am surprised to see how much food is left.

Mason and I get our food and sit in the corner of the room with his family. The door opens and in walks Donovan’s parents. I sometimes forget that Vincent, Donovan, and Mason all grew up together. They walk over to hug Sara and Donovan before walking around the room and exchanging pleasantries with everyone else. Mason introduces Roger and Cam to me, although Roger and I have already met. He was at the celebration the night Vincent found out he was having a son. It was the night we came home from our trip to Ohio early.

I walk away and leave the families to talk. After I make a plate of food for Vincent, I wrap it up, and set it off to the side. Sara and Brea’s sisters come over and help me clear the table. I look over at Mason and see that he is watching me. He always keeps such a close eye on me. I get goose bumps just thinking about him. I smile at him and continue the cleanup.

Sara walks over to me and whispers in my ear, “Get a room.”
 

“Trust me, I would.” We both laugh because we both know that isn’t going to happen. I look over at Mason and he raises a brow at me. I look away because he is just so sexy. Vincent walks in with a smile. He looks around the room and says, “Mom and Doris, Brea wants you.” I warm up his plate of food while Sara pours him a coffee and a juice. He announces to everyone that Brea has dilated to eight and the epidural has helped, before taking a seat at the table.

“How is she?” John asks.

“She’s complaining of back pain, so I rubbed her back during her contraction and continued rubbing her back after her contraction ended. She then yelled at me to leave her alone. With Brea, I have learned that less is best.”

Vincenzo, Bruce, John, and Roger all laugh. Everyone else just looks at them.

“My son is a smart man to figure this out on his own,” Vincenzo says proudly.
 

Bruce adds, “I didn’t figure that out until Lilly was in labor with Madison.”
 

“Thanks for telling me, I appreciate that,” Vincent says with a twinkle in his eyes.
 

“Some things a man needs to figure things out on his own.” John laughs as he cups his hand on Vincent’s shoulder.
 

Vincent finally eats. He downs his drink and eats quickly. I’m not sure if he is hungry or trying to hurry in case Brea is ready.

Doris walks in the room with a smile. “Vincent, it’s time for Brea to start pushing.”
 

Everyone starts to clap in excitement. Vincent walks to the door and turns around.

“What’s the date?” he asks.
 

“It’s September 13th,” Johns says.

He looks at the clock; it is 10:14 a.m. “My son’s birthday will be September 13th. The next time you see me, I’ll be a dad.”
 

Vincent looks pale and Mason walks over to him.

“Vincent, you’ll be fine and you’ll be a wonderful Dad. Now, go in there and help Brea with Junior,” Mason says, laughing.

Vincent laughs, too. “You better not let Brea hear you call him that.”
 

“Trust me, I won’t make that mistake again.”
 

Vincent looks around the room. Vincenzo walks up and hands Vincent his camera. “I don’t care who, but have someone take pictures of my grandson.”
 

Vincent takes the camera and nods before he exits the room with Doris.
 

Once they both leave the room, Sylvia says, “When I was in labor, I was having a lot of pain but I was not dilated far enough to push; they didn’t have epidural back then for pain, and they wouldn’t give me anything stronger for fear of it affecting the baby. The bitchy nurse I had, kept telling me to find my focal point and breath. I had no idea what the hell she was talking about and finally screamed at her, ‘What the hell is a focal point?’ She then said, ‘It was obvious that you haven’t taken the time to take Lamaze classes,’ to which I responded, ‘They didn’t offer Lamaze during the midnight hours when I was available.’ I was so grateful when she went off duty. Shortly after, a super-sweet nurse came on duty.”