ForcedTogetherpart31

�Come on Maria, that�s a girl. One more good push and your little Hannah will be here.� Dr. Cleary told the young mother.

�That right Maria, you can do it. PUSH!� Michael cheered happily.

�SHUT UP! I so don�t need you to being all cheerleading me right now MISTER! This is it I tell you, we are never sharing the same bed again you hear me! NEVER! You can stick with choking the monkey all by yourself BUSTER! Damn there should be laws against woman having four children within five years� Maria snapped at her husband and caused the doctor and nurse to share a chuckle.

It was a well known story that has been told by many of the night Maria Guerin gave birth to her twin daughter Becky and Sarah and how she proceeded to swear to God and to everything holy that her and her no good husband were never having sex again. This not being an unusually thing to hear from a woman in labor but when she swore that if he so much as kissed her again she would pull a Lorraina Bobbitt on him and they wouldn�t find his dick in time to get it back on again.

�Ok sweetie, I know your tired but I need you to push alright.� Dr. Cleary instructed her patient.

�I don�t wanna. Can�t she just stay inside a little longer, like another year or so.� Maria said wearily.

�Sorry Maria, but it doesn�t work that way. Come on and give me a big push.� The doctor urged.

�Aaaahhhh!� Maria screamed as she pushed with all her strength. A few seconds later she heard her little girls first cries.

�Well hello there little one. Welcome to the world.� Dr. Cleary said as she lifted Hannah up and showed her to her proud parents.

�Oh God, she looks just like Emma did. She beautiful honey.� Michael whispered in Maria�s ear as he placed a soft kiss to her temple.

�Oh Michael, she�s so tiny. Does she have ten finger and toes?� Maria asked as she stretched her head to see her baby being cleaned by the nurse before she was wrapped in a blanket.

�Why don�t you check for yourself.� He told her gently as he stepped aside to let the nurse in to place their newest miracle in his wife�s arms.

Michael quickly stood next to Maria and Hannah, smiling as he watched her pulling the receiving blanket away so that she could check her daughter tiny fingers and toes. He reached down and kissed little Hannah on the forehead before he turned and kissed Maria eagerly on the lips.

�Alright you two, this is how we always end up here. Michael you know the drill, why don�t you go outside and tell that motley crew waiting that Hannah has made her grand appearance, while we get your girls all set for visitors.� Dr. Cleary ordered him gently.

Michael turned and smiled at the woman who had delivered his four angels shaking his head yes before he turned back and gave Maria and Hannah another kiss. Whispering in Maria�s ear that he loved her and that she will never sleep in a bed unless he is with her.

He quickly scurried out of the room before she could say anything to him and went outside to see their family. He smiled as he looked out to the same people who were there the day Emma was born and to the additions to their ever growing family. Now Marc�s wife Carrie and son Thomas was in the sitting room as well as Karen, Peter, Josh and their other two sons Dylan and Zach not to mention his own little cheering section.

�Maria and Hannah are just fine.� He told everyone as they clamored around him.

�DADDY, DADDY!� He turned to see his two little munchkins sitting with Emma next to Ruthie.

�Hey you three. The nurses are getting Mommy and Hannah nice and clean and then you can go in and see your new baby sister.� He told them as he kissed each girl on the forehead before turning and kneeling down in front of Ruthie.

His heart broke as he watched the silent tears sliding down the older woman�s face. He reached up and wiped them away before taking her hand in his and kissing it. �Wait until you see her Ruthie, she�s a little angel.�

He watched as the she smiled weakly up at him and tried to shake her head yes. Michael hated to see her this way. It still was shocking to see her like this, he still saw her as the jovial woman who gave him his first brake when they got to the island and now to see her withering away after suffering a stroke six months earlier was heart wrenching.

So many nights he sat up with Maria as she cried after going to see her. They had wanted to take her in themselves but the doctors had told them that she need 24 hour medical care and that they wouldn�t be able to handle it. At first they wouldn�t listen, but it was after Jeanie and John had come over and told them that it wasn�t physically possible for Maria to take care of Ruthie and three children with a forth one on the way.

Finally Michael and Maria realized that the best thing would be to place Ruthie in the nursing home that was adjacent to the hospital. It was small and very well run, even Maria had to admit that she liked the staff after she watched the way the nurses took care of Ruthie.

Maria had told Michael that she thought that Ruthie knew something was going to happen the day after she had the stroke. Three days earlier Ruthie had insisted Maria accompany her to her lawyer�s office and sign papers transferring the power of attorney for the inn to Maria�s and Michael�s name.

