Post by Shanna on Mar 20, 2007 17:39:38 GMT -5
Chapter 15
Reaching for her when she sat straight up Gus held on.
“I’m right here honey, what?” he asked when she looked over at him.
“I want to see the baby.”
“Okay, let me go get a wheelchair.” He said climbing off the bed & going out the door.
A minute later he returned with a wheelchair. Stopping at the edge of the bed he helped her stand & put on a robe then sit down.
Pushing her away from the bed a bit; he knelt beside her, taking her hands in his he kissed them then continued, “You ready?”
“Yeah.” Grabbing the sign he passed it to her to carry down to the nursery & they started down the hall.
Knocking on the nursery door, one of the nurses opened it for them. “Hi, Mr. & Mrs. Aitoro, come on it.” Nurse Katie replied as Gus wheeled her into the room.
“Is that his name tag?”
“Yes it is?” Harley replied. “Oh let me see?” Katie requested. Gus held it up for her to see. “Oh it’s adorable; I love the teddy bear in the corner.”
“No, little boy can be without his teddy bear.” Gus replied as he took Harley over to where their son’s incubator stood.
“I want to stand honey.” She said. Stopping the chair he helped her stand, “The chair’s right behind you when you need to sit back down.”
Moving in beside her Gus lay a hand on her shoulder, “Oh Gus he’s so tiny…” she said softly as tears pooled in her eyes. Seeing Harley’s distress Katie walked over, “Mr. & Mrs. Aitoro, I’m one of your son’s nurses… he’s doing really well. His jaundice is fading with no problems if what’s left of the jaundice hasn’t faded by tonight we’ll place him under the light again for 10 minutes so the rest will fade. He’s taking nourishment very well. Tomorrow we’ll weigh him to see if he has gained anything. We’ll be feeding him like this for 1 more day then we’ll help him begin with the sucking reflex. For now he is doing as well as a preemie can be. If you have any questions come get me. Spend as much time with him as you like.” She replied then left them alone.
Wrapping his arms loosely around her Gus kissed his wife’s cheek then looked over at his son, “Hi Matthew its daddy, I brought mommy this time. We’re both here kiddo. We made a sign so everyone will know who this handsome boy is.” Gus said softly as he placed the sign on the other end of the incubator.
Harley slipped her hands through the holes & began to caress him. “Hi sweetie, it’s mommy; I’m here. I would’ve been here sooner but the doctor as well as daddy made me rest first. Are you being good for all these nurses, huh? I love you.”
Gus moved to the other side & slipped his hands through the other holes. As they both began to touch him his heart rate went up just a little and Katie walked over & watched. The more they touched him after that jump his heart rate settled & he stretched.
Katie smiled up at them, “He can tell you are here… talk to him.” She said then walked away.
“So, you know we’re here.” His dad whispered.
“You have quite a family waiting to meet you.” Harley chuckled, “Daddy’s right Matthew… you have a lot of people waiting to see you—“
Before she continued she saw Gus jump as his cell vibrated in his pocket.
“I’ll be right back sweetheart. Matt, daddy will be back in just a minute.” Squeezing Harley’s hand as he went by he nodded to Katie then ran to the waiting room.
“Hello,” he answered when he got there.
“Gus, its Lizzie.”
“Hey cutie… what can I do for you?”
“I just heard about Harley & the baby are they okay?”
Gus closed his eyes, for being so much a Spaulding; she also seemed to be the Spaulding with a heart. He thought.
“Sweetie, Harley had the baby earlier, it’s a boy.” “But she was so early.” Lizzie said. “There was no way that the labor could be stopped. Matthew weighs 3 lbs. & 4 ozs. & is in an incubator & has to stay there a while.
“Matthew?” Lizzie asked.
“His name is Matthew Cooper Aitoro.” Gus responded. “Hey Lizzie, don’t tell granddad okay?” he asked.
“Of course not. I’ll let you get back to them; I just wanted to check on you when I heard.” Lizzie stated. “Thanks Lizzie, hey give Sarah a kiss for me okay. I love you too.” Snapping the phone shut he turned it off & headed back to the nursery.
