Thristy

Fourteen

I held Carol’s hand, “You got this Carol.” She allowed us to be in the room to deliver baby Conor Jackson. She looked at me, “Monica, I can’t do it. I am so sorry.” I placed a cool wet cloth on her forehead, “Remember you got this.” She squeezed my hand, “Noooo! It hurts so much.” I nodded my head, “I know it does, but you got this. Right Jack?”

Jack stood by me as he was turning pale, “Huh? Oh yeah, we are here for you Carol.” Carol let out a small laugh, “He looks like this is more painful than it does for me.” I looked at him as I tilted my head, “Yeah Jack. You are looking a little green. Why don’t you sit. Carol and I got this.”

He groaned as he sat in the chair far from all the action. Carol closed her eyes through a wave of pain when she looked at me, “If he is like this with me. I can’t imagine what he's going to be like when you go into labor.” I laughed, “Tell me about. And I have two coming at once.” Jack groaned, “Don’t remind me.” Carol and I laughed as another wave of pain hit her.

Doctor Thomas lifted up from her knees, “One more push and we will have Conor Jackson here to greet us.” Carol looked up to me, “Thank you both of you for allowing me to name him after my late brother.” I smiled at her, “The name is an honor.” Doctor said as he was preparing for the baby to come into the world, “Come on! Push.” Carol let out one more big push as the doctor said, “You are doing great.” He paused, “Here is Conor.”

I looked at Carol, “You did it.” She nodded her head, “Can I see him?” I looked at the doctor as he nodded. I smiled at Carol, “Of course. The doctor is just making sure he is ok and cleaned up. As soon as they are done. You can hold him.” The doctor held up the little guy, “And who gets to hold the little guy first.” I smiled down at Carol, “Please let Carol hold him first.” She placed her hand on my arm, “Thank you Monica.” The doctor placed the baby down on her as I squeezed her arm, “Jack and I will let you have a moment with Conor.”

She shook her head, “No, don’t leave. Plus, Jack missed the rest of the action.” I looked over to see Jack passed out on the chair, “Looks like it was a long night for all of us.” She smiled, “Yeah it has.” She looked down at Conor, “Hey Conor.” She smiled, “I carried you around for nine months and gave your life.” She looked at me and pointed, “That woman right there. She is your mom.” She pointed to Jack, “That guy over there. He is your dad and yes he is sleeping.” She looked up at the ceiling, “They are going to take good care of you.” She smiled down at him, “They fell in love with you while you were still in my belly. They wanted to make sure you had a good family.”

She pointed to my stomach, “Soon you will have a sister and brother.” She placed her hand on my round stomach, “Your brother and your sister are right there in her belly. They are twins and I think you will love them.” Tears started to roll down both of our faces when she continued, “Jack and Monica are not married yet, but they will be very soon, and you will be there. Your mom and dad are going to have a beautiful wedding. Your mom showed me her dress and it is beautiful.” She looked up while tears came down, “Your mom and dad said that at any time I want to see you that I can. I am going to try to see you once a month. Your mom is helping me out with a job and an apartment so I will be okay. You will be more than ok with Monica and Jack as your parents. I love you little guy.”

She held him up to me, “Please Monica, take him.” I nodded as I reached down and took Conor in my hands as she was sobbing, “I am going to take him to the nursery. Do you want me to take Jack with me?” She looked over to the lump that spread on the little couch, “No, let him sleep. I will let him know where you went when he wakes up.”  I gave her a small smile, “Ok sweetie, I will be back to check on you later.” I went to walk towards the door when she grabbed my free hand and squeezed it, “Thank you for all that you have done. Can I ask if Conor can call me Auntie Carol? I don’t want him to be confused.” I smiled at her and nodded my head, “Absolutely.”

Few moments later I was standing at the window of babies as I watched Conor sleep. Jack walked up behind me, “Baby Girl.” I turned and smiled at him as he walked up against my back and placed his arms around my waist, “Is that our baby boy?” I looked up at him, “He is.” He placed his lips against my temple, “He is so beautiful.” I smiled while looking at Conor, “He is.”

Two days after Conor was born the adoption was finalized and we were able to take him home. The week flew by when we got him home and my wedding day just creeped up on us, “Jack and I are getting married, today!” Abby ran in place in excitement, “I know.” I smiled, “Mrs. Monica Jackson will be hitting the scene by the end of the day!” Her voice became high pitched, “I know.” Abby grabbed me to pull me into a hug when Cindy, our new nanny came into the room with baby Conor, “Someone wants to say hi to his mommy.” She has been a lifesaver this first week of having her there with us and Conor. She handed me Conor and there was a note that was pinned to the baby’s jacket, I said, “What do we have here?” I took the note, gave Conor a kiss then handed him back to Cindy to give him his bottle as I opened the note:

“Baby Girl,

Today is the day! I can’t believe this is happening. We are getting married! You have been the best thing that has happened in my life. You are my Rose to my Jack.”

