Chapter 41
Penny
Lately, my days have turned into one endless cycle of pumping, trying to eat, showering, and forcing myself to sleep whenever I can. In no particular order.
Half the time, I don’t even know what day it is anymore.
I never thought my life would look like this.
I never thought I’d find a man who would make me feel so loved, so confident, so completely adored the way Miles does. Not that I was ever insecure, but the way that man looks at me? It’s like I hung the moon and stars just for him.
Then, when the pregnancy news hit, even though it wasn’t planned, deep down I knew there was always a possibility. Miles and I had stopped being careful a long time ago.
But when he respected my power to decide, that’s when I knew there would never be another for me.
I never imagined I’d become a NICU mom, though.
The first time I saw Millie in that incubator, attached to wires and monitors, is probably the most devastating moment of my life. The way I’ve felt so helpless.
But our little girl keeps fighting.
When life gets tough, I remember Mama Luz telling me that even in the darkest moments, there’s always a tiny sparkle of light worth holding onto.
Mine is Miles.
His steady presence. The way he keeps smiling for me, even though I know seeing Millie in the NICU is wrecking him too.
If I’m being completely honest, neither of us wanted the heartbreak.
I never felt the urge to be a mom until things with Miles started to bloom.
But now? Even after everything we’ve been through, there’s no other life I want.
We’re supposed to be discharged soon, and I can’t wait to take our baby girl home and rock her to sleep in the chair Miles built for us.
Both of our families have been incredibly supportive.
Joss has been bringing homemade meals to the hospital. Granny made me some herbal potion that’s supposed to help with milk production. To say I feel like a cow at this point would be the understatement of the year.
Mami has practically moved to Asheville since I’ve been in the hospital.
It doesn’t matter how many times I tell her Miles and his family are already taking amazing care of me. She rented a hotel room nearby anyway and spends hours with me every single day whenever Miles has to run errands or check on work.
“Penny Bean, how’s my darling girl today?” Mami asks from the door as she walks in.
A huge smile spreads across my face when I notice she’s not alone. Joss and Granny are right behind her.
“Good morning, ladies. To what do I owe the pleasure of having all the matriarchs of the family here?”
The three of them exchange knowing smiles, and my eyes narrow.
“Well?” I ask suspiciously. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing really,” Mami starts.
I raise an eyebrow.
She rolls her eyes, though the smile on her lips gives her away.
“Okay, okay. We’ve been chatting about how excited we are that you and Millie will finally be heading home soon.” Tears gather in her eyes. “And we wanted to know if you’d let us throw a little welcome-home party.”
I glance between the three of them.
Joss looks hopeful. Granny looks ready to start planning decorations and activities right this second.
And God, I love them for it.
But the thought of a party right now makes me want to crawl back under the blankets.
I release a slow breath before answering.
“I honestly appreciate it so much. You have no idea how grateful Miles and I are for everything you’ve done for us,” I say. “But when Millie and I finally leave this hospital, all I really want to do is to lay in my bed with my baby and my…” I pause for a second, my lips twitching.
My husband.
But that's what Miles already feels like to me.
“My Miles,” I finish softly. “And just enjoying being a family of three for a little while.”
Understanding dawns on them.
“Of course, of course. We don’t mean to overwhelm you,” Joss hurries to say. “We just want you both to feel loved.”
“And fed,” Granny adds. “Because Lord knows neither of you will remember to cook.”
That pulls a laugh out of me.
“Would it be alright if we just stocked your fridge and freezer instead?” Granny asks. “Maybe clean up the house before you get there?”
Her voice sounds thinner than usual, weaker somehow, and it catches me off guard.
“Of course,” I say warmly. “We’d love that. Thank you. Really.”
“Well then,” Mami says as she claps her hands, “now that that’s settled, Joss and I are going to say good morning to our granddaughter.”
Mami beams saying the word granddaughter.
I watch the two of them leave toward the NICU before my gaze lands on the insulated bags they left on a small table near the door.
Definitely homemade food.
Granny slowly makes her way to the couch Miles has been sleeping on, her pace so unsteady that it puts me on alert.
I’ve never seen her move like that before.
Granny has always felt indestructible to me. Like one of those ancient oak trees that survive every storm.
“Hey, Granny. Is everything okay?” I ask in a soft voice as I lower myself into a chair beside the couch.
“Not really, dear,” she admits with a long sigh as she leans back against the cushions.
