CHAPTER 23
Keesha and A.J. heard Carly scream. They ran down the hall, stopping when they saw her lying on the floor being attended to by one of the doctors. They heard him say she was in labor.
"I have to find Tony," A.J. said.
"Call him," Keesha said. "Use my office."
A.J. informed Tony of the situation. He said he was on his way. They were wheeling Carly to the operating room when A.J. returned.
"How's she doing?" he asked Keesha.
"She briefly came to. They need to do a C-section to save her and the baby."
Tony heard Keesha's words. "We did this to her, didn't we?" he asked ruefully.
"Yes, we did," A.J. answered solemnly.
"Let's go to the OR waiting room. Maybe I can find out what's going on."
The nurse on duty told them the surgery had started but no other information was available. They sat down, prepared to wait, when A.J.'s pager beeped.
"I have to answer this. It's my mom."
A.J. briefly explained to Monica about Carly after she told him that the family, with the exception of Lila, was in Alan's office. He said he'd be there.
"My mom's meeting with the family," he told Keesha. "I need to be there. Will you be able to stay here?"
"For awhile. I have a meeting in an hour."
"I'll page you as soon as I can."
"Good luck with your family," she said and kissed his cheek.
Keesha returned to the waiting area and sat next to Tony.
"A.J. needed to leave?" Tony asked.
"Yes. Family business."
"I know about Alan. I helped Monica."
Keesha nodded.
"It must be nice for A.J. to have someone who will stand by him no matter what," Tony said scornfully.
"What do you mean?" Keesha asked, unprepared for the bitterness she heard in his voice.
"I'm amazed that you would be here, Keesha, waiting to find out if Carly's baby is A.J.'s. That's a bit strange for my taste."
"Not that it's any of your business, Tony, " she said, quickly becoming annoyed, "But A.J. and I happen to be friends. I don't know what your definition of a friend is, but in my book, friends help each other."
"That's my definition, too. But I guess in A.J.'s book, a friend is someone who *helps himself* to another friend's lady."
"I don't want to continue this conversation, Tony. I understand you're hurt and you're suffering, but you know what? A.J.'s been hurt, and he's suffering, too." Keesha's voice was impassioned.
"I know," Tony said, realizing he had overstepped his bounds. "I'm envious of A.J. I want him to be as miserable as I am. We've both suffered because of Carly, but she and the baby were my life, Keesha. At least with you, he has a chance to start over. To make a good life for himself with a decent, caring woman. I had that, and I gave it all up. For what? If this baby isn't mine, that's it. I've lost everything. What a waste."
Keesha softened as she realized the depth of Tony's pain. "You have your son, Tony," she gently reminded, placing her hand on his arm. "And he needs his father. And what about Bobbie? You two may not be together, but I know you care about each other. You're friends, right? That's how A.J. and I started to find our way back. And that's where we are right now - best friends. It can happen."
Tony squeezed her hand. "I don't deserve your kindness, but thank you. You've reminded me there's always hope. Does A.J. even realize how lucky he is?"
Keesha smiled. "I think he does."
Tony shook his head.
Twenty minutes later, the nurse announced that Carly and the baby were out of surgery.
"Are they all right?" Tony quickly asked.
"Yes. Ms. Roberts' is in recovery until the anesthesia wears off. She gave birth to a baby girl. She only weighs 3 lbs., 6 oz. She's in an incubator in neo-natal ICU. Would you like to see her?"
"Yes, " Tony said, relieved that they had survived. He looked at Keesha.
"I need to attend my meeting," she said. "You go ahead."
As Keesha watched Tony walk away, she offered up a silent prayer for all of them. She knew the baby's birth meant their lives would never be the same.