BABY LORENZO

Written By Veronica Thomas

     Giving birth is supposed to be the greatest gift a woman can achieve. WRONG! Giving birth is God’s way of punishing women for being stronger than men. The great equalizer. I say, let a man carry around several extra pounds for months. Suffer from swollen feet, sore back, pig out for nine months like there’s no tomorrow, and then go into labor just once. Then man will come to the realization that it’s not all what it’s cracked up to be. That way, when you’re screaming over and over again, GET IT OUT!!! GET IT OUT!!!, man will finally understand where women are coming from. I’ll bet then, you won’t hear man saying, "oh honey, it’s a piece of cake" anymore.

     The doors to the emergency room came flying open. Rita was lying on a gurney being wheeled into the hospital. Two nurses were rushing her down the hallway to the maternity ward. Chris was by her side, holding her hand every step of the way, assuring her that everything would be okay.

     "Rita, hang in there. Everything’s going to be fine. You’re doing great" Chris said.

     The sweat was pouring off Rita, as she was trying to remember her breathing exercises. But the pain was so unbearable. She was not prepared for how hard labor was going to be. She definitely underestimated the power of Baby Lorenzo’s enthusiasm, to hurry up and get out and take on the world.

     "Chris, it hurt’s so much" Rita said. You could see that she was in a lot of pain from the expression on her face. She was gripping Chris’ hand so hard that you could see the pain on his face as well.

     "Rita!" Chris yelled out in pain. "Not so hard, not so hard." He was trying to loosen her grip of his hand. "MY HAND! Rita" Chris said. Rita wasn’t worried about Chris crying about a little pain he’s suffering from her gripping his hand to tight. After all she was in much more pain than he was. And if he stopped to think about it, it was partially his fault that she was in this predicament.

     "Chris stop acting like a baby" Rita said, slightly annoyed.

     "But honey, it hurts. Why don’t you take some deep breaths or something." Chris said

     "What do you think that I’m doing?…Ouch!" Rita cried out as another contraction hit her.

     "Rita!" Chris screamed out in pain as they finally reached the maternity room.

     Doctor Martin walked over to Rita and Chris smiling. "Hi Mr. Lorenzo, Mrs. Lorenzo. I guess the little one is ready to meet his parents."

     "You’re telling me?" Rita said.

     "So, how do you feel?" Dr. Martin asked while putting on his gloves to examine Rita.

     "She’s in pain Doc, can’t you give her something?" Chris answered.

     Rita and Dr. Martin looked at Chris. "How about an epidural shot Rita? It will make you feel a lot more comfortable."

     "Sounds good…what is that?" Chris said as Rita looked at him shaking her head.

     "It helps relieve the pain" the doctor said.

     "Great we need some of that." Chris said

     "WE?" Rita said.

     "I mean you Sammy" Chris replied smiling.

     "Hum - hum."

     "Nurse Campbell, could you please hand me the epidural needle?"

     "Yes Dr. Martin."

     As the nurse turned to get the needle another contraction pain hit Rita. Chris cried out again as Rita squeezed his hand even tighter. "OH GOD RITA! Not again. EPIDURAL! EPIDURAL! SHOOT HER! Doc…Hurry up and SHOOT HER!"

     "Sam!" Rita said.

     "What?" Chris said noticing the shocked look on Rita’s face. "Oh, I was only thinking of you. You know I love you. I just can’t stand to see you in so much pain." Chris looked over toward the doctor. "Can we hurry it up some?"

     Dr. Martin gave Rita the shot. "There Rita, now just relax."

     "Doc, I don’t think its working. Maybe you should give her another hit?" Chris said, as Rita’s grip did not let up. Rita moved Chris’ hand up to her mouth and bit him. "OOOOCH! Hey! What did you do that for?" Chris asked pulling his hand from Rita and kissing his boo-boo.

     "Because, you’re acting like a baby, that’s why." she said.

     "Acting like a baby? You’re squeezing the blood out of my hand…I can’t feel my fingers anymore. Then you bite me, and I’m the one acting like a baby?"

     "Yes, you’re supposed to be here supporting me Christopher!"

     "What are you talking about? I am supporting you. You know you can lean on me Sammy" whispering under his breath "just don’t squeeze my hand off."

     "Excuse me?"

     "Nothing." He said shaking his hand.

