Neighbors (20 page)
Authors: Ashleigh Royce
A nurse appears
at my side. “I’m going to clean her up and weigh her.” I don’t want to, but I hand her over.
Greg kisses
my forehead. “You did great, Mel. She’s beautiful.”
“Stay away fro
m her, Greg. I don’t want you sleeping with my daughter.”
“One more push for the
afterbirth, okay, Melissa?” Dr. Mankoff says.
I push
and the ooze of the placenta gushes free from my body. A nurse replaces Dr. Mankoff at the foot of the bed and cleans me up.
After my vitals a
re taken again, I’m wheeled into the post-delivery room. Dr. Mankoff comes in just as I get into the bed. I’m sore all over and all I really want to do is sleep, but in her arms she’s carrying a small, pink bundle. She hands me my beautiful little girl.
Now that she’s clean, her features are clearer. She’
s definitely Dylan’s daughter. A full head of dark, wavy hair crowns her head. Water from my eyes cascade down my cheeks.
“Are you going
to breast feed?” the nurse asks.
“Yes.”
“I’ll show you how.”
The baby latches
on immediately.
A
voice from the doorway calls my name. “Mel?” John pushes Dylan in a wheelchair.
“
Dylan!” I say, holding our daughter as more tears run down my face. Several wires connect him to a heart monitor. I tilt my arms so he can see his daughter.
“She’s beautiful, like her mother.” He
stares at me and I see him fall in love with her instantly. “Are you okay?”
I nod
. “You?”
“I
was putting a roof on. Then there was a pain in my chest and my arm hurt. The next thing I knew, your ex-husband was standing over me. He says I’ll be fine.”
“He told me.”
“He did?”
“He stayed with me while I delivered.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there,” Dylan says.
“You’ll be t
here for the next one.” I wink.
“You mean you want to go through that again?”
I smile. “As long as we can keep practicing.”
He smiles too.
“I’m ready.
“No you aren’t. Neither am I.”
“Good.” His smile widens. “I don’t want you to start without me.” He looks over at the baby. “We never picked names.”
I look down at my new daughter and smile. “I was thinking Olivia?” I say.
His face softens as he realizes what
I’m suggesting. “Olivia?”
“
Your father told me what a wonderful person your mother was, and how much she meant to you. I know how her death affected you.”
“Olivia is a beautiful name.”
Dylan stands and kisses our daughter on her little brown curls and then kisses me on the lips.
Finally, I know I’m going to be all right. Everything is right. I
t’s perfect. I look at my daughter and she’s proof.
Acknowledgements
I am the luckiest girl in the world for having my fabulously patient and understanding husband, and two incredible sons, who put up with their mother’s crazy shenanigans. They always allow me the time to write and offer helpful suggestions when I’ve run into a mental roadblock. My life would be nothing without you guys.
M
y mother, who is my biggest fan, has no idea that I could never be half the person I am today without her love and guidance. She gives this world a positive hope that always keeps me steady. She is the best mother anyone could ever ask for.
This story would not have been written without the gentle nudging from my friend and neighbor, Melissa, who challenged me to write a story in a genre I had never attempted before. Upon her insistence, I submitted it to Limitless Publications, and now you are reading it.
None of my writing is worth anything without the members of my writing group: Jan, Jill, Gina, May, Blake, Maryanne, Sara, Connor, Kenny, Frank, Howie, Steve, Tony, Carolyn, Leidra, Chris and Cheryl. Thank you for all of your undying, and unconditional support. A special thank you to the members of my focus group – Melissa L, Joanne, Melissa B, Connor, and Sara. I appreciate all of the positive feedback and confirmations.
However, none of this would be possible without Jennifer and Jessica at Limitless Publications, who read my story and
decided that more people would
enjoy
it as much as they did. They gave me the opportunity to share it with you. I can never thank you enough for taking a chance on me.
About the Author
Ashleigh Royce grew up an only child in Queens, New York. Being alone a lot of the time afforded her many opportunities to create made-up worlds and stories for her to explore. Those fictitious adventures encouraged her to write down her stories and share them with her friends, who loved hearing about the latest details.
Soon, it was time to share her imaginary tales with people outside of her friend circle. And one place in particular she sent one of her creations
to, was Limitless Publications, where they fully enjoyed the read. So now that this story – “Neighbors,” an erotic romance - is available, Ashleigh is working hard on the next story, that is, between being a wife to a great guy; a mom to two fabulous kids; an editor for a local magazine; a writer’s workshop moderator; a PTA president, and a full-time paralegal.