I take a deep breath.
But I can do this…
…for Tally.
The minutes drag on, feeling like hours. Tally is breathing heavily, still holding my hand while Shannon reassures her, and I relay every word to Tally. Nurses bustle by, their faces a blend of professionalism and empathy. If any of them find our conversation odd, they don’t react.
Finally, after what seems like an eternity, Tim bursts through the doors, his face a mask of worry and guilt. “Baby—” Tally lets go of me while a sob breaks out of her, reaching for him, and I step aside to make room. Tim leans in to kiss her head, stroking her softly while she cries. “I’m so fucking sorry, but I’m here now, I’m here. Let’s have this baby.”
Shannon smiles at me and nods, and I quietly leave the room, heading toward Nash, who stands in the door, smiling at me.
“Come here.” He pulls me into his chest, and I let the tears I was holding in from all the stress, panic, and my frayed nerves fall.
Nash is here, and everything will be all right.
“I’ve got you. You did amazing, pretty girl.” Nash pulls me in a side hug and guides me toward a waiting area, but I stop him, looking around.
“Can we wait inhisroom?” I ask, and he doesn’t even have to ask who I mean. He just steers me directly in the right direction.
After a short walk, I find myself in Saylor’s room, watching the man who is a stranger but, at the same time, part of my soul. He’s twitching, his heart rate a steady beep, and it’s evident he’s in there right now and not with me.
Time to be with him then.
I sit beside Saylor’s bed and reach out to hold his hand. Nash pulls another chair to my side, sitting down and holding my other hand, starting to tell me stories about their childhood, about how Saylor always stepped in to take the blame for shit Nash had done. I smile sadly at him, leaning my head against Nash’s shoulder, getting lulled to sleep by his soft, deep voice.
A tingle on my cheek wakes me as well as a tingling tug at my heart and a chuckle. “Wow, it must be so entertaining to visit me.”
“Casper,” I whisper, smiling and blinking my eyes back open.
“That’s so fucking fascinating, he slipped away into his potato state, and the next second, you wake up and see him?” Nash asks, awestruck.
“Hey!” I chide, slapping his shoulder. “Stop calling him a potato.”
“Oh, because you didn’t,” Saylor teases, and his smile makes my chest lighter.
“At least I called you a sweet potato,” I mutter, making them laugh.
Nash’s phone chimes, and he checks it before smiling at me. “Baby is here.”
Relief and excitement surge through me at Nash’s words.
Thank fuck.
We rise from our seats, anticipation quickening our steps as we make our way back to the maternity ward. Entering Tally’s room, the scene before us is one of pure joy. Tally, looking exhausted yet happy, cradles a tiny bundle in her arms. Tim, standing beside her, wears an expression of awe and love. And Shannon is standing on Tally’s other side, radiating love and relief. I can sense her pride and happiness.
This is what she’s been waiting for.
“Hey,” Tim whispers, his voice thick with emotion as he notices us, his eyes never leaving the small form in Tally’s arms.
Saylor, Nash, and I approach quietly, eager to greet the newest member of our little circle. Tally looks up, her eyes shining with tears of joy. “Meet our son,” she says, her voice a soft murmur, “Jesse Moore.”
“She would have loved that,” I whisper, smiling at Tally.
Honoring Jessica with that name is so Tally and proof of how good of a friend she is and how fiercely she loves you when you let her in.
I feel it every day and am so thankful for her.
Tim guides Nash and me closer, allowing us a better view of the baby. The little one, swaddled in a light blue blanket, is the epitome of innocence and cuteness. His tiny fingers curl and uncurl in sleep, his face a picture of peacefulness.
