AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ayelish?” Wit screamed.
She heard him, and the sound of his voice felt warm –– there was comfort in it. Wit slid to the ground next to her and pulled her upper body into his lap. He was crying and howling. He was in pain, she thought. He screamed for help as more footsteps rushed around, and she looked at Rainy and saw Killion next to her, holding her while Hen sat at her feet, pinching the bridge of his nose much like the man did.
Sirens blared and people she didn’t know or recognize rushed around. Wit yelled for them to help, and when they didn’t move quickly enough, he scooped her up and ran with her.
Then… it all went dark.
24
“The doctors say he’s strong,”Killion said as he peered at his son through an observation window outside the NICU with Wit. “He just needs a little extra help, they said.”
“He sure is small.” Wit smiled at the tiny person in the clear acrylic bassinet. “That’s a lot of tubes and wires. Don’t that freak you out a little bit?”
“Not really. I’ve been doing a lot of research while sitting in there. You know skin-to-skin time is really important to bond with your baby, especially these little ones.”
Wit snorted. “I did not know that, but I’m not surprised you do.”
“This is all… pretty standard for thirty-two weeker,” Killion added matter-of-factly. “All precautionary and designed to help him continue to grow and develop just like he was still inside his mama.”
“Thirty-two what?”
“Weeker equals weeks. Born at thirty-two weeks. Eight weeks early. I think he’s more like seven weeks early based on my estimate from the time of conception and birth, but they think they know better,” Killion added. “You know he’s actually big for being so early.”
“Well, given the size of his daddy, I ain’t surprised. We Meyer men aren’t all that small either. You know what they say, size matters.”
Killion snickered. “I guess.”
“I just came from Rainy’s room.” Wit carefully navigated the topic, unsure where Killion and his sister stood with one another. “You been to see her?”
“Yes.”
Wit waited for Killion to elaborate, but he didn’t and that told Wit a lot of what he needed to know. “The doc said she’d wake up. He was pretty certain of it.”
“I know. Traumatic injuries combined with an early, traumatic birth took its toll. I’ve done the math and considered the probability ran scenarios… odds are in her favor, however not guaranteed. A traumatic brain injury can be a wild card.” Killion was very direct, literal, and relied on facts and not feelings.
“You know what all that means?”
“I do,” Killion answered.
“You don’t have to do none of this alone, buddy,” Wit said. “You have us. Let us help you.”
“Yeah. I know. I have been ordering essentials for the nursery I’m planning and could use help collecting them and making sure they get to my place at Watermark,” Killion said.
“Already?” Wit laughed. “Man, you’re really on it.”
“I like to be prepared. For anything.”
“I know ya do.” Wit landed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Well, I’m here for all of it. I’m a real uncle now. Those babies of yours are my blood too, and I don’t take that lightly. I’m taking some time off, Hen too. Our worlds are a little different now.”
“Everything’s changing,” Killion said. “I don’t like change.”
“It’s all for the better, man. This is the good kind of change. You’ll see. You tell me what you need done and I’ll get that nursery ready for the twins. Some of the ladies over at Watermark can help with the foo foo stuff. Let me help you.”
“I’ll consider it.” Killion’s eyes never left his son. “When I have it all planned, I’ll check in with you. It would certainly keep the building safer if we don’t let outsiders in, and I can count on the work to be quality.”
“You sure can.” Wit snickered. “The things you worry about, man. Your mind works on a whole different level.”
“I’ve been told that.”
