Chapter 42
Forty-Two
I paced back and forth, convinced I was wearing a path into the hospital floor. Theo had asked me to step out of her room, she needed a moment to collect herself. I hadn’t even thought to argue. She was about to face something monumental, something terrifying, and if space was what she needed, I’d give it to her. Even if every part of me ached to be by her side, holding her hand, whispering that she wasn’t alone in this.
The waiting room felt impossibly small, even with all our friends and her mom there. Aspen, Boone, Penny, Logan, and even Mac were scattered across the stiff chairs, their quiet conversations blending into the background noise. Meanwhile, my thoughts were spinning out of control.
It reminded me of the last time we were here, the fear that had gripped me so tightly I could barely breathe. This time, fear had no place. This was supposed to be a moment of joy, of hope—a new life beginning. A baby girl. She wasn’t mine by blood, but that didn’t matter. No one could tell me she wasn’t mine in every way that counted. I’d watched her grow, watched her mom fight for her, for them both, with a strength that left me in awe. She was my family, and so was the woman in that hospital bed.
Since that day in the basement, I’d made a promise to Theo—a vow. I would take care of her, no matter what. She was my priority, my heart, and nothing in this world could change that.
I ran my hands over the back of my head, the tension in my shoulders refusing to ease. My boots echoed against the worn linoleum, a sharp rhythm that matched the restless thrum in my chest. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, glaringly bright.
“Rhodes.”
The soft voice behind me startled me, pulling me from my frantic thoughts. I turned on my heels, heart racing as if it already knew who it was.
Theo’s mom stood in the hallway, hugging herself tightly. She’d arrived not long after us, promising to stay as long as we needed her.
“Hi, ma’am,” I greeted her, trying to steady my voice. Then I caught myself. “I mean, Sissy.”
A small smile curved her lips as she stepped closer, placing a warm hand on my arm. Gently, she guided me to the side of the hallway, away from the bustle of passing nurses and beeping monitors.
“If you don’t cut it out, you’re gonna drive yourself insane,” she said, her tone firm but kind.
She wasn’t wrong. Normally, I could rein in my racing thoughts, find some sense of control over my emotions. Not now. Not with Theo in there, and the weight of everything pressing down on me.
“I know,” I admitted, sighing as I dropped my head. My voice came out quieter than I intended. “I’m just impatient. I need everything to go smoothly. I need everyone to be okay.”
Sissy nodded thoughtfully, her eyes softening. “You know,” she began, “you remind me a lot of my husband.”
I blinked, tilting my head. The unexpected comparison triggered my curiosity. She must have noticed my confusion because she continued without missing a beat.
“He was so in tune with his emotions. Frank never let Theo face anything alone—he was always there, her rock. Where I… well, I was the rational one. The logical side of things. I’ve always struggled to share how I feel, to express my emotions openly. That’s where Theo gets it from.”
Her voice faltered for a moment, but she pushed through.
“When Frank died, Theo changed. She wasn’t my little girl anymore, and honestly, I didn’t know how to handle it. I did the only thing I could think of: I packed us up and moved. A new town, hours away from Oklahoma. A fresh start. I thought it might help, but she wasn’t the same, and neither was I. I was broken, and I didn’t have the tools to fix either of us. All I could do was try to be the best mom I could.”
Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken grief. She sighed, her shoulders slumping ever so slightly.
“You did a hell of a job,” I said, meaning every word.
Sissy scoffed softly, nodding as her gaze drifted to the hospital room door where Theo was resting. Her expression shifted, pride flickered in her eyes, mixed with something deeper.
“I know,” she said, a quiet smile tugging at her lips. Then she turned back to me. “The reason I told you all of this is because I think you’re good for Theo. I think you bring something to her life she’s been missing for a long time.” Her voice grew warmer, and her hand gave my arm a reassuring squeeze. “You’re an amazing man, Rhodes. To see her trust you the way she does, enough to move in with you so quickly, of all things…”
We both chuckled at that, the brief moment broke the tension in my chest.
“I know you must be special,” she finished, her smile deepening.
Her words settled over me, steadying me. For the first time since we got here, I felt a little less restless. A little more certain. We were going to be okay.