     "Mr. Lorenzo, maybe you should go get into your scrubs. It may still be a while before your wife gives birth, but at least you’ll be ready."

     Looking at the doctor, then back at Rita "I don’t know Doctor Martin, maybe I should stay here with my wife." Chris replied half smiling at Rita.

     "NO!" Rita blurted out as she looked at the surprised expression on Chris’ face. "I mean, Christopher, if the doctor says I still have some time left, maybe you should just go get ready, just in case. Besides, you can call Cap and let him know that you’re about to become a father."

     "A father" Chris repeated smiling. "Wow, okay, I mean if you’re sure you’ll be okay without me?"

     "It will be tough Sam, but I’ll manage."

     "Okay. I love you" Chris said, leaning over to kiss her.

     "I love you" Rita said, as she kissed him back.

     Chris turned toward the doctor and said "You take good care of her while I’m gone." Looking at Rita, "She means the world to me."

     "I will Mr. Lorenzo, I will." Doctor Martin said reassuring him.

     With that Chris gave Rita one last lingering kiss and left the room accompanied by nurse Campbell.

     Rita turns to Dr. Martin "Thank you, he was beginning to drive me crazy."

     "First time fathers, they’re all nerves. They mean well but…"

     "Yeah I know." Rita interrupted.

     "Now, let’s just see how far along you actually are."

     ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

     Chris waited patiently at the pay phone listening to a happy new father telling his friends about the little girl his wife just gave birth to. The man was so excited that all Chris could do was stand there and smile thinking about how that was going to be his reaction pretty soon. After what seemed like hours the man hung up the phone. Turning around he spotted Chris standing there and offered him a cigar. Chris thanked him and congratulated him on the birth of his daughter. As Chris patted his chest pocket, he realized that he had forgotten his own cigars at home on the coffee table. "Damn!" he said as he picked up the phone to call Harry. The phone rang twice before Harry answered it.

     "Hello"

     "Hey Cap, it’s Chris"

     "Lorenzo! What do want from me now?" Cap asked annoyed.

     "Gee Cap, it’s nice to hear from you too" Chris said sarcastically.

     "Lorenzo, I’ve told you a hundred times already, you’re not going to be re-instated until you pass your physical exam and re-qualify on the shooting range. Calling me everyday four or five times isn’t going to get you back any sooner."

     "Cap I know, that’s not why I’m calling."

     "You mean you’re not going to beg and plead with me to re-instate you anymore?" Cap asked surprised.

     "No…well at least not today anyway." Chris said grinning.

     "Then why the hell are you calling me, and at this hour of the night might I add?"

     "I’m calling to let you know that I brought Rita to the hospital."

     "She had the baby?" Cap asked all excited.

     "NO! not yet. She hasn’t fully hum…hum…" Chris stammered

     "Dilated, Lorenzo, dilated." Harry said shaking his head.

     "Yeah that’s it. She hasn’t fully dilated. The Doctor gave her one of those wonder shots to help her relax. Rita just wanted me to call and let you know we were here. Actually, I think she just wanted to get rid of me for a while." He said in a slight whisper and hurt in his voice.

     "What?"

     "Nothing Cap, nothing" Chris said shaking it off.

     "Would you like Frannie and I to come down and keep you company while you wait?"

     "Thanks, but that’s not necessary. Look I’ll call you the minute Rita has the baby."

     "Okay Lorenzo, if you’re sure. Chris my boy, I can’t tell you how excited I am."

     "Yeah, me too Cap…me too."

     "Do me a favor, will you Lorenzo?"

     "Yeah Cap what is it?"

     "Give Rita our love, will you?"

     "Will do. Hey Cap! Would this be a good time to ask you to re-instate me?" CLICK! "Cap?…are you there?…Cap?" Chris looked at the receiver smiling realizing that Harry had hung up the phone. "See ya!" Chris said laughing, as he hung up the phone.

 Chris was sitting in the hospital cafeteria. He had just finished eating dinner. It had been such a long day and in his excitement he hadn’t eaten anything. He was reading the newspaper and drinking coffee. He had checked on Rita two hours earlier and there still was no change. She was sleeping. He decided that this would be a great time to grab a bite to eat. Finishing his last slip of coffee, he was about to get another cup, when he heard the page over the intercom. "Christopher Lorenzo, please report to the maternity ward stat!" When he reached Rita’s room, Dr. Martin and three nurses were preparing to move Rita to the delivery room. Her water had broken a few minutes earlier. Chris had no idea what was going on. All he saw were the nurses running around Rita unhooking all the machines so they could transport her. Dr. Martin was assuring Rita that everything was going to be fine. Chris made his way over to Rita.

