Chapter 21

"Are you happy that you're leaving?" Valdo was standing by the door with a smile on his face.

"Happy is an understatement." I looked down at the sleeping baby and smiled. "It's time for her to see the world, we've been here for three long weeks." Valdo chuckled then walked beside me. He took her tiny hand in his. The way he looked at her made my heart weep; I could tell he loved her. For the past three weeks, he's been helping me cope with the stress that came with having a premature baby.

The first week was rough because she could barely breathe on her own and I was worried that she wouldn't make it, but by the second week she could breathe on her own, and now I can feed her regularly by breast or bottle. She even opened her eyes a few time. He hasn't left through all this. He's visited every day and called during the days to make sure that we were okay. Kevin and Hannah also visited regularly. I've truly become part of their family.

"I can't believe you named her Jamaica," Valdo said, still looking down at her.

I laughed, "You're the one who made me fall in love with Jamaican Curry Chicken."

He shook his head and looked at me, "We'll have to carry her to Jamaica at least once a year now because she can't be named after a country and not know it."

"Good point. As soon as I get my life together."

He gave me a weird look, then nodded. "The release forms have been signed, and we can leave when you're ready."

" I'm ready," I replied quickly.

"Wow, that bad ugh?" I nod my head. I couldn't wait to be back at Valdo's apartment, sleeping on my comfortable silk sheets bed and eating good food. "I'll go, call nurse, Voila." He gently removed his hands from Jamaica's then slowly leave the room.

I looked down at my baby in admiration. She's so beautiful even without hair on her head; her cheeks were fat and soft. How could I regret this? Yes, the journey was challenging, but the destination will be thriving. I can do this. I have Valdo. He's proven that's he's not going anywhere, and he will not hurt me.

Nurse Viola came in the room with a wheelchair, "Good morning, Jakoby. How are you?"

I smiled at her, "Happy. I like talking to you, but I think it's time for me to leave."

She laughed, "It's okay. I understand. Jamaica is healthy; you are healthy. There is no need to stay here."

"I'm gonna miss you." I smiled sadly at her.

She shrugged, "Let's not get all teary. I don't want to cry today."

I looked down at the wheelchair, "I can walk; I don't need a wheelchair."

She shrugged, "Hospital policy."

I nodded, "Okay." I slowly got from the bed and sat in the wheelchair."

Valdo moved out of the way so that nurse Viola could wheel me out. He followed closely behind us.

We remained silent until we reached the door, Valdo had passed us a few minutes ago to go bring around the car.

"He's a keeper."

I looked up at her and smile, "He is. But I don't think he likes me that way."

She rolled her eyes, "Honey, of course, he does. Have you not seen the way he looks at you and the baby? He's crazy for you."

I gave a small smile, "Maybe he just sees me as a little sister."

"Sweetheart, brothers don't look at sisters like they want to kiss them." Nurse Viola had an idea of my situation. She knew Valdo wasn't Jamaica's father and she didn't question me about what happened either. She didn't judge me, and I know she only wants what the best for me.

I blushed, "He doesn't want to kiss me again."

"Again?" Voila raised her eyebrows, "Hmmm....all I'm saying is that you have a good man who obviously loves you. Please don't mess it up; this is your chance to change your life. "

I nod my head; I won't mess this up. "I.." before I could reply a car horn interrupted. I lifted my head to see Valdo exiting the driver's seat.

I looked up at the nurse and smile, "Thanks, I promise I won't. "

"Don't move," Valdo instructed as he opened the back door. He came over to me, then look down at sleeping baby, "may I?" I nod then he slowly lifted Jamaica out of my arms. He walked back to the car. I stood from the wheelchair and watched as he gently placed Jamaica in the car seat.

When did he get that?

As usual, he read my mind and answered, "I bought it two weeks ago. I know we'd need one." he gently straps her down to the seat the close the door.

I smiled at him, then turn to my nurse, "Thank you."

She nod and smile, "Remember what I said." Then she turned, walking back to the hospital.

Uvaldo opened the passenger door for me to enter. I smiled at him and entered. He quickly walked back over to his side and started the car. "Are you ready for motherhood?"

I pondered his question before responding. I never really thought about what it was going to be like. I always thought about the future and never about everyday things. This is my first child, and I didn't know a lot about motherhood. Voila had shown me a few tips on how to hold the baby, feed the baby, the dosage for her medication but she never actually told me what it would be like when I left the hospital. She never told me what to expect, so am I ready?

