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Merri and Tobias said their goodbyes next and then Ellie walked over, tears still running down her cheeks.
“I swear, Alison, I’ll strangle you if you ever do anything like that again.” Ellie hugged her friend. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Alison’s cheeks were as wet as Ellie’s when the two stopped hugging.
“I’ll see you in a few hours.” Ellie grabbed Adrian’s hand.
After everyone left, the room seemed too quiet with nothing but them and the hum of machines.
“She’s beautiful and so soft.” Alison ran her finger over the baby’s cheek.
“She is.” Harker pulled a chair up to the bed “Just like her mother.”
“Listen closely, Irene.” Alison smiled at the baby. “This is your daddy lying.”
“I’m not lying.”
“Please. I must look awful.” She touched her hair. “I don’t even want to know how frizzy this is.” She laughed. “I’m probably as poufy as a pissed off cat.”
“You’ve never been more beautiful.” He meant every word. He’d thought he’d never see her eyes sparkle with humor, hear her laugh or her teasing.
Her eyes filled with tears, but she laughed, deflecting the compliment like she normally did. “I don't know if I should be offended or if I should take that as a compliment.”
“I'm not kidding, Alison. You’re the most beautiful person inside and out that I've ever known.” He leaned forward and kissed her. It was soft and gentle, filled with all the feelings he couldn’t put into words. “And I thought I'd lost you,” his voice cracked. “I should wring your neck for that.”
She touched his face and he leaned closer, lost in the warmth of her eyes. She hadn’t looked at him like that in months. His lips brushed hers.
“Here’s a bottle for later,” said the nurse as she walked into the room. “You’ll need to keep track of how—”
Alison turned away from him. “I want to breastfeed.”
Harker leaned back against the chair, not thrilled with the interruption, but their child came first.
“You will, but not yet,” said the nurse. “Dr. Shupal thinks you should use a bottle for a day or so until you regain some strength.”
“Okay.” Alison frowned. “As long as I can breastfeed her later.”
“You absolutely can.” The nurse started giving Alison directions about how much the baby should have and how often Irene needed to eat.
Harker tried to pay attention but all he could do was stare at Alison and their daughter. Through some miracle an unwanted bastard like him had made a family. Now he had to figure out how to keep it.
CHAPTER 6: Harker
On his way back to the hospital room the next day, Harker wouldn’t have been surprised to discover that he was floating instead of walking. He’d never been this happy. He’d gone home, gotten his and Alison’s to-go bags and then had stopped by the store. He had a cute stuffed hippo for Irene and three different colors of nail polish for Alison. He was going to paint her toenails. He’d thought about getting her roses or chocolate but then he’d seen the nail polish. She could see her feet now and he wanted her to smile and think of him every time she looked at them.
“Mr. Harker.” A young, well-dressed man stopped him in the hallway near Alison's room. The guy held a bouquet of flowers and a small, brown teddy bear.
“Yes?” He knew this guy from somewhere.
“You've been served.” The man pulled an envelope from his jacket pocket and slapped Harker on the chest with it before walking toward Alison's room.
“Served? What the hell are you talking about and where are you going?” He followed the man.
“I’m going to see Alison. I'm her divorce lawyer and her friend.” The man walked into the room, closing the door behind him.
“Fuck.” That’s why the guy looked familiar. It was Dan from the Club. Harker opened the envelope and his stomach twisted. She’d actually filed for divorce, but these papers were signed weeks ago. This had to be a misunderstanding.
The door opened and Dan stepped into the hallway. “She’s sleeping.”
