Before opening the door to leave, I glanced over my shoulder to see Dash had closed his eyes and wore the most serene smile as he gently rocked our baby. The sight filled my heart with so much love I thought my chest would explode.
I walked down the hall to Lake’s recovery room. Her parents had been keeping her company after she woke up while Dash helped the nurses care for our daughter. Due to the bandages, I’d only been able to watch.
Nurse Lani had taken her little footprints before she taught Dash how to give Grace a bath. Nurse Angela and I had filled out the application for the birth certificate. The whole process had been awe-inspiring, and once we’d learned how to swaddle our daughter, Dash had gone to check on Lake. Now it was my turn to extend my thanks for everything Lake had done for us.
Stepping to the half-open door, I heard the soft murmur of the television. I saw the room was empty, and I guessed maybe Lake’s parents had taken a break to get something to eat. I stepped inside and glanced around the corner, seeing Lake watching a show. “Knock-knock. Can I come in?” Lake’s big smile put me at ease.
“I’ve been dying to see you. Dash told me you named her Grace. How is she?” Lake grabbed the controller and lifted the head of the bed a bit before adjusting herself. She’d had major surgery on her belly, but she didn’t appear to be in pain.
“She’s sleeping on Dash’s chest. You’ve both had quite a day. How are you, my dear friend?”
Lake giggled a little. “I’msooosorry I burned down your home. I didn’t think a grilled ham and cheese sandwich would flame like that, Keir. I mean, when I put the sandwich in the skillet, the butter flamed, scaring the crap out of me. Then mywater broke and I hit my head as I fell. I can’t tell you how terrible I feel.”
I reached for her hand, my left hand still covered in gauze. “That building isn’t our focus. Grace, you, and Jamie are all we care about, Lake. If you need anything, you know we expect you to tell us. You’ve given us the most precious gift we could ever get. You are family to us, and you know how much we love our family.”
Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes. “Thank you. You and Dash are important to us too. Since we’re going to stay with Mom and Dad for a while, why don’t you guys stay at the condo while you figure out where to live? Do you think you’ll rebuild?”
“I’m not sure yet. Thanks for the offer of the condo, but I think we’ll stay in a hotel for a while. Do you want us to pack some clothes and things and bring them to your parents’ place for you and Jamie? You’ve already given us a lot of your time. We won’t run you out of your home.” Carrying our baby for nine months was already asking a lot of Lake. I couldn’t ask her for anything more.
“Oh, it’s been my pleasure, really. Don’t worry. Mom and Dad went to get some things for us. I only plan to stay with them for a week or two. I want to get Jamie back in school when the new year starts. Anyway, that little princess has ten fingers and ten toes, right?” I could see Lake was getting tired, so I decided to leave.
“She is perfection. You did a fantastic job keeping her safe and loved. Thank you, Lake. Look, whether I rebuild Dearly & Son or start at a new place, you’ll always have a job working with me. You’re a true artist at applying makeup and doing hair, and I don’t want to lose you. I’ll keep paying your salary until I figure out what I’m doing. I expect you to contact me if you need anything at all, okay?” I meant the words with my whole heart.
“Can I drop by the nursery to see Grace when they get me up? She and I are very good friends, having spent so much time together. And Jamie, of course. We used to take turns reading to Grace at night. We’ll miss her, but I’m so happy for you and Dash.”
I lifted Lake’s hand and kissed her knuckles. “Of course you can come see Grace. We take her home—wherever that is—on the thirteenth. I’ll let you know where we land so you can come see her anytime you’d like.”
Lake’s eyes were sagging, so I quietly made my way to the door. There was a noise behind me, and when I turned, I saw Jo standing by the bed in her angelic form with a gentle smile on her face as though she were there to protect Lake as she rested.
“Now is the time, Keir. I already have beings in place to take care of Grace and Lake. You’re needed elsewhere.”
I nodded, having no doubt Lake and Grace would be in exceptional hands.
Chapter Fourteen
Dash
I couldn’t believe I was holding our sweet baby girl in my arms. There was quiet chatter from the nurses caring for the other newborns, but it wasn’t intrusive.
A knock on the nearby glass caught my attention. I opened my eyes to see Jonas standing on the other side. I slowly got up and took Grace to the glass, turning her so Jonas could see her. He grinned and took a picture of the two of us with his phone.
“I need to talk to you.” He held his thumb and index finger to his ear to simulate a phone, and I nodded.
I held up my finger for him to give me a minute, carrying Grace back to the small acrylic bed and swaddling her. She sighed andmoved her little mouth in a sucking motion before falling right back to sleep. I’d fed her a tiny bottle earlier, and it seemed she was still satisfied. I had a lot to learn about babies.
I pulled on my shirt and walked over to Leilani, or Lani, as she’d introduced herself. She’d been the one who’d taught me to bathe Grace. “I’m just going to step out for a minute. I swaddled Grace and put her back in her crib. I won’t be long.” Lani nodded, so I stepped out to speak with Jonas.
“How is she?” Jonas’s gaze was locked on Grace in her little plastic bed.
“Perfect. When she was born, I could have sworn I’d heard angels sing—or a vicious scream from somewhere else. Anyone heard from Lilith? She was going to talk to Lucifer.”
“I haven’t heard from her, but we’re not exactly on the same side. Never trust a dark lighter, Dash. Jo’s with Lake right now. Seems they became close while they were in hiding. Anyway, Scotty and Jay are headed to Normandy. When can you and Keir get away? All signs point there for the battle. I’m heading out when I leave here.”
“We can’t leave! We just had ababy!” Was he insane?
“You and Keir must go, Dash. Now is the time. I’ll be right back.” Jonas hurried out of the scrub room and disappeared, just as Keir returned.
“How’s Grace?” He stopped next to the sink and began to wash his right hand. I quickly pumped some soap to help him.
