Chapter 27
Griffin
I walk out of her room and almost stumble before I lean against the wall, my back sliding down along it until I hit the floor. My legs feel like they’ve been hollowed out. They’re jelly. The shock and adrenaline of what I experienced now pulsing through me.
I thought I’d seen it all. I’ve seen and experienced more in my lifetime than most. Violence, greed, neglect, scarcity.
But I’ve never experienced the complete and utter helplessness, fear, and shock I just went through, followed by complete devotion and the overwhelming feeling of love that I do right now.
There was no way I was letting her go through that on her own. I wanted to ensure she had support, that she knew I had her back. I have no idea how women do it. I feel insignificant. It was the most insane and unforgettable thing I’ll ever witness.
I haven’t fallen for her; I crashed straight through whatever walls I had left. I love her. God help me, I love her so much, it scares the hell out of me.
“Griff.”
I look up at the familiar voice, seeing Tanner striding toward me.
“It’s a boy,” I tell him, sounding hoarse, as ten pairs of eyes blink at me in stunned silence before the hallway erupts.
“That’s brilliant!” Hudson grins. Tanner slaps me on the back, firm and proud, then extends his hand and pulls me up from where I’ve indeed fallen to my knees.
I know it’s not my baby. Hell, Savannah and I are just starting whatever it is we’re doing. But after what I just witnessed, I couldn’t even tell you what day it is.
The girls do that high-pitched squeal thing, and my head spins. A fucking baby. Savannah had her baby.
“She was a queen. She’s amazing. And the kid, he’s got ten fingers and ten toes and dark hair, and I cut his cord…” I almost tear up. I cut that cord with precision. The most precise cut I’ve done in my entire career.
But I’m barely surviving. Two days without sleep, without a moment to breathe. I have no idea how Savannah’s still awake, still functioning, after what she just went through. I had no idea labor lasted that long.
“It’s a memorable event. How do you feel?” Tanner asks.
“Insignificant.” It’s the truth. What that woman did, what her body endured, I’m in awe. I’ve built empires, ranches, homes, but she built a human.
“Just wait until he grows up and becomes a little asshole…” Sutton nods toward his nephew Noah, who sits on a chair over to the side, currently knotting one of Sawyer’s spare ties around his neck like he’s prepping for a board meeting.
“Thanks for coming. Savannah couldn’t believe that you all showed up when I told her.” I nod to them all, seeing their happy faces, amazed by the woman I’m in complete awe of.
“Of course. Just glad it all went well.” Connor slaps my shoulder, his grin wide.
“What do you need us to do? Does Savannah need anything? Do you need anything?” Sawyer’s already in logistics mode.
“I’ve got no idea.” I shake my head and rub my eyes. The app doesn’t tell you what to do after the baby’s born. There’s no blueprint for this. I need to research, find out what I can do, what Savannah might need and get it organized for her.
“Mom and baby will probably stay a night or two here and rest.” Hudson is the voice of reason I need right now. “After that, if she needs to, she can come back to Whispers Hospital or go straight home, depending on how they both are and what support she has in place.”
I frown. I told Savannah she could live with me, but I never got a clear answer.
Now, after what I saw, what she went through, I need to do more.
Hire a nurse. Hire a chef. Stock the pantry.
Get bath salts. Maybe one of those beds that elevates her up and down like they have here.
I need to call Mother Maven again. I need to make it easy for her to heal.
I also want to ensure the baby has everything he needs.
Diapers, clothes, a warm safe home. Home… There’s that word again…
“Alright, well, we’ll all go and let you guys have your time. You call if you need anything.” Tanner starts to round up the troops.
“I will.” I nod, shaking his hand.
“Do you want to open the bakery tomorrow or…?” Victoria offers as she gives me a hug, and I feel grateful.
Fuck the bakery. I haven’t spoken to Savannah about what to do with the bakery.
“I’ll call her helper Melissa. See if she’s available.” I know Savannah is prepared with readymade pies and things. Melissa is more than equipped to handle the sale of items.
“Thank you all. Really… I feel a little numb… but I know Savannah appreciates you all.”
Hudson gives me a grin. “You’ll learn to survive on no sleep,” he says jokingly. If only he knew I slept very little anyway.
“Daisy and I can babysit anytime.” Connor grins, punching my arm before he and Daisy slink off.
