Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
KOEN
Six months later
The Kids First Initiative is having its first ever charity event. Hockey is currently in the off season, which gives Rhodes, Skylar, and I time to throw all our efforts into getting this organization off the ground.
We have a board to help keep things going when we’re playing hockey, and we decided to go a lot further in our plans.
We want to create an indoor/outdoor experience for the kids in Lakeview.
It’ll allow us to give them a community center for sports, and also plan outdoor activities with experienced adults who can lead them on a hike, paddle boarding, or kayaking.
We want to give them an outlet to enjoy that’s positive. Richards and Olsson were over for dinner one night in late April, and they told us to dream bigger, and here we are.
My phone vibrates in my pocket as Rhodes and I speak with a few potential investors. My alpha tugs me out of the circle of people to make my escape, and I pull out my phone as I hurry out of the ballroom.
There are very few calls I’d answer during an event like this, and Davina Gray is one of them. Skylar, Rhodes and I became foster parents in May, and we’ve fostered two kids for small periods of time when they’ve needed a safe place to land in between placements.
Davina has been hesitant to place people with us, even going so far as to plan extra visits to see how three “jocks” are handling children with behavioral issues.
Honestly, I’m not sure who said they had “issues” because most of it has been a failure to communicate.
Respect begets respect, and the two children we fostered were preteens with a wicked sense of humor mixed with their trauma.
It wasn’t a walk in the park, but my pack handled it with care and composure.
“Hello?” I answer, my feet taking me away from the noise of the party.
“You’re busy,” she says, her tone showing she’s unimpressed with me.
“Rhodes and Skylar have it handled,” I promise. “How can I help?”
“You always say that,” she sighs. “I don’t understand what they’re handling.”
Davina doesn’t know about the kids’ organization because it’s under an umbrella company. I want to make sure it’s getting the right attention for the children, and not because ‘some jocks’ are running it. Ugh, talking to her is an exercise in staying calm, or at least pretending really well.
“I’m at a charity event,” I say smoothly. “We are talking to investors about working with us in our endeavors to provide more educational enrichment.”
“Fine, Mr. Jeffries. Keep your secrets,” she groans. “If you’re partying, just say so.”
I mean, I kind of told her the truth. She simply doesn’t want to hear it.
“I assume you called me for a reason?” I ask her.
“Yes, and now I’m rethinking it. However, I’m in a bind and you’re going to tell me if you can help me and a little baby girl out of it,” she says.
My heart cramps so hard it physically hurts. Panic rushes through the bonds, and I reassure my pack that I’m good.
“I believe we can help,” I rasp. “Where is she?”
“She’s at the hospital. Her mother died giving birth to her two days ago.
The baby has been cleared to leave, but there’s no one to come pick her up,” Davina explains.
“Her mother doesn’t have any next of kin listed, and she’s unmarried.
As far as my resources tell me, the mother was planning to raise her alone.
That would have been fine, if she hadn’t had a stroke after delivery. ”
“That’s terrible,” I whisper.
“My concern is that it’s September, and I’m aware hockey season will be starting back up. How are you going to care for an infant while you’re traveling constantly?” she asks.
“The same way we’re able to have a puppy who needs lots of attention.
We have an overnight pet sitter who travels with us, and someone who hangs with her while we’re at practice,” I reply.
“It’s the same way foster parents and caregivers handle working a nine-to-five while being responsible for children. We delegate.”
“Yes, but you can’t just throw money at this,” Davina sputters.
“That’s rich. When someone puts their child in daycare, it’s handling their lives, but if I have a nanny, it’s considered what exactly?
Rich people abandonment?” I ask. “By having a nanny, we can ensure the baby is well taken care of while we’re working, and we still sneak off to see her whenever we have a chance.
“You asked what ‘handling things’ means, and it seems you need a breakdown. It means that whenever one person needs help, the other jumps in to give it. Having three people in our pack helps to lessen our load. There are many packs with more than two people. Why do you have such a problem with us?”
“You’re three unmarried men,” she says. “I rarely place children with packs that don’t have at least one female in it.”
Taking a deep, quiet breath, I shake my head.
“Feminine energy doesn’t only exist for those who are biological women,” I say.
“You can be soft, patient, and kind even while having a different appendage between your legs, Davina. If being unmarried is the issue, I’ll fly my mother out to plan a wedding in the morning.
