Cadence Reflection (Wheels & Hogs Book 2) (24 page)

I hear a sound like water hitting the floor. I look over at Trinity, who has a dazed expression on her face as she looks between her legs, “I just peed my pants and I couldn’t stop it,”

At this, Fern lets out a loud scream, “Gabriel, Gabriel.”  The door bursts open as Doc, Des and Dee run in, “Trinity’s water broke.”

W
hen Fern’s words reach my ears, I immediately panic, “What the fuck? Is it really time?” I watch as her face twitches with pain. This is all so sudden. I thought these things took time, but she’s already having contractions from the look of pain on her face, “Baby, breathe. Come on, just like in that class we took. You have to breathe through the contractions.  I’m right here, Trinity, and I ain’t leaving so just try to relax.  Des, get a fucking doctor in here. She’s going into labor.” 

All of sudden, Trinity’s eyes widen as another contraction kicks in, “Cadence, it hurts so bad and it’s happening so fast!”

Reaching for her hands, I squeeze them, looking into her eyes, “Trinity, I have total faith that not only can you do this, but you will.  If our baby wants to make its entrance early, then dammit, we can’t stop it. Let’s try the breathing again, in and out. Come on Trinity breathe with me, slowly. In then out, you can do it. You’re one of the strongest women I have ever met.  That’s it baby. See, we can get through this.” 

As the door opens, an orderly appears with a wheelchair. Between Des, Doc and I, we get her into the chair. As soon as she’s settled, another contraction hits so we wait for it to pass. Then the orderly pushes Trinity out of the room, telling all following him that we are headed to the labor and delivery floor. 

I
look over to Fern who has tears in her eyes, “Sweetie, she’ll be just fine.  Women have been having babies for centuries.” At my words, Fern’s tears turn in to sobs. I rush over and pull Fern to me, “Are you in pain? Do I need to get a nurse? What is the matter Fern?” 

“I will never experience that, Dee Dee.  Even if I beat this frigging cancer, I have been told my chances to have a baby are little to none.  We did freeze some of my eggs, but that is also a one in a million chance.  I am so happy for Cadence and Trinity, but there is a little bit of envy on my part.  To feel a baby growing inside of you, moving and kicking and then going through the miracle of birth is something I have wanted my entire life.  I never wanted to be a career woman. All my dreams were about finding my soul mate, getting married, and then when the time was right, start a family and have a bunch of kids.  Well, we see how great that worked out, didn’t we?”

Not having any words to make it better, I just hold my friend during this dark time in her life.  I wouldn’t change anything because I love my kids.  My heart breaks for Fern because her life has been a constant battle.  I’ve prayed that Fern would beat the cancer and somehow find a way to have the family she always wanted.

Fern finally pulls it together somewhat and I let her go to lie back on the bed, “Dee Dee, never tell Gabriel about this mini breakdown.  He has tried everything to make my life the best it could possibly be. Even before the cancer, when we were trying to get pregnant, it never happened.  I just pray Gabriel doesn’t feel like I failed him as a woman and a wife.”

“Fern, you know that he loves you with his entire heart. With or without children, you have made his life the best it could be, just like you make everyone around you feel so very special. I need you to calm down and relax. It isn’t good for you to get upset. Do you want some water? Maybe some hot tea? I can ring the nurse for anything you want.”

Fern raises her head, “Some hot tea actually sounds really good, Dee. Thanks.”

“W
ell, she’s still in labor.  Cadence is going crazy back there. Wolf, maybe you should go back and give him some support because I ain’t cuttin’ it. If he continues to cuss me out, he will be unconscious when his kid is born.”  At my words, there are some giggles and the bikers laugh out loud at the frustration in my comment.

“Do you think it is okay for me to go back there, being that I am not related to either of them?”

At his words, I glance at Cadence’s family in the corner who I called as soon as Trinity went into labor. They all smile back at us as Ruthie replies, “Wolf, he considers you one of his brothers and over the years, you guys have built a solid friendship. He needs someone he can relate to who has been part of his life. No hard feelings Wolf go to him and help him out. Trinity is probably losing her mind with him going off at everyone. He never was the most patient boy, and I can see that has followed him into manhood.”

