The Mafia's Babies by Kaycee Romano (howl and other poems txt) 📗

"I know right! She's just.. Ugh!" Jacqueline said, massaging her best friend's back. "Last time it was, 'you smell like Mrs. Kalney's barf'."

"One time she told me that my hair looked like poop covered pubic hair." River said, remembering last year's incident. And those caramel eyes. Yeah, a certain Italian still lingered in her brain.

"What?" She looked intrigued and almost devilish. "What did you say?"

"' I guess how you know what that looks like is a question for another time.'"

Jacqueline burst out laughing, punching her back harder than necessary.

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"Mateo!!" Michelia screamed as she clutched her seven-month pregnant belly. "It hurts so bad!!!"

"I know I know Lia.." Mateo tried to calm her down. "We are just there, okay? Take deep breaths!"

"I can't breathe.!" She cried out in pain. "I am scared!" She sobbed.

"It's nothing love, he's going to be fine. He's the son of a Capo. He's too strong to let this little scare hurt him!" He reassured her, though his own heart was thumping erratically against his rib cage. If something was to happen to his little Renzo, he would never forgive himself.

"We are almost there. Just take deep breaths." He chanted, for both of us to hear.

Pulling up into the hospital, he called for help and the medics wheeled over a stretcher and took her. She was gripping on his wrist like her life depended on it.

"Dr. Odum is in another surgery. Call the surgeon on call." Mateo heard someone shout out orders.

"Dr. Johnson."

Mateo looked up from Michelia and at the brunette who was speed-walking towards us, already pulling a stethoscope from her scrub-pocket.

"Blood pressure." She hummed, pressing the round end of the stethoscope to the swollen belly.

"One thirty-nine over eighty-three." A nurse said.

"How far along is she? Twenty-eight weeks?" She looked up at him for the first time, the sign of recognition being only a slight widening of her eyes.

"Twenty-nine." Michelia wheezed out as River nodded, checking her eyes with a flashlight.

"Do an ultrasound and see the position of the baby and the umbilical cord." She said. "Did you take a blow?"

Michelia nodded.

River didn't respond as they wheeled her away but this time Mateo stayed back.

"Will they be alright?" He asked, making her turn to him.

"Hopefully."

"What do you mean?"

"The baby is premature and his or her heart beat is unstable. I think there is some damage. I am hoping it's a false alarm but if there is physical damage, we will have to do a C- section."

"He will be fine if we do that?"

"Can't be too sure unless we know where he took the blow." She replied. As if on cue the nurse from earlier approached them.

"There's strain in the amnion and a part of the umbilical cord looks damaged."

"Get the OR ready. Ask the patient about the medicines she takes before administering the anesthesia. I will be right there." She said and turned to the Italian. "If the baby isn't hurt in any other way, he's gonna be fine.

She gave him a reassuring smile and speed-walked away. And he was approached by the same nurse yet again.

"Could you please tell me the patient's name?"

"Mrs. Michelia Adesso."

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River wasn't a gynecologist but the many years of residency taught her a lot, so it wasn't too hard delivering a baby.

This case was called a very preterm birth given that the fetus was only 29 weeks. The C-section went smoothly and the mother was fine and healthy.

But the baby was rushed to the NICU. He had to stay in there for a while but if everything went right, he too was going to be just fine.

Dr. Odum was the gynecologist on duty and River let him finish it all up. She had to be around the ER.

As she walked out into the waiting room, she saw that Mateo was sitting on one of the plastic chairs, head in his arms, looking scared and tired.

River sighed and walked over to him. "Hey."

He looked up, shooting to his feet before he grabbed her shoulders.

"How is she? And the baby?" His blood-shot eyes bore into hers pleadingly.

He really loved his wife and child. River thought to herself before she gave him a reassuring smile.

She squeezed his hand on her shoulder and said, "The baby will have to be retained in the NICU for a while, but that's only normal considering he was born this premature. Mrs. Adesso is absolutely fine and will be moved to a room soon."

"He's fine right? He's gonna be fine right?" He asked pleadingly.

"Of course."

The duo turned around to see Dr. Larry Odum, the gynecologists, walk out. Mateo dropped his hands from her shoulders and turned to the other doctor.

"She saved them in time."

He smiled at his colleague and gave her a side hug. The guy was a hugger. "You never cease to surprise me, Ivy." And a nickname-giver.

"Her name's River." Mateo said, his concern and fear turning into a unfathomable emotion.

"I call her Ivy. Only I get to do it." Dr. Odum said. River shook her head chuckling. Larry was a complete idiot, but also a genius doctor.

"Let's leave personal stuff for later." She interjected and turned to Mateo. "You can see your wife once she's moved to the room, and you can visit your son during specific hours about which you will be briefed. He will be moved to the Incubation ward in two-three days after his vitals are normal and you can meet him any time. "

"I-" He started but stopped before nodding and walking away.

"Oh by the way." He turned as she said it. "Congratulations, Mr. Adesso."

He nodded again and left.

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River blew out a breath as she violently rubbed rubber face with the palm of her hands.