Drama Queen (17 page)

Kayla could hear a faint beeping in the distance. She frowned as she tried to figure out what it was. Her eyelids fluttered as she opened her eyes. She looked around the room and remembered that she was in the hospital.
Day! Where is my baby?
were her first thoughts. She tried to recall what had happened. Her room was dark and as she looked out the window, she saw that it was pitch black outside. The beeping sound got louder and she turned to see that it was a heart monitor. There were several IV bags hanging by the head of the bed and running into her arm, and there was an oxygen tube in her nose. Her throat was dry and she pushed the nurse button.

“Hi, sleepy head,” Nicole whispered to Kayla. “It's nice to see you finally awake.”

“Can I get something to drink?” Kayla closed and opened her eyes, trying to focus.

“I'll be right back with some juice for you.”

Nicole continued to whisper. She came in and gave Kayla a small can of apple juice and a straw. Kayla opened it and began to drink; she emptied it immediately.

“I feel funny. Like everything is foggy,” she told Nicole.

“Probably the medicine they have you on. It's pretty strong. You gave us a scare, girl.” Nicole talked low, confusing Kayla even more.

“Where's Day?” Kayla asked her.

“She's in the nursery. I'll get her for you in a little while. The staff has gotten quite attached to her over the past couple of days.” She took Kayla's vitals.

“She was just born yesterday, Nicole. They can't be that attached.” Kayla smiled.

“Kayla, you've been asleep for two days.” Nicole looked at her.

“Quit playing. And why is it so dark in here? You are funny, Nicole. I see why Terrell likes you. Pass me the phone, I need to call my parents.” Kayla looked on the nightstand and saw that there was no phone, “Where is my phone? And where is the TV? I know I have the bomb insurance. Isn't all of that covered?”

“Kayla, Karen had the phone, television and radio taken out of here. You can't have any visitors either, except for your mother.” Nicole pulled a chair and sat beside Kayla's bed.

“Why?” Kayla was beginning to get frustrated because she didn't know what was going on.

“Kayla, your blood pressure shot up to one ninety eight over one twenty seven. You were a heartbeat away from a stroke. Your body shut down in order to prevent that from happening. That's why you passed out. You basically went into shock.”

Kayla couldn't believe what Nicole was saying. She felt the tears fall from her eyes and she wiped them away. Nicole went and got her some Kleenex.

“But what about my baby? Who's been taking care of Day? I'm breastfeeding.” Kayla sniffed.

“Because of the meds that they have you on, you can't breastfeed, Kayla. Not right now, anyway. But Day has been well taken care of.”

“But, but, she's not gonna know me. Strangers have been taking care of her. We won't have a bond.”

“Yes you will, girl. You're her mother, she knows that. And she hasn't been taken care of by strangers. Your mother comes and sits with you and her, and Geno does her feedings, too.”

“Geno?”

“He's the only other one with a wristband for the nursery security. Your mother had to go through hell and high water to get permission to sit here with you knocked out in the same room.” Nicole laughed. Kayla remembered the armband being placed on Geno's arm after he cut Day's umbilical cord. “Let me go call Karen and tell her you are doing better, and then I'll bring Day.”

“Thank you, Nicole.” Kayla looked at the beautiful nurse and was grateful for her.

“Sweetie, you're up.” Jennifer rushed to her daughter's side and hugged her.

“Hi, Mommy.”

“I am so glad you're okay. Your father is worried sick. He is going to be relieved.” She rubbed her hand across Kayla's cheek.

“I'm fine, Mama. Did you see the baby?”

“She's beautiful. Just like her mother.”

“Did they tell you her full name?”

“Her name is just as beautiful as she is. Thank you so much, Kayla. I am so flattered, and Gramma would be proud, too.” Jennifer cried when Roni told her the baby's full name. She was hoping to have a grandson, but when she heard Kayla had a girl she couldn't have been happier.

“I guess I overdid it, huh, Ma?”

“Kayla, why in the world did you have all of those people visiting and all of that nonsense going on in the first place? You had just given birth, not signed a record deal. From the way I hear it, if Terrell hadn't arrived when he did, Geno and Craig were about to start fighting. You are lucky they didn't call security.” Jennifer knew she was wrong to be laying her daughter out, but she was angry. Kayla could have died.

“Mom, Craig had the nerve to ask for a blood test,” Kayla responded.