     "What’s going on here?" he asked in a panic stricken voice.

     "It’s okay Mr. Lorenzo. You’re just about to become a father that’s all." Dr. Martin said smiling at him.

     "It’s time then?" Chris said.

     "Just about." Dr. Martin said.

     "Chris!…I’m scared. I don’t know if I can do this." Rita said with a shaky voice.

     "What do you mean? Of course you can." Chris said, reassuring his wife. "you’re doing just fine, and I’ll be right by your side the whole time." Extending his hand to Rita, she quickly took it. "Squeeze it as hard as you want." Chris wasn’t afraid of the pain this time. She could break it off if she wanted to. He was more concerned with the expression on her face. For the first time, he was seeing a side of Rita he had never seen before. Looking into her eyes he saw vulnerability. Her eyes had betrayed her. Usually when he looked into those beautiful green eyes of hers, he saw an intelligent, strong, confident determined woman. The woman who loved him. But now, looking into those eyes, all he saw was this very frighten little girl. It scared him a little, sending a chill through his whole body. He was determined not to let her see that. He was going to be strong for her and hopefully she would find the strength through him to make it through this, as she always did before. He knew together that they could conquer the world. Their love was that strong.

     "Okay everyone, let’s go have this baby. I’ll see you two in the delivery room." Dr. Martin said as he turned and started walking towards the door.

     "Where are you going?" Chris asked confused. How could he leave at a time like this, he thought.

     "Don’t worry, I’ll be there when the time is right. But first, I have to scrub. We wouldn’t want your wife or baby to catch any infections with dirty hands now would we?" Doctor Martin said amusingly at Chris’ reaction. Chris shook his head no. Dr. Martin turned and left the room. Nurse Campbell started pushing Rita’s bed towards the door. Chris was walking along side, still holding his wife’s hand.

     "I love you Sam"

     "I love you Sam" Chris said leaning down. He kissed Rita on the top of her head.

     "I see the head!" the doctor shouted. Rita was drenched with sweat as Chris was encouraging her. "Okay Rita, I need you to bear down and give me one more big push." Dr. Martin said. Rita was screaming in pain. She wasn’t sure that she had the energy to give the doctor one more push. She was just so tired.

     "I don’t know if I could do this anymore." She said trying desperately to catch her breath.

     "Yes you can Sammy. You can do this. I know you can." Chris said trying to egg her on.

     "I can’t! I need to rest." Rita screamed out in pain.

     "You can rest later sweetheart, all you want. But right now our baby needs you."

     "Rita you just need to give me one more big push and it will be all over. I promise." Dr. Martin said.

     "I can’t…It hurts so much CHRIS! She screamed out in pure pain again.

     "I’m right here sunshine…I’m right here. Look at me?" he said cupping her head in his hand. He looked deep into her eyes "You can do this Rita. One more push and were home free." Looking into his eyes, Rita saw his determination, she knew that she couldn’t let him down. Rita gathered herself and with everything that she had, she gave one final push.

     "I can see the shoulders, the baby’s coming, it’s coming. It’s a BOY! You have a son!" Dr. Martin said as the baby started crying.

     "We have a son Rita" Chris said excited.

     "Let me see him?" Rita said, trying to raise up a little to see him.

     "In a minute Mrs. Lorenzo. First things first, Mr. Lorenzo, would you like the honor of cutting the cord?" The doctor asked holding the scissors out for Chris to take. Chris reached for the scissors but pulled his hand back.

     "Huh…maybe you better do it Doc. My hands are to sweaty and shaky." Chris said, sounding sort of disappointed that he wasn’t able to do it himself.

     "All right, I understand" The doctor cut the cord and handed the baby to the nurse to clean. The nurse also had to check and make sure everything was fine with the baby. It was. The nurse handed Rita her son all cleaned up and wrapped in a blanket for warmth. She was still very weak, so Chris laid his hand on the baby’s back to help Rita support him. Chris was beaming, as was Rita. Their smiles lit up the room. As they both looked on in awe of their new creation out of their unconditional love, Chris leaned down and kissed his new son, then he kissed his beautiful but exhausted wife.