Except, instead of it being a shotgun wedding because I knocked someone up, it’ll be so I can bring a baby home who deserves comfort and love. Would that work?”
“You’d really get married just like that?” Davina asks.
Oh my sweet summer child.
“I have a ring,” I tell her. “Rhodes and Skylar proposed two weeks ago. The only thing keeping me from walking down the aisle has been planning it. This way, I’m saved from being presented with fifty different types of flowers and cakes.
I honestly can’t tell you how much getting married isn’t an issue.
If there’s a sensitivity class your department gives for working with different types of families, I suggest you take a refresher course.
This energy you keep giving me for being a man living with men is getting very old. ”
Davina is silent, but I can practically hear the wheels turning in her mind.
“Fine,” she says. “Lenora is at Trinity Hospital. I’ll meet you there in five minutes.”
My hand finds the keys to the Jeep in my pocket, and I begin running toward the exit.
“I’ll see you then,” I say. “Thank you, Davina.”
“Fly your mother out tomorrow, Mr. Jeffries. This baby will need as much community as possible,” she says, hanging up on me.
Since my phone is still in my hand, I text my group chat with the guys to tell them what’s going on.
Me
I’m headed to Trinity Hospital to see a little girl who is now an orphan. Davina wants to place her with us but we need to get married. Oh, and I need a car seat for babies. Can you get me one?
Skylar
Woah. Yes to all of that. Fishman is still living in Lakeview, it’ll be faster for him to bring you one. We’ll wrap this up and leave the party for our board members to collect the checks.
Rhodes
Oh no. A baby and a wedding. How ever will I celebrate the best day ever?! Be careful driving, we’ll order a crib online and meet you at the hospital. I’ll ask Alfonso to give us a ride there. Love you!
I got Edna to track down Alfonso before our playoff games to offer him and his brother tickets. Ever since, he’s offered to drive us on the rare day we need a ride. As I told Davina, a little kindness goes a long way.
The drive to the hospital passes by in a whirlwind, and I make the dash in my fancy shoes across the parking lot to the front doors where the social worker is waiting for me.
Her brows raise as she sees I’m in a full tux, but she doesn’t say anything as she gets me a visitor pass and leads me to the fourth floor. Lenora is in a nursery, and I can see by the name on the bassinet that she’s screaming bloody murder.
Someone is not happy.
Davina speaks with a nurse, and she explains that the baby hasn’t been wanting to take a bottle. I offer to help, and they give me a robe type of garment to both protect the baby and my clothes before bringing me inside the nursery. The nurse gets me settled into a chair and brings Lenora to me.
The baby’s face is flushed from crying, and her brown eyes are puffy as well.
“Hi, sweet girl. Are you hungry?” I ask, glancing at the nurse who is preparing a bottle. “I know, it sucks huh? Your tummy is all rumbly, your blood sugar is tanking, and I bet your little head hurts? Goodness, it’s so tough being a baby, huh?”
Taking the bottle from the nurse, I continue to speak to Lenora as I rub the nipple of the bottle over her lips. A little milk drips onto them, and she flicks out her tongue suspiciously.
“It’s not poison, I swear,” I tease her.
“You talk to her like she’s a person,” Davina says, watching me.
“That’s what she is,” I retort. “What’s it gonna be, sweet girl? Do we like the taste of milk? Ah, and there we go. It tastes yummy, doesn’t it?”
I keep her elevated in my arms as I feed her the bottle, and lean back in the rocking chair as I continue to talk to her. Lenora’s dark eyes remain on mine the entire time, as if she’s memorizing every word I say to her.
Her eyes get heavy as she begins to finish the bottle, and I smile softly as she releases the nipple on it. I keep it close by in case she decides she wasn’t done, while making sure it doesn’t drip on her. I carry the one sided conversation effortlessly, which is funny because I hate small talk.
Lenora relaxes as she sleeps, and the nurse quietly claps.
“You’re a natural,” she says, taking the bottle so I can slowly adjust the baby.
“I’m sure I’ll stumble eventually,” I murmur, unable to take my eyes off Lenora.
“And as you so eloquently told me, when you do, your pack will help you back up,” Davina says. “I’ll get the paperwork in order for you to take her home. You’ll need a car seat.”
“Someone is bringing one,” I mumble, feeling officially talked out.
The nurse and social worker leave me to bond with Lenora, and I hope one day I’ll be able to call her our daughter.