On and on, on and on, on and on

 

Sammy held her baby, who nursed at her breast. Her arms were tired, but little Kai slept on while Gabe showered in the hospital suite where the birth had taken place about twenty-four hours or so.  She leaned back on her pillow, exhausted, but this was no time to rest. She looked out the big darkened window at the city from her bed and remained calm. 

The door opened. It was Carmen. Sammy was surprised. She was afraid Gabe's mom might be back. She hoped the woman was resting from all the excitement.

"Oh, I can't believe no one called me before now," Carmen smiled. She'd brought the baby presents and Sammy some things too. "You had him in an hour?" Carmen looked at her as if she needed an award.

Sammy smiled with a nod. This wasn't exactly true. She'd had labor pains the night before that went on most of the day, but she waited until Gabe got home from work before they went to the hospital. Actually, Sammy was too exhausted to explain this to Carmen.

"I'm glad everything went OK."

Carmen watched the baby but didn't want to hold him, which Sammy was certain she wouldn't have let her. She and Gabe were the only ones to hold him. Of course, Kai was smaller than Sammy imagined, but still a good weight. He was a bit on the short side, which she thought maybe he took after her. She could see her eyes in him. It wasn't until now that she wished her father were here. It was a faint thought. 

Carmen talked about her search for an engagement ring. She asked Sammy if she'd had an engagement ring.

"Oh, you don't have to have one," Sammy assured her.

Carmen nodded. She confessed that Trish was making a big deal about it. That's when Sammy asked if Carmen had told her real mother about the engagement.

"I don't want to." Carmen frowned. "I know I should, but she's in Vegas and she hasn't called me once, so..so.."

Sammy nodded. "I didn't mean to bring up" Immediately, she thought of her dad. The tears watered her eyes, just for a second. She smiled. 

"It's OK," Carmen smiled and took her hand and held it if they were both strong-willed. 

The bathroom door opened and Gabe was just in his jogging pants. He closed the door and stayed in the bathroom until he was dressed. The girls both laughed.