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It seems like it doesn’t take very long at all. The doctor gets to work, but I keep my attention focused on Kiplyn and only Kiplyn. Then he calls for me to look over the sheet that separates our faces from the operation.
Peering around the sheet, I watch as he pulls out the most beautiful baby I have ever seen in my entire life. She’s gorgeous, then she cries, and my entire body melts. She’s okay. She’s breathing, she’s alive, and she’s perfect.
“A beautiful baby girl,” the doctor calls out as the nurse brings her over.
Kiplyn can’t even speak. She’s sobbing at this point as the nurse shows her the baby. “I have to take her to get checked out now. Do you want your friend to come with me or stay with you?” the nurse asks.
I can’t look away from the baby. My gaze is focused on this beautiful little bundle in the nurse’s arms. This tiny little perfect creature that was inside of Kiplyn’s body just moments ago.
“Stay with her?” Kiplyn says.
Turning, I look down at her. “She will not leave my sight.”
“Thank you,” she whispers.
Smiling, I take my phone out of my pocket and snap a picture of her and the baby before I follow the nurse out into the little area where they check the baby out. I take a million pictures, maybe two million, and by the time Kiplyn is sewn up, they are finished checking the baby out and bring her in for skin-to-skin with Kiplyn in recovery.
It’s a whirlwind of a moment that I wasn’t ready for, but at the same time, I wouldn’t have missed it. I’m glad I was able to be there for her, and when Rusk arrives, I slip out of the room and walk into the waiting area to see a whole sea of black leather cuts and bearded men looking extremely anxious as they have been waiting for news.
“Kiplyn is okay, and the baby is here. She’s healthy and perfect in every way possible.”
The room erupts into cheers and roars of happiness. I’m exhausted, but when I find Itch’s face, everything inside of me is at peace. He holds out his arms for me as I rush into his embrace.
“Proud of you, baby,” he murmurs.
Lifting my head, I look up into his eyes and smile. “I didn’t do anything but watch,” I whisper.
“You took care of your girl. You stood beside her, called the ambulance when you needed to. Didn’t hesitate. No telling what would have happened if you hadn’t. So, yeah, I’m fuckin’ proud of you, baby.”
I hadn’t thought about that, but I honestly think any person in the world would have done what I did. Kiplyn and her baby were in danger. The logical thing was to call for help. I would have done it for anyone at all, but for Kiplyn, I would do anything. She’s my sister, my family, and I am proud to have done this whole thing by her side.
“Let’s get home and get some rest,” Itch murmurs before he touches his lips to the top of my head.
We leave the hospital, but as we do, I realize that Reese is nowhere to be found. This woman who is best friends with Kiplyn isn’t here, and I don’t understand it. I tell myself that she has a good reason for not being here.
She must, right?
No way would she not show up for this woman she loves, this woman she sees every single day, this woman who is supposed to be her sister. No way would she stay away from Kiplyn in her time of need… right?
ITCH
ONE MONTH LATER
Walking up the salon, I look inside to see if she’s alone and smile at the sight of her sweeping the floors. Then I frown, seeing the empty chairs. She’s been here alone, cleaning for the entire day. She probably didn’t need to clean it, considering she cleaned the whole fucking place a month ago and nobody has been in or out since.
Lifting my hand, I knock on the glass. Her body jerks slightly before she swings around, and her gaze finds mine. As soon as she realizes it’s me, her lips curve up into a grin and she places her broom to the side then hurries toward me.
The door opens as she takes a step to the side to let me in. I walk past her and hear her close and lock the door behind me.
“What are you going to do, baby?” I ask, looking around the empty salon.
“I don’t finish classes for a few months still,” she murmurs. “And Kiplyn has clients, but she doesn’t have enough to pay the mortgage. The bills are starting to pile up.” Piper walks over to the desk and places her palm on a stack of envelopes. “Bills,” she says.
“I could pay them, but is this what you want? It’s not even your shop.”
She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip. “I have no experience, even out of school. They really only teach basics. I have no clients. I have nothing except this building, and that’s only if you float it.”
“We can’t find the bitch, and trust me, Agony has looked.”
