All of this, he understood. It was etched in his skull, tattooed on his brain. Guilt was a constant companion. It gnawed on his intestines and twisted them up in knots until it was all he could feel. He jumped at every noise, looked over his shoulder more often than he should, and he didn't trust anyone to be completely honest. Everyone had an agenda, even if it was relatively innocent. Maybe their agenda was nothing more than looking out for themselves or their spouse. Maybe their agenda was to get through the day without seeing Devon break down. Or maybe their agenda was something more sinister, something hidden deep down that was waiting to come out at the most inopportune time. It was a second entity clinging to their skin, camouflaged by acts of kindness. He couldn't be sure. The same people were in his life day after day, minus the two he hoped to never see again, and yet he viewed them all as strangers now.
His daughter was the only human he felt connected to, the only one too innocent to betray him. To her he clung with every breath he had left in his worn out body. Hailey was making great strides, and he was hopeful she would be released soon. Since he’d vowed never to go back to the house Vince had made himself at home in, he had no choice but to stay with his parents in the interim. It would be the most beneficial choice for Hailey, and he would swallow any and all discomfort if it was what was best for her. He needed to make plans for her physical therapy soon, but for now he just watched her heal with a smile on his face. She was the only light in his life.
Two weeks after the revelation of who was at fault for Hailey’s disappearance, Lori went into labor. Devon wasn’t planning on being there for the labor and delivery portion, but he’d always assumed he would visit with them as soon as the baby was born. Leaving Hailey wasn’t an option, making him feel incredibly torn, but Chloe stepped in and made a suggestion which changed everything.
“Why don’t we ask the nurse if Hailey can ride in a wheelchair over to the maternity wing? Surely, she wants to see her new cousin.”
By the time they got permission and let the medical staff load her up, Hailey was exhausted but excited to see Aunt Lori and Uncle Caleb’s baby daughter. Lydia was sweating but beaming proudly as she opened the door and ushered them into the room. She kissed Hailey’s cheek as she thanked Chloe and pushed her granddaughter over to the bed where Lori was sitting up with the baby in her arms. Lydia rubbed hand sanitizer into Hailey’s good hand as they talked about germs and the baby’s health. Devon washed up before standing with his brother on the opposite side of the bed from their mother and Hailey.
“Did you name her Maisie?” he asked Caleb. It was the name at the top of their list, but they swore it would depend on how they felt when they saw her for the first time.
“We did. It’s the perfect name for her.” Caleb grinned so wide Devon felt a pang of jealousy as he remembered the euphoria of Hailey’s birth.
“Meet your cousin Maisie,” Lori was saying to Hailey. They had pushed the wheelchair parallel to the bed so they could face each other.
“She’s so tiny,” Hailey said. She touched the back of Maisie’s hand with her fingertips.
“You were that small, too, bug.” Lydia's face was flushed. “All babies are relatively small when they’re born.”
“And you borned her, Grandma?” Hailey asked with a wrinkled forehead.
Lydia tried somewhat successfully not to laugh. “Actually, Aunt Lori borned her. I just helped.”
“Because you’re a baby doctor.” Hailey grinned, inexplicably proud of her grandma.
“That’s right.” Lydia winked at Lori as she laughed.
“I can’t hold her like this.” Hailey held up the arm covered in a cast.
Devon jumped in at the threat of tears. “I can help you, sweetie. You can cradle her in your good arm and let her rest in your lap. Okay, Lori?” He looked at his sister-in-law for permission, and she nodded.
Devon had to take the baby first to facilitate the transfer, and he felt a rush of love for the tiny blonde girl. If ever there was proof of complete innocence, that was it right there. Her eyes were closed and her head was mostly covered in down, but it seemed she took after her mother.
Blinking back tears, he kneeled in front of Hailey’s wheelchair and rested the baby on her lap. He hovered over the swaddled infant as Hailey looked down at her.
“Hi, baby Maisie. I’m your cousin.”
Don came into the room, and when Devon glanced up, he noticed Chloe was out in the hall. The door closed again, and Devon turned his attention back to Hailey and Maisie.
“I got you the biggest one I could find, Lori.”
Don produced a cup of coffee, and Lori sighed in delight. “Thanks, Dad.”
When his father came to stand next to him, Devon lifted Maisie into his arms once more. He just barely touched the tip of her nose with his lips and handed her back to Lori. “Congratulations.”
Lori gave him a sleepy smile. “Thanks.”
He saw how her countenance had changed. Her motivation was focused on her family, and he hoped it would relieve her of the unrelenting feelings of guilt.
“I told Chloe she could come in and meet Maisie, but she said she was just here to push Hailey’s wheelchair back to her room when you were done,” Don said to no one in particular.
“Oh, nonsense, I’ll bring her in.” Lydia went to the door and pulled it open, speaking quietly to Chloe before both women came back in the room. Chloe stayed near the door and waved before sticking her hands in her pockets.
“Grandpa, it was Chloe’s idea to bring me here. Isn’t that cool?” Hailey looked happily at Don, who smiled down at her.
“It’s very cool.”
Chloe blushed and shifted her feet.
