“We’ve tried reaching out to him, but he won’t respond. Your mom had a difficult time getting him to leave Emily’s side. His parents are driving here from Florida, you remember they retired there. They should be arriving anytime now and maybe they can help. No one should have to shoulder this burden alone.”
“What about his brother and sister?”
“Elizabeth offered to stay at the hospital so he could come home and rest, but he refused, saying she had her own family to worry about. Greg is in the middle of a cross country trip. Fortunately, he was already on his way home, but still won’t be back until tomorrow morning.”
“Kami?” Carrie’s best friend and also sister-in-law could be a wildcard at times but had a heart of gold. Monica was surprised not to see her.
“She and Greg are going through a nasty divorce, and she didn’t want the drama brought into the hospital.”
Monica pursed her lips. “I hope she will come to the funeral. Surely, she and Greg can set aside their differences for a day so she can pay respects to her friend. Kami and Carrie have been best friends since kindergarten.”
“I hope so, too, sweetheart. If ever there was a time to reconcile differences, this is it.”
Mom returned with a stricken expression across her face. “The Russell’s made it in, and Matt is at his house refusing to leave. The funeral home also called asking when we will finalize the arrangements. Apparently, Matt never went back after leaving the hospital.” She looked at Ron. “I told Leanne we would take care of things at the funeral home, so they can be with Matt. Maybe she can succeed in drawing her son from his despair.”
“Of course. We’ll go right now.” Ron stood to his feet. “Matt’s a good boy with a solid head on his shoulders. He’ll come around.”
Not ready to leave, Monica clenched the side of the chair. “We’ll stay here with Emily. Do you mind, Rex?”
“Not at all,” he answered in the first words he had spoken since being in the hospital. He’d made his presence known in other ways—holding her tightly to him, propping her up when her knees went weak from sorrow, allowing her the freedom to grieve as she needed.
Mom and Dad left, leaving her alone with Rex for the first time in hours.
“Your niece is adorable,” Rex said after a few moments of silence.
“Isn’t she? One day I’ll show you Carrie’s newborn picture. You won’t be able to tell the two apart.”
“I haven’t been around babies very much. When Beau was born, I was too young to remember, but I can remember Jenna as a newborn. I was such a proud big brother and kept asking mom if I could hold her. Finally, she conceded.” A dry laugh came out. “I think more to shut me up than anything. She sat me on the corner of the sofa surrounded by pillows. The second she laid Jenna in my arms I was inundated with this protective feeling, and I remember she was so tiny, even to my ten-year-old senses. I had forgotten about that until now.”
“If we marry, Emily will be your niece, too.” She hadn’t realized the implications of her statement until his eyes turned heavy.
“I’ll be proud to be her uncle.” He leaned in close, to where his breath caressed her skin. “And there’s no if about it.”
Her pulse came alive, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it.
The nurse from earlier walked into the reception area. “It’s almost time for Emily’s next feeding. Her last bottle feeding went very well, and the doctor says Emily could benefit from the interaction of her family giving her the next one. Would you like to feed her?”
Excitement coursed through Monica at the opportunity presented. “I would love to.”
“Come with me. We’ll need you to clean up and put scrubs on, and then I’ll take you to a room.”
Monica stood to follow the nurse and turned to Rex who still sat. “Are you coming with me?”
“I didn’t want to intrude on your private moment with her.”
“I want you with me. We’re in this together.” She reached her hand toward him.
He stood and accepted it, a hint of awe reflected in his gaze.
A new nurse helped them prepare and took them to a private room while the original nurse who introduced herself as Diana, went to gather Emily. Monica clutched Rex’s arm in anticipation of the first contact with her niece. In minutes, the sound of a rolling bassinet announced her arrival, and the door opened as Diana rolled in the baby.
“Why don’t you sit down in that rocking chair,” Diana suggested. Picking up a bottle, she showed Monica the markings on the side. “Ideally, she should take this whole bottle, but at minimum, she needs to take down to this mark. I will leave you alone for privacy, but all you have to do is push that button right there if you need any assistance. Do you have any questions?”
“No, thank you.”
Diana carefully lifted Emily out of the bassinet and set her gently in Monica’s waiting arms. “I’ll be back in about twenty minutes to check on her.”
Monica cradled Emily lovingly in her arms, taking a second to brush her hand over the wrinkled, feather soft skin. Her finger grazed Emily’s tiny arm, and she snuggled her closer. A tidal wave of love, fiercer than any warrior, crashed over her. She would be the world’s best aunt to Emily, no matter what it took.
