Dad grips my shoulders and looks into my eyes. “You’re a great doctor, son. I’m so proud of you. And wherever you go, you’re going to do amazing things.”
I smile. “I’m not going anywhere, Dad.”
Carter sidles up to me, having overheard. His eyebrows slash low. “What does that mean exactly?”
I clap a hand on his back. “It means I’m doing fucking better.”
He eyes me strangely, but I don’t say anything more. I have to get back to my wife and daughter.
I heave in a deep breath as the entirety of the situation strikes me like a bolt of lightning.
I have a daughter.
I’m a dad.
“I have to go. I’ll keep you all updated.” I race past them and toss a look over my shoulder. “Save us some cake!”
Up on the maternity floor, I’m greeted and congratulated by everyone I pass. One of the nurses directs me to Ava’s room. When I enter, it’s completely quiet. She’s been changed into a hospital gown. And she’s sleeping.
I take a moment to study her. Her hair is down now, flowing off the pillow in long, loose curls. Her face is fresh and cleaned up from the wedding makeup that was smeared with sweat and tears. She’s so peaceful. So goddamn beautiful.
The door opens and Cam appears, pushing a wheeled bassinet. Usually nurses do this, so I prickle with concern.
“Everything’s great,” Cam says, clearly noticing my change in demeanor. “I just wanted to report it myself being you’re one of my favorite fellow doctors.”
I shake his hand. “I feel the same about you.”
“I don’t see any reason why your daughter won’t be able to be released on schedule. No surprises. Her lungs are fully developed. She’s perfect.”
It’s hard to hold back tears when I’ve just been told my daughter is perfect. I pick her up and tuck her into the crook of my arm, reveling in the feeling. Vowing to remember every moment, cherish every second, remember each wonderful emotion coursing through me.
“I’ll leave you three alone.” He pats me on the back. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks, man.”
Ava stirs when the door clicks shut. Her eyes open, she sees me holding Jordan, and a happy sigh is forced from her lungs, as if in sleep she’d forgotten what happened.
“She’s really okay?”
I nod proudly. “She’s amazing. She’ll be able to go home when you do.”
“I’m so glad it was you, Trev.”
I know she’s talking about the delivery, but I also know it’s a reference to the same words I spoke to her not so many months ago.
I sit on the side of the bed and put Jordan into her arms. “We’re not leaving.”
She looks up, confused. “But you just said?—”
“Calloway Creek. We’re not leaving Calloway Creek. I’m not taking the job.”
Her elation over Jordan turns to concern. “You can’t turn it down. It’s an amazing opportunity.”
“I can and I will.”
She shakes her head. “I love you too much to let you do that.”
I chuckle softly and kiss her head. “I know you do, which is exactly why we’re staying.”
