I pick up the phone and call Walker.
He answers saying, “What’s up, Ollie?” I hear noise in the background and realize he must be at The Black Dog.
“Hey, I don’t know how else to say this, so I am just gonna say it. I need your help, man.”
“Sure, what do you need?” he asks casually, as if this wasn’t a monumental, strange ask.
“Can you, by chance, swing by the hospital right now? And don’t tell anyone.”
“Uhh, yeah. Are you okay?” he asks, sounding worried.
“Everyone is okay. I need your help. I’ll owe you big, man.”
“No worries. Cash just got here, so I’ll head that way. Be right there.”
“Fourth floor.”
“Got it,” he says anddisconnects.
About twenty minutes later, Walker walks in the door and stops when he sees me holding the baby, laying on the bed. “Whoa.”
“Yeah,” I nod. “Apparently, me and Cami have a baby sister.”
“Uhhh.” His eyes widen. “When did this happen?”
“We just found out today, and I’m freaking out. I don’t know what to do. I don’t even have clothes for her or a name. I’m...”
“Hey, hey, hey,” he says softly, going to the sink and washing his hands. “One thing at a time.”
He dries his hands and comes over and takes her from me. Then, he settles into the chair. “Where’s Poppy?”
“She went to get Owen.”
“So, how did this happen?” he asks, rocking her with the confidence of a dad, staring at her, examining her little fingers.
“A woman had a one-night stand with my dad. He wanted nothing to do with it. Apparently, she gave birth and left her here for me to come pick up,” I say quietly, and hearing it out loud doesn’t make it any more real. This whole thing feels wild.
Walker whistles softly. “You’re in a pickle. How does Poppy feel?”
“Tell me about it. And she’s been great, shocked but understanding. But I don’t know what to do. I mean, what do I do? If I take her home, I don’t know what to do.”
He laughs a little. “Well, I hope you’re taking her home. She’s beautiful, Ollie. And it’s all gonna work out. Just relax.”
I nod. “Okay, I knew you’d know what to do.”
“It’s been a long time, but I needed a refresher because we’re about to be in the same boat in about six months.”
“Hey, your baby and my sister can be friends.” I smile at the thought, then try to picture what that’ll look like years from now. I can’t even see past today.
“Yeah, absolutely,” he says, rocking her gently and adjusting her hat.
“Were you scared when you had Makayla?”
“Of course. I was even more scared when her mom left us in a similar boat as you are right now. You lucked out, Ollie. You have a great woman by your side. Not to mention a huge group of friends who will shower you with support.”
I smile. “Yeah, I do.”
The door creaks open, and Poppy and Owen walk in. Owen looks so confused. “Walker, did you have your baby already? Where’s Violet?”
