Chapter 12 Sinclair
Having a medical boot on was one thing. Being required to use crutches was another. How was I supposed to help Jayne with JJ? This was going to complicate things in all sorts of ways. Grumpy did not begin to describe my mood.
In fact, I was beyond irritated. I refused to be carted back to our apartment in a wheelchair. There was a limit to what I would endure, and I’d reached it.
My dad had stepped in, distracting the nurse while Jack Sr. handed me my crutches and covered for me as I made my way out.
They met me in the hall. On the upside, I was impressed that the palace had such a thorough medical facility within its walls. Not surprised, though. This was the home of the royal family, after all.
At least it was good to be a part of that.
I’d gotten taken care of right away. As it was, I’d been there for an hour longer than I’d thought necessary.
If I’d been sent to a regular hospital, I’d probably still be there.
Maybe not in the North Pole, though. Things definitely worked differently here.
My dad had JJ’s diaper bag slung over his shoulder. Jack had a bottle of pain meds.
He held them up. “You want these in the bag?”
I nodded. “I probably won’t take them. I feel fine.”
Jack chuckled. “That’s because they already gave you the first dose and it’s working. When that wears off, you’re going to want these.”
Maybe he had a point, but I was too cranky to concede it. Instead, I changed the subject. “Thanks for coming along. I appreciate it.”
“Hope you feel better soon. Let me know if you or Jayne need anything.”
“Will do. I’m sure we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye, Sinclair. Anson.”
My dad and I nodded. As Jack went one way, we went the other.
“I know you’re not happy,” my dad said. “Is that just because you’re in pain?”
“Yes, but also because I feel stupid.”
“Son, you didn’t trip over a dead body on purpose.”
“I know, but the last thing Jayne needs is someone else to take care of.”
He cut his eyes at me, his expression one of clear amusement. “Are you saying you need to be looked after?”
“No, I can take care of myself.”
“Then what’s the issue?”
I took a breath. “Just mad that this happened.”
“I know. But is it also partly because you feel like you’re letting Jayne down?”
I frowned because it was the only thing my face wanted to do right now. “I am letting her down.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. She’s not going to think of it that way.”
He was right about that. “She’ll probably be blaming herself because it was her idea to talk to Delton.”
“Then you need to focus on not letting her feel that way. Don’t let her take the blame.”
I sighed. “You’re right. She already feels bad enough.”
My dad gave me a look. “About what?”
I slowed and glanced back to make sure we were alone. “Please don’t say anything to her or to mom, but I think Jayne is fighting some postpartum depression. Nothing major, but her emotions seem right on the surface. I’m worried about her.”
Concern filled my dad’s eyes, and he nodded. “Your mom went through some of that after you were born.”
“She did?” This was the first I’d heard about that.
“It was hard on her. She cried all the time, didn’t feel like herself, doubted her ability to be a good mother. It was rough.”
“What did she do?”
“She joined a support group for new moms, I stepped up to do as much as I could so she didn’t feel like all the responsibility of looking after you was on her, and I did everything possible to make sure she ate healthy and got plenty of rest. I also did my best to be a good listener. Your aunt came to help, too.”
“Aunt Z?” I almost laughed at the thought of her changing a diaper.
My dad’s brows lifted. “Zinnia was a huge help.”
“Wow, that was good of her.”
“Listen, your mom and I and Aunt Z are here. We are at your disposal. Anything you need, anytime.”
“Thanks, Dad. I think we’re going to need the help. Jayne won’t want staff stepping in, and her parents are busy with royal duties and this Naming Day stuff, so I’m going to accept your offer on her behalf.”
My dad smiled and patted my arm. “Good. You just tell us what needs done, and we’ll do it.”
We walked the rest of the way in silence, and when my dad opened the apartment door, the most delicious scent hit me. Jayne was wonderful in every way possible, but even she’d admit that cooking was not one of her top skills.
I called out as we came in. “Jayne? I’m back. My dad is with me.”
Jayne came around the corner, JJ in her arms. “I’m so glad you’re home! How are you feeling?”
“Good.”
“He’s on pain meds,” my dad volunteered. “What are you cooking?”
“Nothing, but the best mother-in-law in the world is teaching me to make meatball soup.”
My dad got a big grin. “I’d better go taste it and see how it’s coming.” He disappeared into the kitchen.
Jayne smiled at me and leaned up to kiss my cheek. “I’m so sorry you got hurt.”
“Me, too, but I’ll be fine. And my parents are going to help us so you won’t have to do anything extra.”
“Your mom has been with me the whole time. She’s pretty great. I mean, I already knew that, but yeah, I love her.”
Funny how quickly a mood could change. “You’re both pretty great.” I kissed her back, then bent and kissed JJ’s head. He looked happy.
We went into the kitchen and ended up eating lunch at the counter with my parents.
My mom’s soup was exactly how I remembered it from childhood, as warm and soothing now as it was then.
We laughed and told stories and incredibly managed to avoid the topics of Naming Day and murder, which was fine with me.
After lunch, Jayne and my mom cleaned up while my dad and I sat on the couch. My dad held JJ. Sugar and Spider watched from the doorway of the nursery, like they were ready for their little brother to come take another nap.
It was very cute. I yawned, my eyes starting to get heavy. Probably from the pain meds. My ankle had started to ache.
“You should go lay down, get some rest, and put that foot up,” my dad said.
I wasn’t going to argue. “Yeah, probably.”
“No probably about it. The doc said for you to elevate it and rest.”
Jayne and my mom came over. My dad got up. “Come on, honey. We need to let them rest.”
He handed JJ back to Jayne as I lifted my leg onto the couch. “You guys don’t have to go.”
“For now, we do,” my mom said. “The three of you have had a big day. Get some rest. There’s plenty of soup for dinner, too, so you won’t have to cook. Call us if you need anything. We’re right next door.”
She kissed JJ, then kissed Jayne’s cheek, and just like that, she and my dad were gone.
Jayne rocked JJ back and forth. “She’s right. We should have a big family nap.”
I was halfway there. “I don’t think I can make it to the bed.”
She smiled. “Stay right where you are. I’m going to put him in his crib, then I’ll be back. Probably put some dumb movie on and crash in the recliner.”
“Works for me.” I closed my eyes.
When I opened them again, it was because the pain from my ankle was nearly unbearable.
Jayne was asleep in the recliner, and I could tell from the light coming through the windows that it was considerably later than when I’d closed my eyes.
Despite the twenty-four-hour sunlight of the actual North Pole, the magical North Pole had a pretty standard sunrise and sunset.
How that was accomplished, I had no idea, but winter elf magic never ceased to impress me.
Without too much noise, I managed to get myself up. Careful not to run my crutches into anything, I made my way around the couch. I needed those pain meds. Where had my dad put them?
The diaper bag. And where had he put that?
I found it on the table in the foyer, which was when I found something else.
The book I’d taken from the archives.