Stars that fade

Chapter 1: Labor of Love _A call comes in from Evergreen Hospital indicating his wife Anna had gone into labor._ "Mr. Anderson: excuse me, gentlemen, I have a family emergency that needs my urgent attention, leaving Mr. Ramson and the investors finalizing the deal. 'Labour's started, gotta go,'" he said, already heading out. Mr. Ramson checked his phone, saw the call from Jewel's sister, “Alexa,” and silenced it. "Let's wrap this up, gentlemen. We have a deal to seal." "Doctor, doctor, how is my wife?" Mr. Anderson called out as screams from the labour room echoed loudly through the hall. Mr. Anderson, who was in the middle of a business deal, was called, informing him his wife had gone into labour. He drove straight to Evergreen Hospital without delay… "Your wife has requested your presence, sir." Mr. James Anderson hurriedly walked alongside the doctor into the labour room. _Anna looking weak, with lips cracked and face as pale as a dead body laid to rest_ "The sterile scent of disinfectant filled Anna's nostrils as she gripped Mr. Anderson's hand, her face pale, as she whispered, 'Babe, I can't do this...'" She cried, "You can, my love, you just need to have faith; our baby girl will be fine," Mr. Anderson said… clutching his hand around hers, resting his forehead against hers, while whispering to her, "You can do this!!!" The midwife said to her, "Push, Mrs. Anderson, I can see the baby’s head." With a deep breath, Anna gave a big push with the last strength she had, and there she was… Anna’s miracle baby girl, “Jamie,” born August 15th 1999, time 12am; echo of celebrations so loud from family waiting outside the hall after the cry of Jaime was heard. The nurse placed baby Jaime close to Anna's chest; tears rolled down from her eyes like a river. Just by the end of the hall, another labour room had Mr. Fred Ramson's wife, “Jewel Ramson,” as she screamed so loud from pain, as each push felt like her last; she had labored for 2 hours with no sign of her baby's head. “Alexa paced outside the labour room, the harsh hospital smell – a mix of antiseptic and stale air – filling her lungs as she checked her phone for the 18th time..." scared that she would lose her sister, she called her brother-in-law several times with no answer or text to indicate why he would not pick. It was at the 3rd hour, time 1am; Jewel felt like her body was ready to push out for the last time; she gave her best push and out came the baby, so pale because she labored for 3 hours…. Oxygen and suctioning were done to remove excess fluid; Jewel was too weak to know what happened. "My baby," Jewel screamed, waking up from a long sleep. "Relax," “Alexa” her sister said, handing her baby boy to her. He was a beautiful boy, lips as red as cherry, eyes blue like the sky, nose crafted to perfection, hands so tiny she could cuddle with hers, after tears of joy and happiness. "Where is my husband, Alexa?" "Well, I called 17 times yesterday to tell him you went into labor, but he wouldn’t pick up or text to let me know what was preventing him from coming." Mr. Ramson glanced at his phone, his eyes flicking to the investors. "Five more minutes, gentlemen. Let's finalize the terms." He typed a quick text, his focus on the deal. The text read: Alexa, I’m in the middle of an important deal; what is the problem? Alexa’s phone beeps… "Ahahhhhh, I just got a text from him," Alexa read the text out loud. Jewel's eyes dropped, her voice barely above a whisper. "Tell him... tell him I hate him." Alexa's thumbs flew across the screen, typing out the words. The phone beeped again. "What do I say now?" Alexa asked, her voice low. Jewel's gaze hardened. "Tell him he's missed it. He's missed everything." Mr. Ramson smiled, typing away on his phone. "Gentlemen, I think we've got a deal." The investors nodded, shaking hands. He hit send on his text: "Deal's done. On my way." He looked up, expecting a response. The phone beeped. His smile faltered. "What do you mean I missed everything?" he muttered, reading Alexa's text. Mr. Ramson's eyes widened as he read the text again. "s**t," he