Chapter Seventy-Three
It's been a week since we left the infirmary.
I would say we're trying to plan how to take care of the baby efficiently but we really can't plan when Cash cries.
Our sleeping schedules are completely out of whack.
Carson went home because she needed to be with her baby.
Mandy and Manson visited a few days ago but I was so tired, Axe let them see the baby while I slept.
Dash, Ryleigh, Brian and Olly came over the other day and were gushing over how cute the future alpha is.
It brings tears to my eyes thinking of all the love Cash will grow up with. Happy tears.
“Axe, I'm going to get some groceries,” I tell him as I walk into the living room. Axe is sitting on the couch with Cash in his arms.
“Elora.” Axe looks up with a frown. “You need to rest.”
“I feel well enough to go. My body is healing quick.”
“I can go for you.”
“Axe, I have to leave the house every now and then. I promise I'll call if anything happens.”
“Okay, I love you.”
I go over and give him a kiss on the cheek and lean down to give Cash a kiss too.
When I get in my car I realise how long I haven't driven for.
The closest grocery shop is the one I go to.
I decide to get any food I want now that I'm not pregnant.
The trolley gets full of junk food, diapers, pads, and some wine for cosy nights with Axe.
A range of flowers for sale catches my eyes, so I go over.
My eyes are drawn to the fake white roses.
Alina comes into my mind as I stare at them.
I decide to do a tribute to her, so I buy all the white roses I see.
When I get home, I listen out for Axe and hear him cursing as he changes Cash's diaper.
I put the junk food in the pantry, put the bag of diapers and pads in my room and then I carry the final bag to Alina's room.
I quietly open the door, step in, then close the door behind me.
I don't know how Axe would react to me being in here again but I want to do something for her.
I litter the roses all over the room, some on the bed, a few in vases on the shelves, anywhere I can place them.
These white roses are a symbol of Alina's new beginning.
“Elora.” The door opens. I take a deep breath knowing I've been caught again, then turn and see Axe standing there with an unreadable look. “What are you doing in here?” He sighs. He's not angry I'm in here.
“I wanted to do something nice for her.”
“Come on, Cash needs you,” he says quietly, and gestures for me to walk out.
I notice him look around the room before he follows me out.
I walk into our room and see Cash awake in the cot.
I pick him up and cradle him to my chest then sit on the bed against the headboard.
I lift my shirt and breastfeed him. My nipples are going to be so sore by the time I stop breastfeeding.
“Did you really see her?” Axe's voice holds the innocence of a child.
“I did.”
“She's not in pain anymore, right?”
“She's at peace, I promise you,” I tell him.
Axe lingers in the middle of the room for a bit so I don't interrupt the thoughts he's having.
When he leaves the room, I burp Cash then slowly rock him to sleep.
I carefully put him down in the cot then go downstairs.
Axe's presence isn't in the house so I decide to make a meal that will last us a couple days.
We're too tired to be cooking for every meal.
There's a knock at the door, so I say come in. Ryleigh and Olly walk into the kitchen.
“Hey, Axe is with Dash so we thought we'd keep you company,” Ryleigh says.
“Let us help.” Olly takes over the preparation I've already started for the food, which I'm grateful for.
We stay in the kitchen for a while and talk. When Cash starts crying, I move to get up but Ryleigh stops me.
“Can I get him?”
“Yes.”
Ryleigh goes upstairs and I watch Olly move the food to the plates. She sets a plate in front of me.
“Thank you.”
“If you ever need me to cook for you, I'd be happy to.” Olly smiles.
“I appreciate it.” I'm so glad for all the support I have. I bring a forkful to my mouth and moan in delight. “I'm going to have to take you up on that.”
Olly chuckles as Ryleigh walks into the room.
Ryleigh is cooing to Cash. I didn't even hear him stop crying.
Ryleigh holds him while I finish eating.
The girls stay late and we watch movies, each of us catering to Cash when he needs it.
Axe gets home when our third movie comes to an end.
The girls leave and Axe comes and sits beside me.
“We should go to bed. There's food in the fridge if you're hungry,” I say.
“Maybe we should shower,” Axe says.
“Ugh, who knew a shower was such a tedious task with a newborn?” I groan, leaning my head back against the couch. Axe's lips slightly pull up.
“Come on, honey.”
I put Cash back in his cot while Axe starts the shower.
I join him and sigh when the warm water travels down my spine.
Axe and I give each other room as we wash ourselves, then he pulls me close.
We stay in a loving embrace; the only sound is the water pouring down on us.
He links his arms around my back so I can't move from him even if I want to.
But I will never want to leave his arms.