Après (sequel to Arranged marriage with Adnan)

Chapter 11

I was watching something random on tv because I was waiting for the quarter final match of the Champions League to start. Adnan was probably going to play which made him excited. I wasn't really liking what I was watching at the moment. I took a handful of popcorn from the red plastic bowl that sat on my lap.

"Awh, boo!" I wasn't impressed.

I felt a quick, sharp pain in my stomach. I looked around and turned off the tv. I stayed still for a second and waited to see if anything else would happen. There it was again. I moved the bowl onto the table and clutched my abdomen. I slowly rose to my feet to go grab my phone off my counter. I called the doctor first before dialling Adnan's number.

I was waiting for him to pick up. As the phone rang, I played with the silver necklace Adnan has given me a few years back.

"Hello?"
"Adnan," I said taking in a deep breath, "it's time. I'm going into labour and I'm going to need someone to take me to the hospital."
"Oh shit. Ok, get someone to drive you there. I'll be there as soon as I can."
"But the game..."
"That doesn't matter right now, I'm more concerned about you than one game. I'm coming, hold on."

I hung up the phone and then called Rylee.

"Rylee."
"Is everything ok?"
"Are you close?"
"No, I'm out with Ander."
"You need to meet me at the hospital."
"Oh my god, ok."

I heard her in the background telling Ander that they had to go before endng the call. I went straight to the group chat with the Manchester United players to try and find someone to drive me.

"Who's close? Take me to the hospital right now."
Within seconds, David responded, "I just passed near your house, I'm a few blocks down. Be there in a few, I'm on my way."

I made my way to the front door to unlock it, then sat down against the wall and waited for David to arrive.

"Hey, I'm here!" He opened the door.
"Alright."

He bent down to help me up. He put his left arm around me and lifted me up. I leaned on him for support and climbed into his car as he drove towards the hospital.

"Adnan knows right?"
"Mhm," was all I could manage to say as I felt another wave of discomfort.
"You ok?"
"I'll be fine."

David took my hand in his. I squeezed onto his hand and forced a smile onto my face. I held onto the "A" engraved tag on my necklace and thought about Adnan and how I wished he was here.

We entered the hospital and thankfully, David did all the talking. We got into a private room and I was relieved when the doctors came.

"Call our parents," I told them.

The next to arrive was Rylee with Ander rushing into the room behind her.

Rylee kneeled down beside me, "Where's Adnan."
"I don't know," I wept.
"Scarlett, everything's going to be ok. Ander, call him."

He nodded and tried to get a hold of Adnan.

"No answer."

I covered my face. All I wanted was him. Both sets of parents came next. My mom stayed next to me for a long time, making sure I was ok.

"Scarlett, Scarlett, what's wrong?"
I held back the tears, "I want Adnan."
"He's coming, sweetie. Don't worry."

We waited about another hour until we heard something going on outside of the room. There was some sort of commotion. The noise got louder until it sounded like it was right outside our door. There were a few bangs before the door finally opened.

"Let go, that's my wife!"
"Adnan!"

The two guys hiding him finally released when I called him over. My mom moved out of the way, so that he could kneel next to me. He grabbed my hand gently.

"Ready?"
"I'm just so thankful that your here."
"I'm here now."
"Let's do this."

***

After an eleven hour labour, our baby girl was born on May 12th, at 7:05 in the morning. Adnan stayed by my side throughout everything, just to make sure I was ok. Others left, except for our parents, who stayed and waited in the hall. I was surprised people stayed because my labour went on through the night and they wouldn't get much sleep.

When the doctors were checking her, I got extra nervous.

"Adnan, what if she's not healthy? What if something's wrong with her?!"
"Then the doctors will try their very best to fix it."
"Mrs. Januzaj, would you like to hold her?"
"Yes..."

I held my newborn daughter in my arms. She was so tiny. Oh my god. My daughter was finally in my hands after nine months. I'm a mother now...

"I'm happy to tell you that she's healthy and there's nothing to worry about."
"Thank god," I sighed.
"Have you two thought of a name?" The nurse asked.
I looked at Adnan, "Actually... No!"

The two of us were laughing.

"Is it ok if I hold her?"

I smiled and nodded at Adnan. Carefully, he cradled her in his arms. My heart melted at the sight. He started to cry and get all emotional which of course got me crying too.

"Scotia," he said out loud.
"What?"
"Let's name her Scotia. The 'S' to match your beautiful name."
I didn't know what to say, "Scotia Januzaj?"
"Is that her name?" The nurse asked.
"Yes," we both said.