Too-Cute Nana

Too-Cute Nana

Poor Russell. He can't stop blaming himself for Chrissy being in the hospital room down the hallway. He was only being his normal playful self this morning tickling her on his lap when she doubled over in pain. We got her here in an ambulance as soon as we discovered she was bleeding. We don't know if she lost their baby.

Anna watched the burly black man pace back and forth in the confined space. Five steps to the right, five steps to the left, five steps right, five steps left, right, left, right, left. Anxiety oozed out of every pore and painted itself on his creased brow, his clenched knuckles, his frowning expression, his downcast eyes. Even in this distraught state, thought Anna, he is a good-looking man. Talk about tall, dark and handsome. My granddaughter sure knows how to pick 'em.

I've completed all the phone calls notifying cancellation of our family's participation in the annual block party to be held today, this last summer holiday. No gender reveal surprise either.

I should apologize to him. I admit I had my doubts about him at one time. But the intense reaction Russ is displaying proves his love for my girl and their unborn child. I wish I could alleviate some of his worry but I'm feeling the same way. Oh, Lord, let them be okay.

Anna remembered back to the beginning of Chrissy's and Russ's relationship. A relationship that almost wasn't. A rocky start, that one. They taught at the same school. Chrissy taught fifth grade, Russ taught seventh and eighth graders specializing in math and science. Russ was an accomplished writer of YA fantasies having a series of them published. Chrissy was struggling to write her first romance manuscript. Russ had a habit of teasing Chrissy about her futile efforts to become an author. This infuriated the third-year teacher. She loved her teaching career but also loved books having been surrounded by them growing up under Anna's care. She wanted more for herself. She often complained to Anna whenever Russ ribbed her about her non-progress. I often wondered what kind of man would torment a fellow teacher aspiring to develop into even more?

This all came to an end at Christmastime when Chrissy was forced to become a temporary caregiver for a mischievous five-year-old until his parents could be located. Russ came to her aid entertaining the imp sledding down a big hill on a flying saucer and helping decorate a guest bedroom into a space odyssey. Working together must have agreed with them. To think I actually walked in on their first kiss together. But I wondered if it would ever work out considering how much animosity Chrissy had for him just days before.

Russ was the one that helped confirm the famous publisher Nora Conover was the little boy's mother. The mother was so grateful she agreed to help Chrissy get her manuscript to publication. By spring time it was ready for marketing. And Russ was ready to take their relationship to the next level by proposing to her during the eclipse and eloping on the spot with 299 other couples in a mass wedding ceremony. Charming Russ does like to do things in a big way.

Anna believes stable and sensible Chrissy made happy-go-lucky Russ the most grateful man ever when she surprised him and said 'I do' despite his wild scheme. He moved in with Chrissy upstairs in Anna's big Victorian home and they have kept the bed springs creaking morning and evening ever since. Now a mere five months later they have the family both of them always wanted started but there is trouble in paradise. Will mother and baby survive?

A doctor finally came to the waiting area and led Russell away to a private consultation room. It wasn't long before Russ followed him down the hallway only to be stopped by double doors. Someone allowed the worried father to enter but he returned soon with a stunned look on his face.

“So, tell me what happened? How is she? Is the baby okay?” Anna couldn't stand it any longer.

“Ugh, she has, she needs emergency surgery. They think it's her appendix causing the pain. But she, uh, she's carrying... TWO! We are going to have twins!” Russell Koolridge, known as 'Mr. Kool' to his students had a hard time spitting out the truth he just found out about. “How come nobody knew that?”

“What joyous news! Russ, you must be so excited!”

“Shocked! Quite truthfully. I'm in shock! I...I...How are we going to manage twins?”

“Wonderfully! You'll be splendid! You both love children. They'll be lucky little Koolridges. I can't wait...”

“We still don't know if they will survive this surgery. It's very dangerous for them. We still have a lot of praying to do and more waiting.”

After two more hours of pacing Mr. Kool finally collapsed into one of the uncomfortable stiff couches.

Anna ventured a long overdo apology, ”Russ, I want to apologize for ever doubting your sincerity toward Chrissy.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?

“Well, if you remember, you used to tease her a lot about not getting her manuscript completed and published. It hurt her feelings a lot so I was surprised when the two of you ended up together. I wasn't sure if you were really right for each other at first. But I am so happy to be proven wrong. You have been the best thing that ever happened for her. Bigger than getting her novel to market. But now twins are on the way... “

“Oh, that will be hard to top for sure!” Russ laughed. “Come here, Nana.”

She sat beside him and he squeezed her shoulder to himself in a side hug as he kissed her temple. “You have been such a blessing to Chrissy her whole life. She would never have become the woman I love without you. I should be thanking you. No need to apologize but I'll accept your generous forgiveness. You remember how little boys used to tease little girls when actually they liked them? I think that was just the immature side of me torturing poor Chrissy because I was enamored by her ever since I first laid eyes on her. She is so awesome. Now she is having my babies and I am the luckiest man in the universe.

“But I don't know what we will do without you around since you want to move to Arizona with some mysterious man we know nothing about.”

“Oh, I may have to rethink that move for a while if you will have me sticking around for a bit longer.”

“Of course. We are family, after all. Now let's hear what the doctors have to say.”