Forever Young: Blessing or Curse (Always Young Trilogy) (34 page)

 Dorrie’s
arms instinctively tightened around her child. She’d not give her up without a
fight.

The
response was met by an understanding look. “I see my answer. Lots of mothers
feel that way. What about breast feeding? If you’d like to try, I can give you
instructions on how to get started.”

If
it were Larry’s child and all were normal, she’d be thrilled to bond closer
with her daughter, but given the circumstances, doing so was out of the
question. She’d already risked Juliana’s safety by being on the pill since
conception.

“No,
thank you, I’m doing formula.”

The
nurse nodded. “Well then, I’ll get a kit with instructions, some formula, and a
bassinet for the room.”

“Thanks,
oh, before you leave, could you find out where my purse is?”

“That’s
no problem. The emergency room nurse placed it right at the foot of your bed.
I’ll put it next to you.”

As
soon as the nurse had left, Dorrie zipped open her handbag to make sure nothing
had been removed.

Fortunately,
everything appeared intact, including the pills and the cash she’d brought,
plus her safe phone and the driver’s license showing her true identity hidden
on the bottom. The sight reminded her that a birth certificate would need to be
done at some point, reflecting the fake names she’d provided.

She
didn’t care for the notion of her little one’s coming into the world under
false pretenses, but that would be better than having her whisked away to a
public agency and Mom carted off to jail.

Also,
when the forms were filled out, the paternity line would stay blank, since
establishing Roman as the father would afford him dangerous rights.

She
didn’t want to think of any of that now, not with so many other matters to work
out. Her head swam from trying to concentrate while in the throes of pain and
exhaustion. Having a baby wasn’t easy by any means. Whoever thought it was had
to be a man. She grimaced at her sad attempt at humor.

The
nurse reappeared. “I hope you don’t mind my saying so, but you look kind of
done in. Let me put the baby in the bassinet right by the bed so you can get
some rest. She won’t be far.”

 Though
her spirit was willing to continue bonding with her infant, Dorrie’s body was
weak, and she gratefully relinquished Juliana to the care of the nurse. 

She
barely had time to whisper, “Goodnight, little one,” before sleep claimed her.

***

Dorrie
blinked as morning sunlight streamed through the room. Where was she? Why did
she hurt so much, especially in embarrassing areas? The sound of a child
gurgling near the bed oriented her. What time was it? How long had she slept?

A
glance at her watch revealed half past ten, meaning a good part of the morning
had elapsed. She’d been about to call Steve last night when sleep had overcome
her. He had to have been worried sick when he’d not found her at Buffalo Park
or the alternate site. She better put his mind at ease.

Before
she could reach for the cell, a nurse stepped into the room, this one older and
plumper than the one from the night before. Again Steve would need to wait.

“I
can’t believe I slept so long,” Dorrie said.

“Not
surprising. You did a lot of work last night.”

“It
was worth it,” Dorrie said, casting a proud look at her daughter swathed in
pink in the bassinet. The nurse nodded. “I agree. Your child is adorable.”

Understanding
why so many mothers carried baby pictures in their wallets, Dorrie beamed with
pride.  

“I’d
heard you elected formula, so I fed the little one while you slept, but she’ll
be wanting more by now,” the nurse said.

“Amazing.
I didn’t even wake up when you came in to feed her.”

“Not
unusual. You’re only human. Bodies do need rest, you know. I’ll get you some
formula and a pamphlet so we can walk through the steps together. I’ll be right
back.”

Dorrie
had just enough time to gulp down her young pill before the nurse reappeared.

“Shall
we get started?” the woman asked.

 It
turned into a sloppy endeavor. “I think I’m getting more on my baby’s face than
inside of her,” she said with a laugh.

“Don’t
worry, you’ll catch on.”

After
the feeding was done, as well as the accompanying burping and diaper changing,
the nurse left Juliana in Dorrie’s arms.

“Hi,
sweetheart, it’s Mommy,” Dorrie said, gazing with awe at her daughter.

