Chapter 22
It’s been six weeks since I delivered Darla’s baby girl and she is doing great. Her NAS is slowly going away, and once they have her completely weaned from the methadone she will be released from the hospital.
I’ve sat with her every day since her mother left her, watching her tremors, excessive crying, and jitters. I’ve fed, changed, bathed, and comforted her. I’ve become attached to this little dark-haired baby with the best smell, olive skin, button nose, and pouty lips. I’m going to miss her so much when she’s released. I fight to hold back the tears just thinking about it as I hold her in my arms.
She finishes her bottle, so I set it down and lift her up onto my chest as I begin patting her back to burp her. “You’re a natural with her, Doctor Greene.” The nurse comes up beside me.
“Thanks. I just want her to know people care. Even if her mother didn’t.” I lay my cheek on her head for just a moment.
“Have you ever thought about adopting her?” The nurse pushes the methadone into her IV. We have to do our best to keep this little girl comfortable as she goes through the process. That includes low lighting, being held more than regular babies, and being in a quiet surrounding.
My brows pull down. “No. Could I?”
She shrugs. “I don’t see why not. If you would be interested, talk to social services.”
“Yeah, I might.” She lets out a big burp and we both start laughing. I rock her to sleep and lay her back down. I kiss her head. “I’ll see you tomorrow, baby girl.”
I rush to meet Hacker, Cash, and Mark at the house. Hacker moved in a few weeks ago and things between us are amazing. Cash loves having him around and they have this bond between them that is unbelievable. I’m so happy Cash has a male figure around to do the guy things with that Mark isn’t able to do with his son.
“Hey, Red.” Hacker gives me a chaste kiss when I walk over to the driver’s side door. “Mark has his suitcase ready to go.” After the day Mark took off I fired Heather and was looking for a replacement, but Hacker volunteered. We still had Shelly on at night because of us managing Stilettos, but last weekend was it for the weekend caregiver.
Cash and I found a great place for Mark and we had to wait for a room to open, but today he moves into the nursing home. I think it helped Cash that he was involved in the process and he liked the place we chose. He knows his father isn’t being taken away from him and that we can visit whenever we want. They even have a fenced-in area where he can go outside to walk around. That makes me feel better; I don’t feel like I’m dropping him off at a place where he’s going to be locked up and thrown away. The staff is so nice, and I believe wholeheartedly that they will take amazing care of him.
We all get out of Hacker’s truck and walk inside the facility. We get the code to go inside the Alzheimer’s unit, and we are greeted by the nurse, aides, and the head of human services. “Welcome.”
“Thank you,” I tell them as Mark looks around.
They show us to his room, where I unpack his clothes and personal items, and he talks with Cash. We stay awhile, letting him get comfortable, until it’s time for us to go.
Tears cascade down my cheeks as my brother hugs me tightly. “I love you, Sisi.”
“I love you, too.” I cry into his shoulder.
“It’s going to be okay. It was time.” He gives me his approval.
“I know.” I nod and try catching every tear that falls, but it’s impossible. “We will come see you tomorrow.” I kiss his cheek and let him go.
“Hey, Cash. I want you to know I will always love you.” He pulls his son in for a hug. Mark’s eyes begin to water and so do Cash’s.
“I love you, too, Dad. I’ll come every day!” Cash hugs him tighter.
Mark looks at Hacker. “Take care of them.” He holds his hand out.
Hacker takes it in his and they shake hands. “Always.”
The drive home and the rest of the evening is silent. Later into the night, after Cash is in bed sleeping, Hacker and I relax on the couch.
I take a sip of my wine. “Have you ever thought about having more kids?”
“I hadn’t, why?” His brow cocks as he stares at me.
“You remember that baby I delivered that was addicted to heroin?” I run my finger around the rim of my glass.
“Yeah.”
“I didn’t tell you this, but the next morning her mother was gone. She abandoned her baby and I’ve been going every day to the NICU.”
His eyes widen in surprise. “You have?”
I nod. “Yeah, and she’s going to be released as soon as she’s weaned from the methadone, but I don’t know where she’ll end up. I’ve gotten attached to her, Hacker.”
He pulls me closer, so I can lean on his chest. His fingers skim over my shoulder back and forth. “And you want to adopt her?”
I bite my lip and nod. “Yeah, I think so.”
“And you know we’re gonna be old as shit by the time she grows up, right?” He smiles, laughing a little.
I slap his arm and laugh, but then I realize what he said. “You would be okay with it?” I tilt my head to the side a little.
“Yeah, I think so,” he repeats my words. “From now on, we go together to see her. Understood?”
“Yeah.” I smile ear to ear. “I love you, Hacker.” I lean in close, crashing my lips to his.
He pulls back. “I love you, too, Red.” He stands from the couch, picks me up, and begins carrying me.
“What are you doing?” I laugh.
“Gonna show you just how fuckin’ much.” His lips touch the crook of my neck, and all of the stress from today washes away.
Hacker and I wake up early so I can take him to meet the baby girl that has stolen my heart. He shuts his bike off, we both climb off, and the first thing I notice are the five police cars parked at the entrance.
“What are the cops doing here?” I absently question with my brows pulled down. We continue walking inside of the hospital, taking the elevator to the fifth floor, and entering the NICU.
The police are surrounding the nurse’s station. “What the fuck is goin’ on?” Hacker asks with a hushed tone, mirroring my expression.
“I don’t know.”
The nurse who is here most of the time sees me and moves around the police. “I’m so sorry, Doctor Greene, but the baby has been stolen.”
I shriek, “Stolen!”
She nods frantically. “We don’t know who took her. It happened between shift change, and the cops have been here just questioning all of us. They need to find her! She needs her medication!” The nurse’s expression turns terrified, and tears leak down her cheeks.
“Hacker.” I turn my attention to where he was just standing, but he’s not there. Looking over, I spot him standing off to the side with a sheriff, in a heated discussion.
My mind begins spinning, my stomach turns, and I begin to lose it. They have to find her! What if something has happened? Oh my God, what if… Tears cascade down my cheeks, and I grip the nurse’s desk, falling to the floor and sobbing hysterically. “My baby! They have to find my baby!” I wail. “Why didn’t anybody call me?”
The nurse bends down in front of me. “I couldn’t call with you not having any rights to her. I’m sorry.”
Hacker falls to the floor beside me and pulls me into his chest as I cry uncontrollably.
“Shh, I’m going to find her,” he promises.
I nod, break away from him, and frantically try to dry my tears. “You have to go! You do whatever you have to do to bring her back! I’m serious, Hacker, I don’t care what it takes. The mother’s name is Darla Holt, 29 years old. Go!” I push at his chest.
He quickly stands and runs out of the NICU.
I stay on the floor, hoping and praying he can bring her back.