Sunk (12 page)

Chapter Twenty-Two

RAINE

Thirty-two weeks pregnant and I am officially ready to have this baby. I can barely move around, let alone dress myself properly. Looking in the mirror as I get ready for my baby shower, I feel like a Goodyear Blimp. No matter how nice I try to look, all you see is belly.

“Just put something comfortable on. You look gorgeous no matter what you wear,” Sly says, as if he can read my mind. He kisses the side of my head.

“I love you,” I say, turning my head up to him to kiss him.

“I love you too.”

“Raine, I’m here!” Summer yells up the stairs, arriving early to answer the door and help me with things. Anne decided to let the husbands come for the baby shower as well, so it’ll be the whole family gathering.

“I’ll be down in a minute!” I yell down to her.

I throw on a pair of black stretchy pants and a loose short sleeve top. Bringing my hair to one side, I braid it and secure it with a band.

“See, you look beautiful,” Sly says.

I smile at him, and he takes my hand as we make our way downstairs. He helps me since I can’t see over my belly.

I can see all the decorations for the shower—balloons, streamers, and everything you could possibly use for décor.

Downstairs, I greet everyone. They all got here quick. Everyone hugs and kisses me on the cheek. Even Sly’s grandma made it. In the dining room, we all gather around the huge table. In the center is a cake shaped like a pregnant belly, and I know immediately my sister had a hand in it. I look over to her and she laughs.

The guys all congregate in the corner with Sly as he hands them each a beer. They all shake his hand and hug him, congratulating him on becoming a father soon. That is a crazy thought; I’ve never even seen Sly around any kids. This will be a new experience for him, but I know for a fact he’ll be a wonderful father. I know that because he takes such good care of me.

“We’ll have you sit at the head of the table,” Anne says, breaking me out of my thoughts. “We can hand you the gifts and help you,” she continues.

“Thank you. You seriously shouldn’t have done all of this,” I tell Anne.

“I know I didn’t. But you deserve to be spoiled, and so does that baby,” she says, beaming. “So let’s get it started. Can I get you a plate of food?”

“That would be great,” I say.

There is food and presents everywhere, and right now I couldn’t be happier. A moment later, Anne brings me a plate of food, and afterwards, I open the gifts.

Lots of baby clothes, mostly unisex since we don’t know the sex of the baby yet. We also got a baby bouncer and a baby swing rocker, as well as some other needed essentials.

Once the presents are all open, I’m instructed to cut the cake. Standing up, I cut into it with the knife. Everyone claps, then I cut it into pieces and hand it out to all the guests. Sly and the guys have remained in the corner, looking on.

Spotting the box of chocolate éclairs, I grab one for myself and a small piece of cake. Just as the girls get into conversation, there is a knock on the door. I wonder who it could be since everyone is here. Sly moves from his space in the corner to answer it.

With my back turned, I can’t see who it is. From where my mother-in-law to be is sitting, she can see.

“Who is it?”

“I’m sure it’s nothing for you to worry about, but Sly’s ex, Nicole is at the door,” she says in a low tone.

“His ex, ex?” I ask.

She nods. I move to stand, but she puts her hand on my arm.

“Just let Sly handle it. You don’t need to be stressing about it, you being pregnant and all,” she states.

I sit back down, but I can’t help that my nerves are spiked. Taking a deep breath, I slowly exhale and breathe. I know whatever it is, Sly will handle it.

“Do you know what day it is?” Anne asks.

I shake my head.

“It’s the anniversary of his son’s death. I totally didn’t realize it until now. So maybe she is just checking in on him. I can guarantee you that Sly is nothing but committed to you, one hundred percent. Trust me, I know my son.”

“Wow, I didn’t know what day it happened. I never asked him.”

***

SLY

Opening the door, I never expected to see her again. “Nicole,” I say.

It’s been five years since Nicole walked out on me after our son’s death. It was like she gave up without even trying. The day she left she told me she couldn’t stand looking at me, because every time she did she thought of our son. She felt like she was dying a slow death by staying. Yes, I remember her words like it was yesterday. Her words shot right to my core, and I was left all alone.

Her words left me depressed, and I was unsure how to move on myself. I had this empty nursery room that my son should have been in. For some ungodly reason, I carried the guilt around from her blaming me. I just covered everything up, shut the door, and never went inside until I showed Raine.

“Hi, I’m sorry I came unannounced. I was wondering if we could talk,” she asks nervously as she fumbles with the purse strap on her shoulder.

