In Between by Rizonne Alexander (the reading strategies book .TXT) 📕

said under my breath, not knowing if I should be disappointed or not. We finally got to my house, I greeted dad goodbye and walked into my empty house. When I walked in, Penny was sitting by a lit fire. “Hi, I didn’t expect you to be here. Why didn’t you let me know?” I asked her surprised. “well, you were at the hospital and I thought you would need some company. Look.” She said pointing to the table behind me. I walked over to it, pizza’s, chocolate and ice-cream. I turned to her and immediately started crying again, she came over to me and gave me a hug. “And this is why I’m here.” She said holding on to me. “Go upstairs, take a shower and let’s feed that child.” She smiled pointing to my stomach. I gave her a weak smile and made my way upstairs, everything was still the same from when the ambulance fetched Chad.

Weeks passed and no change in Chad. I’m currently thirty-seven weeks pregnant and the chances is very high that I would be giving birth without him by my side. It’s been very hard these few weeks, me and my mom prepared the Crystal’s nursery already. Everything is packed and awaiting her arrival. Every week that I visit chad, he looks frailer than before. It breaks my heart every time I see him, and I am at my wits end. My dad had to go back to Czech for some business, but he calls me every day for an update. I was unable to complete designs but because the previous line that I produced was so successful, it’s still making me very good money with the demand. At least I don’t have to worry about that because I have a really strong team to manage my business especially Penny, she has been so amazing. My mom decided to move in with me so long until I can manage on my own, she went on annual leave for the next four months that started last week already. Chads parents are always popping in to check up on me and we have weekly prayers done with a pastor at the hospital for Chad. Paparazzi is still hounding my property and the hospital, constantly wanting updates and scoops. I have been doing my best to keep my cool with them but a few days ago my mother eventually called the cops on them. Mom mentioned to me that my grandparents from Czech wants to come for a few days once the baby is born or I can go to Czech. I’m not sure if it’s my hormones but I don’t feel up for having to build relationships while mine is slipping through my fingers and I have no control over it.

