Page 39 of Babies at Coconuts

“Is she okay?” Fernando bent down and stared at a distraught Vanessa. He reached for her hand. “Are you okay? You sound miserable.”

Vanessa curled on the sheet and twisted her face. Through clenched teeth, she hissed, “I’m fine.”

Alex grimaced as the young mom writhed. “Remind me to never have a baby.”

“I can’t believe this.” Jon gulped as he caressed Vanessa’s cheek. “We’re here for you. We’re going to the hospital with you.”

Fernando chimed in. “Absolutely. We wouldn’t miss this.”

Vanessa said a faint, sorrowful, “I’ve ruined your wedding.”

Jon reached for her hand. “No, you didn’t.” He managed a chuckle. “You just sped it up a bit.”

Fernando smoothed her hair. “You didn’t ruin anything. In fact, you added an extra special bonus.”

Paramedics exited the ambulance and ordered everyone out of the way. After they slid her onto a gurney, Vanessa raised her head. “If you come to the hospital, what about your reception and all that food?”

Fernando tsk tsked. “Honey, a baby trumps a reception. We can have always have a party later.”

Heart full, Suzy beamed, overcome with happiness and joy. All of the waiting for this momentous occasion, and now, the men were handling it, well, like men. She couldn’t be more proud.

Fernando held Vanessa’s hand as Jon crouched on the other side. “Let’s go have a baby.”

Suzy overheard one guest say, “I’ll never forget this wedding.” An arm around her husband, she sighed with relief as the paramedics worked.

“Bambino.” Mama Gia dabbed her eyes and stood in the healthcare workers’ path.

“Ma’am, step back. We need to get her to the hospital unless you want to have a baby right here in the parking lot.”

Kissing her cross necklace, Mama Gia handed a rosary to Vanessa whose hands were clenched into fists.

“Mama, I’ll take it. She has other things on her mind right now.” Fernando slid the rosary into his pocket.

Vanessa wailed and writhed as two paramedics lifted her inside the ambulance. The female driver got behind the wheel, rolled her window down, and shouted in Suzy’s direction, “See you at the Crystal City Hospital.”

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