Authors: EMME CROSS
Sven told her the whole story about Astrid and his surprise child.
“Sunny thought Linus could help? How?”
“She thought she could give him the St. Barts villas to pay off Nils’s debt and keep Liam from finding out the truth. I don’t know . . .” He dragged his hands through his hair. “We didn’t have much time to talk between the time she got home and when she collapsed.”
He turned and looked at his mother, other than Sunny the only woman in the world he would die rather than disappoint. And yet he had — again.
“Liam’s your grandson.”
“Yes.” She gave him a faint smile.
“You don’t seem angry. You seem — pleased.”
“I am. He’s a nice boy. I like him a lot, and Bliss and Sunny love him.”
“Why aren’t you surprised?”
She stretched out her legs, slightly stiff after the long drive from northern Norway. “Did I ever tell you about when your father and I would go skinny dipping?
She laughed at his expression. “It was in the fjord off your grandfather’s cottage. Even in high summer, the water was ice cold and you’d get goose-pimples the size of eggs but oh, it was lovely. So isolated and so peaceful. I think that’s where your eldest sister was conceived . . . There was a moment when I first saw Liam, at the open house. He had just met you and was so excited. He looked just like your father. He had that same eager openness, as the boy I’d fallen in love with all those years ago. Then, as we spent more time together, I began to wonder. He has some of your gestures. That raised eyebrow thing you do when you want someone to continue with an explanation. You’re doing it now.”
Sven scowled and deliberately lowered his eyebrow.
“There was no way to be sure, of course. I’d seen a picture of Nils in the newspaper and the colouring didn’t fit. I couldn’t very well ask Astrid. And I knew you had no idea. But, I did wonder. And now I know. How is Liam taking it?”
“I don’t know. We talked briefly but he went off to spend time with Astrid. She’s the one who had to explain it all to him. I didn’t really know what to say except welcome to the family. . .” His voice trailed off. “You’re trying to distract me from worrying about Sunny.”
“It’s working isn’t it? There’s nothing you can do for her at the moment except remain calm.”
He got up to pace. “I hate hospitals. I remember when Sunny was in a coma in St. Barts after the earthquake. She finally woke, but it was Linus who did it. He brought her fresh baked bread and flowers. Said smells might get through to her. He was right.”
“Oh, Sven,” she said, reaching out and grasping his hand. “You got through to her. She came back for you and she will again, you’ll see. You’re not done with each other yet.”
“Mother!” Charlotte came rushing into the waiting room. “What’s the news?”
“Sunny’s having a caesarian section. It sounds like pre-eclampsia but the doctor didn’t say. We’re waiting to hear how the delivery went.”
Bliss shook herself awake. “Tante Lottie! I want to see Jenna.”
“So you shall, sweetie. We’ll go visit your cousin now. I’ll take her back home. Do you need anything? Sunny’s pregnancy bag? What about the dog?”
“Sponge is being cared for by a neighbour for now, but you might want to check with Jim and see if you should take her to hang out with Frigga. I imagine we will be here overnight.”
“Overnight? But it shouldn’t take that long, should it? A C-section is nothing these days. I read that all the Hollywood moms have them to prevent getting too fat. They call it ‘too posh to push.’”
“That isn’t what happened,” he snapped. His sister always managed to push his buttons.
“I know. I was just teasing. Chill, little brother. Your wife and son will be fine. Mother, call me. Come here, Bliss, we’ll go home and have spaghettios for supper.”
Sven shuddered. Sunny would have a fit if she knew her daughter was eating canned pasta — all that sodium.
He went outside and passed some time texting their friends. Renee and Ana in California and Reverend Nelson and Dr. Dugard on St. Barts. Despite the time difference, the latter replied instantly with questions about Sunny’s condition that Sven couldn’t answer. He sent messages to Raisa and Misha in Russia, Maria, their housekeeper in California. Also Georges, their contractor in St. Barts whose wife was looking after Sunny’s villas. Ed and Stellan.
Astrid? No, he wouldn’t contact her yet. She had enough to deal with at the moment.
He hesitated when he came to Linus’s name in her contact list. What the fuck, he thought and dialled the number. Whatever their differences Linus had always been good to Sunny.
“It’s Sven. Yes, I know she saw you today about the whole . . . mess. That isn’t why I’m calling. Sunny’s in the hospital. They’re delivering the baby by C-section.”
“I should have known. She was so upset. I should have insisted she lie down. Instead I offered her tea. What am I, a fucking Englishman?”
Sven didn’t ask why his wife had been in Linus’s hotel room right beside a bed. Now was not the time. “I thought you should know; Sunny would want you to know.”
