“Jake, it's me.” Kristen sounded unusually happy. “I just needed to talk to you a minute.”
He couldn't stop smiling. “That's good, you okay?” Her deep sigh troubled him. “Kristen?”
“Oh, sorry, I'm fine, just hanging out with Alicia.”
He pictured her glowing face, happy she had someone other than Logan to keep her company. “That's cool, baby. I'm glad you found a good friend. How's the baby doing?” He was counting down the days, anxious to see her again.
For a second she was thrown off. He couldn’t possibly know.
“He's fine. Still kicking up a storm. He’s a fighter like his daddy.”
Jake flinched. “What? How do you know that?” He straightened up, struggling to interpret her words.
Am I reading her wrong? It hasn’t happened yet, has it? His mind raced.
She was silent for a minute, then began a nervous ramble. “I can just tell, I have a good feeling it's yours Jake, that's all…”
Her words faded into his subconscious.
She’s hiding something. I can feel it. Maybe I should hurry up and set up the Miami deal. “I hope you're right, Kris. Just let me know if anything happens sooner, okay?” All of her lies festered in his mind, like an open wound about to burst.
“Of course I will.”
“Promise me!”
“I promise Jake. I have to go.”
It was open-ended. He sensed she wanted to tell him something else. She loved him?
“I miss you...” It was hard, but he bit back the words he longed to say. He couldn't show more vulnerability. Not yet.
“I miss you too.”
The call ended, leaving him motionless, holding onto the words that played over and over in his head. He sat relishing every syllable, tasted her lips, lost himself in the vibrancy in her eyes. When he snapped out of it, he texted Franky. He was ready to make the move, to break out of the shadows.
LOGAN/KRISTEN
The sunlight flooded in invading his space as he inched out of a deep sleep. He stretched his hand out for his cellphone. 11:30 a.m. Stunned he'd slept almost thirteen hours, he rolled out of bed, shook the hair out of his face and checked his reflection in the mirror. No more dark circles. Cool, good as new. What should I do about her? I have to find out who's baby it is and devise a plan. Hopefully her new best friend, that bitch determined to take my place, isn’t there.
He double checked his phone. Kristen hadn't called or texted. Not once. A crushing pain seared his chest. Jealousy? Rage? It was hard to tell. He never could figure out his own emotions. But one thing for sure, Alicia pushed his buttons. Hard. It would be stupid to drive over there for nothing. He dialed Kristen’s number.
It took forever for her to answer. By that time, he was lost in contemplation.
“Logan, why aren't you saying anything?”
If he was there with her he would've known how to react, but instead he found himself clueless. “You didn't call me. Why?” He sank onto the chair, a sudden debilitation stifling him.
“I didn't think you wanted me to.”
“What?” He frowned. Why does she always play these head games with me? “Is she with you?” He took a deep breath, exhaling with a loud, sharp sound.
“Alicia?”
As if she doesn’t know. He grimaced. “Yes! Who else?”
“Not yet. Visiting hours aren't until 2 p.m.”
“Good! I'm coming over then.” He bounced up, grabbing his keys. They needed to talk and figure things out without outside interference. He ended the call without waiting for a response or objections.
* * *
Kristen picked at the disgusting breakfast that as expected, had her on the verge of vomiting. Or maybe it was normal to feel queasy two days after a C-section. Whatever the reason, it was awful. They kept warning her that she wouldn't be released until she ate. But why should she go home anyway without her baby? Even though they assured her she could stay over with him, if she had to go home at all, it would be too far, too unbearable. And then there was Logan. He might try to stop her, to keep her from being with Alex.
The nurse checked her vitals. Kristen lay back, numbed and disinterested.
“Krissy, I brought you something.” Logan smiled, setting the vase of roses down next to her.
Her head jerked up. I hate it when he sneaks up on me like that! What the hell is he up to anyway? She stiffened, an unexpected dull ache spreading through her body. Were the mild drugs wearing off, or did his presence and strange attitude provoke it?
He leaned over kissing her lips, lingering longer than necessary. She broke free, self-consciously glancing at the nurse. The needle came out of nowhere. She cringed, weakening.
“Thank you. They're beautiful.” She bit down hard on her lip, desperate to stop the quivering.
Eventually the nurse had enough of her blood and left them alone. “When are you coming home?” He planted himself next to her on the bed.
“You're not supposed to be on the bed, Logan.” He never learns. And he doesn’t even ask about the baby.
“I don't give a damn what I'm supposed to do.” His arm draped around her shoulders, pulling her to him.
“Logan, you have to be careful. I don't want the stitches to pop.”
His eyes narrowed. “What stitches?” He reached for her hospital gown.
“Don't do that!” She slapped his hand, clenching her teeth. “What do you mean what stitches? They cut my stomach open! What do you think?” Flared up, her eyes challenged him. Another moment of truth.
He couldn't hide his repulsion. “Oh! I forgot!” After a few awkward seconds, he rose to his feet.
The room went silent, neither of them mentioned visiting the baby. She couldn't look at him—it was easier to stay mad that way. The need to see the baby became unbearable. “I'm going to see Alex.” She started to get up, “Do you want—”
He cut her off. “—Yeah, I want. Come on.” He took her arm, she didn't resist. The thought of the previous night when she and Alicia viewed Alex's full head of auburn-brown curls sprang into her mind. Showdown time. She walked sullenly beside him to the NICU.
All the nurses in the unit knew her, since she hung out there during every shift, the NICU her new, unforeseen home for the next two weeks at least. Unless by some unforeseen miracle, they released her baby sooner.
“Can I hold him today?”
“As long as you keep him warm, honey, okay?” The on-duty nurse handed her a velvety blanket. It was so tiny.
Kristen examined it in amazement. It looks like a doll’s blanket. “Did he get any bigger?” She lifted her hopeful eyes to the nurse, brightening from her encouraging smile.
“He's actually almost seven pounds. The blanket might be a little tight”.
Kristen's mouth fell open. “Wow, really? That's not too bad! Maybe he can go home sooner?” Her eyes flew across the nurse’s face before searching for Logan, who remained at a safe distance.
“It's possible, honey. Maybe five more days if he doesn't have a fever. But talk to the doctor later.” She took extreme care lifting Alex into Kristen’s arms and showed her how to hold his head. In awe, Kristen gently touched him, looking deep into his eyes. Light brown. And little specks of gold. Transfixed, she couldn’t move. Alex let out a few low whimpers, but didn't cry. It snapped her out of her trance, and she wrapped the blanket protectively around him, stroking a tiny hand.