“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” John Morgan
Eva toured the culinary school with a sense of heightened anticipation for the independence becoming a chef could possibly give her. She was tired of being dependent on Harper. He continued to make sure she never forgot that if it wasn’t for him her family in Bolivia would still be severely destitute.
She had made her share of mistakes and she was sorry that she cheated on him, but it wasn’t like Harper gave her the time, attention, and affection she yearned for. She loved her husband, and she wanted to spend as much time with him as she possibly could. Returning to their home sometimes felt like a mistake but what real choice did she have? If she divorced him she would get nothing. She would be left alone, without a penny to her name. She couldn’t go back to the life she used to live. She felt so stupid. She should have denied everything especially after learning that she wasn't pregnant. But, noooo, when Harper accused her of cheating, she cowered down.
She was glad that she had taken the girls’ advice and sought out the best culinary school in Miami. When she told Harper about it, he was all for it. He said he would pay for it and hoped she would take advantage of his generosity. He was always telling her that she needed to find a hobby or something to past the time because his life was full and he didn’t have a lot of time to spend with her.
His life being ‘full’ was an understatement, because in addition to being Chief Medical Director at Adverse General Hospital, he had returned to filming his television show, The Heart of the Matter. The show had been successful in the past and showcased his skill as a respected, renowned heart surgeon. He invited guests on the show that had gone through traumatic events, heart surgery, or life altering situations that were often quite touching and inspirational.
Some of the past television shows brought Eva to tears with the real life people and sometimes heartbreaking situations that people faced. Added to that was Harper’s flourishing writing career. He had written two more books and was working on a third for his publisher. The books, like the television show, centered on various things about how to keep the heart healthy through proper diet, exercise, and mindset. Harper was a genius in his own right. Who was she to interfere with a man of his status and caliber? She felt both lucky and blessed that he even wanted her.
After committing adultery, she thought their marriage was over, but Harper had given her another chance, and she didn’t want to blow it. Being somewhat religious, he told her that it was God who told him to forgive her and give his marriage another go. Thank God Harper wasn't aware that it was Seth that she'd slept with—no way would he have wanted her back.
“How do you think you’re going to like culinary school?” Peyton asked when Eva called her after returning from her school tour.
“I think it’ll be fun. I’m really excited. Like you and the others said, I can open my own restaurant. Who knows, I may become a Michelin Chef or even an Iron Chef one day." Eva giggled into the phone.
“You’re right. Think big, girl. Are you going to come by here?” Peyton asked.
“You know Meesha had the baby this morning.”
“Yes, I read the group text she sent,” Peyton answered. “She has a baby girl. That’s so cool. I’m happy for her and Carlton.”
“Me too. I know she’s on cloud nine. Well, I planned on going to the hospital to see her and the baby.”
“Oh, okay. I’m so bored. I can’t wait until I can get out of this chair, walk again, and do things on my own. I hate having to depend on Derek or one of these nurses for everything. And my poor son, I know he has to get tired of waiting on me hand and foot.”
“That boy loves you, Peyton. You’re his mother, and it’s not like he’s waiting on you hand and foot. You have the best of care, your own personal chef, a nurse at your beck and call, and Derek gives you as much attention as he can. You’re lucky, girl. I wish Harper spent half as much time with me as Derek does with you.”
“That’s only because he’s doing what he thinks he needs to do as my husband. You and I both know that as soon as I can fully take care of myself, he’s out of here again. He’s going to divorce me and I can’t say I blame him.”
“Look, listen to what Meesha, Avery…and I keep telling you. You still have a chance to save your marriage. Derek didn’t come back home because he feels sorry for you—the man still loves you. He just wants you to stop drinking, and thank God you have. How long has it been now since you last had a drink?”
“Too long,” Peyton quickly answered. “Seriously, it’s been about six months. I can’t have one even if I wanted to. With these pop up tests and visits by my alcohol and drug counselor, I can hardly piss without someone knowing. And the meds they have me taking can make me deathly ill if I so much as sip on a cooler.”
“You know it’s for your own good, Peyton.” Eva walked to her car, climbed inside, and sat in the parking lot of the elite culinary school, talking to Peyton until another call came through. It was from an unfamiliar number but it had the Adverse General Hospital prefix. “Hold on a minute. This might be Harper calling.”
