Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Good riddance.
“You’re all set to go,” Dani, our primary nurse, says with a smile. “Looks like the little man is all ready.”
I pick up the tiny thing and carefully set him in the car seat. It takes some finagling, but I manage to get his squirming arms through the straps and buckle him in.
Jamie picks up the backpack and my own overnight bag I’d packed to stay with him until he was released. I shoulder the diaper bag and then pick up the car seat. Jamie scoops up the blanket lying in a chair and drapes it over the baby.
“I’m ready,” I say, letting a long breath escape.
And I am.
Ready to move on from the ugly Neena chapter of my life.
Jamie opens the door and sets the bags just inside. “I’ll check in on you later. We’ll give you all some privacy to get acclimated and to name that precious angel.”
“Thanks,” I say, giving her a side hug. “I couldn’t make it through all this shit without you all.”
Once she’s gone, I close the door behind me. I can hear voices down the hall in Spencer’s room where the door is closed. I want to burst in, but something holds me back. I gently knock.
“We’re home.”
“They’re home!” Aubrey squeaks and then wrenches open the door.
Standing behind her is my son, eyes wide and slightly terrified. He’s too young to be a father, but it doesn’t change the fact that he is one. I supposed if he can kill a man and kidnap a woman, he can take care of an infant.
I walk into his bedroom and set the car seat on the floor. Aubrey holds her hands to her mouth, darting her gaze from Spencer to the baby and then back again. He remains frozen, entranced by the sleeping baby at his feet.
“You can get him out,” I urge. “He won’t bite.”
Spencer gives a slight shake of his head as if to clear his mind and then sits cross-legged in front of the car seat. Ever so gently, as though he’s opening a gift, he unwraps the blanket and tugs it away.
“Holy shit,” he whispers. “He’s so little.”
“Same weight and length you were when you were born.”
Spencer flashes me a quick, boyish grin before turning his attention back to his son. Slowly, he unbuckles the latch and then assesses how to take the baby out of the car seat. Carefully, he moves his arms through the holes and then slides his hands beneath him.
“Support his head,” I remind him, though that’s pretty much common sense.
My son nods, not at all put off by the suggestion. Then, he pulls him out, bringing him close to his face.
“You’re so cute,” Spencer coos, awe in his voice. “We knew you would be.”
Aubrey playfully nudges him with her toe. “Don’t teach him to be a brat.”
“If he’s anything like his daddy, he’ll teach himself,” I say in a teasing tone.
Spencer continues to admire his baby and then says, “rawr,” when he sees the writing on the onesie. “T-Rex? You like dinosaurs, little buddy?”
The baby yawns wide and makes a cute little roaring sound. This makes Spencer laugh. He turns to me and says, “Rex. I want to name him Rex Nathan Park.”
My chest swells with pride for my son.
“I like that,” I encourage. “It’s a fitting name. Your pops will be pleased with the middle name choice.”
Spencer stands with his child—Rex—in his arms and hugs him to his chest. I’m in awe of my son’s unfiltered delight. Sure, he’s young, but parenthood already suits him well.
I suppose I’m a grandfather now, huh?
Although, I don’t know what the rules are when the mother is my wife.
“You don’t have to decide now, but how we proceed from here on out is up to you. We can tell the world Rex is your son, but until we sort shit out with Neena and make sure she won’t retaliate, it’ll be rocky.” I walk over to Spencer and drop a kiss on Rex’s head. “There are other options. Ways to make this smoother for everyone.”
Spencer’s gaze bores into me. “People think Rex is your son already, huh?”
“They do, but that can change. All it takes is a press release.”
“It’s going to fuck up your campaign even more than it already is because of me.”
“You did what you thought was right to protect Rex,” I assure him. “You didn’t fuck anything up. I can fix this.”
“What if you don’t and you lose?” Spencer challenges.
“Do you think I give a rat’s ass? I don’t. I want what’s best for my son and grandson. Politics are a nonissue for me.”
Spencer’s shoulders relax. “Maybe, for now, we let things stay the way they are. If you’re his ‘dad,’ then it’d be harder for Neena to come back and take him away. I can be his brother in public.” He kisses Rex’s soft head. “At home, I can be Daddy.”