Chapter Twelve #2
The three of us leave my room with my dad following behind.
He’s been to see his grandson a few times, but most of his time has been spent at my side.
When I ask him why he doesn’t want to see his grandchild, his response is always the same—there’s more than enough time to spend with him when he’s out of the NICU and out of danger.
My dad is simply scared something will happen.
So far, Axel, Jolene, and Janessa are the only three who have actually held him and gone inside.
Everyone else stands outside and looks in through the glass.
The staff learned early on to keep Axel and our son in a room that’s easily visible through the window.
At least that’s what I’ve been told by Jolene as she laughed hysterically about the men and their protective nature.
We get to the NICU extremely slowly, but I manage to walk all the way there with very little assistance from Nora.
She keeps her hands close to my body and Janessa remains close with the wheelchair.
When Hammer and the rest of the guys saw us walk up, they all started cheering like crazy.
None of them got close to us or stopped me from getting inside.
They all know how crazy I’ve been going not being able to see my son.
A nurse greets me just inside the door. She helps me wash my hand and get gowned up before leading me into the room where I find Axel rocking our son while feeding him.
“Little Fairy, you’re here,” Axel whispers as he immediately stands from the chair and nods with his head for me to take his seat. “I’ll let you finish feedin’ him.”
I get comfortable in the rocking chair and Axel hands me our son.
I awkwardly burp him before taking the bottle from Axel and feeding him the rest of the formula.
While I was burping him, Axel placed a pillow in my lap so the baby isn’t resting directly on my cast. Neither one of us says a word as I take in every single inch of the little boy in my arms. He’s already got a head full of dark hair.
His little eyes are closed so I can’t see what color they are but Janessa swears they’re violet like mine.
I count every little finger and toe after Axel helps me uncover him so I can look at my son for the first time.
Tears fill my eyes because I’m holding the most perfect little person I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing.
He’s already the perfect combination of Axel and me and I hope that doesn’t change as he grows up.
“We need to talk about a few things, Little Fairy,” Axel says as I gently rock our son to sleep once he’s done eating and has been changed. Never thought I’d see Axel change a diaper, but he’s quick at it.
“I know. The first thing that needs to be done is we need to choose a name for our little one,” I say, looking up at the man I’ve loved for so damn long.
Axel still doesn’t have a shirt on and the jeans covering his legs are ones he wears a lot.
I can tell by how worn they are. There’s more than his typical five o’clock shadow covering his jaw and his hair is thrown up in a man bun thing.
I don’t hesitate to take in his body from head to toe.
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen that much skin from him on display and I can’t stop myself from staring at him.
“Little Fairy, I think ya got some drool right there,” Axel teases me, pointing at the corner of his mouth with a smirk on his face. “Do you have any names in mind?”
“Not really. I always figured it was something we’d do together regardless of if you’re still mad at me or not. Do you have a name in mind?” I return, finally dragging my eyes away from the man in front of me.
“Well, I was kind of thinkin’ of a name Marcus always said he’d want to give his son,” Axel answers me, an almost shy, unsure look on his face as he steps up right next to the chair and looks down at our son.
“He always said he wanted to name his son Leo James. I’m not sure of the significance of the name, but it was important to him.
If you don’t mind, I’d like to name our son that in honor of him. ”
“I don’t have a problem with that at all.
And I remember Marcus saying that name before.
It was just in passing that I heard him mention it, but I remember it.
I think our son would be honored to have a name his uncle always wanted to give his own son,” I answer him, keeping my eyes locked on the little boy in my arms.
It’s really awkward holding Leo because of the cast on my left arm.
I manage to keep him against my body as I adjust the blanket Axel wrapped him up in.
Axel heads out to let the staff know we’ve decided on a name for our son so they can get things taken care of.
We’ll have to fill out paperwork at some point as well.
For the rest of the visiting hours, Axel and I take care of Leo and don’t really talk about anything other than him.
Axel lets me know everything the doctors have said and what he’s witnessed himself while he’s here visiting.
I hardly take my eyes off of my son because I feel as if I’ve missed so damn much already.
When visiting hours are over for the day, Axel helps me in the wheelchair and pushes me back to my room.
I’m exhausted and fall asleep almost as soon as I get settled in the bed.