Eva switched the call over. “Hello.”
I had the baby,” Avery said, whispering into the phone.
“Avery?”
“Yeah, it’s me. I just had the baby,” Avery repeated.
“You what?” squealed Eva. “When, how, I mean what, oooh, oh, I mean you weren’t due for several weeks.”
“I know, tell that to my son,” Avery said.
“A boy? You had a boy?”
“Yep, I told you all it was going to be a boy.”
“I know you did, but you said you didn’t want to know until you had the baby.”
“Uh, exactly...and I have a boy.” Avery laughed.
“How is he? How are you?”
“I’m good, but he’s in NICU.”
“NICU? Why? What’s going on?” Eva asked, trying to maintain her composure so she wouldn’t upset Avery.
“He has a pretty bad case of jaundice and since he was born a little early they’re keeping an eye on him for a few hours. He should be able to come into my room a little later this afternoon. I just wanted to let you know I had him.”
“Where is Ryker?”
“He went to NICU to see if there have been any changes."
“And Lexie and Heather. How are they?
“Oh, the girls, they’re good. They’re still at school,” Avery said, sounding somewhat sad.
“Are you okay? You don’t sound like someone who just gave birth to her first son. I know you and Ryker have to be thrilled,” Eva said as she started the car and headed out of the parking lot and onto the street.
“I’m okay. Just worried about my baby.”
“You shouldn’t be. You said he’s going to be fine.”
“Yeah, I know, but I’m still concerned. He weighed five pounds, two ounces, and he’s seventeen and a half inches. He’s such a little thing. Anyway, will you tell everyone for me?”
“Sure, I will. I don't know if you saw her text, but Meesha delivered earlier this morning, and now you've had yours. How weird is that?” Eva said, laughing into the phone.
“No, I didn’t get a text. Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. She sent out a group text. You were probably in labor when she sent it,” Eva chuckled. “What did she have?” Avery asked.
“She had a little girl. I was going to go see her and the baby later this afternoon. I just came back from touring the culinary institute. I start school next week.”
“Good for you. You’re going to do well. I just know it. So you were coming to see Meesha later, huh?”
“Yeah, I don’t know why I assumed you knew that she had the baby. I’ll stop by to see you, too. You two are probably on the same floor in the Maternity Unit, right?”
“Yes, uh, of course. I’m in suite 2996.”
“Meesha’s in…I think Carlton told me it was Suite 3201. Anyway, I’ll see you a little later. I’m going to run by the house, change clothes, and then I’ll be on my way. I know you have to be tired. Giving birth takes a lot out of you, I’m sure.”
“Yeah, it does, but I’ve been around the block a couple of times, so I’m good. Just worried about my son.”
“Don’t worry. Try to get some rest. I’ll see you later. Oh, yeah and Avery?”
“Yes, Eva?”
“Congratulations! I’m happy for you and Ryker. You didn’t tell me the baby’s name.”
“What else would it be? Ryker the second.” Avery faintly smiled into the phone, while silently wishing she could have named the baby after Carlton.
“Ryker has himself a junior,” Eva said. “Good for him. I’ll see you later,” Eva said. “Oh gosh, I forgot, I have Peyton on the other end. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay, bye, Eva.”
Eva clicked over but Peyton had already hung up. Peyton would never hold on when people called her and put her on hold. She felt that it was so inappropriate, yet Peyton had no problem putting someone else on hold.
“I’ll call her back in a few minutes,” Eva said aloud as she drove toward her residence. She smiled at the thought of both Meesha and Avery having their babies on the same day and hours apart. That was so far-fetched to her. Her feeling of happiness was replaced with overwhelming sadness as she thought about her false pregnancy. She so wanted to have a child to love and care for, but as long as she was married to Harper she knew that would never be a possibility.
Harper’s secret about his vasectomy had taken her for a loop, literally knocked the wind out of her. Then when the doctor told her that she wasn’t pregnant, it was another huge blow. She could still see herself in the doctor’s office that day, hearing his devastating words. “There’s no easy way to say this, but there is no fetus, Mrs. Stenberg. The pregnancy tests you took were false positives. You have what’s called polycystic ovary syndrome."