He could hear the other man take a jagged breath to calm himself. “Thanks. And I know this isn’t the time to talk about ‘the mess’ as you so delicately put it, but my son Barry may have the solution. I hope that puts your mind at ease, at least when it comes to your son. Your older son, I guess I should say.”
Sven closed his eyes. His infant son was at this moment being born behind closed operating room doors, and here he sat doing nothing.
“Thanks. I’ll let you know when there’s any news.”
“Linus?” Sven’s mother had joined him outside. “You shouldn’t let him get under your skin. He really does care for Sunny and it doesn’t matter how much. She’s not going anywhere.”
It was another hour before the doctor emerged, with scrubs a little splattered but wearing a smile on her face.
“They’re both fine and she’s slowly coming out of anaesthesia. The baby is perfect. Eight pounds, two ounces. He’s so big I probably would have had to deliver him by C-section anyway if she’d gone to full term. If you wait a few minutes, they are cleaning him up and moving them to a private room. You can come and say hello. His lungs are fine so you are likely to get quite a greeting, though Sunny will be a little groggy for a while.”
Sven picked the doctor up off her feet and kissed her. He turned to grab his mother. “They’re both fine! Did you hear? Both of them.”
“Her blood pressure?” Judith asked.
“It’s almost back to normal, though I want to keep an eye on things for a little while. If all goes well, mother and child can go home in two or three days’ time. If her blood pressure stays within normal levels she may not need any medication but I will send her home with a monitor and I don’t want her missing any follow-up appointments. Congratulations, Daddy!”
After what felt like an eternity, they were ushered into the room. Sunny was hooked up to an I.V. and looked drowsy and pale, her eyes half opened. A nurse was standing next to the bed with a tightly-wrapped little bundle held in her arms. All that was visible was a white knitted cap on a tiny head. Sven rushed first to the bed.
“Beloved. Sunny. Can you hear me?”
“Sven,” she whispered. “We had a baby.”
“Yes, we did!” he laughed, gently kissing her cheek and stroking her sweaty curls.
Sven turned to his mother who had relieved the nurse of her small burden.
“He’s beautiful,” said Judith, kissing the tiny wrinkled forehead. She held him out to his father.
Sven perched gingerly on the side of the bed next to his wife and, remembering Bliss, carefully cradled his son in his arms, supporting the head.
“Have you seen him?”
“Just a peek,” she said with a sleepy smile. “The doctor says he’s fine and big, just like his daddy.”
She reached out to stroke a cheek, smiling at the yawn and tiny cry her touch evoked.
“You should have heard him before. He can scream when he wants to. They’re going to help me feed him. I have to lie on my side because of the incision but I do get to breastfeed.”
The nurse smiled. “If you give us a minute or two, I can get the tummy pillow and we can give it a shot.”
“Don’t you have to wait until the sedative wears off?”
The nurse was quick to reassure the anxious father. “It’s best for mother and baby to bond as soon as possible. Some women even breastfeed in the recovery room.”
They waited as the nurse positioned extra pillows and helped Sunny onto her side. Sven turned aside when he saw her wince in pain.
She noticed. “It’s not too bad, honest. They have me on painkillers but they shouldn’t affect the baby. Besides, having him next to me, holding him, is the best medicine.”
It took a few tries but the baby soon latched on.
“I’ll stay here to help you switch sides,” said the nurse, moving out of the way.
“He’s hungry.” Sunny kissed the tiny head and Sven slipped a finger between diminutive clutching fingers as Judith pulled out her cell phone and shot some video she was certain would embarrass the hell out of her grandson one day in the not-too-distant future.
“Smile for the camera, Lennon.”
“I didn’t know you had decided on a name. Lennon Larsen. It has a nice ring. Not the Russian?” asked Judith.
“Like John, the Beatle. And his middle name is Henry, after Sir Henry.”
“With a name like that,” Judith proclaimed, “he’s certain to be a star.”
When Sunny woke next, Judith was in the chair by the bed, happily knitting.
“I got the night shift. Sven went home to get some sleep. He’ll pick up Bliss and be back in a few hours.” She held a cup of water to Sunny’s lips. “The baby has been sleeping. He’s full and he’s happy and healthy.”
She helped Sunny to the bathroom and then the two women settled in for a talk. The hospital was quiet.
“Sven explained about the day you had, before Lennon arrived.”
Judith waited, knowing her daughter-in-law would tell her the whole story.
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Sunny launched right into it. “You knew. At the anniversary party in the new house where Sven met Liam for the first time; there was a look on your face. I was going to ask you about it then.”
“It was as if a ghost had come to life. He looked just like my Sandy —Sven’s father, Alexander — when he was a teenager. That same poor excuse for a beard. The same way he shuffled his feet when he was embarrassed. I’m surprised I didn’t faint.”
