Chapter 49 #2
“Belmont Astor is also in tow,” he explains, making my eyes widen.
Shit. I completely forgot that he was coming into town today.
It feels like ages have passed since yesterday, when Mia was valiantly pursuing a bout of alcohol poisoning.
“He insisted on accompanying Mia, claiming she’s unfit to function on her own, but he’s fine with waiting outside while she visits.
” I press my lips together to keep from laughing.
“That’s not necessary,” I start, shaking my head. “He can come inside. I’d actually like to thank him in person for all the work he did to help move things along.”
“Are you sure you’re comfortable with that?” Raiden questions softly, his dark brown eyes skating over me, taking in the oversized T-shirt I’m wearing–Briggs’, of course– sans bra. I roll my eyes, tugging a pillow across my front to appease his inner caveman.
“Better?” I tease.
His smile is pure sin as he dips down low, his breath teasing my cheek before he whispers, “I share you with three men only, minha luz. No one else gets to see the parts of you that are reserved specifically for us.” I gulp, my throat growing dry at his possessiveness. “Understand?”
“Got it,” I squeak, making Briggs and Dayton chuckle at the flush that spreads across my neck and cheeks.
Raiden moves to the door, ushering our visitors inside.
Col is the first to appear, his fingers wrapped around Hudson’s as they make their way towards me.
My face lights up with the biggest smile when I catch sight of the shirt he’s wearing.
It’s a match to Izzy’s, but his reads Big Brother.
“Hi, baby!” Hudson stomps in place with giddiness, making me laugh at how adorable he is. Col lifts him off his feet and places him on the edge of the bed.
“Easy, buddy. Mama has a boo-boo.” I completely ignore Colsen’s advice, considering it wasn’t for me to begin with, and pull Hudson across my lap so I can hug him properly. My stomach pinches painfully, but I disregard it in favor of snuggling my little boy.
“Ma!” he squeals, placing a slobbery kiss against my cheek.
“Did you have fun last night?” I question excitedly, not expecting an answer, but his little head bobs up and down rapidly.
“Loon,” he points to where Royce and Rita are standing, patiently waiting their turn. Rita’s holding a bundle of balloons that say Congratulations, while Roy has a beautiful vase of wildflowers.
“Did you help pick those out?” I ask, brushing our noses together.
Briggs steps closer, giving Hudson a glimpse of Izzy.
Settling him between my thighs, we help him hold his sister for the first time.
He’s exceedingly calm and gentle, a feat I didn’t think possible for a child who’s been so full of energy as of late.
Having both of them here, in my arms, feels like the stars have aligned and gifted me something truly remarkable.
I tune out the quiet chatter happening around us, soaking in this moment that I’ll never be able to replicate.
Once Hudson starts to squirm, Briggs lifts Izzy, allowing Col to grab our rambunctious toddler.
He pulls out a sensory blanket he had the forethought to bring and lays it across the fold-down couch, so Hudson has something to entertain himself with.
“Congratulations, love,” Rita voices, giving me a hug while dabbing at the tears filling her eyes.
“You’ve got yourself a beautiful family,” Roy gruffs, his own emotions getting the better of him.
I thank them both, reminding them they’re also a part of said family.
While they step aside to wash their hands in preparation for holding Izzy, I give my attention to Mia.
She’s several feet away, a baggy sweatshirt engulfing her upper half with the hood pulled over her head, as if she’s trying to hide.
Large sunglasses frame her face, which looks suspiciously clammy.
A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth, but I bite it back.
“Feeling a bit under the weather, Mia?” I tease. She grunts, shuffling forward to hug me, although it’s more of a pat on the back from how weak she is.
“I think I might stop by the walk-in clinic on the way out to get a bag of fluids,” she grumbles.
“If only you hadn’t drunk a month’s worth of wine in a single sitting,” Rita chides.
“Yes, well, sometimes I like to test the limits of how much my body can withstand, just for the hell of it,” she snarks, attempting to sway the narrative for why she’s sporting such a brutal hangover.