“We are kind of in the middle of something. Can it wait?”

“You know today marks the anniversary of his death,” she says, trying to peek inside the house.

“I know exactly what day it is, Nicole,” I say sternly.

“Okay, I’ll just come back another day.” She turns.

“Wait,” I say, stepping outside and shutting the door behind me. “I guess I can give you a minute.” I sit on the front steps and she sits next to me, facing me.

“I’m not here to try to get back with you or anything like that,” she says.

“Why are you here? It’s been five fucking years, Nicole. You just up and leave, and I was supposed to be okay with that? It’s fucked up. I’ve finally been able to move on, though.”

She faces me, her demeanor somber. She looks in her lap as she fidgets with her hands.

“I just came to tell you I’m sorry for the way I left things. I’m sorry for leaving the way I did. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt you, but I was hurting too, and I felt like my heart was ripped right out of my chest. I’m glad you’ve moved on. I just needed closure and thought maybe you did too. I was in a bad place back then, and I didn’t know how to cope with all of it. I traveled down a dark path after that, but I’ve been clean and sober for six months, and part of the recovery process is making amends.”

“I’m sorry for being short with you. And I’m glad you came by. I’m happy you’re in a better place. I mean it. No hard feelings.” I lean over and hug her. She grips my shoulders tight and whispers in my ear.

“I’m so sorry,” she says, and I can feel she is crying.

“It’s okay. We were young and didn’t know any better,” I tell her, rubbing her back and breaking from the hug. “It’s okay. Now dry those tears.” I swipe her tears with my thumbs.

“You were always so caring, Sly. Even now. I hope you are truly happy. I really do,” she says.

“I am. I couldn’t be happier. I’m engaged and getting ready to have a baby,” I say, hoping the information doesn’t bother her. “Do you want to come inside for cake or something?”

“Oh no, that’s okay. I’m happy for you. You’re going to be a great dad, and you’ll be the best husband to the woman in there. I don’t want to keep you any longer. I just wanted to come by and tell you I was sorry for the way I handled things.”

She stands to leave.

I stand as well and before going back inside, I turn. “Nicole.”

She turns. “Yeah?”

“It was good seeing you,” I say.

“You too Sly.” She smiles, then turns, and I watch her leave.

And the girl I once loved leaves again. Seeing her was almost bittersweet. She was the one girl that I loved before Raine. Our lives took us in different directions, and I didn’t see it then, but everything that happened has led me to Raine. I just hope she sticks to living a sober life.

Heading back inside, I couldn’t ask for a better life. Every person I love is in this room and celebrating the arrival of our baby, my and Raine’s baby. I’m still in shock when I think about it. I could be a father in just over a month, and I have no clue what I’m doing. I’ve never been around babies. Thankfully, this isn’t Raine’s first time, and she can tell me and show me what needs to be done.

When Raine sees me, she looks at me and tries to decipher the look on my face. “Is everything all right?” she asks.

“Everything is perfectly fine. I’ll tell you about it later, okay?” I bend down and kiss her citrus infused hair. I let my lips linger longer than normal to savor her. I love this woman so much, and I plan on spending my life making her happy and being a great dad to our kid. I couldn’t ask for a greater purpose in life than making those two my number one priority, no matter how hectic life gets.

***

RAINE

Sly comes back in the house as though nothing happened, and his demeanor is no different than it was a little bit ago. He kisses the side of my head as if he’s trying to convey something to me. I can’t explain it. Whatever happened outside, he actually seems more content and relaxed. Could she have come for closure? Maybe.

The guests start to leave. I thank them for everything. I kiss my sister and her husband goodbye and thank her for helping me. She was literally a life saver. Anne stays behind when everyone else leaves to help me clean up and take down the decorations.

“I really appreciate you putting the shower together, Anne. It was such a lovely day. I honestly wasn’t expecting so many gifts,” I say.

“Sly, you got some work to do.” She points to them all.

“I’ll get right on it,” he says, smiling and reaching over to kiss her and hug her. He whispers “Thank you,” in her ear.

When he breaks from their embrace, she gives him a look that only a mother can convey. He looks like a child being scolded, and he scoops up some things to put in the nursery.

Once we clean up, Anne leaves and I thank her several more times as we say our goodbyes. I meet Sly upstairs where he is putting everything away in the nursery.

“So what was that all about?”

“What was what all about?” he asks.

