Page 15 of Love Delayed

“And I miss my man. I promise I will come by after having brunch with my mom tomorrow and give you the rest of my day.”

“Why don’t I meet you and your mom for brunch.”

“Because all we’ll be discussing are plans for the engagement party and wedding. Since I’m her first daughter to get married, it’s a huge deal for her, and I don’t want you to be bored, babe. I’ll see you right after.”

Not happy with that answer, I let out a sigh but agreed.

After we got off the phone, I made my way to my parents’ house, where I was greeted with love, hugs, and the aroma of my mother’s version of soul and Venezuelan food. After explaining to my mother why Eliana was absent again, she rolled her eyes and told me to go and pour myself a drink while she and my aunts set the table. I had a huge family, and we always got together for family gatherings a few times during the month.

It was always a fun time with my family––good eats, never-ending drinks, spades, dancing, and laughs. Zamora used to love to join me. My family loved her, but I knew they didn’t care much for Eliana, who was a different breed. She was more reserved and not a shit-talking, dancing machine like Zee. Zamora would help make to-go plates, put away the food, and clean up the kitchen, but Eliana stayed close to me like she was scared to be with my family without me right beside her. Maybe she didn’t feel comfortable with how rowdy my family could be. Her family was nowhere near as large as mine, and our get-togethers at her folks’ place were always intimate––with only her mom and dad, never with friends and family. There was never a cookout or holiday gathering. My family was the type to drop it like it’s hot, pop lock, start a soul train line, or have dance-offs in the basement. I missed Zamora and the fun I had with her family, too. But, again, she was my past, and Eliana was my present and future.

Man, I have to shake thisshit off and get back to focusing on the womanwho I plan to spend the rest of my lifewith.

Chapter Five

Zamora

It was the day before Ms. Spencer’s engagement party, and I was at my catering spot checking my inventory. Through the back-and-forth conversations with Eliana, she decided to have a buffet-style dinner because it would be easier. I had hired two new staff members but would use an additional four from a temp agency to help out the following evening. My two new employees came that evening to assist with preparing the food, and by the time we called it a night, it was close to midnight. I was grateful the event started at eight the next evening so I could sleep in a bit.

Approaching my ninth week of pregnancy, I could feel my body changing. Standing wasn’t difficult yet, but Evan insisted I sit as much as possible. He even purchased a sturdy stool for me to use at my place of business. I guess the day before my largest gig was a bit of a strain on my body because I felt more tired than usual, and my stomach started cramping slightly. Then, when I wiped myself after using the bathroom, I saw a little pink on the tissue. I contacted my doctor immediately and was advised to take it easy until I could see her again. She also told me to go to the ER if the cramps got more intense.

On the day of the party, I had to push through the cramping discomfort I was occasionally having. Once it was time to load up and transport, my crew did most of the legwork while I sat and gave instructions. By eight o’clock, we were ready for the many guests who had already arrived. I stayed in the kitchen area, delegating while my crew did a superb job. The music was loud, and people were having a great time. Then the music stopped, and I heard someone on the microphone introduce the couple. When I heard Marcus’s name, I jetted out of the kitchen to make sure it wasmyMarcus. There he was on stage, adorned in his tuxedo and standing next to Eliana in her gorgeous silver gown. Both were dressed to kill.

Suddenly, I lost my footing and hit the floor. I welled in pain, getting the guests’ attention, and it didn’t take long for the couple to rush from the stage to see what the commotion was all about. I was on my side, waving my arm like a maniac at everyone who tried to aid me. The pain was so intense that I did not want to be touched. I heard Eliana’s voice asking if I was okay, but I knew my moans, groans, and deep breaths should have been more than enough confirmation that I wasn’t.

“Marc, help turn her over onto her back,” Eliana ordered in a panic, and then I felt his touch.

By then, both of my hands were clutching my lower abdomen as I continued to moan, and I could not control my labored breathing.

“Zee?” he said, his eyes wide.

I knew he was just as shocked to see me as I was to learn he was my client’s fiancé.

“It hurts. It hurts so bad. Please call 911,” I managed to say between breaths as another sharp pain hit me.

The pain was excruciating, and I felt the seat of my pants get wet with warm liquid as if I had pissed myself. My body shook as tears rolled down the sides of my head, landing in my ears and wetting my hair.

“Call 911!” I heard him yell.

Eliana quickly got up from the floor and was off. I wasn’t sure if she was going for a phone to call for help or noticed how he had looked at me. I hoped it was the former. When he took my hand, I squeezed his tightly.

“I got you, Zee. Don’t worry, I’m here,” he assured me.

“Marc, I’m pregnant,” I whispered, looking him in the eyes.

The look on his beautiful face was one of both concern and shock. I wanted to say more, but the cramps and pain were so severe all I could do was hold my stomach with my free hand and moan in pain. Before long, Eliana was back to assist Marcus with keeping me calm. It seemed like hours before the paramedics arrived.

Once on the gurney, I apologized to the couple for interrupting their affair. Both assured me all was good and wished me the best. I was wheeled out, hoping my staff would be capable of making sure the rest of the night went well without me. Before the ambulance pulled off, the event coordinator, Leila, rushed out with my purse and told me that she would handle everything for me. I thanked her, and she gave her well wishes after asking the paramedic which hospital they were taking me to.

By the time we reached the hospital, I no longer felt the horrible cramping I had experienced after my fall. With the assistance of the nursing staff, I changed out of my filthy uniform and into a hospital gown. The blood had dried on my inner thighs, but I could still feel some moisture between my legs. As the doctor started her examination, which included an ultrasound, she asked me several questions to try and assess my condition. She then applied a glob of gel and pressed the doppler to my lower abdomen, sliding it across my stomach while listening for the heartbeat. Nothing. I silently prayed she would find it, but after a few long, quiet moments, she still had not. Giving me a glimmer of hope, she insisted on doing a vaginal ultrasound before giving her final diagnosis.

I was so scared that my body shook uncontrollably. I didn’t want to think the worst, but somehow, I knew I had lost my baby. Sure, I didn’t want to be with Evan, and the idea of co-parenting with him was an awful thought at first, but not one single solitary moment did I not want my baby.

After five minutes of my lower region being probed, the doctor gazed at me with a look that said the news was nothing good. Before she could open her mouth, the sounds that escaped my body let the whole emergency room floor know I had lost my baby.

“Mrs. Watts, I am so sorry,” she said after she stood from the wheeled stool and removed her gloves.

“No…no…no…no…no,” I cried aloud.