Maria had taken over running the day to day aspect of the inn a few months after her and Michael had gotten married, but she still had to have Ruthie sign all order forms and checks. Maria wasn�t too crazy about Ruthie releasing her power of attorney to them, but after the older woman had become upset she finally conceded and signed the paperwork.

The next day Maria had gone to work with Emma and the twins in tow and was horrified to find Ruthie laying on her bedroom floor after she had noticed that she hadn�t come down stairs at all during the morning. She quickly called Michael at the sheriff�s office and soon an ambulance was their taking the fallen woman to the hospital.

Their small family gather there the same way they gathered whenever a new child was welcomed into the world. This time instead of the usual poker game everyone sat silently in chairs watching the doors waiting for the doctor to come out and tell them how she was.

When Ruthie�s doctor had told them she had suffered a severe stroke and that she was paralyzed on the left side completely and never would walk again was the worst moment he could remember as he held his pregnant wife before she collapsed to the floor. He almost began to panic when she started to shiver and was terrified that she was going into shock much like the time she went into shock after the bombing of the cabin.

Michael and Maria had sat up all night talking. Michael had decided he wanted to try and heal her and the next day he told the others. He was surprised when Jeanie and his Dad had said no to him doing this. They said that Ruthie had lived a long and healthy life and that this was nature and that he shouldn�t interfere with the natural process.

Michael and Peter both argued that he had healed Josh, did they think that was wrong too.
John sighed and shook his head, but it was Jeanie who said that what happened to Josh was different, it was an accident and he wouldn�t have necessarily died from the fall. Ruthie was 83 years old and this was just mother nature taking it natural course. She told Michael he didn�t have the right to play God.

Michael stopped cold in his tracks when she said that and looked over to Maria to see her shaking her head in agreement with Jeanie. He knew she was remembering a conversation they had back when they were running when she had said that Max didn�t have the right to play God when he had saved Liz that day. Jeanie was right, Josh wouldn�t have died from the accident. He would have survived it, it would have been painful and taken a long time to heal but he would have survived.

So now six months later, Ruthie still wasn�t able to speak and most of her major organs were starting to shut down, the doctors weren�t sure how long she would have and Michael and Maria said prayers every night that she would be able to see Hannah Ruth come into this world.

Michael looked up when the nurse came out and said he could go in and see his wife. He smiled and turned to Ruthie and said. �Come on Ruthie, your always the first one to see the babies when they get into their room.� He told her as he got behind her and adjusted the oxygen and IV bag before he wheeled her down the hall to see Maria and the baby.

Jeanie and John went over to the girls and told them they could see their Mommy in a few minutes giving the young couple a few moments with the woman who had become so important in their lives since they first got to the island.

After a while Michael came back out with Ruthie and they joined the others again. Peter came over and stood next to them. �Ruthie, I told the nurses I would have you back before 10:00 tonight. Michael I think the girls are pretty eager to see their Mom and sister.�

�Alright.� Michael said as he knelt down next to Ruthie and placed his hands on top of hers before he leaned in and kissed her cheek. �Maria and I will come by tomorrow before we leave so that you can visit with Hannah before she goes home.� He told her as he slowly stood up and went over to the girls.

�Come on girls, say goodnight to Ruthie and then we�ll go see Mommy.� He said as he watched all three hop up and run over and kissed her goodnight. Him and the others laughed has they watched the three bouncing up and down in excitement about the new baby.

�Alright you three, lets go see Mommy and Hannah.� He said as he ushered his little girls inside Maria�s room.

Everybody laughed again as they heard the girl squeal happily. Peter got behind Ruthie�s wheelchair and slowly brought her around the room to say goodnight to everyone as most of them prepared to give the family a few minutes of privacy before invading the room themselves.

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Maria woke up the next day and grinned as the nurse brought Hannah into the room for her morning feeding. She was going home today and she couldn�t be happier about it. She hated being away from her family, even for a single night.

She looked up when she heard the door opened and saw Michael standing in the doorway. He had that look on his face that he always got whenever he watched her nursing their children. A look of pure and utter love and reverence.

�Hey Blondie, how you feeling today?� He asked as he made his way over to her bed and kissed her on the mouth before brushing a light kiss on the crown at the top of Hannah�s head.

�Pretty good. After I finish feeding her I can take a quick shower and get dress. Then you can go and sign me and Piglet here out.� She told him happily, amazed at how she forgot that just a few short hours ago she was cursing him out for everything under the sun. Her and Karen always joked about how it was that they never remembered the pain of childbirth once they held their babies in their arms.

