New Hearts Old Flame Page 21
“Oh, wow.” Tessa was amazed, there was no doubt in her mind that Drew loved Jasmine.
“What happen?” Drew asked.
“She was bleeding and cramping really bad.”
“Where is she?”
“They have her in observation still.”
“Did they say what caused the bleeding and the cramps?”
Briefly, Tessa stared at him with a blank face.
“No, they haven't said anything yet, I'm waiting for someone to update me.”
Drew paced the hall.
“I'm not sure of what's going on between you two, she wouldn't tell me. I just figured, you would want to be here.”
He nodded. “Thank you.”
They waited for another hour, before one of the nurses came out and spoke to them.
“Your friend is stable, and so is the baby.”
Drew looked at Tessa. “Baby!”
“I'm sorry sir, I didn't catch your name.” The nurse turned her attention towards him.
“My name is Drew. That's my girlfriend and child you're talking about.”
“Well in that case, this news should put your mind at ease.”
“Can I see her?”
“Sure, she may be asleep. We gave her a mild sedative to help her rest, along with the pain medication.”
Drew frowned. “Is that safe for the baby?”
“Yes. We only gave her some acetaminophen and an antihistamine.”
He looked at the nurse like she was speaking another language.
Tessa touched his shoulder. “A Tylenol PM.”
He started to walk off.
“Sir, you need the room number.”
“Oh, right. What is it?”
“404.”
“Thanks.” Drew disappeared down the hall.
“Poor guy, he looks so distraught,” the nurse said.
Tessa watched as Drew went to find Jasmine. She hoped calling him wouldn't upset Jasmine even more.
As Drew approached the room, he asked God to help him find the words. Upon entering the room, he noticed Jasmine's back was to the door.
“Jaz?”
When she didn't respond, Drew walked around to the other side of the bed. Her eyes were closed. He ran his hands over the bed covers, before sitting at the foot of the bed. He remained quiet for a moment, while he stared at the wall.
“I'm selfish, I'm controlling, and sometimes I do stupid things. You were right, I only pursued you because of her. At least, that was the case in the beginning. Then we started spending time together. I found myself attracted to you as an individual. I found myself missing your infectious smile, the sound of your soft voice, and your laughter. When I first met you, all I saw was Nina. Now all I see is you, there's no mistaking that. I never wanted to fall in love again, and I never wanted to care about anyone else. You made it impossible not to. For the last two weeks, I've been driving myself insane. I replay the day you left, over and over again. Hoping to find a way to make you come back, so I can show you how much I love you. I still haven't figured it out.”
“You can start by getting off my foot,” Jasmine said.
Drew jumped off the bed and hurried to the head of it.
“You're awake!”
“Yeah.”
“How long?”
“I'm selfish, I'm controlling,” Jasmine said, repeating his words.
Drew grinned and stroked the side of her face.
“I'm so sorry Jaz, I never meant to hurt you. I wasn't thinking. Please forgive me.”
“I forgive you.”
Drew closed his eyes and thanked God for his answered prayer. He glanced at Jasmines face and then her stomach.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” He rubbed his hand over the cover.
“I planned on telling you that day. I was going to cook you dinner.”
“The pork loin in the sink,” Drew said.
“Yes. I went into the office to use your computer. I wanted to look up a recipe and. Well, you remember the rest.”
“How far along are you?”
“Six weeks.
Drew did the math in his head. “The week before I left for Boston?”
“Yep, that's the one.”
Jasmine covered her head. My life is one big mess.”
“No it's not. I'm here, you're not alone. I'll take care of you and the baby. If you'll let me.”
Jasmine smiled. She could tell Drew was putting an effort into being less controlling.
“I'm talking about my mother, and the fact she isn't my mother.”
Drew looked down, then back at her. He couldn't change that, he didn't know where to begin.
“I think I want to meet my parents. Do you know if they're still alive?”
“Yes, they live here in Richmond.”
“Really!”
“Yes.”
“What will happen to my mother if they report her? I don't want her to go to prison.”