Unless she left Harper or somehow persuaded him to adopt a kid, she would forever be childless as long as she was married to him. Tears poured from her shapely dark eyes. She wiped her tears away with one hand while keeping her other hand braced on the steering wheel. If only she could talk Harper into getting his vasectomy reversed so they could try to have a child. But Eva knew that would probably be close to impossible because Harper made it clear that he was not ready to have a kid. His life was centered around his career. He didn’t have the time to give her, so he definitely didn’t want a kid running around under foot.
Eva arrived at the hospital, stopped in the hospital gift shop, and picked out gifts for Meesha and Avery. She asked to have Avery’s gifts and flowers delivered to her room and she carried Meesha’s with her since she was going to visit her first.
When she entered the room, Meesha was breastfeeding her new little bundle of joy.
“Hi, Eva, come in,” Meesha greeted her when the door opened and she saw that it was Eva. “I’m so glad you came.”
“Hey, girl. I told you I would be here.” She walked up to her and looked down at the suckling baby girl with a head full of thick, curly black hair. She placed the flowers and stuffed baby bear on the table next to Meesha’s bed.
“The flowers are beautiful and look at the cute little stuffed bear. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. So, how are you?”
“I’m good.”
Eva studied the little bundle with intensity. “Meesha, she is so beautiful.” Eva was overcome with happiness at seeing the newborn. She fought back tears as she tried to push the thought of her not having children out of her mind.
“Ohhh, it’s okay, Eva. Don’t cry. Please don’t cry.”
“I can’t help it. I’m so happy for you and Carlton. By the way, where is Carlton?”
“He just left a little while ago. He’ll be back later.”
“How long will you be in the hospital?”
“I’ll probably be going home tomorrow, I’m sure. You know they don’t keep you in the hospital for long these days, especially after having a baby. If there are no complications, they’ll boot you out of here in a heartbeat. Plus, you know I am somewhat of a pro at this,” Meesha said and laughed.
“Wow, I didn’t know you would go home that quickly. Did you know that Avery is down the hall?”
“No, I didn’t. What happened? Is she all right?”
“Yes, she had the baby.”
“What? Is the baby okay?”
“Yes, she says the baby is fine, just a case of jaundice. I’m going to go see her when I leave you.”
Meesha laughed slightly. “Can you believe it? Me and Avery’s kids born minutes or hours apart. That’s cool.”
“Yeah, I think so, too. Makes it easier for birthday parties, huh?”
“You got that right. What did she have?” asked Meesha.
“A boy, just like she predicted. I’m happy for her.”
“I know she’s happy about that. She and Ryker wanted a son so badly. God is so good. And if the baby has jaundice, that shouldn’t be hard to clear up. He’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you’re right, but Avery sounded upset when I talked to her. I could hear it in her voice.”
“Well, you and I both know that it doesn’t take much to upset Avery. She’s sensitive like that and she’s definitely a worrier. She stresses about the least of things. I’ll say a prayer for her and the baby.”
“That’s sweet of you, Meesha.”
“That’s what friends do.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I just can’t get over how beautiful she is, and she’s so tiny.”
“She’s going to be spoiled rotten. I already know,” Meesha said. “The boys wanted a sister. Carlton and I wanted a little girl, so you know we are going to treat little Miss Makena Grace like a true princess.”
“Makena Grace? Is that her name?” Eva asked.
“Yes. You like it?”
“Yes, I love it. It sounds so graceful and elegant. Like a real princess’ name.”
Meesha smiled. “Thanks. It’s a name I always said I would name my daughter if I ever had one, and now look at her, Eva. I have my very own little princess.”
Meesha’s baby began to release the cutest little cry as she stopped nursing.
“Is she all right?” asked Eva, looking at the little girl with curiosity and concern.
“Yes, she’s fine. She’s already vocal, telling me what she wants.” Meesha smiled and then whispered sweet words to the little girl, kissed her on top of her head, and then sat up farther in the bed so she could burp her.
Eva watched every move. Oh, God, why not me? Why not me?