Chapter Seventy-Two
Isleep after everyone leaves. Axe takes our baby and sits in the chair. When I wake up, the baby is in the little glass crib beside my bed and Axe is sleeping awkwardly in the chair. Instead of waking him, I mind link Dash to come see me. He's here straight away.
“How are you feeling?” Dash asks, his eyes swirling with concern.
“I feel better after sleeping.”
“You've survived the most painful experiences. You're an amazing person.” Dash smiles and places his hand on mine.
“I couldn't have done it without Axe by my side.” I glance at Axe.
“And you're humble. Elora, you survived for a long time before Axe came into your life,” Dash praises me.
“Thank you.”
“Well, Ryleigh wants to come visit. So do Brian and Olly but we didn't want to crowd you with too many people.”
“I'll see them in a few days. I just want to get better at the moment. My body is too fragile so I just want to stay in bed and watch my mate and baby sleep.”
“Do you need anything? Water, food, clothes, the tv remote,” he lists. I smile at how attentive he is.
“Food would be good.”
“On it. I'll check with Cindy what you can eat,” Dash says.
I watch my baby sleep and think of names. Naming him something that means something to me would be good. Thinking of everyone in my life, I seem to focus on two people. I have fun twisting their names into one.
“Axe,” I call loudly. He jumps awake, rubbing his eyes then looking at me.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“Good.” He smiles.
“I have a name.”
“That's great. What is it?” Axe's eyes light up.
“Cash. I want my baby to be wise and kind like Carson and as big-hearted and supportive as Dash.”
“I love it.” Axe smiles and presses his lips against mine. “If any humans ask his name, we tell them we're big country music fans.” He chuckles.
“What... oh Cash. I guess it makes sense why you know his music. You are old,” I tease, and he playfully glares then attacks me with kisses.
“Cash Sanders. Sounds like the name of a successful man.” Axe chuckles but then stops. “That is if you want him to take my name.”
“Of course, Axe. I don't want him to take my father’s name,” I say.
“Don't worry. You'll soon be Elora Sanders.” Axe smiles.
“No wedding anytime soon. Life is too chaotic right now,” I warn.
“You can say that again.” Axe lets out a heavy breath. “Carson and Dash will literally cry when we tell them his name.”
Dash walks back into the room with a tray of food. My mouth waters and it's just now I realise how hungry I am. I dig in.
“If you guys need anything for the next few days, just let me know.”
“Thanks, Dash,” Axe says.
When I finish my food, which is pretty quick, I fall back asleep. But when Cash starts crying, I immediately jump up. Axe is holding him trying to soothe him.
“I think he's hungry.” Axe passes him into my arms.
Dr Cindy comes in and discusses breastfeeding and we try it.
Once the baby's lips touch my nipple, his crying stops.
Axe and Cindy talk about how long I have to stay at the infirmary, healing, advice on the baby and any other questions Axe has.
She tells me to take things easy and try and sleep as much as I can to help my body recover.
She also explains in detail what happened to my body during giving birth and how she saved me.
Who knew child birth could be so risky in this day and age?
“My lips feel better, right?” Axe winks.
“Shut up.” I laugh. “The only one who can have these breasts is our son.”
“Aww.” Axe pouts playfully, pushing his bottom lip out.
I look down at Cash, watching how satisfied he is. I can feel a little suction where his mouth connects to my body. I smile at how cute he is. After I finishing feeding him, Axe holds him until he goes to sleep. We make light chatter before Axe tells me to sleep.
***
The last couple days it's just been Axe and me alone with Cash.
Lizzy visited again but Dash ran with her back to her home.
I'm getting released today from the infirmary, which I'm excited about.
Axe brought me some clothes, sweatpants and a loose shirt.
Why do I feel like I'll be wearing clothes like this for the next few months?
Axe is holding the baby carrier basket with Cash in it.
Axe is patient while I slowly walk around the infirmary for a bit just to get my blood pumping.
Dash comes and picks us up in a car. Even though our house is close, Axe doesn't want me walking for long and neither do I.
Axe spends some time trying to fit the carrier in the car properly.
“You excited to bring Cash home?” Dash asks.
Oh, Axe was right. When we told Dash and Carson the baby's name, they both shed a few tears.
“Yes, we're going to start our comfortable life when we walk through the door,” I say.
“I'm happy for you guys.” Dash smiles.
When we get home, Axe first carries the baby upstairs and puts him in the cot, telling me to wait downstairs.
Then he comes back down and lifts me into his arms and carries me upstairs.
I smile at how concerned he is. He places me in our bed, pulling the blanket over me.
He has pushed the cot right up beside the bed so I can just lean over and grab Cash if I need to.
I notice a few added necessities to the room that we didn't have before I went to the infirmary. There's a bin in the corner, a mini fridge against the wall and my laptop on the bedside table.
“While you're healing I put stuff in here so you wouldn't have to move much,” Axe answers my unasked question.
“Thank you, Axe.” I look up at him with so much appreciation. He smiles and presses a kiss to my lips.