I raise my eyebrows at Wolf, “Any other excuses for not going back there? I get the feeling that you’re stalling, Wolf. Get back there, now.”  Wolf shakes his head and heads out the door. 

“Des, we have a pool. What do you think? Boy or girl?” Enforcer yells across the room. 

“Dude, I have no fucking idea. Who started the pool anyway?”

Enforcer shifts his eyes and then under his breath, he says, “Trinity dude, that’s who.”

For a minute the room is shockingly quiet, then we all burst out into laughter.  Leave it to Trinity to start her own pool on the sex of her own child. She has come a long way over these past months and her personality is taking shape of a very smart woman with some sass built in. 

Minutes turn to hours as we all wait for the baby to make its entrance.  Stash and Bear went for a pizza run and everyone is eating as Wolf comes back in the room with a worried look on his face, “They are taking Trinity to delivery right now. The baby was breach and they have worked for six hours now, trying to turn the baby and they have finally done it, so they are ready to push her along now. Shit, you all should have seen Cadence’s face. I think he is going to gut the doctor.  He’s getting into some scrubs and they are preparing her for whatever needs to be done.”

“M
r. Wolf? We need to get you in some scrubs as Mr. Power is asking for you to be in there, too.”

“What did you say? And my name is Wolf, just Wolf, miss.”

As the nurse repeats herself, my shoulders are shaking and obviously Axe sees this because he walks to me and places his hand on my trembling shoulder, “Brother, he needs you. Don’t think about it, just do it.” 

I look up to Axe and see the sincerity in his eyes, so I give him a nod.  As I walk out the door, I turn and make a quiet request to the group of people in the room, “Say a prayer that this baby is born and everything is okay.”

I struggle to get into the scrubs the nice nurse handed me.  She watches me try to get into the pants and leaves the room, returning with another set, “Try these on. They’re a bigger size and should make it easier for you,” Thanking her, I then turn my back, pulling on the scrubs with ease.  After I’m covered, she leads me down a hallway through a couple of doors and hands me a mask, “Put this on. We are entering the surgery room now.”  I place it on my face as I’m hit with a brightly-lit room. Trinity is laying on a gurney under another bright light as Cadence is on her right side in a chair, holding her hand. 

He looks up, seeing me approach. The relief in Cadence’s eyes lets me know that Axe was right. Cadence needs me.

“Thank God, Dude. I didn’t think you would come back here.  We are both freaking out. Thanks for being here, Wolf. I need you, brother.”

“I am always here for you, little brother, you know that, but you okay with me in here, seeing your woman give birth? If the roles were reversed, there’s no way I would be okay with it.” 

“No, Wolf. You aren’t checking out my baby’s momma, no matter what. You get to the other side to support us and be part of your Godchild’s birth, that’s it man. Got it?” 

I laugh, which catches Trinity’s attention, “Little one
,
are you good with me in here during this special time.”

She smiles softly, “Who do you think sent the nurse for you?  He,” she points at Cadence, “is driving me crazy, and the only way we are going to be able to handle this is if you keep him calm. That’s all I am asking and don’t hold anything against me during the labor because I am not responsible for what comes out of my mouth.” We all laugh, which helps bring down our stress. 

Suddenly, Trinity lurches in the bed, “Holy fuck, this shit  hurts. When do I get my epidural?  I can’t wait any longer. Cadence, get me the damn shot, now,” Cadence and I look at the angel on the gurney in shock. Trinity barely swears and now she had a trucker’s mouth. I think to myself that this is going to be a long night.

After the doctor has her prepped, things start to move quickly. Trinity received her epidural, which helped her immensely with the pain.  Both Cadence and I helped her with the breathing techniques. As time went on, I helped position her when she needed to reposition herself, and Cadence rubbed her back when the pressure, even with the shot, was too much.

Finally, at 2:32 am, the baby crowned.  I took the side away from the mirror as they lifted the bed with Cadence’s help.  The doctor kept checking Trinity under the sheet and as each contraction came, instructed her on what to do. Cadence held her hand as I wiped her forehead and face. When it was time, the doctor looked up at Cadence first, then Trinity, “Trinity, on the next contraction, I want you to push as hard as you can. Cadence, come here so you can see the head.”