"I'm ready as I can be. I'll just let nature takes its course. I'll ask your mom or Zuria if I need to know anything vital."

"Good. We all want what's best for you and Jamaica."

"Thanks." I looked over at him and smile, "Thanks isn't even enough to show my gratitude."

"Don't mention it."

I looked back on the road but noticed that we weren't going towards the apartment, "Where are we going?"

Valdo quickly look at me, "Going to stop by mom to pick up something, is that okay?"

I nod, "Of course, it is. I'd love to thank them for the fruit basket they sent me three days ago. I'm sure they'd love to see Jamaica as well."

"For sure." Answering looking straight ahead.

I turn my head and look at my sleeping baby at the back, "She's so beautiful."

"Just like her mommy." He replied without taking his eyes off the road; I couldn't help but blush.

"I never knew I could love someone so much. It's just powerful."

Valdo chuckled, "Love is powerful, indeed. It makes one want to protect that person with everything we have."

"Even if it's not much."

"Even then."

I look at Valdo, "Imagine if you never bumped into me."

He quickly glanced at me, "You bumped into me and let's not imagine that. It's too painful to imagine a world where you're still on the streets or even worse."

I remained silent for the rest of the drive, mostly because I couldn't stop thinking about what would have happened if I never met Valdo. Around fifty different scenarios and none of them were happy.

"We're here," Valdo stated as he shut down the car.

I looked at the house and smile, remembering my last time here. I opened the door to passenger down to exit. Valdo exit quickly and walked to back door, opening it. He slowly opened the locked on the car seat; then he gently lifted the baby out. He gently patted her back and smiled, seeing him with her made my heart tingle. He's a natural at this. He looked over at me, "Time to go to mommy." He gently placed her in my hands. I held her against my chest then started walking towards the door.

"It's open," Valdo called out from behind me. "They're expecting us."

I couldn't open it because my hands were occupied so I waited for Valdo to pull it and when he did we walked in. When I entered the living room I heard a big, 'surprise!!' I nearly jumped out of my skin, then I started to smile when I recognised the faces; Kevin, Hannah, Zuria, Emily even Christina. I suddenly felt tears coming down my face, how can people I just met be so nice to me? And people I've known for years just abandon me?

I lift my head and look at Valdo as he rested his hands on my shoulder.

I turn my head to the group and smile, "Thank you guys so much."

"You never had a baby shower, and so we decided why not a surprise dinner." Zuria beamed.

"We also get to meet, baby Jamaica," Emily said with a grin.

"That's a nice name," Christina said from the back.

"Thanks," I looked at the shy teen with a smile.

Kevin walked up to me and looked at Jamaica, "Can I?"

I nod then gently place the baby in his outstretched arms. He looked down at her and giggled, "My first grandbaby." He looked over at me, "What's her nickname?"

I frown, "I didn't give her one."

"I think you should." Emily suggested, "Jam since her name is Jamaica."

"What's her middle name?" Christina asked.

"Gizelle." Even though my mother had hurt me, I wanted to give Jamaica something from her grandma.

"What about Jelly?" Valdo suggested.

I looked around at everyone's face; they were all nodding in approval.

"Jelly bean."

Hannah nod, "She does kinda look like a jellybean."

"Jellybean it is." Valdo laughed.

A toddler with shiny black hair came up and touched Zuria's side, "Mommy, I'm hungry."

"Me too, me too." Another little voice said, running in the room.

Zuria looked down at the boy and smile, "This is my son, Alessandro."

Emily pointed to the blond boy, "And that's my son Harry." She frowns at the little boy, "Where is your brother?"

"I'm here, mommy." Everyone's attention turned to the little boy who entered the room. His face was covered in, well, I'm guessing, Chocolate cake. I bent my head to laugh at the child while his mom took a deep breath.

"Jason, is that the cake I baked this morning for dinner? I told you we couldn't eat it." I could tell Emily was angry, but she kept her cool.

"Mommy you said we couldn't eat it until we got here and we're here," Jason said innocently.

Kevin laughed out loud; I couldn't blame him because I wanted to laugh too.

Emily looked at me with sad eyes, "I'm sorry, Jakoby."

"It's okay. He looks too adorable to be angry with him."

"I think this is a sign for us to go and eat." Hannah sang.