“We love you too,” they said in unison.
I pulled them both closer, caging myself in. Fatigue took over and I closed my eyes. Somebody pulled the blanket high up to my chin and I felt myself melt into the two of them. Finally resting for the first time in days.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Cami
The last day of the workshop felt bittersweet. Saying goodbye to people I’d only known for two weeks but who felt like family now.
Elara hugged me so tightly I could barely breathe. “You better keep in touch. I mean it.”
“I will. I promise.”
Emmy pressed a piece of paper into my hand. “My number. Call me if you need anything. Doctor stuff, lifestyle stuff, or just to talk.”
“Thank you.”
Even the couples I’d only observed exchanged contact information with me, promising to stay connected through social media and the Ranch’s alumni network.
Sampson had orchestrated a massive group effort for Renee and Ezra. A huge card circulated through the room, everyone signing well-wishes for the new parents. People kept handing him cash to tuck inside.
“This is going in their diaper fund,” he announced dramatically. “Because babies go through diapers like I go through gossip. Constantly.”
A table near the entrance held gift bags. I’d added mine earlier—a balloon bouquet and a soft teddy bear for the baby. But my real gift had been ordered during lunch earlier and shipped directly to their home address. Breast pads, nipple cream, postpartum recovery essentials. Things for Renee, not just the baby. Ezra had been grateful when I’d asked for their address, mentioning how much they already had to pack into their rental car.
“Alright, everyone!” Sampson clapped his hands. “For those of us who aren’t leaving immediately, we’re going to visit Renee and the baby. However, Ezra has decreed only five visitors at a time. So we’re going in shifts.”
I looked around. Most people had already left or were in the process of packing. Only a handful of us remained.
“That’s me, Elara, Cami, Dr. Crosby, Scarlett, and Iris,” Sampson counted. “Oh, and I’m the godfather, so I don’t count toward the limit. Dr. Crosby is going separately to do a postpartum check on Renee. So we need one more person.”
“I’ll go,” Lex offered, appearing at my side. “As a chaperone.”
“Perfect!” Sampson beamed. “Let’s go meet baby girl.”
Renee and Ezra’s suite was filled with flowers and balloons, gifts piled on every available surface. Renee sat propped up in bed, looking exhausted but radiant, cradling a tiny bundle wrapped in a pink blanket.
“Oh my god,” Scarlett breathed. “She’s so small.”
“She’s perfect,” Renee said, gazing down at her daughter with absolute adoration. “Come meet Zaïre.”
We crowded around carefully, everyone cooing over the baby. She had a head full of dark curls and her mother’s nose, her tiny fists waving in the air.
“Can I hold her?” Sampson asked, already reaching out.
“Of course, godfather.” Renee carefully transferred Zaïre into his arms.
Sampson looked down at her with such tenderness that my throat tightened. “Hello, beautiful girl. I’m your Uncle Sampson, and I’m going to spoil you absolutely rotten.”
Ezra laughed from where he was arranging flowers. “I’m going to nap while you’re all here. Night shift starts at midnight, and I need to be ready.”
“Go,” Renee said. “We’ve got this.”
We settled into comfortable chaos. Scarlett and Iris sat on either side of Renee on the bed, chatting about everything and nothing. Elara perched on the window seat, taking photos. I sat in the chair near the bed, just watching everyone be happy.
Lex stood near me, his presence steady and grounding. When Renee’s water cup was empty, he refilled it without being asked. When she shifted uncomfortably, he grabbed a pillow and tucked it behind her back.
“Thank you,” I said softly when he came back to sit with me.