“I love your daughter,” I said, my voice steady, my gaze locked with Sissy’s. “She’s the special one.”
Her lips curved into a soft smile as she reached out to squeeze my hand. “You treat her right, and that baby, too.”
“I will,” I promised without hesitation.
She gave me a knowing look, her eyes twinkling with pride. “Good. Now, go take a seat. You’re gonna need all the energy you can get.” She added a wink, and I couldn’t help but grin as I nodded.
The moment between us eased, and I followed her suggestion, settling into a chair with the rest of our friends. Talking to Sissy had felt like a lifeline, a moment of validation that I hadn’t known I needed.
I loved Theo Matthews more deeply than I’d ever thought possible. This love wasn’t just a feeling; it was a force, a tether that bound us. Her happiness was mine, her fears were mine, and with every beat of our hearts, I could feel us syncing, becoming one.
Aspen returned from grabbing coffee for everyone, and of course, Penny followed. Those two had packed bags and prepared for an overnight stay, ready to take shifts so Theo was never alone. Not that it would come to that—not while I was here. Nothing short of Boone physically dragging me out would make me leave Theo’s side. And knowing Boone, that scenario wasn’t out of the question, which was probably why the girls had made plans.
I glanced around the waiting room, my chest swelling with an unexpected warmth. Seeing everyone here, friends who had become family, filled me with a deep sense of gratitude. Faircloud wasn’t just a place anymore; it was home. And now, that home was growing, its arms expanding to embrace a new chapter, a new life. I sat there, surrounded by the people who loved her, I knew there was nowhere else I’d rather be.
“Rhodes?”
An unfamiliar voice called out, pulling me from my thoughts. I turned to see a nurse peeking into the waiting room. I was on my feet before I realized it, crossing the room in a hurry.
“That’s me,” I said, my voice steady.
“Theo is asking for you. It’s time.”
My stomach flipped, the weight of her words sinking in. I glanced back at the group. They were all watching me, their faces soft with encouragement. I found it in me to count down from five, closing my eyes to focus on the deep breath.
Following the nurse into the room, my heart pounded as I saw Theo. She was breathing heavily, her face scrunched in pain as she gripped the sides of the bed. The sight of her like that hit me like a freight train, but I pushed through it, rushing to her side.
“I’m scared.” With panic laced in each word, she reached out her hand for mine.
I didn’t hesitate. I slid my hand into hers, wrapping my fingers around hers as tightly as she needed. The warmth of my touch was a promise. I was here, and I wasn’t going anywhere.
“I got you, Honey,” I murmured, my voice as steady as I could make it.
I stood right by her side as the doctor entered the room, the door clicking shut behind her. The staff moved swiftly, setting everything up, but my focus never wavered from Theo. She shifted into position, and I stayed there, whispering encouragement, grounding her through the storm.
The room filled with the sounds of her pain—yells that cut through me like a knife. Still, I kept my voice steady, guiding her through every push, every moment, until finally, the tension broke. A sigh of relief was followed by the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard, the cry of a newborn.
Tears pricked at my eyes, and I didn’t fight them. I watched as they lifted the baby, so small, so perfect, and brought her into the world. She let out another cry before they laid her on Theo’s chest, her tiny body rising and falling with each precious breath.
Theo was crying, too. Silent tears streamed down her face as she held her baby close, skin to skin. I stood, my legs unsteady beneath me, overwhelmed by the moment.
They were perfect—both of them. My heart felt like it could burst knowing with absolute certainty that they were my whole world now.
I turned, digging through the bag we’d brought with us. Theo had insisted I pack one thing in particular, and my hands found it easily. I lifted the viewfinder to my eye, framing the scene in front of me: Theo holding the baby, a radiant smile lighting up her tear-streaked face. I clicked the button, capturing the moment forever.
“Hi, baby,” Theo cooed, her voice soft and full of wonder as she placed a gentle hand on the baby’s back.
I set the camera down and stepped closer, reaching out a tentative hand. My finger brushed against the baby’s tiny, delicate hand, her skin impossibly soft.
“Hi, Frankie,” I whispered, my voice cracking under the weight of the love flooding my chest.