29. Sutton
SUTTON
Iblacked out.
Not sure when, but I remember someone mentioning it was a crashing of the adrenaline rush and exhaustion that caused it. Sleep was the cure.
Groggily, I wake sometime later, my body numb but not in pain.
Light and heavy at the same time. Blinking my eyes, the room is bright from the cloudy afternoon that comes through the windows.
It’s very quick for me to feel Foster’s presence because, in the corner of my eye, he is sitting next to the bed that’s covered in hospital blankets.
His elbows are on his knees, and his head hangs to look at the ground.
He’s a vision of a man who has been waiting.
As I stir, it draws his attention, and his gaze shoots up.
Instantly, I see his eyes are dark, and his stubble is beginning to outline his chin.
He clearly hasn’t slept. Instead, his face displays concern.
“Where’s—”
He places his hand on my wrist to stop me from moving too fast. “Shh, it’s okay. He’s sleeping peacefully.”
“Then why don’t you look peaceful?” I ask softly with my eyes swinging between the clear baby bassinet, along the bed near my feet, the mere sight making my heart soar, and Foster, who is intent on not letting me out of his view.
“It’s all my fault.” His voice is thick with guilt. “I did this. I caused you too much stress and put you both at risk.”
Ah, I figured it might cross his mind at some point. Guilt is a powerful force.
Slowly, I slide my body up to sit. “It’s not,” I say bluntly.
“You probably wouldn’t be here if I didn’t…”
I give him a tiny smile of comfort. “It probably means that there’s also a chance that it wasn’t your fault.
I know I just delivered a tiny human with your eyes, but I’m sure I remember that the doctor mentioned that there is no indication that anything made this happen. Some babies are just early.”
“Still.” His rasp is fragile.
“I don’t want to hear it. He’s healthy, and judging by the giant stuffed bunny sitting on the table behind you, he will be very happy, too.”
He begins to crack a smile and scoops up my hand. “I’ll make sure he is always happy. You too, I promise.”
“I know. I believe it more than you might think I do.”
A small crackle draws our attention to the baby's bassinet. Levi is perhaps beginning to wake up.
“It may all be a haze, but I could swear I read once that we should try to sleep when the baby does. You weren’t listening. So, good luck,” I joke.
Now his smile comes easily to him when he’s content. “I’ll drink a thousand cups of coffee if I need to, and it will be worth it.”
“I’m sure you will.”
Foster stands and leans down next to him to pick up our son. “Come here, little man, your mom woke up on your timetable, it seems.”
He slowly lifts our son, wrapped in a blanket.
Foster moves delicately as though our son is made of porcelain.
What really makes my chest fill with joy is listening to the little sounds Foster makes.
I’ve never heard them before, a type of cooing that is reserved for our son. A completely different side of Foster.
He continues to make little tutting sounds as he hands our son to me. “There you go. Your mommy did a lot to bring you into this world, you know. Be kind.”
Happily, I accept Levi into my arms, and I’m reminded how tiny he is. “Nah, he’s good. He needs to get to know us.” Our son makes little stretches with his mouth, intent to suckle.
“I pressed the button for the nurse to come in.”
“Good, because I’m not a hundred percent sure what we’re doing here.” The bunny keeps distracting me every time I glance at Foster. “Hey, why is there a giant bunny in the room?” I glance at it, bewildered.
He grins. “Word might have spread fast that a new little Roth entered the world. There’s already a list of people who want to visit.
Hayes and Elodie will wait to meet the baby while Lola goes to daycare, because they don’t want to risk introducing any extra germs to the baby.
Lola picked a bunny, her favorite animal, apparently.
Elodie dropped it off when she brought you a bag of things for the hospital. ”
I chuckle. “Right. I wasn’t prepared and didn’t have anything. You threw us off guard,” I coo to Levi.
“I’ve told everyone that they can meet him when we’re home. You need rest, and he’s early. It’s better we have a little peace.”
“I want to be in a bubble for a while. Just us three.”
“Good.” He kisses my forehead. “I called your parents, and they will call when you’re feeling more up to it. I’m going to run home really quick to change.”
“Hmm. That’s it?” I grimace because I’m positive he already had someone bring him some things.
He grins. “I need you to stop reading through me.”
“Now isn’t the time for secrets.”
Foster offers his pinky to Levi. “Don’t you dare learn to team up with your mom.