“The Baxter's are unique people. They're very loving and forgiving. When N...”
“It's OK, you can talk about her.”
“When Nina died, I always blamed myself. If I had been paying attention, I would have seen the car run the red light. They didn't see it that way. Not once have they ever blamed me.”
Jasmine rubbed Drew's arm. “I wanna talk to my mother first, and tell her what I plan to do. I don't know why, but I feel she deserves that.”
“OK, whatever you decide, I'll support you one-hundred percent.” Drew leaned down and kissed her. “No more secrets, I promise.”
Jasmine raised an eyebrow. “Good, cause I think we have enough to deal with already.
A week later, Jasmine sat outside her 'mother's' house. She hadn't seen or spoken to her since the day she walked out. She gazed at the home she grew up in. Jasmine thought about all the memories. Through everything, her mother had been right there. For a long time, she had been her only friend.
With mixed emotions, she walked up to the door. Jasmine had a key, but she didn't feel right using it considering the situation. She rang the doorbell and waited.
“Yes, who is it?”
“It's me.”
Diane opened the door.
“Hi ma.”
As soon as Jasmine stepped inside, they embraced one another and cried.
“I had no right. There's no excuse for what I did. I know it'll take some time, but I hope you'll forgive me.”
“Yes, it will take time. I stopped by because I wanted to tell you, I plan on meeting my parents.”
Diane took a deep breath. “I figured as much.”
“I'm concerned about what will happen to you.”
“Don't worry about me. You do what you need to do.”
As the weather changed, Jasmine entered the third trimester. After her threatening miscarriage, Drew had become her shadow. He wanted her to move in with him, but she refused. Instead, he settled for an every other week deal, and that didn't stop him from staying at her place.
Drew's trips had become less frequent, and he was now living in Richmond primarily. Jasmine didn't want to admit it, but she liked the way he fussed over her, most of the time.
Lying in bed, she watched as he placed a pillow between her legs and another behind her back.
“How do you feel?”
“Constricted. How am I supposed to get out of bed and go to the bathroom?”
“That's what I'm here for. All you have to do is wake me up.”
She folded her arms across her chest.
“You look so cute when you pout.”
“I'm not pouting!”
Drew chuckled and climbed in bed with her. Facing her, he scooted closer, and rested his hand on her belly.
“Are you nervous about tomorrow?
“Yeah, I don't know what to say to them.”
“Don't worry, everything will be okay.”
“Can't you go with me?
“I could, but the three of you should talk. You need that ti
me alone with your parents.”
Jasmine knew Drew was right. She had to do this first visit alone, plus she still had mixed feelings about his ties to them and Nina.
“Come on lets get some sleep. In the morning you'll feel better.”
She hoped he was right about that too. Her life had changed so much, she prayed she wouldn't regret meeting her parents.
Epilogue
Time heals all wounds.
J asmine wobbled through Drew's house, she could barely see her feet. She was now a week over due. The nine pound baby boy inside her, refused to come out. They had tried everything. Finally, her doctor decided to scheduled her for induction that coming week. She couldn't wait to get him out.
“Drew, are you out here?”
Her stomach entered the room first. Strings of light lit the patio. A table for two, sat in the middle and Maroon Five's, 'She Will Be Loved', played in the background. Jasmine's mouth gaped open.
Drew walked over and guided her to the table.
“What's all this?”
“A little something I put together.”
Jasmine looked at the food on her plate, it was the pork loin recipe she'd tried to make for him.
She smiled. “You're really something, you know that.”
“I'll take that as a compliment.” He kissed her before sitting across from her.
Jasmine eyed her food again. “Did you cook this?”
“Yes, I did.” Drew said with pride.
Jasmine gave him a questionable stare.
“What? I did.”
She took her first bite. “Mmm!”
“Oh yeah?” Drew's eyes widen.
“Yes!” She shook her head and continued to eat. “Ooh!” She reached down and touched her belly. “I think he likes your cooking too.”
Drew cleared his throat and sat his fork down.
“Jaz?”
“Yeah.”
“Will you marry me?
