AJ saw me zone out and gave a sympathetic smile. He really did feel bad that I was about to go through this procedure, but we had an understanding – whatever it took to bring this baby into the world safely, we were willing to cooperate.
I looked around at the faces of our closest friends who’d all traveled quite a long distance to be here for AJ and me during the delivery. Being in control of the timing was about the only bright side to going this route. Maisha, Terrell, Dee, and Karl had been here two days already – helping AJ and I get things together around our new house before I went into the hospital. Moving to a two-story home on Staten Island six weeks before the baby came wasn’t the smartest thing in the world, but we needed much more space than what we had in our loft with our new addition coming soon. I’d done what little unpacking I could while AJ was at work and he always helped when he got home, but getting settled had been a slow process even with Angel coming by to assist me a few times. However, with our friends here these past few days, everything was now put away and organized right down to the storage room in the basement. Karl and Terrell helped AJ paint the baby’s room and put his crib and changing table together. Dee and Maisha helped me put away every stitch of his clothes and put up the decorations when the guys finished. These four had truly been a blessing. My mother and father checked into their hotel that evening, too, so I had everyone and everything I needed…except the courage to get me through the delivery, that is.
AJ’s phone began to vibrate on the table and he answered it right away, still holding my stomach.
“Hello?”
Whoever was on the other end of the line had him grinning from ear to ear. “You guys checked in already?” he asked. “Ok, cool. Get some rest and I’ll see you in the morning; I’m making breakfast here at the house for everyone.” He paused again to listen to the caller’s response. “Ok.” His eyes lifted to meet mine and he smiled. “Sure, I’ll tell her.”
When he ended the call he set his phone aside again. “My mother said to give you a kiss from her,” he announced before leaning in to plant one on my cheek. “And my father said to tell you not to be shy about bossing me around – he doesn’t want you moving a muscle.”
I smiled at his father’s words, thinking of how I hadn’t even been able to put my own socks on for the past month. It was strange at first being in Mr. Hahn’s good graces, though. After AJ informed his parents that we were back together, I didn’t know what to think of his father’s newfound humility. At first, when AJ mentioned that his father had changed, it crossed my mind that it could be an act, a ploy to get back on his son’s good side; however, he was still just as kind and warm today as he’d been two years ago, squashing my suspicions.
I remember holding my breath one Saturday morning when AJ opened the door to our loft. His parents had driven up for a visit and I was so nervous about how it would play out. His mother entered first, smiling and passing out hugs, while his father hung back and observed. Eventually, my eyes locked with his and we couldn’t avoid greeting one another at that point. I gave a short, simple, “Hello,” as he crossed the threshold and continued to walk in my direction. It shocked me half to death when he extended his hand. At first I stared at it, then at him, wondering what this gesture was supposed to mean. It wasn’t until he spoke that I understood his angle completely.
“Samantha…I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but...I sincerely and humbly apologize. If you - ”
Before he could finish, I clasped his hand. A smile crossed his face and he nodded graciously.
“I forgive you,” I said readily. Mrs. Hahn discreetly reached for AJ’s hand, silently celebrating the end of the years-long feud that had been brewing between her husband and me for far too long.
The memory evaporated from my mind when my stomach rumbled again.
“He’s really moving today, isn’t he?” AJ asked, continuing to rub.