Candy Apple Red-Book Two

Chapter 19 - Unexpected Tragedy

SEVEN MONTHS LATER...

Seth's POV

My phone rings on the kitchen table. I glance at the caller ID to discover it's Rachel, "Hello," I answer.

"Seth, it's time. My water just broke." Rachel blurts out.

My stomach flips, and my entire body trembles. I have dreaded this day since I found out she was pregnant, and my nerves are completely shot, "Okay, so are your parents taking you to the hospital?"

"Yes, Momma has everything loaded into the car."

I sigh audibly, "Okay, I'll meet ya there."

She disconnects the call without saying a word. The two of us haven't been on good terms the entire pregnancy. I hate fighting with her all the time, but we are like oil and water. She wants to control and manipulate me all the time, and we aren't even together. Regardless, I'm having a boy, and his name is John Luke. The kid is definitely mine, according to the paternity test, so she wasn't bullshitting me.

I pick up the phone to notify Dylan that my boy is coming. I dial his number; he picks up on the third ring, "Hey, what's up, buddy?"

"I'm headed to the hospital now. John Luke is coming."

"Oh, boy, congratulations. Let me see if momma can watch Georgia, so Ri and I can meet you there."

"Alright, man, if not, I understand," I respond.

"I'll call ya when I figure out what's going on."

I disconnect the call, grab my keys off the hook next to the door, and head to the hospital. Dylan and Mariah show up about thirty minutes later. The three of us sit out in the waiting room with Rachel's father. It's a bit awkward, but Rachel requested that since we have been fighting so much, she didn't want me in the room; only her mother and older sister, Rebecca, is allowed in there. I can't say that I blame her. Her pops mean mugged me the entire time, and you could cut the tension with a knife; it was so pronounced. Thank God Dylan was there to keep the peace between us; otherwise, it would have gotten ugly.

"I can't wait until this little man gets here. I love babies. I can't wait to hold him." Mariah says.

I snicker as Rachel's father flashes me an evil glare. I readjust myself in my seat. God, Rachel. Please hurry up and have this baby, so I am not forced to stay here with this man. Rachel's father picks up his phone as it rings in his hand, "Hello?" he answers.

He glares up at me as he speaks to someone on the phone. I lean forward and place my head in my hands to avoid his stare. Listen here, pops, I'm taking care of what's mine, but your daughter is the one that pushed herself on me and got us into this mess. God, I wish I could tell him this. Of course, he wouldn't see it that way because that's his daughter and his loyalty lies with her, which is understandable.

He nods his head, "Alright, dear, keep me posted." He says as he disconnects the call.

He gazes up at me, "Rachel is nine centimeters dilated. Should not be too much longer till your son gets here." he says sternly.

I nod my head and glance over at Mariah and Dylan. Mariah is overcome with excitement, "Oh my goodness, Aunt Mimi can't wait to see you, John Luke."

Dylan chuckles as he diverts his attention from Mariah to me, "Good luck, prying that baby out of Ri's hands, buddy."

I shake my head and continue to stare at the floor. My whole life is going to change for good. I can't believe this is happening right now. It's not my son's fault, though. I will make sure that he knows he's loved no matter what happens between myself and his mother.

Another hour passes, and Rachel's father gets the call that she is ready to push. He notifies me before making phone calls to family members. He walks out of the waiting room as he does. I breathe a sigh of relief. Dylan turns to me, "Wow, dude, that man has it out for you."

"No, s**t! Little does he know that his precious daughter is the one that trapped me. She kept throwing herself at me non-stop and practically forced herself on me in the garage when she stopped by one night. What's a man supposed to do when p***y is so easily accessible?"

Mariah glances at me as a look of shock crosses her face, "Sorry, Mariah. I'm just frustrated with the whole situation." I tell her.

She sits back in the chair and shrugs her shoulders.

Dylan snickers, "Well, that moment of weakness just determined the rest of your life, brother."

"Aww... I will help you out when I can, Seth." Mariah chimes in.

"I appreciate that, darlin. I don't even know how to change a diaper." I tell her.

She chuckles, "Aunt Mimi to the rescue."

Dylan wraps his arm around her and pulls her in for a kiss, "This beautiful woman was born to be a Momma. She loves every minute of it."

