Chapter 32
Noah
Before leaving the hospital completely, I go back to Emma's room on the second floor. Hoping once again, she’ll be awake when I walk in. But of course, life isn’t that fair.
"Hey, Em," I say softly, planting a kiss on her forehead. "I brought someone to see you." Carefully I unbuckle the baby from the carrier and cradle her in my arms. I lay the baby gently on Emma's chest and adjust the blanket over both of them.
"I swear she is getting more beautiful by the day. I wish you could see her right now," I say, blinking away tears. "She's so perfect, just like you. She needs you, Em."
I linger next to her bed, still holding the baby to her chest, hoping for a sign that she can hear us. After several moments, I come to terms with the reality that she's not going to wake up right now.
"I promise I will take great care of her, Emma." I scoop the baby back up and fasten her into the carseat again. "I'll see you tomorrow, baby." Reluctantly, I take one last look at her laying on the bed and walk out. My chest hurts at the thought of leaving the hospital with her baby and not her.
I pull up to Emma's house as the sun sets, casting a warm glow over the quiet neighborhood. My heart is heavy with worry for Emma and sadness that she's missing another monumental moment—bringing the baby home from the hospital.
I grab the infant carrier and bag from the backseat and walk to the front door. Marcus is waiting for me on the porch, surrounded by bags of baby items I asked him to get.
"How is she doing?" He asks, nervously running a hand through his hair.
"Her condition hasn't changed," I reply with a sigh. "She's still not awake." Admitting those words out loud intensifies the ache in my chest.
"Let me know when I can visit her. I know it's hard for you to be away, especially with the baby to care for," he says as he follows me inside the house.
I set the carrier on the kitchen table and remove her from the seat. I watch her sleep peacefully, cradled in the safety of my arms.
"Thanks, Marcus," I say, grateful for his offer. "I feel horrible leaving her alone at the hospital, but I'm a little overwhelmed trying to juggle my time between the two of them."
The thought of Emma lying in the hospital bed all alone tonight crushes me. But it would be too difficult to care for the baby in the ICU throughout the night.
Marcus's gaze drifts to the baby in my arms. "You're not alone in this, brother," he says earnestly. "I'm here for you. Anything and everything you need, just tell me, and I will get it done." He lays his hand reassuringly on my shoulder.
"Do you mind staying for a little bit and watching her while I shower?" I ask, the exhaustion from the past few days is finally catching up to me.
"I've been wanting to say something about that, but—“ he snickers, reaching out to take the baby from my arms.
"Yeah yeah yeah," I say, heading toward the bathroom.
I step in Emma's shower, letting the steaming hot water wash away my stress and fears. I close my eyes and for just a few minutes, I try not to think about the little life in the next room that is completely dependent on me now and the other life miles away in the hospital that is dependent on a breathing machine. I finish my shower, reminding myself I need to be strong for both of them.