“She’s…she’s beautiful.” Frank stood at the edge of the bed, unmoving, and it was the first time I’d witnessed the man shocked. He turned toward me and spoke. “Nothing will ever happen on my watch. I promise, Cal.” They were the kindest words he’d ever said to me.
“Thank you, Frank. I know it.”
Of course, this brought to mind the bicoastal scenario, but it wasn’t the time.
He’d moved his attention back to Billy. “You feel okay?”
“Yes. Thank you for getting us here and all that. Tell Sampson.”
“Suzie called. She’s waiting for you to let her know when to call your agent, and when do you want to set up the photo opportunity?”
I knew better than to push back. The longer we waited, the more frenzied the media would become.
Closing her eyes, Billy said, “Friday. Tell Suzie she can visit anytime and Glory too, but media on Friday. I’ll need hair, makeup for that…Suzie will know. Plus, I need my bag here. But I don’t want media until Friday when I get home so be cautious.”
He nodded, and like the most perfect alarm, Quinn gave a little stir and cry.
“On my way to do it,” Frank said. “See you soon, Little Miss Quinnie.” He winked at the baby, who had no clue, but it was sort of cute how afraid of the baby he was.
I couldn’t think about it for long because next the nurses helped Billy with latching on, and shortly after, it was my turn to hold my baby girl.
Barnswell and I arranged for Billy to stay in the hospital an extra few days, the nurses doting on her and helping us get into a solid routine with Quinn. While the baby slept, Billy caught up on a few calls and emails, infuriating me.
“Thanks, Scotty. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Beth. Yes, of course, you’ll meet Quinn…she’s only four days old,” she said on Thursday.
I watched Billy on the phone from the chair, and she cast a smile my way. With Quinn asleep in my arms, I’d come to recognize the look as one Billy didn’t share with the world. It was a genuine glow saved for her family. That meant Quinn and me; it was something she’d done a lot of over the last few days. I wanted to collect those looks and shove them in my back pocket, but my hands were full…and I silently wished for a million more.
While Billy held the phone in the crook of her neck and applied lipstick, I wondered if someone was coming by I didn’t know about.
“Yes, Ford was here today. Sheesh, he lives here. No…no one knows he was here. We kept the media circus at bay. He came in the back and left the same way. Frank orchestrated the whole thing.”
Billy bobbed her head, rolling her eyes, and I could tell her patience was wearing thin. I knew she had a love-hate relationship with Scotty, most of it stemming from how he kowtowed to their mom.
“She’s not coming. Mom will see the baby as soon as we get back east. We are coming back in a week or so, maybe two, when Cal clears us. I’m going to rest and all that fun stuff at his house. He has to work, you know.”
After a few hours of getting to know our baby girl, I’d asked Billy to come back to my place. She was worried about flying with Quinn, but our pediatrician said since we would be going private, he’d clear it in a week or so. With my being there as the caveat. It was mostly bullshit, just making me feel like a man and a doctor.
I told Billy she could bring Frank and Glory, along with Amanda, her personal trainer, and whoever else she wanted, while I took care of her. I knew Glory would be ordering in meals and various services, according to Amanda’s instructions.
Of course, this also meant Suzie would be coming, and a baby nurse who had been hired to help with Quinn. Marni was apparently the nurse to the stars. I’d decide for myself if she was. Until then, I agreed to any stipulations because I wanted Billy to come.
“Okay, have a happy Thanksgiving with the family.” Billy finally closed out the call. “Thank God that’s over,” she said to me.
“He means well,” I offered.
“No, he doesn’t. He wanted to know when I was releasing the details, probably for my mom.”
“Well, that too.”
“Come here,” she asked, her voice hoarse with emotion.
I stood, holding a sleepy Quinn, and walked to the bed. Billy scooted to the side and I slid in next to her, handing her Quinn. She kissed the top of the baby’s head, leaving a little lipstick on the cap, and breathed her smell in deeply.
“She’s perfect,” I said.
“She is.”
“What’s the lipstick for, Bill?” I had to ask.
