Delia started feeling under the weather and went to the doctor. She was tired and figured the stress of her failing marriage was getting to her. The first thing they did was a pregnancy
test. It turned out to be positive. Delia was shocked. She hadn't bothered with birth control since Goodwin barely touched her, except for the time after Alex's graduation. This time, instead of hope for the future, she was devastated. She had no doubt what Goodwin’s reaction
would be. Their marriage was not on solid footing and this might be the straw
that broke the camel’s back.
When Goodwin finally got up late the next morning she figured she better
get it over with. Holding back tears, she broke the news. First he just sat there with his mouth open, then he got really
angry. So much so that is frightened her. “How on earth did you let this
happen again?! Is it even mine Delia?” he screamed.
That comment hurt Delia deeply. "Of course it is Goodwin. How can
you possibly ask that question?" she said barely holding herself together. Her heart was broken. If he didn’t want this baby, what was she going to do? Was their marriage over? She began to cry and hated herself for
it. At that, he calmed himself and apologized. “It was a shock is all Delia,” he said, “We never talked about kids and I really, really didn’t want
anymore. Alex and Humberto were more
than enough for me. Then when Pierre came, well, I just figured accidents happen and dealt with it. I thought you understood that after Pierre. But, sweetheart, don't cry, we will deal with this one too.” Yes, thought Goodwin, he had to keep her
happy just a little while longer. Let
her play house long enough to get what he needed from the mysterious secret room. Then he wouldn't have to deal with her sniveling anymore.
The next week she went to the Elixir store to consign some
things and just simply didn’t tell Goodwin. Truth be told, she really just wanted to see the clerk that was always so nice to
her. She needed a friend and had none. She was shocked when he wasn’t
there. The new clerk told her he had
retired. She was sad to hear that.
She really needed a shoulder to cry on. He was always so nice to her. She went on and gave the clerk the items she brought and went sadly back home.
On a brighter note, Alex and Jane had been seeing each other steadily and he
finally got up the nerve to propose to her, which he did right there at his
house. He was so relieved when she said
yes. He was so shy he half expected her
to say no even though they had been seeing each other for several years.
They wasted no time making preparations for the wedding. Jane wanted a
church wedding and Alex reluctantly agreed thinking of all the people that
would be there he didn’t know. They planned the date for after his mom had her baby. He couldn't believe she was pregnant again as much as she and Goodwin argued.
Delia finally went into labor with her and Goodwin’s 3rd
child; if Humberto counts. She was home with just Alex to keep her company as they worked on his wedding plans. As usual,
Goodwin was ‘working’. Alex called his
father and told him to get his butt home, his wife needed him. He was beginning to resent Goodwin a little since he was never home and when he was he could hear them arguing.
Goodwin said he would be there shortly. He got home just in time to get Delia
to the hospital.
When they arrived, Goodwin told her to go on inside; he had to make a
phone call. She couldn’t believe
it. He was going to make her check in alone. Well, no time to start a fight, this baby was in a hurry.
Goodwin stayed on the
phone over an hour. He had to call Jenni. He knew she wasn't going to be happy. He tried to tell her it was only one time. He needed to keep stringing Delia along. She reluctantly agreed.
While her husband was talking to his lover, Delia's labor had fully progressed and the baby came. She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl without her husband by her side.
A little girl. She got very emotional. Her second daughter. She thought about her daughter Francie and it gave her hope for a better future. Delia decided to name her new daughter Hope. She didn't even ask Goodwin. She hoped this baby would be a new beginning
for Delia and Goodwin when he met his daughter.
Humberto was already gone and with Alex’s upcoming wedding,
he too would go and that would leave a nuclear family; Delia, Goodwin and their two natural children, Pierre and Hope. A fresh start she thought. Both a girl and a boy. A perfect family.
Goodwin got them a cab and the three of them climbed into
the back seat. The cab ride home was
long, silent and uncomfortable. Goodwin
seemed totally preoccupied with anything other than his brand new baby girl
sitting in Delia’s lap right next to him.
Delia’s hopes for a new beginning were not looking good. It was like he
was a million miles away.
When the three of them arrived at home, Goodwin left right away for ‘work’ or
so he said. Delia said nothing and let him leave without a word.
Delia loved caring for her daughter, Hope, and was getting very excited about
Alex’s upcoming wedding. At least she had Alex. And Goodwin had given her three children. She loved them all very much, even Humberto.
Goodwin hadn’t been home much so there wasn’t much fighting. In fact she had given up trying to get him to stay home. All through her pregnancy, he was cordial, but distant. If he didn’t want to be with her she
wouldn’t make him. Hope and Pierre were her future now, with or without their father - hopefully with him. She realized she still loved him.
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