The doctors came and told us that neither Cleo or Baby Lacey would be up for visitation until morning. Everyone looked around the room and I was reminded that I need to go back to my own room to rest. Everyone else minus Ethan decided to leave and return in the morning.
While I slept, Mark stayed by my side. My body was sore. I needed to rest so I could properly take care of my daughter, the nurses reminded me. As soon as I woke up, I asked about her and they said that her oxygen had dipped a little during the night but as long as it stayed where it was now, we could see her at noon.
Slowly everyone began reappearing shortly before lunch. I got out of bed and back in the wheelchair. I felt more sore than I did the night before.
With everyone gathered in my room the conversation moved to Cleo and the accident. Eventually the other victims came up. A somber mood fell over the group once again.
“I feel terrible about them,” I said. Mark squeezed my hand and nodded.
“Chris was destined to go out like that. It was a shame he was able to drag others down with him. Maybe they’ll all finally find peace.”
The memory of Holly fighting him, not wanting to get in the car made me almost cry again. She could have lived. She didn’t have to die. I wanted to tell them all, but then a nurse came into the family room and told us that Cleo and baby were ready for guests.I asked them to bring the baby to Cleo’s room so we could all visit together. She nodded and left us.
Ethan shot up and cleared his throat.
“Uh, guys, before we go... Cleo doesn’t know about anything. I didn’t get the chance to see her when she got here and told them to not tell her if she asked. I don’t want to stress her mind or body out more than it is already. Give it a day or so and I will tell her about Chris and the others.”
Everyone nodded and murmured various agreements. He had a good point. Mark wheeled me out first and the others followed us out. We piled into the hallway and paused at her door. I giggled, hearing Cleo’s voice. It was hoarse, but still uniquely and beautifully hers.
“No, no, no. Leave her there. I want her mom to be the first one to hold her.”
Mark and I exchanged a look before he knocked and wheeled me in.
Cleo’s face lit up, although her body didn’t move.
“How are you feeling? No one would tell me anything,” she frowned. As she spoke you could see the exhaustion in her face. She had a cut on her cheek and her lower lip had been stitched up. I shook my head. Even in her state she was still worried about everyone else.
People exchanged glances but said nothing. I forced a smile.
“I’m okay. Super sore, and I’ve got a concussion, but nothing major. How are you feeling?”
She rolled her eyes. “Well, I’ve felt better,” she said. Everyone chuckled.
“They said my scar is gonna be pretty gnarly. I’m kind of curious,” she joked, looking down at her slightly deflated stomach.
“How was it? Were you awake?” Chase asked from where he sat with his family. She shook her head.
“No, I was losing too much blood. I can only imagine how everyone else is looking right now. Are they arresting anyone? Have you seen the cars?”Her voiced cracked and Ethan touched her shoulder, urging her to lay back down. He gave us a desperate look. She was getting too worked up already.
“Yeah, my car’s totaled. Thanks. I just got that thing,” Adrian let out an exaggerated groan. I noted how he side stepped her questions about the passengers in the other car. Before anyone could avoid any more questions there was a small cry on the other side of her.
My heart stopped. My stomach rolled. Everything froze. That was- her. Our baby. I let out a cry myself and Mark reached for me quickly. I squeezed him tightly, my eyes not leaving the little basket she was in. I couldn’t see her from this level, but her fussing was making all the attention in the room go to her.
Cleo smiled weakly.
“She knows you’re here.”Her words seemed to take everything out of her. She leaned back and let out a deep sigh of pure exhaustion.
I looked up at the tiny woman who created the baby in the bed. She was beautiful. She had just gone through hell. Her hair was a mess, she had scratches all over her face and her makeup had run down her face from hours of crying, but she was beautiful. She gave us the greatest gift anyone could give us.
Mark nudged me. I looked up and he wiggled his eyebrows.
“What do you say? You want to meet her together?”
I squeezed my lips tightly and then nodded quickly. Yeah, yeah I did.
Mark wheeled me over to her little plastic bed. I leaned forward and fell in love.
She was amazing. She was the cutest thing I had ever seen. She was struggling against the pink blanket wrapped tightly around her. Mark leaned down and kissed my hair.