�Sounds good. I figured we could run over and see Ruthie before we headed home. I think yesterday was a long day and she looked really worn out. She barely saw Hannah and I know she would want to hold her.� He said as he went over and grabbed the bag they had brought with them, pulling out the little yellow sun dress with tiny teddy bears on it and a pair of booties for his daughter to wear home.

He turned when he heard Maria sigh sadly. �I�m so happy that today is so nice out. I was afraid we would have to put her in a sleeper instead of that dress. Ruthie bought it after I told her I was pregnant.�

�I know, look Maria I know this is hard for you. It�s hard for me too but today we are bringing our baby home and that is something that should make you happy.� He told her as he brought the cloths over to put on Hannah when Maria was done.

�I know, I�m sorry. I just hate seeing her this way Michael. I�m glad she was able to be here last night.� She said as she moved Hannah and switched her to her other breast.

�Are you kidding, she wouldn�t miss it for the world. Then again I think it is a safe bet that neither would anyone else. Did I tell you that Peter blew off night school to be here last night.� He told her as he went over and organized the few stuff animals that were sitting on the windowsill and placed them in the baby�s bag.

�I know, he�s such a good guy. I�m glad he decided to go back to school and get his degree. I just hate that it�s going to take him so long to finish and then to go to law school on top of it. But this had always been his dream to become a lawyer.� She said as she raised Hannah to her shoulder and began to rub and pat her back lightly to get her to burp.

�BURPPPP.� Hannah contributed happily, causing her mother to chuckle and her father to beam proudly.

�She�s the one Maria. She�ll be able to learn the noble art of burping the alphabet. I knew one of my girls would be able to carry on the tradition.� He told her as she laughed and held up her little girl for him to pick up and hold.

�Well then you should start mentoring her right away. While she let that go she also took a dump that she wants her Daddy to clean up while Mommy takes her shower.� She said as she got out of the bed and headed into the bathroom.

�Yeah, well I�ll do it but only because these are the non stinky dumps. Two weeks from now she�s all yours.� He called out over the noise of the shower before placing his little girl on the changing tables and saying to her in a singsong voice. �That�s not really true Piglet, you�re always going to be Daddy�s little girl, even when your poop starts to smell. Because Daddy loves you very much and he doesn�t really care. He just likes to tease Mommy.�

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A few hours later Michael wheeled Maria and their baby out to their car. After the twins were born that had invested in buying a mini van since they needed a car that held three car seats.

Thank God Emma was big enough to ride wearing only a seat belt, they would have died if they had to get another car seat. Michael lifted Hannah up and placed her in Emma�s old seat, making sure her snuggly surrounded her properly before he buckled her in. He turned in time to see Maria getting into the front seat and quickly went over and wheeled the chair back to the hospital were an attendant was waiting to take it back in.

�Honey, we should pick up lunch for Dad and Jeanie since they are watching the girls while you came to pick me up.� Maria said as she turned around to smile at Hannah.

�Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. We can go to Nemo�s and get pizza for the kids and some dinners for us. We should probable get enough for Peter and Karen and their kids too. I�m sure they�ll end up at the house around lunch time.� He said as he turned into the parking lot of the nursing home.

�Good idea. We�ll get a few large pizzas and a couple veal and chicken parmesan dinners. Maybe a couple veal cacciatore and chicken broccoli with ziti too. Oh and if we call now and place it maybe we can get a couple of orders of tiramisu and those chocolate chip cannoli the kids love for dessert.� She said as she grabbed her cell phone and called the number she knew by heart.

Michael got out and had just finished getting Hannah out of her car seat when he saw Maria standing next to him. �All set, we can pick up the order in an hour or so.� She told him as they started to walk into the home together.

�Hey Linda, we�re here to see Ruthie.� Michael said to the nurse at the front desk, lowering his little girl enough so the other woman could see her.

�Oh God, we were just getting ready to call over to your home.� The friendly nurse said as she gave a polite smile to the little bundle in her father�s arm.

�A call, why were you calling the house?� Maria asked, her voice filled with dread.

Linda looked down for a second as she tried to compose herself. She hated this part of her job so much. �Maria, Michael I am so sorry but Ruthie passed away a little over an hour ago. She just fell asleep after breakfast and when I went in to give her her medicine she was non responsive. A few hours later her heart stopped. I was with her the whole time she was never in any pain.�

Michael stood there in shock from the new and it was see Linda guiding an hysterical Maria to a chair in the waiting area that brought him out of it. He quickly followed them over and motioned for Linda to take Hannah from him so he could comfort his wife.

