Page 16 of Spring UnVeiled
Taking deeper and deeper breaths, Genevieve pulled in her rampant emotions but didn’t step away from Evan.Even though they were divorced, a show of solidarity would go a long way with the C.P.S.rep.
After handing Evan back his cell phone, Ms.O’Leary looked the two of them up and down.“Ms.Hubbard, I cannot make the decision to give this beautiful little boy to you.Only the judge can do that.”
“We’re going to file joint custody.Ian is my grandson, too,” Evan interjected.
“Sir, I understand the family relationship, but again, I don’t make those decisions.”Her gaze bounced between the two of them.“But I can make several suggestions.Are you both prepared for the baby?Is his room ready with a crib, changing table, age-appropriate clothes?”She gave him a hopeful smile.“And lots of diapers?”
Genevieve’s face fell.Kylie hadn’t wanted to shop for anything baby related.So many times, Gen had suggested a quick trip to the local baby store or even shopping online but her daughter wouldn’t hear of it.
The text.She’d wanted both of them to go shopping together and prepare the baby’s room.
She exchanged a glance with Evan.Although they said nothing, they’d agreed to shop immediately for their grandson.
“There will be, by this evening.”Evan’s reassuring voice must’ve placated Ms.O’Leary if her smile was any indication.
“I’m sure you can accomplish this mission, Captain Hubbard.You will both need to file for emergency custody but that may take days, even weeks.In the meantime, the baby will have to be put into foster care as soon as he’s released from the hospital.”
Genevieve’s heart sank.She couldn’t fight the system.They had all the power.She was tired, physically and mentally exhausted.She didn’t know if she could handle any more.
A Navy captain in dress uniform strode into the nursery.“Captain and Mrs.Hubbard, I’m Captain Thomas.I need to speak with you in the hallway, please.”He forced a smile.“We need to let the babies sleep and the nurses do their job.”
He guided them into someone’s office and gestured to a small seating area.“First, I’m terribly sorry for your loss.We’ve never lost a new mother here before and trust me, I’m going to get to the bottom of this.I am personally overseeing the situation.I told the nurses that a complete autopsy will be conducted on your daughter.Unfortunately, this may take a couple days.She has become our priority, but I won’t allow my team to rush through this procedure.”
“May I…can I see her…to say…” Genevieve could hardly get the words out of her mouth.They seemed to stick in her throat.
Evan put his arm around her shoulders and turned her to look at him.“Vivi, I don’t think that’s a good idea.We’ll have plenty of time for closure during the funeral.We now need to concentrate on establishing a home for Ian and get custody of our grandson.”He glanced at the other captain.“I want your team to do a thorough job.No matter what you find, let us know immediately.When you’re ready, we’ll give our daughter a proper burial.”
Evan stood and pulled her up with him.“If there is nothing more.”
“There is.”The hospital administrator stood.“You’ve already met the C.P.S.rep.She’s required to investigate your daughter, as well as you.She’ll be asking the delivery nurses a lot of questions about your daughter, especially since she’d initially indicated that she might be interested in releasing her rights so the child could be adopted.”
He gave them an encouraging smile.“It’s not at all unusual that once the baby arrives, the mother changes her mind and decides to keep the child.Happens all the time.But I wanted you to know that C.P.S.will be asking a lot of questions and not just about you.”
Extending his hand, but never letting her go, Evan shook hands, thanked the other captain, and left.
“Let’s go home, shower, maybe even get a few hours’ sleep, then go shopping.”Evan’s confident smile, and plan, gave her hope.“We have a baby room to create and very little time.”
They’d nearly reached the elevators when Lieutenant Sanders trotted to catch up.“Captain Hubbard.Ms.Hubbard.”
Now what?Genevieve didn’t know if she could take any more.
“The baby’s temperature is slightly elevated, and he’ll need to stay here in the nursery until twenty-four hours after that temperature goes down.”
“No.”She couldn’t lose Ian, too.Genevieve ripped out of Evan’s arm and started to run to the nursery.He caught her and pulled her back.“Let me go.I need to see Ian.”
“Vivi.Look at me.”Evan was smiling.That bastard was fucking smiling.
“I’m sorry.I didn’t mean to frighten you.”Lt.Sanders apologized.She looked around the empty hall before she lowered her voice to just above a whisper.“His temperature is only ninety-nine point two, but I don’t need to give that exact information to the social services woman.It would be best for Ian to stay at the hospital rather than go to a foster home.If you work quickly, like today, within the next few hours, and petition the court for immediate custody, they should grant it to you.They’ll later have to go through the process of proving that Ms.Hubbard is fit for motherhood.Because she is a teacher within the California system, there should be no problem there.”
“As a Navy captain, there is no one who would dare consider me unfit.”Evan declared.“I no longer deploy so that shouldn’t be in question.”
Lt.Sanders smiled.“This is a Naval hospital.That baby was born to your Navy dependent.The Judge Advocate General’s office opens at eight.”
“Thank you, lieutenant.”Evan’s return smile told Genevieve that he had it handled.
“Let’s go home.”Her suggestion must have caught him off-guard because he didn’t move.Not a muscle.He didn’t even a blink.
Chapter7