“Is it his baby?”

“Ma! Yes, it's his. I am not some loose floozy who sleeps with everyone. I know it's his baby.”

“Then let him take the test. You didn't even have to go there with him. You know what the results would say, do you not?”

“Yes.”

“Then take it. And when you take him to court for child support, you'll have all the proof you need!” Jennifer told her. “Who do he think he is, gonna question my baby's integrity?”

“You are crazy, Ma.” Kayla laughed. Nicole wheeled the bassinet into the room and Kayla happily took her baby. “She's gotten bigger!”

“No, you are the crazy one.” Jennifer shook her head and silently said a prayer of thanksgiving for the recovery of her daughter and the birth of her grandbaby.

Kayla had just gotten out of the shower and was packing to go home. She was beyond ready to leave. She had been in the hospital five days, including the night that Day was born. She wanted to take her baby home and get on with her life. They had already brought Day from the nursery. Kayla made a mental note to send the nursery staff a thank you note and a basket of cookies from herself and the baby. They had been so attentive.

“Looks like you're ready to go,” Karen said. Kayla was sitting on the side of the bed, waiting for her parents to pick her up.

“I've been ready,” Kayla told her. “Day needs to go and see her new room.”

“Well, I am gonna discharge you, but we need to get a few things straight before I sign these papers.”

“Okay, what?”

“There are two young men outside who say they need to see you. Now, I have listened to both of them begging me to see you for the last two days. I have agreed to give them five minutes each. I am going to connect you back up to this blood pressure monitor and if it shows a high reading at any time while they are here, it's back in the bed and you will stay there. I cannot risk having you leave here and having a stroke. Understand, Kayla? You have a little one to care for.”

“I understand. Who's outside to see me?” Kayla asked. She figured it was Geno and Terrell. They had probably been worried to death, and Kayla already knew that Geno came to see Day regularly.

“I'll send the first gentleman in,” Karen said as she affixed the blood pressure cuff on Kayla's arm. “Remember what I told you.”

“I will.” Kayla took a deep breath and reminded herself to stay calm. She leaned over and checked on Day to make sure she was still asleep.

The door opened slowly and Kayla smiled at Geno as he entered.

“Hi, G. I knew you were here.”

“You feeling okay, Kay?” He kissed her cheek and walked over to see Day. “Hey, Princess.”

“I would probably be doing better if I was at home,” Kayla admitted.

“Kayla, I'm so sorry for what happened the other afternoon. I was out of line and I was wrong. I know you think it wasn't my place to get into it with Craig, but when he made it seem like we were scheming on his punk ass, I got mad.”

“Don't worry about it, G. It wasn't your fault. But I'm glad you're here. I want to thank you for looking after Day while I was sick. They told me that you gave her 'round the clock feedings and everything.” Kayla wondered how he was able to get away from that crazy Janice to do it, but she didn't ask.

“That's my Princess. I didn't do anything you wouldn't do for me, Kayla. Hell, if it wasn't for you, I never would have finished school. I keep telling you that I will
always
be there for you. I'm not playing. No matter the circumstances.” He sat next to her and put his arm around her. Kayla did not know what to think. She still loved Geno, there was no doubting that, but she did not know what he was trying to say and didn't want to make a fool of herself by asking.

“Time's up.” Karen interrupted her thoughts before she had a chance to respond. She checked the monitor and looked at Kayla and Geno. “Very good, Kayla. No high readings. Now, Geno, I really need for you to make sure Kayla gets some rest while she is at home. Don't be calling her all times of the night and no surprise visits.”

“I know. Karen, I know this sounds crazy, but are you sure there is no possible way that I could be the father? I am not saying that Kayla's not sure, but is there any possibility?” He looked at Karen, pleading.

“If the last time you were together was when you said it was, Geno, then there's no way. Now if you want to take a blood test then I'd be more than happy to have it done.”

“No, it's just like I love her as if she's mine. She's only a few days old, but I know I couldn't love my own child any more. We have a bond,” he said. It took everything in her power for Kayla not to breakdown and cry. She wished more than anything that Day could have been hers and Geno's child. It would have made a hell of a lot more sense than Day being the result of a one-night stand with Craig.