My stomach knots. Have we all been so focused on Mille that no one noticed Granny getting worse?
Guilt crashes into me hard and fast.
“How so, Granny?” I ask carefully, taking her hand between mine.
It’s freezing.
Granny smiles faintly when she notices my reaction.
“You see, dear, when I chose this life, I always knew the woods would eventually ask for something in return,” she says quietly before closing her eyes. “When I gained my powers, I had to give up something really important to me.”
I frown, trying to understand what she means.
I know Granny reads tarot, makes potions, and believes in things most people would laugh at, but I never knew any of it came with a sacrifice.
“Granny?” I call softly.
“My time on this Earth is coming to an end, dear.”
I grip her hand tight. “Please don’t say that,” I whisper. “Millie needs to know her badass Granny.”
That earns me a soft laugh.
“I’ll be able to hold her and talk to her plenty, I promise.” She pats my hands gently. “But right now, I’m spending whatever energy I have left trying to help my last two stubborn grandsons find love. Those two are proving to be hard to break—even for an old sorceress like me.”
We laugh easily.
River and Merlin. Poor Granny truly has her work cut out for her.
“I think they’ll be on their way to love soon enough,” I say. “At least River is. Carly isn’t exactly the type to give up.”
Granny throws her head back and laughs loud enough to surprise me.
“From your mouth to God’s ears,” she says once she calms down.
“And Merlin…” I trail off thoughtfully. “I don’t know. Something tells me there’s someone important waiting for him too.”
Granny’s eyes twinkle knowingly. “I just hope that boy stops running long enough to let love catch him.”
Definitely asking Miles about that later.
“What do you say we have some of the biscuits and gravy we brought?” Granny asks suddenly.
I’m on my feet in a flash.
“Why didn’t you start with that? We could’ve had this entire emotional conversation while eating my favorite comfort food.”
I make quick work of serving us plates and pouring fresh tea.
I’ve barely taken two bites when Mami comes barreling through the door.
My heart jumps into my throat. “Is Millie okay?”
“Oh, yes, yes. She’s perfect.” Mami rushes to reassure me before waving her phone in the air. “I just got off the phone with Marta. Paloma is on her way.”
“On her way where?” I ask, feeling whiplash.
“Here.”
My confusion deepens. “Here? Why? Is she coming alone?”
“Yes, she’s coming alone,” Mami says as she serves herself a hearty portion of biscuits and gravy. “Marta didn’t share much, she just said Paloma wanted a fresh start.”Even though there’s a thirteen-year age gap between us, Paloma and I have always been close.
“Well, it’ll be good to see her again,” I say slowly, already mentally planning to call her later.
“I’m heading back to Charlotte tomorrow to pick her up from the airport,” Mami continues casually. “Maybe she’ll want to spend some time in Azalea Creek too.”
The mischievous glint in her eyes tells me exactly where this is heading.
“Don’t even start, Ma,” I warn. “Granny is already the official matchmaker around here.”
Granny nods proudly while continuing to eat her biscuits and gravy at the pace of a sleepy turtle.
Mami’s shoulders sag, and she sighs.
“Boss, are you ready?”
I look up to find Miles walking toward me with the brightest smile I’ve seen on his face in days.
He leans down to give me a quick peck on the lips before brushing his thumb against my cheek.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, my pulse picking up speed.
“I just came back from seeing Millie,” he says, barely containing his excitement.
“Miles,” I warn impatiently. “Tell me.”
A playful grin takes over his face. “I think I’ll just let the doctor do that.”
My eyes dart toward the doorway.
My OB is standing there beside a nurse.
And the nurse is holding Millie.
“How are you feeling?” Dr. Clark asks.
“I’m extremely confused,” I admit through a watery laugh, tears slipping down my cheeks now. I don’t dare wipe them away. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.
Dr. Clark smiles. “Well, after today’s evaluation, I’m officially signing off on Millie’s discharge papers.” She looks down at our daughter before meeting my gaze again. “This little girl is ready to go home.”
A sob tears out of me so suddenly, my knees give out.
But before I can hit the floor, Miles is there.
His arms wrap around me as he presses his face into my hair.
“We’re going home, sugar,” he whispers brokenly.
And for the first time since Millie was born, the crushing weight on my chest finally lifts.
I close my eyes and send a silent prayer to heaven, thanking God for giving me a man to build a beautiful life with and a daughter to dote on for the rest of my days.