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Carly smiled and began to cry again. “I’m sorry. I’m usually not like this.”
“Jesus, baby, you need to keep your shit together,” Matt said, squeezing her shoulders but there was a little bit of a shine to his eyes, too.
“Your parents are going to freak,” his wife said to him.
Matt groaned. “Oh yeah. Totally fucking freak since we didn’t tell anyone this might happen.”
“We didn’t want to disappoint any of our family if this didn’t work out,” Carly quickly told her.
The baby released her nipple and as soon as he did, Carly rushed in and took him, throwing a small towel over her shoulder, and began to burp him, the doctor’s expression soft and her eyes full of love.
That look of awe in the doctor’s face made Autumn’s decision so much easier. “I’ll pump for as long as you need me to.”
Carly’s red-rimmed eyes went wide. “You mean even after the first few days?”
“Yes. For as long as what’s best for him.” Because that was what she wanted. Whatever was best for the baby.
“But...” Carly’s eyes slid to Sig. “Does that mean you’re staying in town?”
Before she could answer, Sig said, “Yeah. She’s stayin’ out at the farm as long as she wants.”
They hadn’t discussed that.
Carly frowned. “But the Shirleys...”
“Ain’t comin’ near her ever again. Like we said out there, got things straight with them. They ain’t gonna touch Red or Levi. They’re both safe.”
“We are?” Autumn asked, surprised. Did he do something to the Shirleys that would get him in trouble? Or possibly thrown in jail?
She had no idea what went on after Stella and Dodge drove her away.
“Yeah, baby, we got it all handled. Your decision whether to stay or go. You stay? They ain’t gonna bother you.”
That was good news for both her and the baby, though how he got the Shirleys to agree worried her. But, still... She and Sig hadn’t discussed her staying at the farm past the baby’s birth. And they definitely didn’t discuss where she’d stay on the farm. Did he expect her to remain in his apartment with him?
Was that what he wanted?
Was that what she wanted?
She was too exhausted to think about it right now. She wanted a clear head when they discussed it.
She was just happy she’d never be forced to go back up that mountain ever again. And she wouldn’t have to worry about that clan stealing Levi from the Brysons. They could all breathe easier.
“Autumn, I’ll have them send in something to eat and then you can get some rest. I’ll check back later to make sure everything’s okay with you. We’ll take Levi down to the nursery for now and I’ll monitor him closely.”
“I’ll feed him whenever he’s hungry.”
Carly smiled softly. “Thank you.”
Matt squeezed Autumn’s blanket-covered knee, his expression serious like he was having some heavy thoughts. “You don’t know how long she’s wanted this. Long before she got stuck with me. She’s only ever wanted to be a mother and had to put that dream off when I came into her life because I struggled with it.” He paused and took a couple of breaths before continuing. “I’d seen things... Things hard to shake. But I can promise you our son will want for nothing. He’ll be extremely loved and will be a part of a family with so much love to give, sometimes it’s smothering. He’ll have cousins to grow up with, family traditions and unity, too. I promise you won’t regret your decision.” Matt grabbed her hand and ignored Sig’s scowl. “When you’re ready, anytime... anytime you want to see him, spend time with him... We’ll leave that up to you. And if you decide to be a part of his life, you’ll also have a seat at our family’s table since there’s always room for one more. I’m sure Levi’s grandparents would love to get to know you. The door will always be open.”
“There’s never a dull moment at the Bryson family meals and holidays,” Carly assured her.
“Thank you. We’ll... I’ll see.” She wasn’t sure that would be good for Levi. She wasn’t sure if it would be good for her.
“And if it’s too much, we’ll understand that, too. Whatever you decide,” Matt finished.
“When can she go home?” Sig asked Carly. Probably more than done with Matt’s speech.
“I don’t want to release her for at least twenty-four hours. I’ll monitor her periodically and then tomorrow, I’ll reevaluate. If you want... I can have someone bring in a cot. If you want to stay with her tonight, that is.”
“Yeah. Not leavin’ her alone.”
He didn’t need to stay since he stated the Shirleys were no longer a threat. And if that clan was no longer a worry, then him staying meant he wanted to be with her. Not to protect her but to simply be near her.