Slipping back in, Gus went back to Harley. “Sorry that was Lizzie; she heard about you & the baby & wanted to check in. Did you tell him about the family?”
“No, I waited for you. We had a mommy-son talk while we waited. Harley replied.
“Daddy’s back so where were we…” “Just about to tell him about the family. I think.” Gus said slipping his hands back to touch his son.
“Right- well Matthew you have an older sister, & 2 older brothers waiting to meet you. Your sister is Susan & your brothers are Zach & Jude. You also have your Granddad Buzz who you will absolutely have fun with when you’re a bit older. Then they are your uncles Frank & Coop who are mommy’s brothers. –.” And from my family Gus interrupted, “I don’t want you to know all of my family but there are 2 that you’ll probably get to know & that’s your Uncle Alan-Michael & Daddy’s niece Lizzie. Son, when you get older I’ll show you a picture of your Grandparents but there names are Joe & Angela & they were wonderful. When you get older I’ll tell you more about them.
They both stood there a few minutes allowing Matthew to just feel them around him as they touched him. Looking up over the top of the incubator Gus reached one hand over to link with Harley’s.
“He knows we’re with him.”
“He looks like you even now Gus. I can see it in the shape of his face & he’s got your black hair.” Harley said. “I think he’ll have your eyes babe. She smiled as Gus saw her sway. Going around to her he held her steady.
“Here baby, sit down.” He said helping her into the wheelchair.
“Gus, Harley there is several people standing outside waiting for you.” Katie remarked coming to them.
“It’s probably some of the family.” Harley said.
“Is there anyway Matthew can be brought to the window?”
“No, but I can make sure nobody blocks the view from the window.” Katie said shaking her head.
“Okay, before we go we wanted to give you a list of people that we okay for Matthew.” Gus stated. “Sure.” Katie replied grabbing the clipboard, “Go, ahead.”
“Anyone named Cooper.” Harley chuckled. “I take it they are at the window?” Katie asked.
“Yes.” Harley replied then continued, “Also, there is Susan LeMay, she is Matthew’s sister, then there is Alan-Michael Spaulding, I think that’s it.”
Gus stopped her, “There is one more… A Lizzie Spaulding may see Matthew. But Katie if there is any Spaulding here that is not Alan-Michael or Lizzie, please don’t allow them to see him & notify us.”
“Absolutely. I’ll open the window on the left so your family can see Matthew.” “Thanks, we’ll be back later.” Turning they faced their son. “I’m going to take Mommy back to her room for a while okay but we’ll be back to see you later okay?”
“We love you very much Matt.” Harley remarked as she kissed 2 fingers & placed them on the glass. Gus did the same thing.
Walking out they turned the corner where the family was.
“Hey everyone.” They said as everyone turned.
“Which one is he mom?” Susan asked. Harley pulled up next to the window & saw Katie holding the sign up.
“See the nurse, she’s holding the sign. That’s your brother, Matthew Cooper.” They all turned and just watched.
“Aww mom he’s tiny, we’ll he be okay?” Susan wondered. “We think he will; we’ll just have to wait & see.” She remarked.
Coop walked over & knelt by his sister, “I love you.” He said softly. She nodded a tear rolled down. “If he’s anything like his parents he will be fine.” Harley leaned over to hug her brother & held on. Gently rubbing her back he looked up at his brother–in- law.
As the two men stared at each other a minute Gus nodded. When Harley let go Gus kissed her hair.
“Everyone, I’m going to take Harley up to her room to rest for a while. We love you, for now the baby is okay so you can go home & come back later. Please give the boys hugs & kisses for us & we’ll call them later.” Gus replied.
Everyone hugged & kissed them both then watched as they disappeared to the elevator. Buzz & Susan gave instructions then left to go be with the boys. Neither Harley nor Buzz & Susan saw when Coop gently knocked on the window then pointed to the door & Katie went to open it. After telling her who he was he went in & over to his nephew.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Be Continued…
Copyright © Shanna L. Beck (a.k.a. GusGus) March / 2007
Reaching for her when she sat straight up Gus held on.