“Childbirth is a very bonding experience, Geno. And you already had a bond with Kayla. That's a lot of emotions, when you think about it. And Day will also have a bond with you, if you choose to continue. But know that bond comes with a lot of responsibility. You are talking about being a part of a child's life. That's nothing to take lightly.”

“I know,” he said.

“Kayla, you have another visitor waiting. And your parents are waiting to take you home as well.” Karen opened the door.

“Good-bye, Kayla. I'll call before I stop by later.” He looked at Karen for approval. “To see Day, of course.”

“How about tomorrow? Give Kayla and Day a chance to get settled their first night.”

“Okay. But I'm gonna call.” He kissed Kayla, Day
and
Karen as he left.

“Ready for your next gentleman caller?” Karen asked.

“Send Terrell with his retarded self in.” Kayla prepared herself for the smart comment she knew he would have when he came in. Karen shook her head and walked into the hallway.

Kayla could not help but frown when instead of Terrell, Craig walked in. She was about to curse him out when she caught a glimpse of the blood pressure cuff on her arm and began to breathe deeply.

“Hi, Beautiful.” Craig spoke smoothly. He walked over and gave Kayla a hug, then touched Day's back. “And Little Beautiful.”

“You are the last person I expected to be here,” she told him dryly.

“Okay, I can't risk you falling the hell out again, so I'm asking you just to chill while I say my peace.” He looked at her intensely. Kayla didn't want to hear anything he had to say, but she decided to let him talk so he could hurry and leave.

“Go ahead.” She took another deep breath.

“Okay. I am sorry for saying what I did. It's just that I was looking at you and Geno and it was like it was
your
baby—
yours and his
. I know you wouldn't lie to me, Kay. And Karen confirmed what you said about the date of conception. I already made my peace with Geno, now I'm making amends with you
and
Day.” He reached inside his jacket pocket and passed Kayla a folded piece of paper. She took it from his hand and slowly opened it. It was the registration for Day's birth certificate and he had printed and signed his name under the space for father's information.

“Thank you,” Kayla whispered. She looked up at him and saw him standing next to Day.

“Can I?”

“She's your daughter. Of course you can.” Kayla reached in and passed the baby to him. He gently rocked her in his arms.

“I want to be a part of her life, Kayla. I know you and I will be nothing more than friends, but I still want to be there for her and you. Please, give me a chance.” He looked at her with that intense stare and Kayla could not help but smile.

“I don't have a problem with that, Craig. But I will not have you walking in and out of her life like some distant relative that she gets to see on birthdays and holidays. If you're gonna be a father, I have no problem with that. But I don't have time for your games, either,” Kayla warned him.

“All right, I understand. Well, I guess I need to let you finish up and get out of here. Do you need anything? Or does she?”

“No, we're fine for now. Thank you for stepping up, Craig.” She took Day and placed her back into the bassinet.

“Well, call me if you need me.” He gave her a hug.

“But are you gonna answer when I call? You know how you conveniently lose your phone sometimes.” Kayla smirked.

“You're a trip.” He opened the door and she could see her parents talking with Karen.

“Mister and Mrs. Hopkins, she's ready,” he told them as he turned and waved to Kayla. “I'll call you later.”

“Good-bye, Craig.” Kayla waved. “Hi, Daddy. You ready to take all of us women home?”

“You'd better believe it. Where's my newest baby luv?” Her dad kissed her as her mother followed him into Kayla's room.

“I thought we took all of this kind of stuff home?” her mother said as she picked up a pink and white vase full of flowers that had been delivered earlier. She read the card then turned to Kayla and asked, “Who's Uncle Darrell?”

“Craig's brother,” Kayla answered as she bundled Day up into the bunting Roni had sent.

“Well that was nice of him,” her dad said as he picked up Kayla's suitcase.

“He's a nice guy,” Kayla told them.

“Mom, can you please grab Day's pictures out of the drawer?”

“You'd better not forget them pictures,” her father warned. “I gotta have plenty to take when I go back to work. My grandbaby,” he said proudly as the nurse and Karen came in and Kayla sat in the wheelchair, holding her precious daughter.

“Thank you for everything, Karen,” she said. “I couldn't have done this without you.”

“Yes you could have. It just wouldn't have been as easy.” Karen grinned. “Now, I have given your parents specific instructions, so I know you're in good hands. I'll see you next week in my office.”

“Well, Day. We're finally going home.” Kayla smiled and kissed Day's forehead.