A snort by the door piques my curiosity, and I glance over to find a tall blond man, his hair swept back like he’s the starring prince in a Disney movie.
He’s dressed in dark blue slacks that are cuffed at the ankles, a white button-down tucked into them, with a charcoal-colored vest layered on top.
He reeks of wealth, but I doubt Mia would have given him the time of day if he felt the need to flaunt it.
“Belmont, I presume?” I ask, smiling politely.
“A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Adams,” he replies, striding forward to shake my hand.
“Just Andi,” I tell him. “Thanks again for all the sleuthing you did.”
“It was nothing. Glad I could help.” His lips press together in a forced smile, clearly uncomfortable with being praised for the part he played. “Congratulations on the birth of your daughter.” I dip my chin and smile in appreciation.
Raiden begins passing out coffees and breakfast sandwiches, much to my delight, as we recount what happened once we arrived at the hospital yesterday.
It certainly isn’t the birth story I had envisioned telling, but at the end of the day, we have a healthy baby girl, so I’m grateful nonetheless.
Poor Mia looks even worse after hearing some of the more gory aspects of giving birth, only cementing her choice to never have kids of her own.
The looks Belmont keeps giving her when she isn’t watching make me think their truce and agreement to stay friends won’t be lasting very long.
While everyone hems and haws over Izzy, taking turns introducing themselves to the newest member of our family, I let my eyes close, basking in the sounds that float around me.
I’m so grateful I took that leap at the Farmer’s Market all those months ago.
If I hadn’t been brave enough to try again, none of this would’ve come to fruition.
As my eyelids begin to grow heavy, I faintly hear goodbyes being mumbled with promises to visit once we’re home and settled.
When the door closes behind them, and we’re inundated with silence, Dayton encourages me to get some rest, since both kids are miraculously napping at the same time.
If last night is any indication of what’s to come, it won’t be long before Izzy’s awake and needing to be fed again.
Sometime later, I’m awoken by another nurse who needs to do a routine check of my abdomen and vitals.
She takes me for a short walk through the hallways while the guys tend to Hudson and Izzy, informing me that moving my body as soon as possible will help tremendously with my recovery.
I’m sore and achy, but it’s manageable. When she leads me back to my room, I find Col and Raiden quietly arguing over who gets to rock Izzy to sleep, but Raiden ultimately concedes, rubbing it in Col’s face that he gets to have a sleepover with Hudson tonight, and the two of them plan to watch a marathon of all the Toy Story movies.
I’ll never understand how I was lucky enough to find one amazing man, much less four of them.
The next two days pass much the same. The guys take turns going home with Hudson every night so he isn’t forced too far out of his comfort zone, but they return once morning has come.
We eat every meal together, getting a test run of what life is going to be like as a family of seven, although the hospital staff won’t be there to smooth over any bumps in the road like they are now.
When I’m finally discharged on day three, a flood of anxiety hits me that we’re solely responsible for keeping this tiny human alive, all while balancing the physical and emotional needs of a little boy who’s already contending with a plethora of trauma.
I don’t think Hudson sees Izzy as something permanent yet.
He’s only ever visited her at the hospital.
When we bring her home, into the place that’s become his, I worry he’ll feel threatened by her arrival.
That he’ll question the spot that’s been specifically carved out for him, or somehow think he’s been replaced or we love him less than we did before.
That couldn’t be further from the truth, but even kids who haven’t been through what Hudson has struggle to adjust to a new sibling.
He’s had a lot thrown at him in a short amount of time.
When I confess my worries to the guys, they assure me we’ll do everything in our power to prevent that from happening.
They even go so far as to make plans to spend one-on-one time with Hudson every week, so he has each of us to himself without vying for our attention.
Every day, I’m astounded by how thoughtful they are. How they completely embody what it means to be a partner. No matter what happens with the trial or Ada or anything else life surprises us with, as long as I have them, I’m convinced there’s nothing I can’t handle.