Chapter 16
Papers were scattered across the top of the desk, and I rubbed my eyes in exhaustion. Luckily, I didn’t need to argue about taking things slower with Rayne. Incubating the child she had growing inside of her had taken all of her energy. I cooked for her nightly, and then one of us rubbed her swollen feet. After that was done, I brushed her hair and braided it, much like the night we buried her brother. It was my unspoken way of showing that I cared.
Ethan had been right when he insisted on giving her the ring. We had teased him relentlessly, but I understood why he wanted to. It was his way of staking a claim on her, proving that she belonged with us forever. Now Rayne wore it on her left hand. Every once in a while, I caught her glimpsing down and smiling at it.
And nightly, I wondered how I got so lucky. How, through twists of fate, she had stumbled into our lives and never left. If it weren’t for Rayne, I wasn’t sure where the three of us would be—probably still living the same empty lives as before, still broken shells of ourselves. Her presence had managed to heal us and fill the holes in our hearts. I only hoped that we had done the same for her.
The doorbell rang, and I furrowed my brows, glimpsing out the window into the darkness. It was after midnight, and none of us were expecting visitors. No one had called to tell us about an emergency in the city. In fact, since our meeting with Butch, things had been relatively quiet. Peaceful even.
I shoved my chair away from the desk and sighed as I left the office, curious about what was happening. I also wanted to prevent anyone from waking Rayne. She had gone to sleep early in the evening, complaining that her back was hurting. All of us were excited at the prospect of meeting the baby, but Rayne... she was more than ready.
Glimpsing out of the peephole in the front door, I didn’t see anyone. All that waited for me were shadows and moonlight. I nudged the door open and peered onto the porch, thinking that perhaps a group of teenagers were playing a prank because of boredom. When I finally realized what had happened, my heart sank.
A car seat sat beside the house, a light blue blanket thrown over the top. I pulled back the corner and peered inside. Fast asleep, a tiny baby sat nestled comfortably. Beside them, an envelope was waiting for me. Unsure of the protocol for such a situation, I lifted the car seat and brought them inside.
I sent a quick text message to Ethan, asking him to meet me in the living room. Most people would have immediately called the police, but we weren’t most people and I had a sneaking suspicion I knew who the mother was. The dancer Rayne had been willing to go to war for. The one she had hidden at a safe house and ensured was taken care of after the night of the fire.
The letter she’d included confirmed it.
Dear Rayne,
I want to tell you how sorry I am. I thought I could do this, but I can’t. Every time I look at him, I’m reminded of his father and what happened to me. The baby is named Jaxon, and he is such a good boy. He loves his blanket and rarely cries.
Please take care of him for me. You were the only person I could think of. I didn’t want him raised how I was.
Don’t try to find me. This is for the best.
Skye
I read the letter twice, thinking about how I was simultaneously angry at the woman and heartbroken for her. And for Jaxon. How desperate did Skye feel? Did she not realize we could have helped her to care for him? That we wouldn’t allow either of them to go without?
Ethan appeared in pajama pants, his hair tousled from sleep. The baby uttered a soft cry as he stepped closer, and Ethan’s eyes widened. “Whose baby is that?”
As he spoke, he stooped down and unbuckled the tiny child, cradling it against his chest. He swayed carefully and patted the child’s bottom like it was an everyday occurrence to find a baby in the living room.
I leaned against the wall beside the door, weariness clinging to me. “Skye.”
His voice was low as he continued rocking Jaxon. “Why?”
I simply lifted a shoulder. It was something that I didn’t have all the answers for. “She left a letter. What should we do? Call the police or someone from child protective services?”
He scowled at me, clutching the child tighter. “No CPS or cops. Not yet.”
I knew he wouldn’t be overly receptive to either solution. Ethan, despite his brokenness, had always wanted to save people. When he first saw Rayne’s living conditions, he wanted to fix the situation by sending her groceries. And then when she moved in with us...
“Fine, but we have to figure something out.”
“What about a fake birth certificate? We should talk to Nia and see what can be done. If we wait until Rayne has the baby, then maybe...” He continued talking while I mulled over everything. It wasn’t a terrible idea. Perhaps they could be passed off as fraternal twins publicly. We didn’t have the baby’s actual birthday. The only thing I knew was that his name was Jaxon and that his mother didn’t want to be found.
Should we honor her wishes or find her anyway? Even if we did, would she want the baby back, or would she just abandon him again?
“We still need to tell Rayne. And Hunter.”
The last thing either needed was to wake up to a child in the house.
Wordlessly, Ethan turned on his heel and headed up the stairs. “I’ll tell them. You need to order a second crib, a high chair, and maybe some blue clothes.” He rattled off items until he was so far away that his words were lost in the void.
He was right. If we kept the baby, there were things we would need. Food, additional diapers, clothing. I also wasn’t sure if the baby had ever seen a doctor or had blood work done.
I sent a quick text to Nia, asking if there was any way she could come by the house. Enzo would undoubtedly be aggravated because it was so late and she would leave his bed, but he’d understand. Hell, if he found out why, he’d probably come over himself to side with Ethan about police involvement. Or they’d fight over who should raise the child.
How many children did they have now?I’d lost count along the way.
When Nia showed up, Rayne was sitting on the couch with Jaxon sleeping in her arms. The sight alone melted the ice that typically encapsulated my heart. This is what forever would look like. Ethan and Hunter flanked her. Hunter mainly had been silent, lost deep in thought. Every once in a while, he would frown. Not Ethan, though. He looked at Rayne and Jaxon, enraptured by the sight of them.
Nia lifted an eyebrow at me. “Where did the baby come from?”
“A stork,” I said in a flat voice. “Or maybe it was a very pregnant dancer who rang the doorbell before vanishing.”
She blew out a small breath and shoved her hands into her pockets. “And you called me because?”
It was Ethan who spoke before I had a chance to. “We need a favor.”
Nia rolled her eyes at him. “I had already figured out that much.” Rayne grimaced, drawing everyone’s attention to her. “How often?”
At first, I didn’t understand what was being asked, but then it dawned on me. Was she in labor and hadn’t told any of us?
“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”
Nia pushed her shoulders back and stood straight up, lifting her chin. “Ma’am, you are also my patient. I am worried about you—both of you.” Rayne winced again, her face twisting in pain briefly. That was when I noticed the sweat on her brow. “What if we do a secret checkup on the baby while you also get checked out? I’ll talk to Dr. Matthews about whatever favor the four of you have while we’re there.”
Rayne gave a slight nod, and Ethan held out his hands, gesturing for her to hand him the baby. Everything was already in place at that moment. Rayne’s hospital bag and diaper bag were already waiting for her in the car. I’d packed them weeks ago, anticipating what we would need—well, minus a surprise baby.
I stepped closer and extended my hand to Rayne. She took it and squeezed it before standing. I kissed her temple before smoothing her hair away from her face. “Ready?”
She gave me a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. I wasn’t sure if it was from pain or fear, but I would be there for her anyway—no matter what.