“You never said.”
“I wasn’t sure. I thought I might be imagining things. It has been a long time; more than twenty-five years since he died and forty odd years since he was that age. I went home that night and dug up some old pictures. One was of us at a party. He was wearing this god awful suit and I had a horrible wrist corsage. You can imagine. I still wasn’t one hundred percent sure but then I got to know Liam. I made sure we spent time together. He even has the same silly laugh. Once I saw the resemblance, I couldn’t unsee it. It wasn’t my place to say anything but I was pleased all the same. I’m a greedy woman, Sunny. I love grandchildren. Emma won’t have any from the looks of it and Charlotte won’t have any more. I love Bliss and this one,” she said, touching the sleeping infant. “Then, out of the blue, I had another grandchild, who was between my own adult children and your babies in age. It was wrong of me, but I’ve loved him all along.”
Sunny reached out to touch her hand. “Love is never wrong. You’ve gotten close in the past few months. Can you help Liam deal with all of this — a new father? A new family?”
“He’s a good boy. Astrid’s done a good job on her own. We will help them both, don’t you worry. When you all have to go back to California, I will be here to help Liam learn about his father’s side of the family.”
“The one person who will be really upset about this is Bliss,” Sunny observed.
“But she loves Liam!”
“Yes, but she wants to marry him when she grows up. Now we have to tell her it’s impossible.”
“Husbands come and go but brothers and sisters are forever.”
* * *
Sunny must have dozed again because when she woke Sven was sitting in the chair, gently rubbing his son’s back.
“There you are.”
“Where’s my daughter?”
“Fatima is getting her cleaned up and feeding her a proper breakfast. She was at Charlotte’s last night.”
“The only green stuff in Charlotte’s refrigerator is mould.”
“You must be feeling better if you’re dissing my sister. You’ve gotten quite the display of flowers.”
He read the cards to her. “The orchids are from Renee, the daisies are from Ana and Juan, the sunflowers are from . . . Stellan?”
“He’s such a nice man. I was wondering if maybe we could ask him to be godfather. He’d be a nice stable Norwegian influence to counterbalance Renee. She’ll be a Hollywood godmother and will have him in designer diapers.”
Sven sat gingerly on the side of the bed. “A good idea. How’s the pain?”
“Still there, but a little less today. Now I’m starting to itch. I guess that means the incision is starting to mend. I haven’t had the nerve to look. And anyway I can’t see past my boobs.”
“I can’t see past your boobs either. Okay, here goes.” He pulled back the sheet and lifted the gown and started making horrified gagging noises until Sunny got the giggles.
“Don’t make me laugh, it hurts.” She stifled another laugh that morphed into a small moan.
“It’s actually not bad. This big,” he said holding his fingers four inches apart. “Dr. Meckins called in a plastic surgeon to do the final stitching so you should be wearing bikinis in no time.”
“I can’t imagine feeling well enough to put on a bathing suit any time soon.”
“I was wondering,” he said kissing the side of her mouth, “after a C-section — does it take long before we can have sex again?”
“Sven!”
“Don’t blame me. They shaved you and I’m visually stimulated. Besides, the fortune teller said three happy, healthy children. We could start on number three right away.”
“Give me a moment to heal, you idiot.”
“Maybe this will be an incentive.” He handed her a box bearing the logo of an expensive jewellery store. “I went shopping in Stockholm. I promised you a push present.”
“But I didn’t have to push.”
“Okay, give it back, then. Nah. You can have it anyway.” He flicked open the lid revealing a triple strand pearl necklace with pearl and diamond dangling earrings.
“Sven!” She gently touched the pearls, feeling their warmth beneath her fingertips. “They are beautiful. But where will I wear them? I don’t like to think of something so precious locked away in a safe and only taken out for special occasions.”
“Wear them when you cook.” He fastened the clasp around her neck so the pearls nestled against her chest, spilling into her cleavage. “Wear them when you garden. Wear them, when you nurse our son.” He kissed her cheek. “Wear them,” he said kissing her lips, “when we make love. They say that pearls need to be warmed by skin. I can’t imagine a finer end for an oyster, nestled between your breasts.”
Sunny started to cry.
“Happy?”
“Hormones.”
“Dadda! Mama!”
“Bliss! I told you no running and no jumping up on the bed.” Fatima called ahead to the little girl who leapt into her father’s arms.
“Lottie and Jenna said we had a baby.”
“Here he is.”
Sven leant over so Bliss could kiss the baby’s head and Lennon squirmed. “See. He knows his big sister.”
“Damn! I missed the big introduction.” Judith strode into the room, cellphone camera in hand.
“Mama’s okay?”
