“I will, Victor. But the doctors here have been wonderful and say Jonathan will make a full recovery with enough rest. Thank you for coming today.”
“I think I’ll use the restroom in here before I leave. It’s a two-hour ride back home and I’m not as young as I used to be.”
Jack froze, panic setting in. He pressed himself close to the wall. Shit.Get yourself out of this one, stupid.What would the ramifications be to Callie and Jonathan if he was caught?
Heather’s voice broke in as the door began to open. “They told us no one except the patients were supposed to use these bathrooms, Victor. There are some down the hall for the public.”
“Nonsense. No one will know. The boy isn’t even using the bathroom. He’s wearing diapers, for pity’s sake.”
The door crept closer to him and Jack’s muscles tensed. There wasn’t much more he could do besides push Victor aside and run. As much as he wanted to kill the man so all his suffering would go away, he’d be damned if he would do it in front of his child. Maybe if he could get Victor to follow him out of the building, he might have a chance. At this point he didn’t care if he had to spend the rest of his life in jail for killing him. His son and Callie would be free from his interference.
“Victor, was that your chauffeur who walked by the room?” Heather asked.
Jack let out the breath he’d been holding as Victor retreated.
“My chauffeur? Are you sure?”
“Oh, maybe it wasn’t. It looked like him.”
“I suppose I should make sure it wasn’t. It might be something important. I’ll see you later, Callina.” Victor sounded annoyed. “Heather, a pleasure as always.”
Jack stifled his laugh. Victor wasn’t a huge fan of Heather’s. The woman was too blunt and vocal about her opinions.
Victor left and Jack waited a few more minutes as a nurse had come in. She checked Jonathan’s vitals and removed his half-eaten lunch. He moved closer to the door and when Callie’s anxious face appeared, he smiled at her.
“Are you all right, Calico?”
She nodded but the fear still remained. “I didn’t know what to do when he showed up, Jack. What if he’d seen you in there?”
“We had Heather to ward him off.”Don’t let your fear show.He looked around the room. “Where is she?”
“Right here,” Heather answered as she poked her head in the door then slipped inside, closing it behind her. “I followed him out to make sure he didn’t forget anything this time. I heard what happened the day after Jonathan’s birthday party. We didn’t need a repeat. It’s safe though, he left.”
“Thanks, Heather. See, Callie, everything is fine.”
She didn’t seem convinced and he hated to admit she was right. Things could have gone down the toilet quickly. Maybe he should leave. Jonathan was on the mend and would be out of here in a few days. The child didn’t need him sitting around watching him.
“I should go,” he said, wanting anything but. It was difficult to hide his desire to be with his son.
“Dahddy.” Jonathan’s speech was becoming clearer as he grew. They wouldn’t be able to shrug off what he said much longer. The child whined and lifted his arms in a plea to be held.
Callie moved over to pick him up but Jonathan frowned and held his arms out for Jack. “Dahddy, pease.”
He glanced over at Callie who shrugged and nodded. “Since he’s been sick, he seems to want you. If you leave, he’ll just be cranky and whiny and drive me nuts. You should stay.”
Narrowing his eyes, he said, “Well, when you put it so nicely, how can I refuse?”
An indulgent smile appeared on her lips. “You can’t refuse because he’s your son and you’d do anything for him.”
True. Throwing back a smile, he scooped Jonathan up in his arms and settled on the bed with the child in his lap. His heart clenched when the boy snuggled against him, happy noises coming from his mouth. Yeah, he couldn’t refuse this.
Callie and Heather set about tidying up some of the cards and gifts that had come in from friends. Jonathan looked up and reached for his stuffed animal when Callie picked it up. Walking over, she handed it to him but he took her hand and pulled her to the bed.
“Mama, sit. Mama, Dahddy, me.”
She sat on the bed next to him and Jonathan wrapped one arm around her neck as well. He pulled so the two adults were snuggled tightly together with him in between. Jack wouldn’t complain about this set up. He liked being close to Callie.
“Mama, Dahddy, me.” The volume of Jonathan’s voice rose, sounding stronger than it had in days. He was glad the boy was getting better. If his presence helped that along, he’d take the risk and stay. Leaning back against the pillows, he pulled Callie back with him. Their son lounged in between, happy and snug.
Heather placed some flowers on the windowsill then smiled down at the threesome. “You all look like you have everything you need. I’m simply extra baggage. I’ll take off. Let me know if you need anything.”
Callie started to protest then stopped. No one argued with Heather and won. Maybe she’d also come to the same conclusion as he had. Heather was right. He, Callie and Jonathan, right here in this bed. They had everything they needed.