I look at him, and he knows exactly what I’m talking about. “Oh that. That was just my ex. She came by to apologize for the way she left things. She wasn’t trying to get back together or anything. I guess she’s in recovery from either drugs or alcohol, I didn’t ask. She said part of the recovery was making amends. So she came to say she was sorry,” he says.

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“How do you feel about that?” I ask.

“I’m glad she apologized, because it wasn’t right the way she left. I told her it was okay, though, that I’ve moved on, and I told her I was engaged and expecting a baby. I invited her to come inside to meet you, but she didn’t want to intrude on your shower. But everything is good. Did you enjoy your day?” He comes over and slides his arm across my shoulders as we walk to the bedroom.

“I did. Now I’m exhausted.” I make a face. “I’m glad she came by and talked to you. I think you needed that as much as she did. You seem more relaxed and content…it’s hard to explain.”

“It was nice to see her. I feel closure now, and it is what it is. If the things that happened hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t have met you. That’s the way I see it. Everything happened to lead me to you.”

I lean over to kiss him. “You’re such a sweet talker.” I giggle.

“Good to know I haven’t lost my touch,” he teases.

Chapter Twenty-Three

RAINE

The following month

Sleeping in bed, I wake suddenly to a strange, popping sensation. As soon as I get out of bed, my water breaks and it puddles on the bedroom carpet. I move to quietly change my clothes and put a pad in my underwear.

Trying not to freak myself out, or Sly for that matter, I lightly push him to wake him up. Looking at the clock, it reads four a.m. “Sly, wake up,” I say.

He groggily turns to me and realizes I’m standing by his side of the bed. “What’s wrong, Raine?”

“My water just broke. I think I’m going into labor,” I say calmly.

Sly flings the sheets back, immediately jumping out of bed. “What do I need to do?” he asks in a rushed tone.

“Get my overnight bag, I already have it packed. You can drive me to the hospital,” I tell him.

“How are you so calm? I’m freaking the hell out,” he says.

“I’ve been through this before. Just try to relax and get me to the hospital, okay?” He helps me into the car and throws my bag in the back. He rushes to the driver’s side and gets the car moving.

At this time, the traffic is light so we make it to the hospital in five minutes, and the contractions are already starting. I am immediately admitted to labor and delivery, and a nurse comes in to assess my situation. The labor contractions are painful and the nurse confirms I’m dilated five centimeters, so I’m halfway there. Sly steps out in the hall to call his parents and my sister. The nurse asks if I’d like an epidural, and I nod in response. I need pain relief.

An hour later, Anne and my sister arrive, coming into the room with balloons and a teddy bear for the baby. Gripping the bed rails, I try to find a position that the pain is bearable, but nothing is working.

A few hours later, the nurse checks me again and I’m dilated eight centimeters; I’m almost there.

“You’re doing great, Raine,” Sly says, holding my hand and putting a wet towel on my forehead. I feel irritable, and I just want this baby out. With the epidural, the pain isn’t as bad, but I’m still uncomfortable.

After eight hours of labor, I’m ready to push the baby. The doctor guides me into position, and I grip Sly’s hand tightly while I push. Then I breathe in and push again. I repeat the process until, finally, the baby’s head peeks out. The doctor confirms one or two more pushes and the baby will be out. I’m exhausted and sweaty, but I manage to do a few more pushes and the baby is pulled out. Sly and I are both crying. Happy tears, of course.

“You have a healthy baby boy,” the doctor says, and Sly covers his mouth, elated to know he has a son.

Sly kisses me while he continues to cry. “You did so good, Raine. We have a baby boy,” he says.

The doctor asks Sly if he wants to cut the cord. He nods and does precisely as the doctor instructs.

The doctor holds him over me so I can see him, and I really lose it, crying. The joy I feel is overwhelming. They place the baby on my stomach and clean him up, wrapping him up in a blanket and putting a cap on his head. Sly is at my side as I hold the baby.

“I think he looks like an Aaron James Wilkes. What do you think?” I look at Sly.

He beams, knowing the middle name is after his own father. “I think that sounds perfect. What do you think, Aaron? Yeah, I think he agrees,” he says.

On July 2nd, Aaron James Wilkes is born. He weighs 6 pounds 12 ounces and is 20 inches in length.

“Oh boy, now I’ll have a mini Sly,” I say.

“Just another man to look after his mom.”

The nurse has Sly sit in a chair and remove his shirt so the baby can be skin to skin with him. He’s placed on his chest and Sly is in amazement of Aaron. It’s such a tender moment to see. Aaron is going to be the spitting image of Sly, with his full head of dark hair and his light colored caramel eyes. Sly is beside himself and grinning from ear to ear.