“I’m right here honey, what?” he asked when she looked over at him.
“I want to see the baby.”
“Okay, let me go get a wheelchair.” He said climbing off the bed & going out the door.
A minute later he returned with a wheelchair. Stopping at the edge of the bed he helped her stand & put on a robe then sit down.
Pushing her away from the bed a bit; he knelt beside her, taking her hands in his he kissed them then continued, “You ready?”
“Yeah.” Grabbing the sign he passed it to her to carry down to the nursery & they started down the hall.
Knocking on the nursery door, one of the nurses opened it for them. “Hi, Mr. & Mrs. Aitoro, come on it.” Nurse Katie replied as Gus wheeled her into the room.
“Is that his name tag?”
“Yes it is?” Harley replied. “Oh let me see?” Katie requested. Gus held it up for her to see. “Oh it’s adorable; I love the teddy bear in the corner.”
“No, little boy can be without his teddy bear.” Gus replied as he took Harley over to where their son’s incubator stood.
“I want to stand honey.” She said. Stopping the chair he helped her stand, “The chair’s right behind you when you need to sit back down.”
Moving in beside her Gus lay a hand on her shoulder, “Oh Gus he’s so tiny…” she said softly as tears pooled in her eyes. Seeing Harley’s distress Katie walked over, “Mr. & Mrs. Aitoro, I’m one of your son’s nurses… he’s doing really well. His jaundice is fading with no problems if what’s left of the jaundice hasn’t faded by tonight we’ll place him under the light again for 10 minutes so the rest will fade. He’s taking nourishment very well. Tomorrow we’ll weigh him to see if he has gained anything. We’ll be feeding him like this for 1 more day then we’ll help him begin with the sucking reflex. For now he is doing as well as a preemie can be. If you have any questions come get me. Spend as much time with him as you like.” She replied then left them alone.
Wrapping his arms loosely around her Gus kissed his wife’s cheek then looked over at his son, “Hi Matthew its daddy, I brought mommy this time. We’re both here kiddo. We made a sign so everyone will know who this handsome boy is.” Gus said softly as he placed the sign on the other end of the incubator.
Harley slipped her hands through the holes & began to caress him. “Hi sweetie, it’s mommy; I’m here. I would’ve been here sooner but the doctor as well as daddy made me rest first. Are you being good for all these nurses, huh? I love you.”
Gus moved to the other side & slipped his hands through the other holes. As they both began to touch him his heart rate went up just a little and Katie walked over & watched. The more they touched him after that jump his heart rate settled & he stretched.
Katie smiled up at them, “He can tell you are here… talk to him.” She said then walked away.
“So, you know we’re here.” His dad whispered.
“You have quite a family waiting to meet you.” Harley chuckled, “Daddy’s right Matthew… you have a lot of people waiting to see you—“
Before she continued she saw Gus jump as his cell vibrated in his pocket.
“I’ll be right back sweetheart. Matt, daddy will be back in just a minute.” Squeezing Harley’s hand as he went by he nodded to Katie then ran to the waiting room.
“Hello,” he answered when he got there.
“Gus, its Lizzie.”
“Hey cutie… what can I do for you?”
“I just heard about Harley & the baby are they okay?”
Gus closed his eyes, for being so much a Spaulding; she also seemed to be the Spaulding with a heart. He thought.
“Sweetie, Harley had the baby earlier, it’s a boy.” “But she was so early.” Lizzie said. “There was no way that the labor could be stopped. Matthew weighs 3 lbs. & 4 ozs. & is in an incubator & has to stay there a while.
“Matthew?” Lizzie asked.
“His name is Matthew Cooper Aitoro.” Gus responded. “Hey Lizzie, don’t tell granddad okay?” he asked.
“Of course not. I’ll let you get back to them; I just wanted to check on you when I heard.” Lizzie stated. “Thanks Lizzie, hey give Sarah a kiss for me okay. I love you too.” Snapping the phone shut he turned it off & headed back to the nursery.
