I only hope I can calm my racing heart before we get there, or I might need a doctor to examine me, too..
Chapter 35
Falling For My Baby’s Father
Phoebe
GavinlooksArcherupand down, a smirk on his face.
“Stop looking at him. I already explained.”
“Okay, but did youreally?” Gavin asks, a laugh teasing the edges of his voice. “Because I still don’t understand why you both walked in here wearing ill-fitting hospital scrubs. Archer has disposable flip-flops on, for crying out loud.”
When we rushed out of the house earlier tonight, neither of us thought to get dressed. We grabbed Lincoln and the diaper bag and ran out of my house like our butts were on fire with Archer wearing only his boxers and me wearing only a t-shirt and my winter boots. After checking in to triage at the emergency department, a nurse took pity on us. She called down to the hospital’s laundry and had one of the staff dig up some scrubs for us to wear. A drag queen waiting to see a doctor for a wig-related injury felt sorry for Archer, who was standing there with bare feet, and gave him the disposable flip-flops she kept in her purse for impromptu pedicures. After getting a better look at his unpolished toes, she also insisted he promise to visit her nail lady for a proper pedicure.
I’m sure we’re both still quite the sight.
While we waited to see a doctor, Archer called Gavin, Charlie, and my parents to update them on the situation. When we got back home six hours later, with a diagnosis of a simple cold and instructions for helping Lincoln get better, my entire family was waiting in the living for us.
“We were in a hurry.”
“I can see that,” Gavin says. “That must be why you’re wearing Archer’s shirt, huh?”
“Shut up.”
He shows me his palm. “Alright. I’ll shut up. For now.”
Presently, Lincoln is sleeping in a playpen in the living room instead of the crib in his bedroom. Archer set it up the playpen the minute we walked in the door, somehow sensing I didn’t want my baby to sleep in a separate room after the ordeal we went through. Truthfully, he seems as shaken by the trip to the emergency room as I am. As embarrassing as it was taking Lincoln to the emergency room for what turned out to be a cold, I’m so glad it wasn’t something more serious.
Sitting in the waiting room rocking Lincoln in my arms, I could barely drag in a full breath before we saw the doctor. My heartbeat is only now resuming a normal pace instead of the frantic, off-beat staccato rhythm from earlier. The adrenaline is gradually leaving my body, and I release a long, shuddering breath.
My mom comes to my side and pulls me into a hug. “Oh, honey. That must have been so scary. I remember the first time I heard you cough seriously. I threw you in the car half-dressed and broke every traffic law on the way to the emergency room. When we got to the hospital, the nurses had to give us a blanket from the warmer because your little legs were freezing.”
I choke on a combination of sob and laugh. “So you’re saying this isn’t the first time I’ve gone to the hospital sans pants?”
Gavin barks a laugh that makes Lincoln jump. He cringes and puts a finger in front of his mouth, shushing the rest of us as though he’s not the one being loud.
“Phew,” he says when Lincoln settles back to sleep on his own, wiping his brow. “That was close.”
I shoot Gavin a dirty look. “You better not wake him up. He’s had a long night.” The nap schedule is out the window for today. That goes without saying. “He needs to sleep.”
“He’s not the only one who needs to sleep,” Archer chimes in. “I’ll make some coffee for anyone who wants to hang out, but Phoebe is going to sleep. And I’m sure she wants to stay next to Lincoln right now, so she’ll be taking the couch. The rest of you can come have coffee with me in the kitchen, silently, or come back in a few hours when Phoebe and Lincoln have rested. It’s up to you.”
Charlie smirks and gets out of her seat. “I think we’ll all take the opportunity to nap, too.”
“Definitely,” Warren agrees. “It’s been at least thirty years since I’ve been able to pull an all-nighter, let alone one followed by an all-dayer. This old man needs his beauty sleep.” He comes over and kisses my cheek, placing a big hand over mine and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Everything is going to be fine, Phoebe.”
Mom gives me a hug. “We’ll be back later. Call me if you need anything.”
With relief, I drop face first onto the couch while Archer lets everyone out. My nerves are shot and I’m crashing fast. Thank goodness Archer suggested sleeping, because I desperately need it. I would have forced myself to stay awake to play hostess if everyone had stayed, but it’s nice being taken care of for a change.
Some time later, I’m roused from sleep when I feel Archer slipping behind me.
“Shhh. Go to back to sleep,” he whispers as he wraps an arm around my waist. “It’s been a long night.”
A huge yawn escapes me. “Sleep sounds perfect. Just a quick little nap,” I mumble while tucking myself more firmly under his arm. “‘Night.”
“Shhh, shh. Let’s let Mommy sleep a little longer. What do you say, bud? Yeah. That’s right. Hmm, smells like someone needs a diaper change. Great work not getting it all over, though. You’re getting better.”