“I’ll keep an eye on your place. I assume you’re staying here with Savannah?” Sutton comes to shake my hand, Charlotte right by his side.
“Yeah, I need to get some things at some point. I need to organize my place.” I make the mistake of looking at Tanner, who has a big grin on his face and an I told you so smirk.
“You’ll figure it out, Griff.” I glance at Sawyer, who’s watching me. “You will. Might take a bit, but if I can work out monster spray and farm life, you can work out dirty diapers and pacifiers.” He gives me a knowing look, and I pull in a deep breath.
“Thanks, Sawyer.” I shake his hand. “I might need a hand. I need to draw up some paperwork.”
“Whenever you’re ready.” He grins like he already knows. Maybe he does. He’s a father to two kids who aren’t his blood. He gets it.
I stand there, watching everyone leave. I have no idea what time it is. But the hallway is quiet. The weight of responsibility sits on my shoulders. Wanting to provide. Wanting to be a safe space for her and the little one. Wanting to protect.
I look up and spot my two guards at the end of the corridor, grabbing coffee from the vending machine.
I nod to them. They stick out like sore thumbs, but I don’t care.
No one’s getting into Savannah’s room, and after her sister walked into the bakery, acting like she owned it, I wouldn’t be surprised if her family tried something. Thank God, they don’t know she’s here.
After what Savannah went through, she needs to relax and heal, not be scared or anxious about her fucked-up family.
I’m thankful Hudson helped me clear the security requirements with the hospital staff and strategically placed Savannah in the room tucked away, down the end of the hall, out of sight.
I want it quiet. Safe. Special. For her.
Before I go back in, I take a seat in the hallway to gather my thoughts. The small hard plastic chair groans under my weight, but I sit anyway, hang my head, and stare at the floor.
My life just did a full circle. A few decades ago, I watched life leave my mother’s and brother’s eyes. Today, I watched life enter the world. I never thought I’d see something so significant. Never thought it would happen to me.
The fact that the baby isn’t my blood? Means nothing. He’s mine. Because she’s mine. Because I choose them. And they choose me.
I exhale, slow and shaky. I’m not ready. I’m scared. I’m scared I’m going to fuck it up. I’m scared I’m going to let her down. But for the first time, I’m willing to try. And maybe that’s enough.
I sit for a moment longer, elbows on knees, head bowed, catching my breath, trying to gather my thoughts.
When I finally stand, I glance toward the nurses’ station at the far end of the corridor. There’s a man there.
Button-down shirt, pressed pants, hair combed to within an inch of its life. He’s talking to the nurses, but something about him feels familiar. Not in a friendly way. Like a name I forgot or a face I saw once in a place I shouldn’t have been.
He catches my eye and nods, polite, distant. I nod back, slowly. But the unease lingers. I’m clearly exhausted. Thinking I’m seeing things I’m not. Shaking my head, I rub my eyes and then turn and walk back toward Savannah’s room.
I pause at the doorway. It’s open, a small crack showing me the vision inside. I push the door a little more, and I step inside quietly, not wanting to disturb her.
She’s sitting in bed, cradling the baby against her chest.
He’s suckling, slow and steady, his tiny hand resting against her skin.
Her head is tilted down, watching him, eyes half-closed, one hand stroking his back in lazy circles and whispering sweet nothings to him.
She looks… Holy. Beautiful. I freeze, watching her in total awe.
There’s something about seeing her like this. Feeding her son, giving him more of her like she didn’t just give him life. Her body still trembling from everything it endured. It makes my chest ache.
I’ve never seen anything so powerful. So gentle. So damn breathtaking.
She looks up and sees me standing there like a stalker and her smile widens. Like she has enough love and life to give me, even though she gave all of what she had to the bundle of joy in her arms. I feel privileged.
“Hey.” Her voice is soft, medicine for my soul. Welcoming me to her space. I walk over to her and take a seat on the edge of the bed, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Even now, exhausted, no makeup, hair pulled back haphazardly, she’s still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
“He’s hungry.” She gives me a tired smile.
“Smart kid,” I murmur, eyes locked on the tiny miracle in her arms.
I rest my hand on her thigh, grounding myself.
“I didn’t know it would feel like this,” I admit.
She doesn’t answer. She doesn’t need to.
Her hand finds mine. And for a while, we sit there. The three of us. Quiet. Safe.
Home.