“Sure. If he has the time.”
The nurse smiles. “Of course. I’ll ensure he knows to stop by.”
She nods and then starts to move.
“Um, my ahhhh… Griffin? Do you know where he went?” I wonder where he is.
“He went to make some calls, and then he was going to the cafeteria to grab a coffee. He said he won't be long.”
I nod as she walks out. It makes sense. He’s lacking sleep as much as I am. I feel bad that he’s by my side, at a time when he has so much work going on and clients to meet. I think about the bakery then. Griffin mentioned that he’d call Melissa to go in with reduced hours and to sell a few things to keep the locals happy. I’m grateful, because I know this hospital visit isn’t going to be cheap. I swallow harshly because I haven’t thought about that too much. I mean, I saved my money. I knew it would cost something, but Hudson mentioned the new mothers program at Whispers, so I thought most of the fees would be covered. Now that I’m in Williamstown, a different hospital with a different doctor, I suspect that won't be the case.
The new ovens and mixers I’d planned to purchase in another month or so will have to wait a little longer.
“My dear. Congratulations…” I look at the door to a man walking in and my stomach curls.
“Pastor Greg… what are you doing here?” My heart rate escalates as I try to sit up straighter without wincing too much.
He has a scarily soft smile on his lips as he walks straight over to Tommy and peers into his bassinet.
“A boy?”
“That’s right.” I swallow, feeling uncomfortable. Fear itching my skin.
“What are you doing here?” I try to grab the call button, but it’s out of reach. It must have slipped off the bed when I slept.
“The nurse said you wanted a blessing for the baby.” Shit, he’s the hospital chaplain. How did I not realize that?
“Oh…” I regret my decision now. I didn’t want anyone from my past to see Tommy. I don’t want anyone near him.
“It’s okay. I know you’re busy,” I say because now that he’s here, I just want him to go. I know he’ll immediately tell my family. Tell them all about his name, his birth information, all things I don’t want them to know.
“Dear Lord, I come to you now and ask you to bless your poor child, Thomas. Lord, bless him and protect him. Protect him from sinfulness and from the ways of this world. Smile on him, Lord, and be gracious with him. Let him be like your Son, Jesus, and grow in true wisdom and stature, and let him always seek Your favor. Lord, we pray that his life will be like a light in this fallen world. Let him know he is deeply loved by his family, by his Church, and by you, his Father in Heaven. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”
I swallow as Pastor Greg stays, looking at Tommy for a moment.
“You know God delivers what we most need in the world.” He turns to look at me. His eyes run from my face down the bed and back, like he’s assessing me. For illness, for clarification, for what, I don’t know.
I shiver, feeling cold. “He does.”
“This child of God. Thomas. He needs to be in a home with God-fearing parents. Two parents, a husband and a wife.”
My heart thuds faster. I want to move. I want to grab Tommy and hold him. Seal him to my chest so no harm can come to him. But I don’t think I can move. I’m scared still.
“A child of God needs to be with its mother,” I state clearly.
Pastor Greg knows my parents well. They all grew up together. He and my father spend so much time together, praying and working for the church. I know what he’s thinking. It’s what he’s always thought. Along with my parents. This baby should go to Eden. He smiles at me. Like I’m some young, silly girl who doesn’t know how the world works. Like I’m stupid and he’s superior. I hate it.
“The Lord sees all things, and sin does not hide behind innocence. This child was already born into your unrepented shame. Don’t let him grow up with sinfulness.”
“You must have the wrong room.”
I gasp as my gaze flicks to the door to see Griffin standing there with two coffees in hand. He walks in calmly as Pastor Greg finally steps back from Tommy. His eyes widen, taking in all that Griffin is. Which is a lot. Especially today, with his hair ruffled and his eyes darker due to lack of sleep.
Griffin remains calm as he places the two cups down on the side table, but I see his shoulders tight as he walks straight over to Tommy, almost hip-checking Pastor Greg as he moves past him. Griffin picks up my son and walks him to me, passing him over, and I grab him, holding him to my chest tightly. Relief so instant from having him in my arms, I almost cry.
I don’t say a word, but Griffin turns, putting his body between me and Pastor Greg, and they face off. It’s almost comical, though, because Pastor Greg only comes to Griffin's shoulders.
“I said, you’re in the wrong room,” Griffin repeats, this time his voice lower, his eyes narrow.
