Newness, Adventure, and Conclusion
By KAD
A/N -
we appreciate you continuing to follow our story as we enjoy the life, love and career of Beth and Kate. In the conclusion we all but eliminated work scenes and dialogue but understand this was their lives as much as family was. And for the Grammar Nannie's, I do this for fun, not to be ridiculed by you.
Thank you so kindly. We hope you enjoy this chapter and the conclusion of Beth and Kate's.
April '90
Dr. McCaslin continued moving the wand over Kate's belly checking her and then turned and paused. "Would you like to know the sex?" She smiled. "There is another angle and we will know."
I almost gasped my hands to my face as Derrick wrapped his arms around me. I uncovered my eyes to see Kate looking at me, her eyes filled with joyful tears, she was shaking her head up and down.
"Yes please tell us." Kate spoke softly as I stood and talked to her holding her hand, Derrick right behind me, his hand now falling on top of ours holding them tight.
*****
December 90
Chelle, Dan, and Derrick, were helping mom decorate as Kate and I sat on the couch, Christmas music from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra playing in the background. Derrick had just finished screwing the stocking hooks into the mantle. This year the hooks were closer together. Mom carefully hung the stocking starting at the far left.
She was silly when she announced the names as she hung them. "Frances, also known as Grammy, Michelle, Dan, Beth, Kate, Derrick and
Girl
." She stopped and looked at us sitting on the couch.
"Why won't you tell us what her name will be?"
Kate spoke quickly, "Well Grammy" She smiled and giggled a bit. "It's because we just aren't sure yet. We have a few weeks to decide. I am only eight months along; we still have three or so weeks to go yet."
"Derrick, come quick she is kicking!" I yelled as I ran my hand over Kate's very pregnant belly.
"Beth!" My mom chastised me again, "Let Kate be! You are going to rub the skin off that poor girls' belly." She joked and shook her head going back to decorating the house for Christmas.
Derrick came over smiling, placing his hand on top of mine. All three of us were smiling just enjoying the moment.
***
A week before Christmas the three of us got to the office. Alex, the new manager, who had taken Liz's job, was already in. I walked past acknowledging him just saying good morning; we hadn't clicked. His thoughts and directions hadn't really penetrated how we were doing business and vice versa frankly.
I took the opportunity and got a cup of coffee for me and one for Kate carrying them into her office, and then made my way to my cubicle. I saw that my voicemail was flashing picking up the phone. I checked the voicemail and I was startled when I listened to the message.
"Beth, its Ken. Very quietly I need you to leave the office and meet Monica and me at JoJo's at 9 am. If you can't drive, have Kate bring you. Thank you."
This was strange to the point of meeting with them outside of the office. I could only assume it was work related. I looked at my watch seeing I had just a few minutes to get myself together and leave. I quietly grabbed a pad of paper, a pen, sticking them in my purse. I walked over to Derek's cube and interrupted him. I asked if I could have the keys to the car they needed to handle something real quick. He looked at me, nodded and reached into his pack, pulled out the keys and handed them to me.
15 minutes later, right at 9 AM, I went to the parking lot of JoJo's. I walked inside and saw Ken and Monica in a booth. Ken nodded his head and I walked over taking a seat and pulled out the tablet to take notes. Ken waved me off saying I wouldn't need to take notes he asked for me to just hear him out.
***
It was 11:00 when Ken, Monica, and I walked into the conference room. The entire team sitting around the conference table, their faces held looks of uncertainty. There were looks of unknown in their expressions except for two, Joe and Kate
It seemed as if everyone, starting with Ken and Monica, were in agreement that Liz's replacement was not working out. Ken shared with everyone and effective immediately I was taking over as the new Manager of Recruiting and Business Development. He and Monica would continue to provide guidance but this was a new start and the company would move forward in a positive manner starting the New Year.
The ride home that day was awkwardly silent until Kate cleared her throat and softly spoke from the backseat.
"Beth, please know I was sworn to secrecy, as there were other moving parts, and things happening in the background, that I am not at liberty to share with you."
I turned in my seat looking back at her. I explained that I understood and respected her for her role and what she must do. She smiled and said. "Derrick, it's time for that celebration dinner I have been hinting to you about."
I looked at him and he just smiled nodding his head.
***
Two nights later, we were going to make our way from the living room upstairs and get ready for bed. Kate had a look of anguish on her face most of the evening. She played it off when I had asked her about it. Derrick and I assisted her in standing from the living room couch. As she stood, she bent forward slightly groaning in discomfort. We paused until she was steady on her feet which had been the norm the last few days.
"Beth!" She whispered then started crying. "Miss, I just peed my pants."
I whispered in her ear, "It is okay. We have you and will take care of you my love."
We hadn't let her out of our arms yet, and were still supporting her trying to comfort her when she let out another moan as if in pain. It was at this point and my mother turned the corner from the kitchen and simply asked Kate if she was okay.
She moaned in pain, her forehead soaked in sweat. "Oh gosh, Beth!"
We let on that she peed her panties and we would take her to bed. Beth let out another painful groan.
"Beth dear, did your water break?"
"Yes, I think." she responded. "Yes"
That simple question posed by Mom and the last five seconds launched us into a whole sequence of events, including the first phone call to Dr. McCaslin service asking her for her guidance. Dr. McCaslin called back shortly thereafter as we were timing contractions. She felt that since Kate was at 38 weeks and seemed to be having some stronger contractions with less and less time apart as well as slight concern considering her water broke, we should go ahead and head to the hospital and she would meet us there.
Which then launched another frenzy of steps of Mom grabbing the 'go-bag' Derrick had packed. Derrick hurried and started the car warming it up then back inside supporting Kate and assisting me. We made our way down the front steps and outside into the cold weather heading for the hospital. It was less than 20 minutes later when we pulled into Canonsburg General. Derrick ran for a wheelchair as Kate and I slowly got her out of the car and into the wheelchair pushing her inside.
Once registered and settled into an ER bed, we waited for Dr. McCaslin to arrive. Within the next 20 minutes while waiting for Dr. McCaslin, Kate's contractions continued to grow closer together as she was in enormous pain and appeared to be suffering. I felt horrible for putting her through this. Thankfully Derrick was by our sides providing love, comfort and care.
An Obstetrics Nurse, Molly, came down as the ER doctor requested. Molly confirmed, with the assistance of a fetal monitor, that Kate's contractions were four minutes apart and growing stronger. What made me cry was how Kate was not complaining about the pain. She seems to be dealing with it.
She is the strongest, bravest and most honorable woman I know. And I am so so proud of her. She is the love of my life.
Molly was quick once these readings came in to have us moved upstairs to the Delivery Suite. When Dr. McCaslin arrived, Kate's contractions were two minutes apart and she was dilated to five and a half centimeters.
Alexandra Elizabeth was born at 2:12 AM smiling like her mother and tall like her father. We couldn't have been happier. A few hours later as Kate was resting, Derrick came in with Mom to visit and to meet her granddaughter.
"Mom" Kate smiled and said weakly. "Please meet your granddaughter Alexandra Elizabeth."
Tears of happiness were shed as well as hugs and emotions of joy.
"Beth." Kate spoke, holding my hand and motioning for me to come closer. "Miss, I did it for you Miss, I have given you and us the family you wanted and have given to you a daughter. You Miss, you are a mother now. I am so thrilled to be your fiancée Miss."