The doc had some great news to share and I was glad Iron was there.
Five days in this place. Five days of being stressed out and unsure of what was really going to happen. Five days of being alone, basically. All the while, waiting to see what the next day would bring.
But we wouldn’t be here for the sixth day.
Sparrow was eating well and had gained enough weight that the doc felt confident it was time she could leave.
I actually hugged the poor guy.
In a few short hours, we would be home.
“Uh, Iron,” I said after the doctor left the room.
“I got you,” he said with an easiness in his tone. “I’ll take your bike back to the compound. SUV is out in the parking lot out front and already has a car seat in it. Just worry about gettin’ that little angel home to the compound and I’ll make sure the rest is taken care of.”
“Thank you,” I said and there might have been tears in my eyes.
He patted me on the back as a way of comfort.
We switched keys and he turned to leave.
“Laurel gave me some clothes to bring to you. Guess it was some stuff she picked up for her and B-ry’s kid but she said you need it more. I didn’t tell everyone, but I felt the table needed to know what was going on. B-ry wanted to help so of course, he told his old lady.” He pointed to the bag he’d left on the table next to the door. “Damn, this chapter is going to be flooded with kids if you guys keep it up.”
He didn’t sound all that unhappy about it and I couldn’t help but to let out a tired laugh.
“Thank you,” I told him. I wasn’t mad. I really had no right to be and I was grateful for the help. Fuck knew I needed it, that was for sure.
“Call me for anythin’. I fuckin’ mean it, Mouse. Don’t ever pull this shit again,” he said firmly.
I nodded feeling like I had disappointed him in so many ways.
Then he was gone.
Now we got to play the waiting game.
And finally, three hours later, I was putting Sparrow in the SUV. Took me a good fifteen minutes to find the damn thing and my heart was racing the entire time because I hated leaving Sparrow alone. It didn’t matter that I knew she’d be fine with the nurses watching over her, it still made me feel itchy.
Back at the compound, it took a little while to get settled in my room. There were things everywhere. A pen-type thing that looked like it might double as a bed and changing table or something was sitting next to the bed. I’d have to find the instructions later and figure out what each part of it was. Luckily, it was already set up and good to go. I shook it a few times just to make sure. There were boxes of diapers on the floor as well as a stack of clothes and blankets sitting on the edge of my bed. As I touched the soft fabric, I figured they had been washed too. There was also the same kind of formula that I had been using in the hospital and I wondered if Iron had run out and gotten that on the way back to the compound. The man was sly like that.
Tears filled my eyes as I took it all in.
I flopped down on the edge of my bed feeling completely wiped out. Sparrow had fallen asleep on the drive over here and she didn’t look like she’d be waking up any time soon. I debated on trying to get a little nap in, but found myself reaching for my phone instead.
How the hell did I even explain this to Ingram? How was I going to get her to forgive me?
I couldn’t blame her for being mad. Hell, I wouldn’t even blame her if she never talked to me again. This was the second time I fucked up. If she did let me back in, I knew for sure there would never be a third because I’d rather give my life than fuck up again.
I should have called. She deserved that much. But not only did I send her a text, I asked her to come to me.
Big dick move right there.
I felt bad about it but I couldn’t wait any longer to talk to her and I wasn’t ready to drag Sparrow back out. And I really didn’t want to drive with her all the way to the beach.
I hoped Ingram didn’t hate me too much.