Jasmine coughed, and drunk a sip of water to clear her throat. “Just like that huh?”
“Yeah, just like that.”
Drew saw the doubt in her eyes, reaching across the table he grabbed her hands.
“I know what you've been through and how hard it is for you to trust. My actions last year didn't make things any better. I promise, things are different with me. I look at you and I see my present and my future. I see the mother of my child and hopefully my wife. I'm a better man because of you.”
Jasmine glanced at her hands. She was scared, but willing to take the risk.
“So where is it?”
“What?”
“My ring?”
“Oh. Well I didn't buy one yet.”
Jasmine picked up her paper napkin and handed it to him.
“Here.”
“What's this for?”
“Make a ring out of it. You have to put something on my hand, while you're proposing.”
Drew stood and pulled a navy blue box, out of his pocket. “I think I can do better than that.” He opened the box.
Jasmine had never seen a ring like that before. She was almost afraid to wear the large diamond. When he slid the ring on her finger, she gawked at it.
“Drew this is too much.”
“Nothing is ever too much for you.” Drew came around the table and kissed her.
“Drew.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“My water broke.”
He looked down, and noticed the puddle of fluid between her legs. His eyes widen.
“Okay, okay. I got this.” He placed his hands on her belly.
“Drew it's OK, This is what we've been waiting for.”
He was too busy doing his Lamaze breathing to hear her.
“Drew?”
“Right!”
Jasmine laid her hands on him. “Go upstairs and get the bags. I'll wait here while you load the car.”
“OK, you wait here.”
She laughed and watched Drew run towards the upstairs, while still doing his Lamaze breathing.
Eight hours later, Jasmine gave birth to a healthy baby boy. She laid back in bed, while everyone staked their claim on who was going to hold him next.
“No one is going to hold him, until everyone washes their hands,” Drew said. “Especially you, Tessa.”
Tessa squinted at him.
“My hands are clean!” Lisa held up her hands, then rushed over to take the baby from Drew. She and Avery had finally conceived. The baby was due that summer. “I can't wait until you and Caleb, go on your first play date.”
Jasmine's heavy eyes fluttered as she looked around the room. Everyone was there including the Baxter's and Diane. Drew had been right about her parents. They were very forgiving and loving people. They decided not to involve the authorities, they said no good would come from Diane going to prison. Her incarceration would only bring more grief and pain.
“You're tired.” Drew caressed her head. “Do you want everyone to leave, so you can go to sleep?”
“What about your parents? Are they still coming?”
“They can come later. I want you to get some rest.”
“I'll wait until everyone here, has a chance to hold him. I don't want you to leave though.”
“Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. Me and the little one will be right here.”
Jasmine smiled and nodded.
Drew turned his attention towards the others.
“Drew.” She touched his arm.
“What is it? Are you in pain?”
“No, I'm fine. I just want you to do me a favor.”
He kissed the back of her hand. “Anything.”
“Work things out with your dad.”
Drew chuckled and shook his head.
Jasmine touched his hand. “I want little Drew to know his grandparents, all of them.
He smiled. “As you wish.”
She mouthed the words thank you, just before he kissed her.
Drew turned to face the others again. “After everyone gets a chance to hold Drew junior, Jaz is going to take a nap.”
“So you're kicking us out?” Tessa asked.
“Yep.”
As promised, Drew remained by her side. Jasmine awakened to the image of him rocking their son. The sight was precious. She observed how he talked to him in a whisper, as though he understood. When he kissed his little head, tears formed in her eyes.
She found real love, more so real love had found her. Their love wasn't perfect or neatly packaged, but it was unconditional. Jasmine could live with that. She couldn't wait to see what the future had in store for them.
The End.
Message from the author on the next page.
Message from the Author
Thank you for purchasing and reading my book. This is my second piece of published work. Currently, I am working on my next book. I look forward to writing more stories for you to enjoy. Please fill free to email me or follow me on social media. For inquires or comments you can email at the address below. Also, don't hesitate to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads.
Sincerely,
M.D. Alexander.
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