“Mommy told me. She told me to put it away before someone got hurt. And I didn’t. Now she’s hurt, all because of me!” She whips around and plants her face right under my jaw. Just as I did with Kyndall, I soothe her by running my hand down her curly, brown hair and rubbing circles on her back. “Shh, Rylie, shh. It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not! Not at all!” She continues crying. Placing my hands on her shoulders, I pry her away from my chest and drop my face into her line of sight. She glances away, but eventually, I latch my eyes with hers and she raises her head as I raise mine.
“Rylie, sweetheart, it was an accident. It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t do it on purpose, did you?”
She emphatically shakes her head from side to side. “No!”
“Well, that’s what I thought. Baby, it was just an accident. She won’t be upset with you.” I raise my eyebrows and tip my head, to emphasize my next point. “But, this is why your mother and I tell you to pick up your things. It’s not because we want to be mean ol’ parents, but because someone could get very hurt. Do you understand?”
Sniffling, she raises her arm and wipes her tears with her sleeve. “Yes, sir.” I pull her into me so quickly that she loses her balance and barrels into my chest. Wrapping her up in a tight bear hug, I lift her feet off the ground as I stand up. She giggles the entire time. Swinging her back and forth, I give her one last squeeze before setting her back down.
Taking her by the hand, we walk up the rest of the stairs towards the top, together. “Now, what do we do when we hurt someone on accident?”
“We tell them we’re sorry.”
“That’s right.” Rylie bends over to pick up her skate. “So, when you see your mommy, which will be very soon, just tell her you’re sorry. That will make her very happy.”
She looks up at me and smiles, quarter-sized holes in her cheeks. “It will?”
“Yes, Rylie, it will. And do you want to know what would make her even happier?” Her eyes fill with excitement and a grin breaks across my face in response.
“What?”
“You should tell her your big secret. I think that would make her very, very happy.”
“Okay, I will, Blake. But first, I’m gonna go put my skate up before someone else gets hurt.” I watch her skip her way to her room and then turn to start towards mine.
“That’s my big girl.” It’s amazing to me the strength you can find in even the smallest of people. Making my way back down the stairs, I head to our bedroom.
After grabbing the overnight bag Alex packed for the baby, and getting a change of clothes for her and myself, I open the bedroom door. Passing by the baby’s room, I stop dead in my tracks. Hearing the girls’ giggles and the sound of tape being pulled from its dispenser, I think it’s best to check up on them. Opening the door, I drop the bags and attempt to rein in my laughter. Glitter saturated “Welcome Home” signs are everywhere, covering the walls. Well, at least there’s some color up there now.
Breaking my gaze, my eyes land on the toys still in the bags on the floor. Clothes that need to be put in the dresser that still needs to be assembled along with the crib and changing table. Glancing back at the walls, I can’t help but think about the stupid ass arguments I’ve gotten into with Alex over the color. Such a small thing.
My eyes move to the one-gallon bucket I placed on the floor just last night, then to Nycole and Kyndall. “Alright girls, this looks great. But I think it could use a little more, no?”
Their eyes light up and I know they know exactly what I’m talking about.
Like I said…Smart, just like their mother.
After a couple of hours, our project is complete. I close the door and grab the bags that I left just outside of it, turning to head towards the living room. After letting Tatum and the girls know I’m heading back to the hospital, I assure them I’ll call when she wakes up. Giving them all a quick hug before leaving, I throw the bags in the back of the Suburban and climb into the driver’s seat. After taking one last look at the house, I throw the truck into gear and make my way back to Alex, full of resolve.
Here’s to hoping she doesn’t kill me.
Gasping out loud, I take a deep breath, as though I haven’t had oxygen in days. I attempt to open my eyes, but when the bright lights practically scorch my irises, I’m forced to squeeze them shut. Wiggling my fingers and toes, I breathe a sigh of relief that I can once again move them.
Where am I?
I hear a beeping monitor, people walking up and down the hall, doctors being called over the intercom…
Hospital.
Memories of my fall flood my mind.
The baby!
I open my eyes, not caring how much the light burns them, and raise my hands to my stomach to feel for him. My chin begins to tremble and my lip shudders when I find nothing. No tummy, no baby.
I turn my head and the tears roll down the side of my face onto the bed. As my eyes adjust, I see a head of light brown shaggy hair, topping the head lying on folded arms right next to mine. I try to speak, but my throat feels like I swallowed a cactus. I clear it and try again.
“Blake,” I whisper, although it feels like I’m screaming. He doesn’t move, so I try again, a little louder this time. “Blake.”
Raising my unusually heavy arm, I run my fingers over the top of his hair. “Blake, wake up,” I try one more time.
He groggily raises his head and barely opens his eyes. I give him a weak smile. “Hi.”
His eyes shoot wide open and as he jumps into a standing position, his chair falls backwards, crashing to the floor. “Alex!” He grabs the box lying on my flattened stomach and hits the call button.
“Blake, the baby? What happened?” Tears rolling down my face, I reach for him and gently, he takes my hand, enclosing it in his.
“He’s okay, Alex. The baby’s going to be fine.” I let out a thankful sob while Blake kisses my knuckles. “He’s in NICU, but his vitals are good. He’s strong, Alex, like you.” I let out another cry, and squeeze his hand. He moves near my head, where, while still holding my hand, he places the other on my cheek. Stroking it with his thumb, he shakes his head while speaking. His eyes fill with tears. “I thought I lost you, Alex.”
It’s at that moment that I realize just how exhausted he looks. Dark circles under his eyes, a light brown scruff that tells me he hasn’t shaved in a day or two, worry lines in his brow that must have introduced themselves onto his handsome face very recently, because I’ve never noticed them before. I place my hand over the one he’s resting on my cheek.
“I’m here, Blake. I’m not going anywhere.”
I give him a weak smile. “Looks like you’re stuck with me.”
His eyes, now overflowing with tears, hold mine. “You’re all I’ve ever wanted, Alex. And I plan on keeping you for a very long time.”
“Good,” I let out with a frail breath before the exhaustion consumes me.
When I wake, I hear Blake speaking in a low murmur. My eyes flutter a little before I can open them. Barely peeking out from underneath my heavy lids, I slowly turn my head and catch sight of three of the most beautiful sights I could ever ask to see.
Rylie’s in the middle of explaining something to Blake with her very animated hand gestures, obviously upset about something. My eyes get misty as I look her over; I swear she’s grown since I’ve been in here. She glances over at me and stills. Her movements cease and her eyes double in size. “Mommy! You’re awake!”
She runs over and tries to crawl on the bed, but Blake lifts her and gently sets her by my side. “I’m so happy to see you, Rylie! I missed you so much!” I delicately run my fingers over her brown spirals. She grabs my hand and holds it tightly. Thank God it’s not the one with the IV.