I need someone on my team.” Even completely drained of energy, my heart skips as I’m on the receiving end of a sexy grin that Foster gives.
“We weren’t supposed to be here today, so forgive me for not having your gift tucked in my pocket on standby.
Flowers won’t suffice for what you just did. ”
“Oh?” I pretend to frown. “I kind of wanted you to bring me some.”
“Sweetheart, you deserve far more than a thirty-dollar bouquet from the gift shop. Can you let me go pick up your gift?”
Brightly, I smile at him. “I don’t need one, but you have my permission. The nurse is going to show me things anyhow, and you don’t have the goods, so you’re useless,” I joke and drop my eyes to my breasts.
He rolls his eyes at my antics as the nurse enters the room.
Foster quickly touches base with the nurse before leaving, and my full attention is back on our son.
I’m still wrapping my mind around the day’s events.
One thing that is clear to me is that everything with Foster seems to be unplanned. But you can still land from the unexpected exactly where you should be.
I slide the charm with the letter L on the silver chain of the necklace Foster gave me.
I’ll give him credit for creativity. I’m never going to ask about the price tag of what is hanging around my neck, and he added Levi’s birthstone next to a small diamond.
He even had the jeweler change to the correct birthstone the night of Levi’s arrival.
Standing behind Foster, I peek over his shoulder to observe him dressing Levi on the change table in his nursery. It’s been two weeks since he was born.
“He’s drowning in these clothes, and it’s the smallest size,” he comments as he rolls up the sleeves. The man has a talent for diapers and clothing our son. Still, I have questions about today’s outfit choice.
“You’re insistent that he wears his onesie with a shark in a suit,” I remind him dryly. “There are other options.”
“Sharks are fitting for this occasion, dear.”
The moment he’s finished, I swoop in to pick up our son and cuddle him close.
“Your daddy is going to apologize now. No pressure or anything, but if your grandpa and uncle look at you like little royalty, it’s because you saved their kingdom,” I flippantly joke, reminding Foster of our past disagreement.
He winces from my humor. “We’ll be okay?”
Wobbling my head, I’m a little irritable from his constant check-in, but also, I can’t help but smile wryly.
“It’s fine. You already spoke with them and got your little announcement out.
” We can’t change the timeline, nor would we want to.
As much as I wasn’t thrilled with the family business angle of bringing Levi into the world, they might as well fill their void.
Maybe I’m too soft, but my priority is getting to know my son.
Laughing at Foster’s dad’s birth announcement for Roth Real Estate has been the gift that keeps on giving…
“But remind me what that email said again?” I tease him, but also give him a pointed look, because I need to re-read it to make my day.
Foster sighs humorously but obliges and pulls out his phone to swipe it up. “How often am I going to have to do this?”
“Until I have it framed on the wall,” I reply and peek to my side to read the screen.
Subject: Regarding the Newest (and Smallest) Shareholder
Members of the board,
I’m pleased to share the news that Foster and his extraordinary wife, Sutton, have welcomed my grandson into the world. Levi Roth has arrived ahead of schedule at 36 weeks—apparently already eager to ensure the family business is secure ahead of schedule.
For those of you who have clenched a calendar, yes — this means that Foster has satisfied the clause, the company remains within the family, and several of you owe me expensive whiskey.
Patrick and I are thrilled to welcome Levi into the family. Understandably, Foster will remain stepped back to devote his time to his son and wife.
Regards,
Douglas Roth
“I’m extraordinary. It even says so here,” I gloat.
“He isn’t wrong, at least.”
Smiling, I remember why we’re talking about his family, and I grow serious. “It’s good your dad and brother are coming. Levi needs to meet his family, and you ordered lunch, so I don’t have to deal with that. I’m more curious if you will be okay?”
Foster doesn’t need to say it. Anything that reminds him of any inch of possibility that he caused me stress is tough for him. But every day it’s less for him.
“New beginnings, right?” He shrugs. Resting Levi’s head against my chest, I begin to draw circles on his back as I sway, and I notice Foster’s smile of admiration. “You’re a natural, you know.”
“I only ever succeed,” I muse.
The sound of a phone vibrating in Foster’s pocket signals that the door staff is announcing Foster’s family's arrival.
Truthfully, I’m kind of excited for this. My parents won’t make it out until next week. Levi will meet his family for the first time, and, selfishly, I’m really curious about the dynamic among the three men now.