She’d
been too tired yesterday to get a good look at Juliana, except for making sure
she was okay. Now she couldn’t help but notice the daintiness of her child’s
wispy blond hair, and how her complexion had morphed from squalling red to a
delicate crème, with faint blue veins showing on her cheeks and forehead.

Juliana’s
blue eyes seemed to spark with intelligence as they gazed intently back at her
mother. Dorrie had read blue eyes were usual for babies, and after six months
might change to another color. Whatever color they’d turn into, one thing she
knew for certain. Without a doubt, this had to be the most beautiful child in
the world.

The
nurse stepped back in and caught the exchange. “She knows who her Mommy is,”
she said with a smile. Whether or not it was true, Dorrie’s insides warmed at
the thought. She’d feared the worst, but thank goodness it hadn’t happened.

Though
she would have loved Juliana no matter what her infirmities or features, thank
God nothing untoward had surfaced. Against all odds, her child had come through
unscathed, and hopefully would remain so. The three month waiting period would
be an ordeal. For the first time in her child’s life, the filtered young pill
would not be running through her bloodstream. What outcome would the withdrawal
present?

The
nurse appeared, interrupting Dorrie’s anxious musings. After the blood pressure
and vitals were read, the nurse held her hands out for Juliana. “I’ll bring her
back shortly. In the meantime, the doctor would like to examine you.”

 As
soon as he’d finished looking over the incision and surrounding areas, the
nurse reappeared to place Juliana back beside her mother in bed.

The
doctor smiled. “You and the baby are coming along nicely. I’ll be back again
tomorrow morning, at which time I expect to discharge you.”

“Thank
you, doctor. I’d like that.”

Finally,
Dorrie and her baby were alone. She grabbed her cell and wasn’t surprised to
notice five voice mails awaiting her. After hearing the first, she quickly
dialed Steve’s number. “It’s Dorrie. I’m all right.”

“Thank
goodness. I was scared something had happened to you”

“Something
happened all right, but it was a good thing. Mother Nature chose yesterday to
bless me with a darling baby girl. Right now I’m at Xavier Hospital. We’re both
healthy and scheduled for release tomorrow, barring complications.”

“That’s
wonderful, Dorrie. I can’t wait to see your baby. If she looks anything like
you, she’ll be a real beauty.”

“She,
yes. Me, no. I don’t look too terrific at the moment with this cheap dye on my
skanky black hair and my death warmed over face. Having a baby is hard work.
Anyway, she’s worth the sacrifice.”

“I’m
sure she is. I’m glad everything worked out okay. What time should I pick you
up?”

 “How
about ten? The doctor should be through examining us by then, and everything
should be set for us to roll on out. If there’s any problem, I’ll call you. Oh,
by the way, I’m Laurie DeLuca. You better be someone else too, and wear a wig.”

“No
problem. I’ll have Harry Manning pick you up. He may look different than you’d
expect.”

She
laughed. “Nothing would surprise me anymore. I can’t wait to see him. Oh, and
tell him thanks.”

The
day passed swiftly, as mother and baby got better acquainted, with Dorrie
discovering her daughter possessed an excellent set of lungs. Toward evening,
an office worker appeared, quizzing Dorrie about how to fill out the discharge
papers. Again, Dorrie felt a pang. She hated lying about Juliana’s true
parentage, but knew it couldn’t be helped.

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

Bright
and early the next morning, Juliana got whisked away for further tests, and was
returned to her bassinet. Next, the doctor stopped in to examine Dorrie. When
he’d finished, he smiled. “You’re both set to go. Remember, you need to take it
easy to prevent hemorrhaging. Also, be sure to report to your gynecologist and
a pediatrician.”

“Thanks,
doctor. I’ll do that.”

Not
likely she’d follow through with Dr. Lewanthal or anyone suggested by him, but
no sense mentioning that. She’d find new doctors as soon as she got situated.