Anne and my sister finally come in to meet Aaron.

“He is so precious,” Anne says.

“And he’s going to look exactly like his daddy,” Summer says, making Sly proud.

I’m completely exhausted, so I try to breastfeed Aaron. Thankfully, he latches on like a champ. After his feeding I put him back in his crib before taking a nap.

***

SLY

This whole experience with Raine giving birth has been surreal. I’m a father to a son, who is my flesh and blood and who seems to look like me. But he’ll definitely have his mom’s strong-willed spirit.

I just can’t believe I’m actually touching him and nuzzling his little nose. He seems so calm for a newborn, but I don’t know much about babies to begin with. Raine is a pro with him. It’s amazing to see them bond, and the glow that emanates off her when she’s holding him. It’s all so crazy and exciting.

It made me especially happy that Aaron will have my dad’s name for his middle name. My dad will feel very honored when we tell him.

While the baby sleeps, I let Raine sleep as well. Mom and Summer said they would let us be and they will visit tomorrow. I relax in the chair by the bed and put my head back. I close my eyes as the exhaustion has caught up to me.

***

RAINE

When I wake, I hear a faint sound. It’s Sly breathing heavily as he sleeps in the chair right next to me. And then the baby starts to cry. Sly jumps to his feet, and I stifle a giggle. Once he realizes it’s just the baby, he walks over and hands him to me.

“He’s probably hungry,” I say, lifting my arms up to hold Aaron.

Fortunately, the baby takes right to breastfeeding. The only issue is finding a comfortable spot. Sly is watching with amazement.

“I can’t believe we have a son,” Sly says.

“Better believe it. Do you have the car seat in the car so we can be ready to take him home?”

“Everything is all set to go,” he says.

***

Twenty-four hours later, we arrive home. The baby slept the whole way home. Sly grabs my bag and I carefully lift Aaron out of the car seat so I don’t wake him. We walk in the house with Aaron cuddled to my chest, and we slowly walk upstairs and place him in his crib.

Now I realize it feels kind of strange to be using this room that was supposed to be occupied by Sly’s first born son. I put Aaron down, set up the baby monitor, and quietly leave the room with Sly.

“It is weird at all?”

“What do you mean?” he asks, confused.

“You know, that Aaron is now in the nursery that was meant for your first son.”

In the bedroom, Sly pulls me into his arms and I rest my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. “It’s not weird, because after Aaron is out and in his own room, another baby will be in there,” he says. Without looking up, I know he is smiling.

Lifting my head up, I look up at him. “Is that so?’

“I can guarantee it. We need to try for a girl,” he states.

“Maybe we’ll just have boys.”

“Then we’ll keep trying.” He grins.

Breaking from the embrace, I giggle, shaking my head at him. I take the baby monitor and place it on the nightstand.

“I need to pump some milk before he wakes up,” I say, grabbing the machine. “You might as well try to get some sleep too.”

Sly lies down and props an arm behind his head. “When can we have sex?” he blurts out.

“The doctor said four to six weeks. Probably more like four weeks since I’m feeling okay, but I’m sure we can work on other things while we wait.” I arch my eyebrow at him.

“Oh, I love the way you think,” he quips.

“But you’ll have to wait until we get a routine set, that way we won’t be interrupted. I know my sex drive tanked while I was pregnant, so I’m sure I can make up for lost time.” I wink.

“Stop talking like that. You’re making me hard.” He shifts his position.

“You brought it up.”

He huffs and then closes his eyes to sleep. I finish pumping and then go check on Aaron one more time. It’s surprising he is sleeping so long. He looks so peaceful in his crib. I sit in the rocking chair and watch him in amazement.

This is my and Sly’s flesh and blood. He’s a part of us. I love his chubby cheeks; I just want to pinch them. He definitely has my full lips. He’ll certainly be a looker when he gets older. Looking out the window to my right, I take a moment to think about Ava. She would have been such a great big sister to him. Maybe she’ll look over him even though she can’t physically be here. A vision comes to me of Ava playing with her little brother, the two of them giggling at something funny. It’s comforting.

I don’t know how long I sit there watching him. Time doesn’t matter. Sly quietly sneaks in the room, so it must have been a few hours later.

“What are you doing?” he asks.

Aaron squirms in the crib and I can tell he is getting ready to cry.

“Just watching our son,” I whisper, picking the baby up.

Sly leans down and kisses him on the head.

“Our son,” he says.

“Our son,” I repeat.