32. Ivory
CHAPTER 32
IVORY
“We can’t keep calling him Peanut.”
Spike and I have been having the same argument for the past couple of weeks. I stroke my fingers over Peanut’s arms and legs as he sleeps in the incubator. To keep me from going crazy during the surgery, Spike told me about his childhood and the abuse he suffered. No child should have to endure such trauma. After I threatened to find his parents and kill them with my bare hands, he reminded me about Lonnie Jacks, his mentor and pseudo-father.
Lonnie gave Spike a second chance at life. Now, our son is getting the same second chance.
“Jack,” I whisper under my breath, testing it out. It’s perfect.
I sneak a peek at Spike, who’s staring at our son with adoration. He must sense me staring at him because he lifts me out of the chair and sits down in my place before planting me on his lap. I curl into his chest as we watch Jack’s little chest rise and fall.
“He’s gonna be strong,” Spike murmurs in my ear, rubbing my back. “Just like his mama.”
“Jack’s gonna be a protector like his daddy.”
Spike tips up my chin. “What’d you say?”
“I said Jack’s gonna be a protector like his daddy.”
Spike presses his mouth to mine, gently at first, but it slowly builds into an all-consuming kiss. He stops the kiss before we get kicked out of the NICU.
“Jack, huh?” Spike grins.
“I take it you like the name,” I tease.
“Fucking love it.”
“I love you,” I blurt.
“Ivory,” he says, his voice cracking. “I don’t deserve you.” He presses a finger against my lips to keep me from interrupting. “I’ll spend the rest of my life being the best husband to you and father to Jack and however many more kids you’re gonna give me. I love you, too.”
A tear slides down my cheek, and Spike kisses it away. “Husband, huh?” I cross my arms. “I don’t remember you proposing.”
Spike smirks. “Don’t need to. I’m telling you. It’s happening.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
Spike lifts me off his lap and stands up. “Let’s get some food.” Spike tugs my hand, but I hesitate. “You need your strength. You’re still healing, too.”
Him and his damn logic.
I let him lead me to the cafeteria where we each grab a slice of pizza. After spending almost a month at the hospital, we know which food is edible and what to avoid at all costs. Pizza and salads have become a staple in our diets.
“We haven’t talked about it yet,” I begin, dropping my voice to a whisper. “What happened to Aubrey?”
The police never found her. According to them, Jack was found on the doorstep of Sinful Wheels, but Aubrey disappeared.
Spike’s eyes flash with rage. “She’s right where we want her.”
“Do I need to worry about her coming after us?” I gulp.
“Never again,” he promises. “That cunt will never lay a finger on you or Jack again.”
“I believe you,” I huff. “I wish I could inflict even half the pain she caused me.”
“You’ll get your chance,” he says cryptically.
“Meaning?”
“I had to force myself through perdition, thinking I lost you both and how I’d live without you,” he explains. “That bitch never stood a chance from the moment she put her hands on you. Add in the fact that she took our boy, she’s lucky the old ladies haven’t already killed her.” He pauses, his gaze leveled on mine. “Glitter is at the club, chained to a wall, awaiting her fate.”
“Good.”
“Good?” Spike arches a brow. “You’re okay with this?”
I nod. “Absofuckinglutely”
He pulls me close. “How long until I can fuck you senseless?”
“Three more weeks,” I pout.
Spike winks. “It’s a date.”
We throw away our garbage and head back to the NICU. The pediatrician is performing her exam when we enter.
“Oh, good,” she exclaims. “Just the parents I wanted to see.”
“Dr. Roberts,” Spike greets. “We gettin’ good news today?”
“Actually, you are,” she confirms. “We’re going to remove the feeding tube tonight and start bottle feeds.”
I grip Spike’s hand tightly. “Are you serious?”
“Yes, you’re just in time.”
The staff is gentle as they remove his feeding tube. Jack squirms and lets out a disgruntled cry.
“Can I breastfeed?” I’ve been pumping my milk so it wouldn’t dry up because I want to be able to breastfeed Jack.
“Not yet, but soon,” she states. “If you have breast milk stored, you can feed that to him from a bottle. We need to document how much he’s able to eat and if he has any issues with swallowing.”
“I’ve been pumping,” I announce proudly.
“Great.” Dr. Roberts signals to a nurse. “Can we get Ivory a bottle for her breast milk and set her up to do Jack’s first feeding?”
The next twenty minutes, I’m an emotional wreck as I hold Jack and feed him his first bottle. I cry and then burst into giggles. He takes the bottle beautifully without any issue. Once he’s finished, I hand him to Spike, and my heart melts.
Spike cradles Jack to his chest. “That’s my big boy.”
Two days later, we have our discharge papers. Spike carefully buckles the car seat in and lifts me into the SUV, securing me as well.
“You know, I’ve been strapping myself into cars since I was kid,” I admonish.
“You’re precious cargo.” Spike places a quick kiss on my lips. “I’m not taking any chances.”
“Okay,” I say breathlessly.
Spike climbs into the driver’s seat and starts the engine. “Ready to go home?”
I grin. “Let’s go!”
Not only am I ready to go home, I’m ready to end that miserable bitch.