“Everything went well. You’ll be in recovery for an hour or so, then we’ll move you to the ward. I hear there’s quite the audience waiting.”
I glance at Griffin, eyebrows raised. “My family?” My heart starts to race, not wanting to see them. Not wanting them near my son at all. If I felt protective before, the feeling welling inside my chest right now is enough to burn down the hospital. Being a mama bear is a real thing.
“No,” he says gently, already knowing what I’m thinking. His hand brushes mine soothingly.
“Who then?” I ask.
“Tanner. Victoria. The others. Hudson called them for me. They’ve been here for a while.”
“Really?” I blink, swallowing the lump in my throat. I didn’t think anyone would come. I thought I’d be alone. Months ago, I assumed I would be a lonely single mom with no support, going through all of this solo. But I’m not.
“I also arranged security,” Griffin adds. “No one gets to you without your say-so.”
“Security?” I frown, confused.
“I want you to be calm. Rest. Recover. Anxiety about being in the same town as your family I know isn’t going to help you. So I got a few guards in the hallway, watching things. It’s a public hospital, so they can’t stop people from coming or going, but they sure as hell can stop someone from coming into your room. So you can rest easy.”
Relief floods me. The anxiety of being back in Williamstown has been a weight on my chest for hours, although I had pushed it to the back of my mind until now.
“Thank you for doing that,” I breathe out and smile up at him. He nods, his fingers lightly caressing my hair back.
“So… a little man, huh?” Griffin grins.
“Look at his hair.” I run my finger over the soft fuzz. “And his little nose…” I bop it gently.
“Look at his little hands…” Griffin’s voice is thick. The baby’s fingers curl around one of his, the contrast almost laughable.
“You did good, sweetness. Real good.” He brushes my cheek with the back of his hand.
“Thank you, Griffin. For everything.” My voice wobbles. I’m trying not to cry again, but I’ve never been more grateful for anyone in my life.
He clears his throat, his eyes looking deeply into mine. “That was the most amazing thing I think I’ll ever experience. So, thank you.”
And I believe him. Because it was.
27
Griffin
I walk out of her room and almost stumble before I lean against the wall, my back sliding down along it until I hit the floor. My legs feel like they’ve been hollowed out. They’re jelly. The shock and adrenaline of what I experienced now pulsing through me.
I thought I’d seen it all. I’ve seen and experienced more in my lifetime than most. Violence, greed, neglect, scarcity. But I’ve never experienced the complete and utter helplessness, fear, and shock I just went through, followed by complete devotion and the overwhelming feeling of love that I do right now.
There was no way I was letting her go through that on her own. I wanted to ensure she had support, that she knew I had her back. I have no idea how women do it. I feel insignificant. It was the most insane and unforgettable thing I’ll ever witness.
I haven’t fallen for her; I crashed straight through whatever walls I had left. I love her. God help me, I love her so much, it scares the hell out of me.
“Griff.”
I look up at the familiar voice, seeing Tanner striding toward me.
“It’s a boy,” I tell him, sounding hoarse, as ten pairs of eyes blink at me in stunned silence before the hallway erupts.
“That’s brilliant!” Hudson grins. Tanner slaps me on the back, firm and proud, then extends his hand and pulls me up from where I’ve indeed fallen to my knees.
I know it’s not my baby. Hell, Savannah and I are just starting whatever it is we’re doing. But after what I just witnessed, I couldn’t even tell you what day it is.
The girls do that high-pitched squeal thing, and my head spins. A fucking baby. Savannah had her baby.