Dorrie
hobbled over to the closet and pulled out the flannel shirt and baggy pants
she’d worn on arrival. With some difficulty, she changed clothes, then sank
onto the easy chair beside the bed. The gray haired nurse came by. “I hear
you’re released. Have you arranged for someone to pick you up?”

“He’ll
be here at ten.”

The
nurse raised her eyebrows quizzically, but didn’t ask why no one had visited
Dorrie in the interim. The baby decided to let out a wail of hunger, saving her
mother from suffering further embarrassment.

“I’ll
leave you to feed your child. In the meantime, I’ll get the goody bags for you
to bring home and make sure the papers are in order. When your ride gets here,
remember, it’s protocol that I wheel you out. Most mothers enjoy that bit of
pampering anyway, before going home to the real world.”

Nervousness
warred with excitement as Dorrie pondered the implications of leaving the
hospital. No one seemed to have recognized her here, but outside would be a
different matter.  Still, she was anxious to begin her new role as mother.
Hopefully, she’d live up to the challenge of bringing up her daughter
correctly.

This
had to be how her mother had felt. How sad she couldn’t have lived to witness
her child giving birth. She’d have been so happy. Dorrie could only hope that
somehow on some supernatural level Mom looked down and smiled.

Alone
with Juliana, Dorrie changed her diaper, then alternated between singing
lullabies and running her fingers through her daughter’s wispy hair. Juliana
contentedly drifted to sleep in her mother’s arms. Dorrie, though still sitting
in the chair, felt her eyelids close.

The
squeak of shoes on the wax floor awakened her. She looked up to find a high
school aged volunteer carrying a fresh pitcher of water. The girl stared at
Dorrie and the baby, then did a double take. In a breathless voice, she said,
“That’s a lovely child. How old is she?”

“Almost
two days old.”

“Wow,
she’s darling. You must be so thrilled.”

“I
certainly am.”

“Well,
have a good day now,” the girl said, retreating backwards, almost tripping over
the table, and forgetting to take the old water pitcher with her. Warning bells
clanged in Dorrie’s mind. She’d been recognized. The girl would call the police
any minute.

What
should she do? Steve wouldn’t arrive for another two hours. That would be too
late. She had to get away now. Thank goodness, she already had her street
clothes on and the nurse had brought the going away kit.

Holding
her daughter, she stumbled onto her feet. Ignoring the various aches and pains,
she grabbed the blankets from the bassinet and swaddled Juliana in them. She
next threw her purse over her free shoulder, and grabbed the plastic kit bag.
Gingerly walking, she reached the doorway and peeked out, only to find the
plump nurse headed in her direction.

Dorrie
poked her head back inside, praying the woman would stop at one of the
preceding rooms. The footsteps drew closer. Dear God, had the volunteer
mentioned her suspicions to the woman? If so, the nurse might stand guard until
the police arrived.

The
nurse stepped in and shot a confused glance at Dorrie. “I thought your ride was
coming later.”

“He
changed his mind. He’s waiting downstairs.”

“Well,
then, I’ll see if someone can round up a wheelchair. I’m afraid it may take a
good ten or fifteen minutes, so why don’t you sit down and relax. I’d also
suggest removing the child’s blankets, so she doesn’t get overheated.”

“Thank
you. I’ll do that.”

With
the clock ticking in her mind, Dorrie braved a smile and retreated back to her
chair, clutching Juliana.

As
soon as the nurse had exited the room and her footsteps echoed down the hall,
Dorrie got up again, and grabbed the blanket, kit and purse. Taking a deep
breath, she stepped out. Two rooms separated her from the staircase. Could she
make it downstairs before the nurse came back with the wheelchair, or worse,
the police arrived?

Heart
pumping triple beat, body screaming in protest, Dorrie set out for the
staircase, moving as fast as she could. When she reached the doorway to the
first room, she slowed and smiled at the occupant sitting in the chair nursing
her baby. At the second doorway, a call light blinked. From inside, a woman
moaned. It wouldn’t take long for a nurse or doctor to appear. Dorrie had to
get away before then.