�I knew deep down that is was going to happen, but I kept on thinking she would bounce back Michael.� She sobbed into his chest.

�I know, me too. Maria she fought for the past nine months and I think seeing Hannah last night gave her the peace of mind she needed to let herself go.� He told gently as he felt his own tears sliding down his face.

�I�m so sorry, I�ve know Ruthie my whole life and she was an amazing lady. You know I�ll never forget the time at the town picnic and she must have been sixty five the time, she insisted on playing softball. She ended up hitting a grand slam and won the game. Everyone is going to miss her.� Linda said as she laughed softly and she rocked the infant in her arms.

Michael chucked as he remembered that story. Peter and his Dad had told it to him one day at the station. He looked up to the nurse and realized that everyone in Baker�s Hollow loved and respected Ruthie and not only him and Maria were going to miss her.

Maria sniffled as she pulled away from Michael to look at Linda. �Did you ever hear about the time she mooned some pastor when he said that AIDS was sent by God to punish homosexuals.�

�Yeah, I remember hearing that one. I was pretty little then, but my Mom told me she got a standing ovation and that a month later the pastor was transferred to another church and that is when Pastor Plum came to our church.� She said as she gentle laid the little girl in her mother�s arms.

�Linda, have you called anyone else? My Dad or Jeanie?� Michael asked as he reached into Maria�s purse and got her cell phone.

�No not yet. We wanted to call you first.� She explained as she watched him starting to dial some numbers into the machine.

�Michael don�t.� Maria said softly. �Dad and Jeanie are at the house watching the kids, I think it would be better if we tell them in person. Linda do we need to sign anything?�

�No, everything is all set. Ruthie had everything in order.� Linda looked at the floor before she told them about her arrangements. �I don�t know if she told you or not but Ruthie wanted to donate her organs. She had also signed papers that if her organs weren�t in the proper condition for transplanting then she wanted her body to be donated to science.�

Michael looked at her in shock, him and Maria had no idea. �No we didn�t know. Have you harvest the organs for transplants?� He asked in surprised.

�Unfortunately, none of her organs were viable enough to help someone else. They will be coming for her body later today to be brought to the university lab.� She explained carefully. It was always hard when realize that there would never be a body to bury.

�We understand. Ruthie was a strong believer in progress and this is her way of helping medical progress.� Maria said as she stood up. �Linda, thank you so much for everything you and the other nurse did for her. I know that you thought of her as more than just a patient, that you thought of her as a friend.�

�If you need anything. Please let me know.� She said sincerely as she walked the shaken couple to the front entrance. She watched as they made their way over to their car and tucked their new daughter into her car seat before they got into the car themselves and pulled away from the nursing home, heading back to the inn that was filled with memories of their friend.

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The next few days went by in a haze. Michael and Maria hosted the memorial service at the inn. And now they were all gathered around for the reading of Ruthie�s will. Michael kept a strong arm around Maria, the same way that Peter held Karen, Marc held Carrie and to everyone amusement the way John held Jeanie.

�Well everyone, Ruthie wanted this to be short and sweet.� Her attorney Mr. Harmon told them as he began to unfold the document. �She told me not to be all sentimental and to just give you the basics, so here it is.�

�To my good friend Jeanie Spencer, I leave my mother�s pearl earrings and necklace, my grandmother�s cameo brooch. I also bequeath $50,000 dollars to be used in whatever fashion she sees fit.�

�To her beloved son Peter and his wife Karen Spencer, I leave my father�s collection of coins and my brother�s collection of toy trains. I also bequeath $200,000 dollars to be used for Peter Spencer for his continuing education as well as $200,000 dollars to be used in whatever fashion they see fit and $25,000 in trust for each of their children and any subsequent children they may have after my death.�

�To her beloved son Marc and his wife Carrie Spencer, I leave my grandmother�s china and crystal stemware and my grandfather�s pocket watch. I also bequeath $200,000 dollars to be used in whatever fashion they see fit and $25,000 in trust for their child and any subsequent children they may have after my death.�

�To my good friend John Norwood, I leave my father�s cufflinks and his pearl tie pin. I also bequeath $50,000 dollars to be used in any fashion he sees fit.�

�To his beloved son Michael and his wife Maria Guerin, I leave the deed to their cottage as well as the deed to the inn, as well as all furnishing and so forth. I am bequeathing $1,000,000 dollars to be used for any renovations to be made on the inn. I am also bequeathing $500,000 to be use in whatever fashion they see fit and $25,000 in trust for each of their children and any subsequent children they may have after my death.�

�The remainder of my estate shall be divided equally to the charities that I have listed to my attorney, Mr. Harmon. May God bless each and everyone of you and I will be here waiting to be reunited with my love ones when the time is right.�

Mr. Harmon took a deep breath when he finished reading the last part of the will and saw the collected look of shock on everyone face. He shook his head, nobody every realized how well off Ruthie Lawrence was.