Cadence walks around and the look on his face is priceless. I watch my friend as every emotion passes over his face until it’s of just plain awe.  Trinity lets out a moan and Cadence rushes to her side.  When the doctor tells her to push, she starts to bare down and push with all her might as her face turns bright red and she gasps for air.  When the contraction passes, the doctor once again instructs Trinity, “We are almost there. This next contraction, give it your all and push as hard as you can.”

She nods as she squeezes Cadence’s hand until it turns white.  He lets out a howl as I lean into her, “Little one, let go, as he will need both of his hands to change this baby’s diapers,” She loses her hold and giggles at my words. 

At the start of the next contraction, Trinity leans her head up and pushes down. Beads of perspiration pop up on her forehead as her upper body trembles with her efforts.  The doctor encourages her, “Come on Trinity, that’s it. You’re doing great.  One more push and this baby will be out so give it everything you’ve got.”

With one final effort, Trinity falls to the bed as they hear the doctor announce the baby is out.  As we wait patiently, the doctor holds the baby up as it starts to cry loudly, “Trinity and Cadence, meet your daughter.”

Trinity looks at Cadence and breaks into sobs. Grabbing her face he asks, “Baby, what’s the matter?  Are you in pain?” 

She reaches out and caresses his face, “Cadence, I hope you didn’t have your heart set on a son.”

“Trinity, never worry about that, baby. We have a beautiful, healthy miracle and that is all that matters. Darlin’, we have a daughter and hopefully she has your beauty and intelligence.”  The doctor asks Cadence if he wants to cut the cord so he walks over.

Trinity glances at me as I watch her closely, “Trinity, you are such a wonderful woman. I will never forget this moment, so thank you for including me.  Cadence is such a lucky man.  Thank you, little one.” 

She holds my hand to her heart “I never had a brother, but from the moment I met you, the connection was there.  I am glad that you are here to meet your Goddaughter, Wolf. We owe you for our lives never forget that. No matter what, we will always be there for you as you have been for us.” 

As Cadence approaches her side, he has the baby in his arms. Tears are running down his cheeks, “Let me introduce you to your daughter.  She is beautiful, just like you. I love you, baby.” He leans in and we both get our first look at their daughter.  She has a ton of dark blonde hair, just like Cadence.  Her skin is rosy with a button nose.  As Trinity holds the baby, a nurse comes over to help her breastfeed the baby. At this, I step back, telling Cadence, “I will go let the others know that the
Little Princess
has arrived.”

Turning, I leave them to their solitude.  Walking to the changing area, I remove the scrubs then head to the waiting room. Entering, I see the same people still sitting exactly where they were hours ago. Even Doc and Fern are here. Fern is in a wheelchair, bundled up in blankets. 

Once they see me, they all look up at me expectantly, “I am proud to announce that after much fuss, the baby has arrived.” 

Des asks the obvious question, “So, what did they have? Is it a boy or a girl? Is it healthy?”

“The baby is definitely healthy, and blessed with some strong lungs. It’s a girl, Des, so the
Little Princess
has arrived.”

Cheers and laughter follow my announcement.  I watch as Doc gently holds Fern as she quietly cries into his shoulder. 

“T
rinity, we are gonna have to name our little angel. Do you have any names?” I shake my head as the nurse takes the baby back to clean her up.

I watch the nurse until I can’t see the baby, then I look to Cadence, “How about you, Cadence? Any name you like or want?  Maybe your mom’s or grandma’s?”

He shakes his head.  I think for a moment, then suggest to him, “How about naming her after Fern? She means a lot to you, and I have come to love her myself. It will show her how much we care about her.”

“As much as I love Fern, I don’t want the baby to be named after her. It makes it feel like she is dying or dead already, and I don’t want that impression, but how about Hope Fern Power. It sounds good, doesn’t it?” 

I smile widely, “I love it, babe. That is our baby girl’s name, Hope Fern Power.”

A
s we wait for our baby girl to be brought back to us, the doctor starts speaking about the umbilical cord and placenta while placing it in a storage container that I didn’t notice until now.  I’m watching how carefully everyone is being with gloves and dry ice as the doctor tells the nurse to call the Bone Marrow bank, that they have it ready for pick up.  Just as I’m about to ask what in the fuck is going on, I feel Trinity’s hand reaching for mine.  I look away for a moment from the action-taking place at one of the surgical tables and that cooler thingy.