     "Thank you" Chris said simply.

     "No, thank you" Rita said matter-of-fact.

     An hour later Chris was sitting down in a chair by the window holding his new son in his arms. Rita was sleeping a few feet away. She was totally exhausted.

     "Hey, big guy. Look at you, you’re so tiny, so frail."

     Little Chris yawned and open his eyes slightly. Looking up at his father, who was just watching him in total amazement. "Hi there, I’m your daddy. Can you say dada?… Nah, well okay. I guess I’ll just have to wait a while for that, huh?"

     Chris extended his finger out for his son to hold. "You’re just so perfect. Let’s see here, you got ten little fingers, ten little toes, two little ears, one little nose, and your mother’s beautiful eyes. And of course one little…ah, you know. Don’t worry about that though, I promise you that it will grow later…HUGE! Just like your fathers." Chris said smiling mischievously.

     The baby began to cry, but Chris quickly started rocking him and he calmed down right away. "Shhhhs, big guy, you don’t want to wake up your mom just yet." Looking over at Rita who was still asleep. "You know, you really wore her out. But, I guarantee you once she holds you in her arms, all will be forgiven."

     Chris wiped a tear out from the corner of his eye. God he was so happy so proud. He just couldn’t take his eyes off his son. "You know, you look just like me, you lucky devil. All the women are going to be crawling all over you. Don’t worry, I’m going to teach you all the best pick-up lines to get chicks." Looking over to make sure Rita was still asleep, he whispered in his son’s ear. "We’ll keep that a secret from your mommy okay?" Pointing his finger gently at his son. "Even if you have all the women in the world after you, my first piece of advice to you my friend, is wait. Wait until you find that special women just like your mother. Yeah, listen to me I know what I’m talking about here. If you find a woman just like your mother, I guarantee you will be the happiest man on earth…well, the second happiest anyway. Who knows, maybe she’ll turn out to be your best friend, too."

     Chris leaned down and kissed his son on the forehead. In a more serious tone of voice Chris said "I promise you that I will always be there for you, no matter what. I hope you know that. Now, I may make a few mistakes along the way, so just bear with me. I’m new at this father thing. But I promise you that I will be the best Dad I can. I will take care of you and your mommy always, and your little brothers and sisters, too. Yeah I know, you don’t have any right now…but you will." Leaning in, whispering in his son’s ear, "I haven’t told your mother about them yet, so this will be our second little secret, okay?"

     His son just yawned, looking up at this man who had this silly grin on his face. "I love you Christopher James Lorenzo Jr." he said smiling proudly upon hearing himself say his son’s name. "Wow! Christopher James Lorenzo Jr." he repeated and shaking his head in disbelief. "I can’t believe it. I have a son. I’m going to teach you how to play all kinds of sports. Basketball, football, baseball, hockey and I’m sure, you’re going to teach me a few things too." Chris sat there daydreaming about playing ball with his son when he heard a faint voice from across the room.

     "Hey Sam" Rita said weakly. She had just awakened.

     "Hey, buddy look" Chris said to his son, as he pointed towards Rita "Your mother is awake." He then got up and walked over to the bed. "Welcome back, sleepy-head" leaning down he kissed Rita hello.

     "It’s good to be back" she said, smiling. "and who do we have here?" Reaching for her new born son.

     "Ah…well, Mrs. Lorenzo, I would like to introduce you to your son." handing CJ to Rita Chris continued "Sammy, meet the newest member of our happy little family, Christopher James Lorenzo Jr." he said, as Rita watched Chris’ face light up with his famous smile. That smile she loved so much. That smile that always made her smile as well. Turning her attention back to her son.

     "Hi there, I’m your mommy. Can you say mommy?"

     "Huh…Rita sweetheart" Chris interrupted, shaking his head no, he continued "we already tried that" glancing at his son "didn’t we?"

     "Oh, I see." Rita said with a light laugh.

     "Yeah, we had a long talk earlier, while you were sleeping."

     "And…what were you two talking about?" she asked curiously.

     "I can’t tell you."

     "You can’t tell me?" Rita replied surprised.

     "Yeah well…you know, just men stuff."

     "Men stuff?"

     "Totally confidential" Chris said, winking at his son.

     "Hum - hum…okay, I won’t even ask you what MEN stuff you two were discussing. I just hope you haven’t given my son any bum advice."

