“I want her alive when I get back,” I demand.
“You’re not really gonna let them do anything to me?” Glitter shrieks.
Ignoring her, Soul nods. “She’ll be breathing.”
“Thanks.” I turn to walk away, but then a thought occurs to me. “Call the cops and tell them they can call off the search, willya? Make up some story about how we found him. I don’t really care as long as Ivory and I don’t have to deal with them.”
“Sure thing.” Prez smiles. “Go. Put your family back together, Daddy.”
“You got it, brother.”
CHAPTER 32
IVORY
“We can’t keep callinghim Peanut.”
Spike and I have been having the same argument for the past couple of weeks. I stroke my fingers over Peanut’s arms and legs as he sleeps in the incubator. To keep me from going crazy during the surgery, Spike told me about his childhood and the abuse he suffered. No child should have to endure such trauma. After I threatened to find his parents and kill them with my bare hands, he reminded me about Lonnie Jacks, his mentor and pseudo-father.
Lonnie gave Spike a second chance at life. Now, our son is getting the same second chance.
“Jack,” I whisper under my breath, testing it out. It’s perfect.
I sneak a peek at Spike, who’s staring at our son with adoration. He must sense me staring at him because he lifts me out of the chair and sits down in my place before planting me on his lap. I curl into his chest as we watchJack’slittle chest rise and fall.
“He’s gonna be strong,” Spike murmurs in my ear, rubbing my back. “Just like his mama.”
“Jack’s gonna be a protector like his daddy.”
Spike tips up my chin. “What’d you say?”
“I said Jack’s gonna be a protector like his daddy.”
Spike presses his mouth to mine, gently at first, but it slowly builds into an all-consuming kiss. He stops the kiss before we get kicked out of the NICU.
“Jack, huh?” Spike grins.
“I take it you like the name,” I tease.
“Fucking love it.”
“I love you,” I blurt.
“Ivory,” he says, his voice cracking. “I don’t deserve you.” He presses a finger against my lips to keep me from interrupting. “I’ll spend the rest of my life being the best husband to you and father to Jack and however many more kids you’re gonna give me. I love you, too.”
A tear slides down my cheek, and Spike kisses it away. “Husband, huh?” I cross my arms. “I don’t remember you proposing.”
Spike smirks. “Don’t need to. I’m telling you. It’s happening.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
Spike lifts me off his lap and stands up. “Let’s get some food.” Spike tugs my hand, but I hesitate. “You need your strength. You’re still healing, too.”
Him and his damn logic.
I let him lead me to the cafeteria where we each grab a slice of pizza. After spending almost a month at the hospital, we know which food is edible and what to avoid at all costs. Pizza and salads have become a staple in our diets.
