Chapter 47
Chapter Forty-Seven
Harper
I awoke the following day as the sun was out and dried up all the chaos from last night. The nurse walked in, pushing a hospital bassinet that held my baby girl. I looked over at the couch and smiled when I saw Grayson sleeping.
“It’s time for her feeding, Mom.” The nurse smiled as she picked her up and handed her to me.
Grayson woke up and sat on the edge of the bed while I fed her.
“She has your nose,” I said.
“And she has your lips.” He smiled as he placed his finger under her hand, and she immediately grasped it.
“I need to go home and change. But I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
“Of course, go. We’ll be fine.” I smiled. “Oh my gosh, I have to call Charlotte and Laurel.”
“Do you want to use my phone?” he asked.
“No. I can wait. Can you bring my phone and my bag in the car? It’s in the back seat.”
“One bag and a phone. Got it.” He grinned. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Wait. Can you also bring me back a burger and some fries?” I bit down on my bottom lip.
“One burger and fries coming right up.” He winked as he walked out of the room.
“Is that Ellie’s father?” the nurse asked as she walked in.
“Yes.” I smiled. “He is her father.”
After I fed Ellie, I set her down in her crib to fill out the paperwork the hospital gave me. About three hours had passed, and Grayson still wasn’t back. Thoughts that he was never coming back filled my head. No. He wouldn’t do that. But what the hell was taking him so long?
“Did someone order a burger and fries?” He smiled as he held up a brown bag.
I stared at him in shock. His hair was cut, and his face was clean, except for a hint of stubble that shrouded his masculine jawline.
“Look at you.” I smiled. “You clean up prettygood, Mr. Rhodes.”
“I couldn’t have my daughter thinking I looked like a lumberjack, could I? Here’s your burger and fries. I’m sorry it took so long, but I had to do a little shopping.”
“Shopping? For what?”
He stepped out into the hallway and rolled in a cart.
“Flowers for the beautiful new mother.” He handed me a bouquet of red roses.
“Thank you. They’re beautiful.”
“I picked up some diapers, a car seat, and some outfits. I bought them all because I couldn’t decide what I liked best.”
“Oh my God,” I laughed as he pulled out all kinds of newborn outfits from the bag. “It looks like you bought out the whole store.”
“Trust me, the sales lady was pleased with my purchase.”
“Do you want to hold her?” I asked.
“Can I?”
“Yes. Just pick her up.”
He carefully picked her up from the crib and sat in the rocking chair next to the bed. I watched him stare at her as I ate my burger and fries. He wouldn’t take his eyes off her as he stroked her little hand. I could see the love he had for her just by his expression. It was then that I knew I’d made the right decision.
“I had to fill out the birth certificate. Can you make sure I did it right?” I asked as I handed the form to him.
He took it from me, read it over, and then looked up at me with tears in his eyes.
“Ellie Rae Rhodes. You gave her my last name?”
“You did deliver her. You were the one who made sure she came into the world safely. And you are her father. So, it’s only right that she has your name.”
“Harper, I?—”
“Don’t, Grayson. Let’s leave it at that for now.”
I was discharged the following day. I had called Laurel and Charlotte, and they couldn’t believe it when I told them that I had the baby and that Grayson was the one who delivered her. They were so shocked. For once in their lives, they were speechless.
“I’m going to drive you back to the city, and I don’t want any arguments,” he said.
“That’s fine. You won’t get any argument from me.”
“Really?” His brow arched.
“Yes. I’m too tired to drive. Grayson, listen. Please come back with me. The city is where you belong. This place is amazing and the perfect summer home, but there’s nothing here for you.”
“What’s back in the city for me?”
“Ellie? Your company?”
“Harper, I’m not going back there. I can’t.”
“You can. You claim you’re a changed man, so show me. That company is yours. It’s what you love.”
“There are other things I love more. That company destroyed me.”
“No, Grayson. Your need for power and greed is what destroyed you.”
“We better get you and Ellie back to the city,” he spoke. “Just let me pack a few things first.”