He cleared his throat before he began to explained to them. �You must understand, the inn had been in her family for three generations and was owned free and clear. Any money that was made was profit after the bills were paid. Not to mention Ruthie was quite the investor, she played the stock market like others play the piano.�

�Dear lord in heaven, I had no idea.� Jeanie finally uttered.

Maria looked at Michael and then turned in her chair to face Mr. Harmon. �I�m not sure if I have the right to ask but how much was she worth?�

The lawyer took off his glasses, taking a few seconds to clean them before he answered Maria�s question, knowing that they were all going to be even more shocked than they already were. �Close to $10,000,000 dollars. I have been advised to leave so much aside for consideration of any additional offsprings before I begin to make her charitable contributions.�

�It�s too much. I�we never expected anything like this.� Michael said as the impact of everything finally sunk in. �We don�t deserve what she left us.� He told everyone as he hopped up and stood by the fireplace.

�No Michael, your wrong it isn�t too much. You and Maria brought a lot of happiness to Ruthie. You and Maria are the logical ones to inherited the inn and the cottage, this is what she truly wanted.� Jeanie told him, realizing how difficult it was for him to accept the gifts being bestowed on them.

�Mom�s right Michael. I think we all feel a little strange. None of us were expecting this but it�s what she wanted to do. You shouldn�t feel guilty or unworthy of her gifts. You two and those kids of yours keep her going for the past few years. Don�t doubt your importance to Ruthie.� Peter said seriously.

�Michael, I know you and Maria feel a little funny about this. Don�t everything Peter said is the truth. All Ruthie ever wanted was to be happy and the people she loved to be happy. One of the things that Ruthie loved and treasured the most was her inn, she knew five years ago that she wanted Maria to be the one to take over for her because she knew that she would run it with the same love and care that Ruthie did. No, it will take some getting use to for all of us but this is what she wanted more than anything and I think we all want to honor her spirit and memory and should accept these gifts graciously.� Jeanie said as she got up and joined Michael, gathering the young man in her arms.

�Mrs. Spencer is right Mr. Guerin. Ruthie wanted to make sure her family was taken care of. There isn�t anything to feel ashamed of by what was revealed today. She loved you all and thought long and hard about how to bestow her gifts.� Mr. Harmon explained.

�I think everyone is just surprised by the fact that a woman most of us had know all our lives could amass such a large estate.� The sheriff said rationally as he stood up and walked over to Mr. Harmon. �Thank you for everything. If we have any questions may we call you?�

�Of course, please do. I think I will leave you all now. I will leave my cards on the desk and you may call to set up individual appointments to go over the payouts and so forth.� He told them as he placed the cards on the desk before he walked out the door.

Everyone turned when they heard Maria laughing to herself. �Played the stock market like other played the piano. If that doesn�t describe Ruthie in a nutshell I don�t know what does.�

Soon the other were laughing as they all began to tell stories about the late friend. They all seemed to forget for the time the items and money left behind and remembered all the good times they had with Ruthie.

A few days later, each called Mr. Harmon and went over everything for their inheritance. Peter decided to take a leave from the department and to go to school full time, using the money Ruthie left to pay the bill and tuition. Marc and Carrie were able to buy their own home, a small fixer upper. Jeanie and John both placed their money in secured retirement investments while Michael and Maria hired a contractor for the renovations that needed to be done on the inn. They also used their own money to have an addition added to their cottage, expanding it for their family.

They all knew this is what Ruthie wanted for them. That they would be able to do what they always wanted to do but had been cautious about. It took time but they were able to let go a little everyday and didn�t feel like a vice was closing around their hearts whenever they talked about her.

Especial the younger couples who sent hours telling their children about the woman who mooned a pastor and hit that grand slam home run as well as a million other stories they had to tell about a woman who stood up for what she thought was right and to fight against what she thought was wrong. This was their way to insure that she was always remembered, know that these would be stories they told their own children some day.

TBC