His face showed no emotion when he turned and walked out the door without another word.
Less than two weeks later, I visited the hospital for the second time.
For secondary postpartum hemorrhage.
I knew the truth of what had happened. Of what Mark did. But I was confused, shattered, and trapped.
He hurt and took more from me during our marriage, but not what mattered most. And over time, I learned to work around him, and to work on myself, my career, and my plan to get away from him.
But then, when Maddie arrived in Maverick Key, fate took care of Mark for me.
Now, my body is mine, and it no longer braces at every shift in the room, every male voice. I’m still healing. But I’m stronger, and it’s this little girl who’s given me that strength.
I shake off the memories and tighten my grip on Natalie’s hand.
A lot has changed in our lives, but the halls of this hospital haven’t.
We reach the room we’re looking for.
Scott’s in the corner, cradling Christopher. He’s a tall, muscular ex-Navy SEAL. It’s adorable seeing him hold his tiny baby. But as he does with most things, he holds him with confidence and seems to be a natural.
Natalie rushes to Maddie, wrapping her arms around her. Maddie squeezes her and kisses her cheek.
“You look good. Tired?” I ask her. Her face is flushed, and her swollen eyes have dark circles under them.
“A li’l bit,” she laughs.
Her best friend stayed with them last night, but I don’t see her. “Where’s Hannah?”
“Getting me breakfast. Nat, go see your cousin,” Maddie says.
Natalie hesitates, then walks over to Scott and stares at Christopher.
“Want to hold him?” he asks.
“Will he break?”
“Nah… he’s a tough guy. Come over here.” He pats the couch. “We’ll do this together.”
She sits and listens as Scott shows her how to hold a baby. Christopher coos, his little arms jerking as Natalie carefully cradles him. She looks up at Scott, uncertain.
“He wants a kiss,” Scott says.
Natalie bends down and softly presses her lips against Christopher’s forehead.
I lift my phone and take a picture.
“You know…” Scott explains. “You’re the older cousin. The two of you are the first kids of this generation in the family. He’ll be watching you to learn how to act, what to try, and who to trust. That’s a big responsibility.”
“I can do it,” Natalie says. “Cuz I love him.” She places her pinky finger in Christopher’s hand and giggles when he clutches it.
After they finish playing, I step closer and take him from her. His weight settles into my arms and feels so good. He’s a Rickter, and a Carter too. Our little family is growing.
“Your Uncle Nathan’s here too,” I tell him as he falls asleep. “And he’ll be watching over you. He’s so proud.” Christopher’s mouth twitches into a tiny reflex smile, and I smile back.
I hold him a little longer before handing him back to Scott.
Stacks of notebooks and other items sit next to Maddie’s bed.