muttered. He pushed back his chair. "Gentlemen, I need to go. Family emergency." The investors exchanged confused glances as Mr. Ramson rushed out, dialling a number. "Alexa, what's going on?" he demanded, his voice low and urgent. Alexa's voice was ice. "You missed the birth, Fred. You missed your son's first moments. Jewel's asking for you, but I'm not sure she wants to see you." Mr. Ramson's face fell. He rushed into the hospital, straight to Jewel's room. The door creaked open. Jewel lay in bed, baby in her arms, her gaze cold. "You missed it," she whispered. I’m so sorry my love, this deal was a major one and needed my presence. Jewel's gaze didn't soften. "A major deal?" she repeated, her voice dripping with hurt. "Ethan's here, Fred. He's real. Not some business transaction." Mr. Ramson's face fell further. "Jewel, I—" "Don't," she cut him off, turning her head away. "Just... just hold him." He took a step closer, taking Ethan in his arms. The baby's tiny hand wrapped around his finger. "He's perfect," Mr. Ramson whispered. Jewel's silence was deafening. Hope you both settle your differences here at the hospital before we take Ethan home, I don’t want drama happening close to a newborn, Alexa said. The hospital hall was full with family from Mr. Anderson's side in celebration of the birth of Jamie; balloons, flowers, and a flyer that read “it’s a girl” hung on the wall of the ward room Anna was in. Anna, still weak but full of joy, said to her husband, "She is so pretty and looks so much like you; oh no, she looks definitely like you. Her eyes, mouth, ears, and nose are just as beautiful as her mother's," Mr. Anderson said. And with a kiss on her forehead – ummuahh – Mr. Anderson smiled, still holding Jaime in his arms. "Babe, I need to make a quick call. I was in the middle of a deal with Fred when I got the call about you going into labor." Anna nodded weakly, her eyes fixed on Jaime. Mr. Anderson dialled Mr. Ramson's number. "Fred, hey, sorry about that. How did it go?" he asked, stepping out into the hallway. Mr. Ramson's voice was relieved. "Jim, it's done. We sealed the deal. I had to rush out, though – Jewel was in labor." Mr. Anderson chuckled. "Congrats, man! We got something to celebrate! Anna gave birth to a baby girl, Jaime." Mr. Ramson laughed. "That's awesome! Congrats to us both, then! Where are you guys?" "Evergreen Hospital," Mr. Anderson said. Mr. Ramson's tone turned surprised. "No way... that's where I am too!" Mr. Anderson chuckled. "Small world, eh? We'll catch up soon, then." Mr. Anderson walked back into the room, a big smile on his face. "Babe, guess what? Fred's got a boy, Ethan, and the deal went through." Anna's face lit up. "That's amazing! We're celebrating double then." Mr. Anderson nodded. "And get this – he's at Evergreen too. We'll have to go say congrrats." Meanwhile, Mr. Ramson stood outside Jewel's room, still trying to process the whole thing. He took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and walked in. Jewel was holding Ethan, her gaze still cold. I have apologized for my absence and would make it up to you, babe; I’m sorry I couldn’t be there for you and Ethan at his birth, but I promise to be the best father he had. “Jewel let out a slight smile but still stood on her mean face ground.” I believe you, but I want you to prioritize us first before your business; when you do things like this, my heart feels sad and heavy, making me feel worthless and not loved, Jewel said. Mr. Ramson's face fell further. "Jewel, I... I'll do better. I promise. You and Ethan are my priority." Jewel's gaze softened slightly. "See that you do, Fred." The Andersons walked into the Ramsons' room, balloons and a small gift in hand. "Congrats, guys! Meet Jaime," Mr. Anderson said, beaming. Jewel smiled slightly, holding Ethan. "He's adorable," Anna said, cooing over the baby. Mr. Ramson looked at Jewel, then back at Ethan. "Thanks, guys. We're... working through things." The two couples chatted, sharing birth stories and laughter. The tension eased a bit. The Andersons walked back to their room,