Sunny reached over the side of the bed to ruffle her curls. “Oh sweetheart, I’m fine. I just can’t hold you right now because I’m still sore from having the baby.”
“The baby was in mama’s tummy.”
“Yes, and now he’s out here. What’s his name?”
“Lennon Henry. Like Uncle Henry.”
“And Lennon? Remember the song we learnt,” Sunny held her daughter close and whispered the lyrics into her ear.
The little girl closed her turquoise eyes for a second and started to sing softly,
“Imagine there’s no hunger . . .”
She continued singing “Imagine,” and doctors, nurses and patients stopped in the hall, gathering at the doorway, attracted by the sweet clear voice. There was a burst of applause.
“That’s right sweetie. Like John Lennon.”
Sunny turned to Judith, who had caught the impromptu performance on tape. “We’ve been listening to a lot of Beatles and John Lennon lately to get ready for the baby. Bliss has been practising, so she can sing him lullabies. Sven or I would give him nightmares. Bliss must get her voice from your side of the family.”
“Her grandfather, my Sandy, had a wonderful singing voice.”
“Obviously it skips a generation,” laughed Sven.
“He used to sing you Scandinavian folk songs. You wouldn’t go to sleep without one.”
“I don’t remember that,” said Sven
“Sandy would be so thrilled to see you with his grandson. Are you going to teach him soccer?”
“I’ve already bought the ball!”
* * *
“Where’s the new arrival?”
“Linus! And Barry too! What a nice surprise.”
They took a peek at the baby sleeping in Judith’s arms.
“You and Sven breed well. Barry, meet Judith Larsen, the proud Grandma.”
“I think that’s the first time you’ve ever complimented Sven!” Sunny grinned as Linus kissed her cheek.
Linus’s eyes shone. “I promise not to make a habit of it.”
Sunny turned her attention to Barry. “You’re about to become a father yourself soon, aren’t you?”
“Six weeks according to the doctors, but Rachel wishes it was six days. She’s fed up with being pregnant. It’s so humid in New York City, she’s really suffering.”
“Sunny can give you some advice on babies. And, if I recall correctly,” Linus added with a grin, “she also has a tip about how to get through labour.” Sven overheard this remark as he walked in the door.
“Hi! It’s good to see you. Have you met Lennon yet?”
He turned to Barry. “Sven Larsen. You have to have sex in between contractions. Something about the hormones makes the delivery easier. I don’t understand the science but it sure was fun. We didn’t get a chance this time because Sunny went into pre-something-something. Anyway, she had to have a C-section. Maybe next time,” he said with a laugh.
Barry looked from husband to wife, astonished. “I can’t imagine making such a suggestion to Rachel. As of now she never wants to have sex again.”
Sven waved off his concerns. “Ask Sunny. She’ll tell you. So, ya gotta practice. Take the baby. Get used to holding them right. One hand here and the other supporting the neck.”
Barry grinned. “They smell so good and they snuggle right in.”
“They sure do.”
“I guess no more jewellery. Maybe lifetime tickets to the Yankees?” asked Linus.
Sven snorted. “Baseball? The only thing worse is the NFL. Soccer or hockey, maybe.”
Sunny and Judith looked at each other. Linus and Sven were actually having a civil conversation.
“We aren’t just here to meet the baby or hand out cigars. Sorry, almost forgot.” Linus reached into his suit pocket and brought out a fistful of Cuban Cohibas, handing one to Sven and the other to Judith.
“Barry has a brilliant idea about how to cut off Nils at the knees.”
Everyone turned to his son.
“Disarm him.”
“Despite what your father thinks, I can be very charming when I put my mind to it . . .” said Sven.
Barry shook his head. “I mean literally disarm him. Take away his ammunition. If there’s no secret to tell, he has no advantage. You tell the secret first. You proclaim in public that you are Liam’s father, then there’s nothing he can do. He’ll have no basis for blackmail.”
“It makes sense. But everyone would have to agree. Sunny?”
“Of course. Liam is part of our family. We can announce Lennon’s birth and at the same time say he has an older brother and sister. I’ll even,” she shuddered, “get fixed up for a television interview if it comes to that.”
“You might be able to get away with photos on your official Facebook page or through Twitter. Though inviting the press would be even better.”
“Mother?”
“I’m all in favour. I want the world to know that Liam is yours. That he’s a Larsen.”
“Oslo’s a small town. You won’t mind the gossip?”
“It will be yesterday’s news by week’s end. Though your older sisters may have a few choice comments. Don’t you worry about me; I’m delighted to have two new grandsons.”
Sven hugged her. “I love you so much. Thank you.”
“We still need Astrid and Liam to agree,” Linus cautioned.
“Agree to what?”
Everyone looked up as mother and son walked into the room.