"Exactly like I just gave birth, but I'm okay."
"He's beautiful, Kinsley. Congratulations." Maddie kissed my cheek, and I thanked her quietly.
Caden surprised everyone by saying he wanted to hold Finn, and I laughed through my tears at the sight of the burly man and the tiny baby. I had a moment to wish Caden and Maddie were my family, but then I realized they might as well be. Warmth flowed through me, looking around the room at the people I loved. There were a few missing, but it was a good start.
Wyatt and Daisy seemed close, and I wondered what was going on there. They'd had hours together in the waiting room, so maybe they'd become friends during that time.
"Can I get anything for you, Kinsley?" Wyatt asked while Daisy had her turn holding the baby.
His offer made me chuckle. "You know it's okay to be off the clock for a little while."
He smiled. "This offer comes from a friend."
The sound of that made me happy. "Will you get me a cup of coffee? It's the only thing I can think of right now."
"Absolutely."
The other three left when Wyatt did, and I braced myself for Anna, Logan, and Mrs. Gallagher to visit. I held nothing against Logan, just his wife.
Elena had tears in her eyes when she entered. I noticed she made a move for Burke, but paused halfway across the room when he refused to acknowledge her presence, standing sentry by the bed with Finn in his arms.
Anna stayed unusually silent, and that left Logan to fill the void. "He looks just like you, Burke."
"Thanks, Logan."
Burke made them all wash their hands, too, and then he relented and let Elena hold him. She cried some more and had to hand the baby to Anna to wipe her nose and eyes.
"His skin is so soft." They were the first words Anna uttered since walking in the room, and I hoped someone had put a gag order on the woman. It didn't really matter who; I was just pleased someone had the forethought to tell Anna to keep her rude thoughts to herself.
Logan stroked the baby's cheek as he rested in Anna's arms, giving me cause to ponder why they didn't have any kids of their own. They'd been married for several years. Without warning, I yawned.
"Okay, everybody, Kinsley needs her rest." Burke held his arms out for Anna to return Finn.
"We'll see you at the house after you're discharged," Logan said.
"Thank you for letting me come, Kinsley," Elena said before slipping out.
Anna headed toward the door but apparently couldn't resist a parting shot. "Dad isn't thrilled about Ma coming."
"It was up to me, not him," Burke replied in a steely voice.
"I think he was more pissed that he couldn't come," Logan said with a pointed stare at Anna. "At least, that's my impression."
"Feel free to tell him what he missed," Burke ground out.
They left after that, and I yawned again.
Gentling his voice, Burke said, "I've got him, Kinsley. Sleep."
"I don't know if I can, but I'll try."
But the events of the day had left me more than ready for a nap, and I slept until Finn woke, wanting to eat. The coffee Wyatt brought while I was sleeping sat on the rolling table, and I nearly wept at the sight of it. Burke changed Finn's diaper, giving me some time to sip my coffee before I was needed.
Once we made it home the following day, I had to say goodbye to Daisy. Her parents were looking forward to her visiting for the remainder of her school break, but I would miss her. It didn't help that I assumed I'd be alone with Finn for the foreseeable future.
Burke settled the diapers and wipes in the organizer hanging off the side of the bassinet in my room. Dumbfounding me, he left one of the baby monitors with me and took the other into his room. "If he wakes, I'll come and get him."
"Are you sure? What if he needs to eat?" It shocked me to think he would willingly wake up several times a night to help me when he still had a business to run.
