With Jaxson still in my arms, I pull my cell phone from my pocket. There are a couple of calls I need to make. The first is to Troy. I think of what I'm going to say as I listen to the phone ring. I should start with an apology.
"What's up, Coop?"
"Hey man. I'm a father. Can you believe it?"
"Not really,"
I take a deep breath. Here goes. "Hey. I want to apologize for what went down at the shower."
"It's cool. I was out of line."
"No. I shouldn't have spoken to Marlena like that."
Silence.
"Will you apologize to her for me?"
"Yeah, sure."
Another long, heavy silence.
"Troy, is everything okay?"
"Yeah, why?"
"It's just, whenever I say anything about her, I don't know, you seem to weird out on me. You know what ever happened with her, it was only the one time and it happened before you guys got together."
"Everything's fine. Just do me a favor, and stop reminding me that you fucked my wife."
Whoa. Shit. Something's definitely up. But I'm not going to overstep my bounds. I'm trying to make things right, not send him off the deep end.
"So, I have a son."
"Great, just what the world needs, another womanizer."
"Those days are over, man. Long forgotten. From here on out it's Selene, me and Jaxson. No more bullshit."
"Wow, Cooper Sutton is actually settling down. Never thought I'd see the day."
"Yeah, I am. And I just wanted to say thanks for always being around when I need you."
"A boy, huh?" Finally, he's lightening up. "You just keep little fancy pants away from my little princess. No doubt he's going to be a looker, and if he has an ounce of Selene's charm . . ."
"No problem, man."
"Coop. Thanks."
"I didn't do anything."
"Yes you did, and I appreciate it. If I can get my mother to watch Mia we'll come give the little guy a proper welcome. If not I'll drop by on my own."
"You don't have to. I understand. These kids, they come along and all of a sudden your whole life changes. Just take care of your girls. And don't forget, if you need anything, I'm here."
It didn't start off too well, but it ended on a high note. Now for the next call. Never in a million years would I ever believe I'd be calling on him for a personal favor. But I know he's the right man for the job. I listen as the phone rings.
"Hey, Stephan. I have a huge favor to ask."
*
Selene opens her eyes, and I'm at her side in a heartbeat. "Hey beautiful," I say stroking her hair.
"Cooper?" she asks rubbing sleep from her eyes. "You're really here?"
"I'm really here," I take her hand in mine and squeeze it tight. "And this is where I'll be every time you wake up. You're going to see so much of me it's going to make you sick."
"I thought the drugs got to me."
I laugh, then worry she didn't mean it as a joke. "Are you in pain? Do you need something for it?"
She looks at the clock hanging over the door and shakes her head. "No. I still have half an hour."
"So what exactly happened at the pharmacy? The nurse mentioned you had a rough time."
"Oh, you mean the jerk off that held the place up? Yeah, I was in the bathroom the whole time. My water broke in there and I tried to clean myself up before I went back out, but it wasn't working."
"So he didn't hurt you?"
"No. But it all worked out because the cops were walking in when I came out. One look at me and it was pretty obvious I needed to get to the hospital ASAP, so the next thing I know I'm in the back of a police cruiser with lights and sirens blaring.
"This is the room," I hear my sister's voice. But I don't look back.
"Wait. So you weren't around at all when the guy was robbing the pharmacy? He didn't hurt you?"
"No." Selene is looking at me like I'm crazy,
Adrenaline shoots through my tensing body. I don't fucking believe it. My hands ball up into fists.
"So you weren't in any danger? Your life was never on the line?" I hear the anger tinging my tone.
"No," she says sounding confused. "Cooper, are you okay?"
"Um, I'll be right back, I have to go to the bathroom," I hear Lexi.
I kiss Selene's forehead. "I'll be back in a few."
I turn and Lexi's already gone. I dart to the door, and Noah reaches for my shoulder. We spend a moment staring each other down. My heart's racing. I need to get my hands on her!
"Go easy on her. For me."
"You're not going to stop me?"
He shakes his head. "She crossed a line. Just please, don't hurt her."
"You got it." I slap his shoulder and run out of the room and down the hall where my sister is pounding her finger into the elevator call buttons. I get there before the doors open. Just in time to wrap my fingers around her arms, drag her a few feet away, and back Lexi against the wall. I narrow my eyes at her, and I swear if it were anyone but her, I'd kill them.
"She was never in any danger. Imagine that. All that time on the plane, I was losing my mind, I even thought I was having a heart attack at one point, and she was never in any danger."
"Childbirth can be risky, and she did have a c-section."
"Lexi," I growl furious. "You knew she was fine, and still you had me think she might die. You had me worried for hours for no reason."
Lexi's eyes water. "You needed to realize that you love her before it was too late. She was going to leave you for good, and I knew you'd never forgive yourself. I just want to see you happy, Cooper. Is that so bad? For once in your life you were happy. I couldn't let you throw it away. I'm sorry."
"Oh yeah?" I yell making her jump.
Lexi nods her head.
"Thank you." I lean in and kiss her cheek before pulling her into my arms. "Thank you so much."
*
We've been entertaining visitors all day. I don't know how Selene's eyes are open, because all I want to do is crawl up in bed next to her and sleep. Once I help her adjust a very hungry Jaxson, I pick up the bag Stephan brought. He promised everything I asked for is inside.
"Hey, do you mind if I go get cleaned up a little in the bathroom? I've been in these clothes for over forty eight hours."
"About that. You look amazing in a tux."
I cross my arms over my chest. "Is that so Ms. Davis?"
"It is."
"Good. Enjoy the view. I don't know the next time you'll see me in one of these." I lean over and brush my lips against hers. When I get to the bathroom, I take one last look at the two people I love most in the world.
Ten minutes later, I come out feeling a little fresher, and smelling much better after washing up and putting on the new clothes Stephan picked up for me. He did a great job getting everything I asked for. And he did it all without making me feel like an undeserving shit. Selene is standing over the portable crib, settling our son down. I step up behind her and wrap my arms around her shoulders.
"Sick of me yet?"
"Never."
"You sure?"
"Never been more sure of anything in my life." She turns to face me. "I don't need all those traditional things to be happy. As long as we have each other, that works for me."
"You mean the house and the white picket fence?"
She doesn't let her eyes meet mine. Instead, keeping her eyes downcast she nods.
"Are you saying you don't want to marry me and live happily ever after?"