     "Thank you very much Sammy. Your confidence in me is overwhelming." Chris said sarcastically, hurt even by her statement.

     "Chris" she said softly, having noticed the tone in his voice, her heart sunk. She reached up to caress his face in the palm of her hand. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way" pulling him closer giving him a gentle kiss on the lips.

     "Apology accepted." he said, kissing her again. They broke their embrace momentarily as they looked deep into each others eyes. Eyes that said "I love you" without a word having to be spoken. Automatically, as though they read each others thoughts, their lips met. Rita moaned in delight as Chris deepened their kiss even more. Unfortunately, their embrace was interrupted when the baby started to cry.

     "I think he’s hungry Chris" Rita said, as she started rocking the baby, trying to calm him down.

     "I think you’re right. Maybe I should get the nurse to bring us his bottle." Chris said hunching his shoulder’s and scratching the top of his head.

     "Good idea" Rita said.

     Thirty minutes later the baby was fed, burped and sleeping soundly in his mother’s loving arms. Chris was lying on the bed next to Rita, his head resting on her shoulder. He was cuddling both her and the baby. He had fallen asleep while Rita was feeding the baby. Rita didn’t have the heart to wake him. Besides, it felt so good having the two men she loved most, peacefully sleeping next to her. She sighed, smiling as she traced the outline of Chris’ lips with the tip of her finger. He began to stir, she quickly moved her hand away. She didn’t intend on waking Chris. He just look so cute that she couldn’t resist touching him. He began kissing her on the neck. Rita turned her head slightly until their lips met. She pulled away shortly after looking into Chris’ eyes which were now fully open.

     "I’m sorry Sam, I didn’t mean to wake you" she said almost apologetically.

     "Are you kidding, I could wake up like this for the rest of my life." He said with a big devilish grin on his face.

     "Really, I’m going to hold you to that."

     "You do that."

     "You know, I wish I had a camera. Looking at the two of you sleeping, was definitely a Kodak moment."

     Chris jumped up. "Damn! I left the camera at home along with my cigars."

     "That’s okay Chris, If I know his godparents, and I do, they will bring one with them."

     "OH NO!" Chris shouted, hitting himself up against the head with his hand.

     "What?" Rita asked.

     "I forgot to call them. They don’t even know that you’ve had the baby yet."

     "Christopher!" Rita said, looking at him disappointed.

     "What? Come on don’t look at me like that. I hate it when you look at me like that."

     "Like what Chris?" she said trying to look innocent.

     "Like…like I was a bad boy who has done something wrong and should be sent to bed without any supper."

     "Well?"

     "I just forgot Sammy, that’s all. I was just so excited about the baby, then I came in here to see you. You were asleep, the nurse brought me the baby and we got to talking then you woke up." Looking at Rita with his puppy dog face, asking for forgiveness, "I’ll go call them right now." He started to get up when Rita grabbed his arm.

     "Chris wait…" pulling him back down on the bed, she continued. "wait until tomorrow okay?"

     "Are you sure? I mean, I could go call and be back in five minutes." He said sliding a strand of her hair behind her ear.

     "Yeah, I’m sure. Just for tonight anyway. I want to have my family all to myself. Tomorrow, I’ll share my two handsome men with the world, but tonight I want to be selfish." She said as she leaned down and kissed her son, then Chris.

     "Sounds like a plan. Tonight it’s just you, me and baby makes three." He said snuggling closer to Rita.

     "You know Sammy, I think the Cap is going to re-instate me real soon."

     "He said that?" Rita asked shocked.

     "Yeah…well not in those exact words."

     "Not in any words."

     "I think I’m wearing him down though," he said smiling.

     "I think the only words Cap is going to say to you partner, is that you have the right to remain silent. When he’s arresting you for harassment and crank phone calls."

     "You think?" Chris said as they both started laughing, as they settled back and watched their son sleeping.

THE END

Standard disclaimers apply. Chris Lorenzo, Rita Lee Lance-Lorenzo, Harry, and Frannie Lipschitz belongs to USA Network, Stu Segall and Stephen J. Cannell. All other characters were made up by me. No infringement intended. This story was written for entertainment purposes only.

I hope you enjoyed my story. Let me know what you think. Comments, Criticism, Suggestions. E-mail them to me at vthomas@smithalster.com

Copyright 1997