I glance over at them, they are so in love, and I'm glad they have each other. Too bad I don't get the same opportunity. I wish Dylan weren't so damn overprotective; Brie wouldn't have been so adamant about letting everyone know we were together. I realize the age gap is a problem. I pat Mariah's arm to get her attention, "Hey Mariah, have you talked to Brie lately? How's she doing?"

"She's fine; she has straight A's in school. She decided to major in Business."

"Is she seeing anyone?" I ask curiously.

"Yeah, she's been seeing this guy named Patrick. They are practically living together," she says.

My entire body trembles as my world comes crashing down all around me. The news is devastating, but I can't say that I'm surprised. I mean, I'm having a baby with someone else; I don't have a right to be mad.

Dylan chimes in, "Man, I need to make a trip to Knoxville and meet this guy. I'm sure he's not good enough for my little B."

Mariah rolls her eyes and playfully smacks Dylan on the arm. Just then, we are startled as Rachel's father barges into the waiting room, "The baby is here! John Luke Madden is 9 pounds 14 ounces and 21 inches long!"

I lay back in my chair and grin, "Sheww... glad it's over." I say aloud.

Dylan pats me on the shoulder, "Congratulations, papa."

Mariah jumps out of her chair, "Can we go back and see Momma and baby?" she asks Rachel's father.

He nods his head, "Yeah, I'll tell Rita and Rebecca to step out so you can see them."

He stands outside the waiting room and gets on the phone for a moment before returning, "You can go in, but Rachel is extremely exhausted. Follow me; I'll take you all back there." he says.

The three of us follow his lead down the hall and through the automatic doors to the Labor and Delivery ward, "She's at the end of the hallway; wait here, and I'll have the girls come out." Rachel's father tells us.

The three of us stand and wait on Rachel's father to return. We watch as Rachel's mother comes in the doorway with a worried expression on her face. She puts her hand over her mouth, and I watch as the nurse runs out of the room. Oh lord, what is going on?

After a moment, the doctor returns, "Everybody out, now!" he screams.

My entire body jolts from the initial shock, "Oh f**k!" I cry out.

"Code Blue, Room 445; Code Blue, Room 445." I hear as it's announced over the intercom.

Fuck! That's Rachel's room number. I turn to Mariah; she has her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide, "Mariah, what is happening?" I ask.

I watch as tears stream down her cheeks. She removes her hand from her mouth to speak, "It means there's a medical emergency."

We watch helplessly as Rachel's sister and parents huddle outside the door, sobbing while the hospital staff barges in with a red cart.

I pace the floors and impatiently wait for them to exit the room. After a few moments, the doctor comes out; he removes his hat and approaches Rachel's family first. His mother sinks to the ground on her knees, "No! My baby! She's gone! Why God???!!!!"

The three of them begin sobbing uncontrollably as the doctor approaches me. Dylan and I remove our hats, "Son, I have been notified that you are the father of the child. I am sorry to tell you this, but the mother has passed away; she hemorrhaged. We did all that we could." he tells me with a somber expression.

Mariah begins sobbing behind me; I turn to glance at her as she walks away to collect herself. Dylan looks at me with a somber expression.

"It's all your fault! You killed my daughter!!!" Rachel's mother yells while pointing her finger at me.

Rachel's father and sister pull her down the hallway to keep her from yelling at me. The doctor spins around to face me, "I'm sorry you got the blame, son. It definitely was not your fault. I hope you know that. Sometimes these things happen, unfortunately."

I clear my throat, "Thank you, doctor." I choke out.

He nods his head and gazes down at the ground before he turns around and walks away.

My legs give out, and I fall to the ground on my knees, "f**k! Rachel and I weren't on the best of terms, but I never wanted this! I never wanted my son to grow up and not know his mother!"

Dylan leans down and pats my shoulder, "Of course you didn't. You heard the doctor; this isn't your fault. You can't beat yourself up over this."

I place my head in my hands, "This means I'm going to have to raise this child alone. I have no clue what the f**k I'm doing."

"That's why you have me, Ri, my Mom, and sister, man. We are all here for you."

Well, I can tell you that my life changed dramatically after that. I brought home a newborn baby that I had no clue how to care for. Rachel's family wanted nothing to do with either of us. They blamed John Luke and me for her tragic death. It was a sad situation for everyone. Poor little boy, I feel bad he has to grow up and not know his momma. Thank God for Mariah, Nova, and Maggie for helping me out with this. I couldn't have done it without them.

Eventually, John Luke and I fell into a routine, and things started to get a little easier. It was the new normal, what can I say?