Slipping back in, Gus went back to Harley. “Sorry that was Lizzie; she heard about you & the baby & wanted to check in. Did you tell him about the family?”
“No, I waited for you. We had a mommy-son talk while we waited. Harley replied.
“Daddy’s back so where were we…” “Just about to tell him about the family. I think.” Gus said slipping his hands back to touch his son.
“Right- well Matthew you have an older sister, & 2 older brothers waiting to meet you. Your sister is Susan & your brothers are Zach & Jude. You also have your Granddad Buzz who you will absolutely have fun with when you’re a bit older. Then they are your uncles Frank & Coop who are mommy’s brothers. –.” And from my family Gus interrupted, “I don’t want you to know all of my family but there are 2 that you’ll probably get to know & that’s your Uncle Alan-Michael & Daddy’s niece Lizzie. Son, when you get older I’ll show you a picture of your Grandparents but there names are Joe & Angela & they were wonderful. When you get older I’ll tell you more about them.
They both stood there a few minutes allowing Matthew to just feel them around him as they touched him. Looking up over the top of the incubator Gus reached one hand over to link with Harley’s.
“He knows we’re with him.”
“He looks like you even now Gus. I can see it in the shape of his face & he’s got your black hair.” Harley said. “I think he’ll have your eyes babe. She smiled as Gus saw her sway. Going around to her he held her steady.
“Here baby, sit down.” He said helping her into the wheelchair.
“Gus, Harley there is several people standing outside waiting for you.” Katie remarked coming to them.
“It’s probably some of the family.” Harley said.
“Is there anyway Matthew can be brought to the window?”
“No, but I can make sure nobody blocks the view from the window.” Katie said shaking her head.
“Okay, before we go we wanted to give you a list of people that we okay for Matthew.” Gus stated. “Sure.” Katie replied grabbing the clipboard, “Go, ahead.”
“Anyone named Cooper.” Harley chuckled. “I take it they are at the window?” Katie asked.
“Yes.” Harley replied then continued, “Also, there is Susan LeMay, she is Matthew’s sister, then there is Alan-Michael Spaulding, I think that’s it.”
Gus stopped her, “There is one more… A Lizzie Spaulding may see Matthew. But Katie if there is any Spaulding here that is not Alan-Michael or Lizzie, please don’t allow them to see him & notify us.”
“Absolutely. I’ll open the window on the left so your family can see Matthew.” “Thanks, we’ll be back later.” Turning they faced their son. “I’m going to take Mommy back to her room for a while okay but we’ll be back to see you later okay?”
“We love you very much Matt.” Harley remarked as she kissed 2 fingers & placed them on the glass. Gus did the same thing.
Walking out they turned the corner where the family was.
“Hey everyone.” They said as everyone turned.
“Which one is he mom?” Susan asked. Harley pulled up next to the window & saw Katie holding the sign up.
“See the nurse, she’s holding the sign. That’s your brother, Matthew Cooper.” They all turned and just watched.
“Aww mom he’s tiny, we’ll he be okay?” Susan wondered. “We think he will; we’ll just have to wait & see.” She remarked.
Coop walked over & knelt by his sister, “I love you.” He said softly. She nodded a tear rolled down. “If he’s anything like his parents he will be fine.” Harley leaned over to hug her brother & held on. Gently rubbing her back he looked up at his brother–in- law.
As the two men stared at each other a minute Gus nodded. When Harley let go Gus kissed her hair.
“Everyone, I’m going to take Harley up to her room to rest for a while. We love you, for now the baby is okay so you can go home & come back later. Please give the boys hugs & kisses for us & we’ll call them later.” Gus replied.
Everyone hugged & kissed them both then watched as they disappeared to the elevator. Buzz & Susan gave instructions then left to go be with the boys. Neither Harley nor Buzz & Susan saw when Coop gently knocked on the window then pointed to the door & Katie went to open it. After telling her who he was he went in & over to his nephew.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Be Continued…
Copyright © Shanna L. Beck (a.k.a. GusGus) March / 2007