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“So, have you guys picked a name yet?” I finally break the silence after a few awkward minutes, keeping my eyes on the road. “That was the hardest part for me.”
“I named her actually. She has their last name, and they gave me a list of their favorite names. I picked one of their favorites for the middle name, then I chose her first name.”
“Oh, that’s really neat.” I wait a moment, and after chancing a glance at Isaac, I realize he’s nearly in shock. His eyes are wide, and he’s fiddling his hands in his lap. Reaching over, I cover his hand with mine. “Hey, it’s okay. I promise we’ll get there in time.” I have no business making such promises, but I hope to deliver.
“What if I’m a terrible dad, though?” Isaac blurts out, and I remember my own moment like this. I was afraid of the same thing, and Aunt Libby reassured me then.
Taking a deep breath, I give him a watered-down version of the same speech. “All you can do is love them. That’s what it comes down to. When you love them, you do what’s best for them, even if it breaks your heart.” My voice cracks, the thought of my son being away from me lingering on the edge of my mind.
“What’s your son’s name?”
“What? Oh.” The image of my boy’s smiling face flashes before my eyes. “Chance.”
“After the café?”
“Yes. I went into labor while I was there, and my aunt drove me to the hospital. I told her to name him, and that’s what she picked.”
“Our baby’s name is Quinn.”
“That’s a beautiful name.” I squeeze his hand reassuringly. “Now let’s get you there. Baby Quinn needs to meet her daddy.”
The rest of the ride is in silence, but I glance at Isaac a few times to make sure he’s okay. His color is returning to normal, thankfully, and when I drop him at the door, he takes off before I’ve even stopped completely.
Unfortunately, he left the door open, and by the time I unbuckle and stretch across the seat to reach it, I’ve caused a traffic jam. Someone honks obnoxiously, and I yell out the window, “Calm down, fuckers, I’m hurrying,” before whipping around the circle to the exit.
Now I’m all fired up, my cheeks burning as I stop at a red light. My phone buzzes, and I answer the Bluetooth with a hateful “What?” without looking at the caller ID.
“Um, Phoebe? You okay?”
“I’m fine, Ava. Sorry. People just drive like idiots. What’s up?”
“Hey, are you still at the hospital?”
“I am…kind of.” The light is still red, after all.
“Isaac had my folder with him, but he forgot it in the car. Any way you could bring it up?”
I glance over and see it tucked between the console and the passenger seat. “Sure thing. Let me park.” I take the next turn into the parking lot, leaving the long line at the red light behind. “Wait. Are you already here?”
“Yep. I was actually already here with my client.”
“That’s fucking convenient.” I whip into a parking spot and hop out, grabbing my phone and purse and Ava’s fucking folder. This thing better be worth all the trouble it’s caused today. “I’m on my way up.”
I navigate the hospital, finding the right elevator to the labor and delivery floor, and when the doors open, I follow the signs to the waiting room and find Ava along with a few other people I don’t recognize. After a quick round ofnice to meet yous, I sink into the two-seater with my friend, handing over her damn folder.
“I sure hope this is important.”
“It is.” Ava smiles over at me. “It’s the paperwork for all three of them to be on the birth certificate, custody things, all of that. Ashley was coming to the office today to finalize some of it when her water broke.”
“Speaking of Ashley. I thought she and Isaac were…together.”
“What? Lord no. They’re best friends. I thought I—”
“I’m just saying. How have we never talked about this?” I interrogate Ava. “Just in passing, even?By the way, my brother’s not with the mother of his child.Something. Anything.”
“I guess it just didn’t come up, Phoebe.” Ava nudges me in the side with her elbow, and I scooch away from her. We’re in one of those waiting room chairs big enough for two people…supposedly. Whoever designed them must have forgotten that sometimes two people with big asses may try to sit here together.
“What’s the big deal anyway?” Ava squints at me, and I know I’ve pushed too far. My inquisitive friend has caught on to me. Time to switch gears.