I woke up with a lot of positivity today, not sure why but the sun was peeking through my curtains and the smell of breakfast down stairs being prepared enticed me. I slowly got up and immediately I was out of breath. Yes, this is what happens apparently when you’re pregnant. They don’t tell you about the discomfort, the heart burn, not being able to tie shoe laces or basically you feel like a fucking whale. I took a deep breath and got up. “Mother, I’m hungry!” I shouted down to her from the stairs. “I know, you hungry every day. Nothing new.” She responded, and I rolled my eyes at the insult she through. I slipped on my morning slippers and robe, slowly walked down the stairs and greeted her in the kitchen. The smells were amazing. I took a seat on the couch, I could no longer sit on the bar stools that was around the kitchen island. “How are you this morning?” my mother asked me. “Surprisingly positive today. The sun is shining an……….” I stopped talking. I looked down and up again, then I looked down to make sure. “And what?” My mother asked. “And my water just broke now.” I said in shock. “That can’t be, you have three more weeks to go.” My mother said in a frantic and rushed over to me. “Is this why you are so positive? God help me.” My mother said swinging her arms in the air. “Well I would assume that my body is happy to not have the baby inside anymore and sent the emotions over to my brain.” I said to her with a smile and plenty of sarcasm. “Do you have any pain yet?” My mother shouted from upstairs. I knew she was busy getting the bags out of the nursery. “No, I’m fine, nothing yet.” I shouted, and my mom rushed downstairs with the bags. “Raymond!” My mom shouted, and he burst into the front door with his fire arm ready. “Oh, for fucks sakes, stop with that crap!” My mother told him off, “You seriously going to give me a heart attack.” She said again holding her heart from the fright she got. “What’s wrong?” He asked and looked at me. “Are you in labour?” He asked. “Yes.” I breathed out as the pains rolled in within seconds. “I’m hungry mom.” I said to her. “Are you seriously going to eat now?” She said with her hands on her hips, Raymond took the bags outside. “Yes, I’m hungry and I need to eat.” I responded out of breath. “But you are in pain!” She squealed at me. “Mom, can you relax please. Did we not practice all of this before? You are loosing your mind. Just bring me some bacon, eggs and cheese please. without toast.” I requested. My mother barged into the kitchen and I could hear her dishing from where I was sitting, I giggled but then the pain inflicted my brain and burnt every happy thought away. “Fuck!” I screamed. I onto the scatter cushion until it passed. Once it did, I texted Penny to say that I was in labour, I heard my mother on the phone to my dad too. She came in with the plate, “I’m going to call Chads parents, finish up so that we can go.” She demanded. I digged into the bacon and within seven minutes, I was done eating. I placed the plate on the coffee table and slowly got up. “Alright, I’m done! We can fucking go before I die.” I screamed in pain. Raymond walked in and I grabbed hold of me as the pain took hold of my spine. “fuck Raymond, you can be glad you’re a fucking man.” I shouted at him. All he did was laugh his ass off and so did my mother. “well Raymond, now you know how lucky you are.” My mother said laughing. “Clearly” He responded. We made our way to the car and got seated. I’m glad I will not be in the same hospital where Chad is currently at, it would be heart breaking. “Everyone has been notified okay.’ My mom said. “That’s great because I do not have time for my mobile right now.” I said painfully. Raymond rushed well to the hospital and we arrived safely. The birth hospital that I chose was on a private piece of land that was surrounded by a lake, willow trees and green pastures. It has a peaceful serenity and it is very very private. Its very family orientated, and the birthing classes is really amazing. The other thing that I love of this birthing hospital is that I get one massive room to myself, WIFI access, television and whatever I want I get. It’s a home from home. The room also has a small patio and a cute wooden rocking chair outside which overlooks the lake. We walked into the hospital, my mom went to reception and immediately I was placed into a wheelchair and wheeled into my room that was awaiting me. The nurses help me get undressed and into hospital wear. The pains were increasing, and I could not speak but scream as if my life depended on it. I’m glad the walls are sound proof as well, even more privacy so I may shout as I please. I finally got onto the bed, all the pain restricted my movements. They placed heart monitors on me and did a few tests, down there. My mom came into the room with the bags and her eyes were saucer like, she seemed shocked. “mother, what the fuck is wrong?” I asked out of breath. “Please I do not have the energy for any crap right now okay.” I said annoyed. “Uh, you have a visitor.” My mom said looking down. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and looked at me. “it’s Bastiaan.” She said and immediately another contraction came but this time it was a bigger one that made me back hand the vase of flowers off the little table that stood beside the bed. “no! Mom No!” I screamed at her. “Just calm down please. Breathe.” She said trying to calm me. The nurses placed started to elevate my legs with straps coming from the ceiling, they explained that things were going really fast and that we should prepare as any minute I would officially become a mother. I looked up and there he stood, in the door way. He had a crisp white shirt, black pants and hair sleeked to the back. He looked exactly the same when I first saw him. Automatically I cried out to him, I don’t know why. My heart and brain were not working today as partners. “Bastiaan!” I cried out and he ran to be by my side. “I’m here.” He whispered and kissed my forehead. Tears rolled down my cheeks as his skin embraced mine. “I’m here, don’t worry I’m here.” He said again. My mother was on the other side of me and I could sense that she was relieved. ‘Okay Miss Crescent, the baby will be here in a few minutes. I’m impressed with how quick you diluted so she will be here any minute now.” The nurse said. My gynaecologist, Dr Wooten and the paediatrician, Dr Fuller walked in. “Good Morning everyone” The gynae and pead greeted. They both got dressed into different uniforms and had gloves on. “This is going to be very uncomfortable.” The gynae said and she placed her fingers inside of me. She looked up and smiled, “I can feel her head, she’s here.” She explained. I stared crying, I had so much pain and mostly because Chad was not here to witness his daughters birth. Bastiaan kissed me again on my forehead and held my hand even tighter. I looked at him, “thank you.” I whispered through the pain. “Okay guys we are ready, Miss Crescent, the moment you get a contraction. I want you to push as hard as you can okay.” The gynae instructed. The contraction came, and I pushed, it came again, and I pushed. Bastiaan lifted me up a bit to the front to give me a better pushing position and suddenly an ugly burn happened down there. “Don’t stop Miss crescent, her head is out.” The gynae said. My mom went over to her side and squealed with joy. “come on baby girl.” My mom squealed again. “You can do it love.” Bastiaan said. With the next contraction, one more push and I heard her loud and clear. Bastiaan held onto me smiling. My mother was nowhere close to me, she was like a hawk over Crystal whom I did not even meet yet. “You did it.” Bastiaan smiled at me. The nurse wrapped her and brought her to me. She laid quietly on my chest, “You’re good my angel.” I said and kissed her.

It’s been four days already and I’m still recovering at the hospital. It’s really cosy here so I’m not complaining. Bastiaan has not left my side since I gave birth, I haven’t really had a chance to speak to him about