The moment the baby settles against Jackson’s bare chest, his face just…crumples. He drops his head and nuzzles Eli as silent sobs rack his body.
Ethan cups Jax’s nape and traces his thumb over his jawline. “He’s beautiful, isn’t he?”
He really is, with dark hair and perfect, delicate features.
Jackson nods and sucks in a deep breath to collect himself. Ethan gives him the bottle, his fingers trembling. He’s running on pure adrenaline.
The infant’s face scrunches in protest when the nipple touches his lips. “Come on, little guy,” Jax coos, gently trying again. “You gotta eat, bud.”
Eli takes to the bottle on his third try. Jackson exhales in relief and kisses the baby’s forehead.
The nurse hovers close by. “He won’t eat much, but he’ll want to eat often.”
“We got it,” Ethan grumbles, one hand on Jax’s neck, the other brushing Eli’s hair.
She steps away, giving us space and making herself busy stocking the bottom of the bassinet.
I get Ethan a chair then lean against the other side of the recliner. “You okay?”
His eyes meet mine, a scowl between his brows. “They pricked his heel and all kinds of other stuff. He wasscreaming,and they wouldn’t let me hold him. Felt like I was going to murder someone.”
I can’t help but smile. Wait until he finds out about circumcision.
“He shouldn’t go anywhere without one of us,” Ethan continues. “And watching them cut open Aurora… Jesus fuck, that was horrible. We don’t spoil her enough for this shit.”
“Where is she?” Something doesn’t feel right, and my stomach twists. “She should be here by now.”
He runs a hand through his hair, his shoulders tight with tension. “Her blood pressure spiked after delivery before it bottomed out. She lost more blood than they expected. Nothing dangerous,” he adds when my posture stiffens and Jackson’s head snaps up. “They’re monitoring her closely, giving her medication.” He swallows hard, his throat clicking. “They won’t release her until she’s stabilized.”
Panic splinters in my chest. “I’m going to find her.”
I ignore the nurse calling after me and push through the door. The maternity ward is a maze of hallways and rooms, but all I’m focused on is finding the woman I’ve sworn to protect and care for.
A stern-faced security guard sits at a small desk, blocking my path to the surgical suite and recovery room. He points to a sign. “Immediate family only.”
My patience snaps, and I flash my bracelet. “I am fucking family. I should’ve been with her the entire time.”
The guard stands. “Sir, you need to calm down.”
Urgency surges through my veins. What Ineedis to lay eyes on her. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. If you don’t open that door, I’m going to do it myself.”
He scans me from head to toe, seeming to weigh his options against my six-foot-six frame.
“I’ll escort him,” a familiar voice says behind me. “He’s on her approved list.”
Dr. Hill swipes her badge, and I follow her down the hall.
“The preeclampsia caused some complications during delivery,” she explains. “We’re administering medication to prevent seizures and hemorrhaging.”
I make a noise of acknowledgment, my throat too tight to speak.
The recovery area is dimly lit, with partitioned sections and the steady beep of monitors. She pulls back the curtain, and myheart stops. Aurora lies curled in a ball, pale against the stark white pillow, her thick lashes fanning her cheeks.
She shouldn’t be alone like this, and I reach her in two strides. Carefully avoiding the IV lines and wires, I climb into bed beside her, just like she did for me when I was shot. “Te amo,” I whisper.
Her eyes blink open. “Reece,” she rasps. “I was waiting for you.”
“Oh yeah?”