I smiled as a tear started to run down my face as I continued to read:

“My love for you is like no other. We complete each other in more ways than one. I can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle. Don’t worry, you don’t look like a beachball. You are beautiful inside and out.

Love your

Jack”

I started to cry when Abby placed her hand on my shoulder, “Stop that. You will mess up your makeup.” She read the letter over my shoulders when she squeezed, “Monica.” I looked up at her, “Abby.” She sighed, “What is this code for his Rose to Your Jack?” I nodded my head as I asked her to sit next to me. I felt it was time for her to know that truth about my past. She sat down, “What is it, Monica?” I took a deep breath, “I have something to tell you.”

She looked into my eyes, “About?” I looked behind me at the mirror as I pulled the bathrobe down to show the scar, “Oh, that.” I nodded, “That.” She smiled as she took my hand, “Are you ready, too?” I nodded, “I need, too.” I squeezed her hand, “Abby, my legal name is Monica Winters, but I was born with Rose May. I changed legally when I ran from Chicago. That scar was placed there from an ex-boyfriend the night I ran.” I took a deep breath, “My mother placed her own physical and emotional scars on me too.”  She shook her head, “I am so sorry.” I looked down, “The day that my house was broken into.”

She widened her eyes, “It wasn't a crazy ex-girlfriend of Jack’s. He told you that, so I wasn’t being forced to talk about Billy to anyone beside the police or him.” She smiled, “Jack knows all about what happened? Before your best friend.” I chuckled at her, “Yes, sorry. I told him that night. That is what took us so long to go inside the house when we arrived.” I gave Abby the details from my father’s death to the day I meant her. She tilted her head towards me after I told her how my mother felt about me having s*x, “Wow. That is why you were so scared of the idea in the between the sheets.” I nodded, “I know, crazy?” She shook her head, “No, you being scared because of it because of her. Your mom belongs in a metal ward.”  I smiled at her as we got ready to head to the church.

Jack made sure that we had a limo picked us up from the hotel to drive us to the church as the limo pulled up, “Jack is really pulling out the big guns.” I laughed as we entered the limo, “The club is doing more than okay that I think it has gone to his head.” Abby smiled, “Well, you two now have to keep up appearances. Jack with his club and you with your product lines.” I rolled my eyes, “Screw the people that don't like me and Jack’s wild side.” She laughed, “This is why I love the two of you.”

We arrived at the church when I noticed a presence of police around the area, “Abby? Do you know why there is such a police presence? She shook her head as she grabbed her phone, “Let me see if I missed any messages.” She looked down at her phone and then placed it back in her purse as she was hiding something, “What is it?” She forced a smile, “Nothing, Rick just text saying happened down the street. Police will be around, but it is nothing to worry about.” I nodded my head but knew she was laying.

I looked at my phone as a text came in from Jack, “Hey Baby Girl, it will not be long before you and I will be one. United together for the rest of our lives.” I smiled as I replied back, “Jack you are so sweet. I love you.” I felt that if it were serious then Jack would have told me. “Right, He would tell me?” I thought to myself as I got out of the limo then walked into the church.

I stood behind all my bridesmaids when the door opened to start the ceremony. One by one they walked down the aisle. The ushers closed the door for a few minutes as Jack’s dad walked up next to me, “Do you mind if I walk my future daughter in law down the aisle.” I smiled at him, “I would love that.” He placed a kiss on my temple then placed his hand on my stomach, “Then let’s get you married to my son.” I nodded as the doors opened.

I took a deep breath as we walked forward, and everyone stood and turned slowly. I smiled at Jack’s father as he patted my hand that was holding on to his arm, “You got this.” We walked slowly down the aisle as I saw our guest smile and watched me walk to Jack. Edward placed my hand into Jack’s as Edward leaned to him, “You may be my son but if you do anything to hurt this girl, I will kick your ass myself.”

Jack smiled at his father, “If I hurt her then please place me six feet under.” His father winked, “With pleasure.” Edward walked away as Jack looked at me, “Wow. You look Amazing.” I winked at him, “You don’t look bad yourself.” Rick and Leo leaned over as Rick whispered, “You are way better than looking then Jackie boy here.” Leo nodded his head, “I agree with him. Baby Girl” Jack threw his head back and laughed, “Told you both before and I will tell you again. She is My Baby girl. So, Back off.” I chuckled as we walked up next to the priest as we started the ceremony.

“I would like to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Monica Jackson”, the priest turned up to face the crowd of family and friends. Jack leaned in and gave me a passionate kiss. He moaned as he pulled away and we went to walk up the aisle as there was a gunshot. I felt a sharp pain as I fell to the ground. Jack ran to me, “Monica!” as he caught me before hitting the ground. He moved my hair out of my face, “Someone call nine one one.” I looked up the aisle as Billy was being tackled by the police, “If you can’t be mine then no one can have you. I told you that ten years ago.” I looked up at Jack as everything went dark.