September 4, 2000
"Come on, Katelin," Adrienne coached. "Just one more big one. I promise it'll be all over." Katelin nodded, tearfully, and then leaned forward in the bed, using all of her strength. A minute later, she collapsed back on the bed, exhausted, as she heard the sound of a baby crying.
"It's a boy," the doctor announced, walking over and handing Katelin her baby.
"Should I go tell your father?" Adrienne asked.
"Not yet," Katelin pleaded with tears in her eyes. "Let me have a few minutes alone with him before…" She trailed off, not wanting to even say it. She knew that as soon as her father walked in the room, she would have to give up the last tie she had to Nick.
Adrienne disappeared from the room, giving Katelin a few minutes alone with her baby. She saw Mike sitting there with another young couple. As soon as they noticed her, they all stood up. "Is everything okay?" Mike asked.
"Everything's fine," Adrienne answered. 'Except for what you're doing,' she thought. "It's a boy. Seven pounds, four ounces." The young woman, tears in her eyes, turned around and embraced her husband.
"Well, let's go then," Mike said, starting towards the delivery room.
"Wait," Adrienne commanded, grabbing his arm to stop him. "For the life of me, I cannot even begin to understand why you're doing what you're doing but there's nothing I can do to stop it. But, at least give her some time to say goodbye."
Mike reluctantly agreed and gave his daughter some time alone with her baby. But soon enough it was time to go in. When he walked in the room, Katelin looked up at him with tear-filled eyes, her son in her arms. "Please don't do this daddy," she pleaded with him, clutching the newborn to her chest.
"I'm sorry, Katelin," Mike said, reaching for the child. "But what's done is done." He carefully handed the baby over to his new parents, the baby's sobs drowning out Katelin's.
Adrienne reached over and pulled Katelin into her arms, glaring at her husband. "I will never forgive you for this, Michael," she growled. "This is just plain cruel, even for you." Mike opened his mouth to say something but quickly decided against it. He turned around and walked out of the room, trying desperately to tune out the sound of his daughter's heart-wrenching cries.