Page 124 of Missing Marcus

“She’s the best. Gabby’s in good hands. We got her here in time,” Patch assured him.

“She’s gonna die. Her mom died giving birth to her. Gabby told me she didn’t see herself holding the baby.” Panic hit him. Dark spots clouded his vision.

“Awww, shit. I’m gonna pay for this.” Patch reared back and smacked him hard in the jaw.

“What the fuck did you do that for?” Knight asked as he shook his head and held his face. Rage filled him and he punched Patch in the nose.

“Fuck,” Patch swore as he stomped his feet. “I’m getting hazard pay from this, asshole.”

Knight shoved him. “My wife’s dying and you picked a fight with me?”

“No. Your wife’s fighting for her life and you’re acting like you don’t have responsibilities. They took your son to the NICU. Michael’s already down there. Man up. You’re a dad, now. What does Gabby want you to do?”

“She made me promise to take care of him,” he responded, recalling the vow he made her. “I can’t leave her.”

Patch grabbed a tissue and stuffed it up his nose. “I’ll check on her every ten minutes. Keep your phone on and go see your kid.”

Knight hesitated.

“Gabby’s gonna make it,” Patch said firmly. “Keep the faith. She fought until we got to her.”

He swallowed and nodded before walking to the small unit where his son lay in a tiny plastic crib. Michael examined the infant from head to toe.

When he finished, he scooped the child in his arm and carried him to Knight. “Congratulations, Knight. You have a perfectly healthy baby boy. Did you and Gabby decide on a name yet?”

He shook his head. “No. Gabby’s in surgery. Can I wait until she wakes up to name him?”

“Absolutely. Kimberly, my pediatric nurse will stay with him. Whenever Gabby wakes, she’ll bring him over to meet his mom.”

He stared down at his child and smiled. He passed him back to Michael, shrugging off his vest and unbuttoned his shirt. “I read skin to skin is good for newborns. Does it matter if it’s me or Gabby?”

Michael smiled. “No. It only matters you’re doing it.”

Knight put the baby up to his skin and kissed his soft head. Michael placed the baby blanket around him. “Kimberly will take him when you visit your wife.”

Knight nodded as he counted his son’s fingers and memorized his face. He wanted to tell Gabby the baby did have his nose. She was right.

Bryanna walked in and sat beside him. “Congratulations, big brother.” She leaned against his arm and smiled at the baby. “Awww, he’s got Gabby’s nose.”

Knight laughed and held his child closer, praying his mama woke to decide for herself.

Kassie entered the room. “Patch checked on Gabby. He reported they gave her blood and they’re working on stabilizing her.” She sighed. “I promised to tell you word for word, please don’t be offended. “Hey Asshole, your wife’s a fighter. Stop worrying. Doc and Dr. Beecham have it under control.”

Knight snorted. He watched as the women of Serenity congregated in the hall to greet his little one. Soon his new team arrived. Saint led the men as he approached his wife, brother-in-law and nephew. “Congratulations, Knight. How’s Gabby?”

“She’s fighting.” Someone handed him a cup of coffee and he drank it after glancing up to make sure Victoria didn’t hand it to him.

The clock ticked on while they all waited for news. Knight fed his son and Bryanna snapped photos for him. When he saw Doc walking toward him, he passed the baby to his sister.

“How’s she doing, Doc?” he asked as he held his breath, bracing for bad news.

“She’s in recovery. Gabby’s weak, but her vitals appear steady. Dr. Beecham asked me to bring you down. Kimberly will bring your son in a few minutes.”

Knight followed him to the recovery room. Patch stood in the corner, watching over his wife.

Dr. Beecham entered the room. “She lost some blood. We’re giving her fluids and replenishing blood to prevent shock. We’re giving her extra oxygen and surgically removed the placenta tissue from her uterus. We’ll keep her here a while. She woke up for a minute and fell back under, but it’s expected. She’ll wake soon. Under the circumstances, only two visitors at all times and the baby can visit Mom when she feels up to it.”

“Thank you,” he murmured and took his wife’s hand.

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