Page 76 of Finding Forever

Kit snickers. “Did you make my husband snarl?” She holds her hand above her head. “Needs a haircut. Super tall. Sexy ink.”

She nods toward Jim. “Looks like him, but bigger? Sure did. He’s like a big ol’ teddy bear, right?”

Kit smiles. “He really is. He’s all bark, no bite. Don’t let him worry you.”

Snapping off her gloves,Mildredsmirks. “I wasn’t worried one bit. Catch you later, ladies.”

“Tink!” I smack her again when the nurse leaves. “I have too many visitors. They know that, they could kick you out, and yet, you pick fights?”

“She called me a fairy!”

“We all call you a fairy at least once a week. Your nickname is literally Tink!”

She growls. “I didn’t come up with that name. Nor did I approve it.”

Kit rolls her eyes and turns to Jimmy. “Have a nice date last night?”

She’s such a troublemaker. “It was great.” He laughs arrogantly. “Asked this hot chick to marry me. Met this other chick; love at first sight. I got a twofer and my heart grew double.”

“I bet it did.” Tink absentmindedly runs her fingers through Bean’s hair. “It’s about friggin time, but also, I wanna be maid of honor.”

“Hey!” Kit glares at her best friend. “If anyone gets to be maid of honor, it’ll be me.”’

“But I have on the job training,” Tink whines. “I crushed it last time.”

I shake my head at their bickering and work to hold back a yawn. I don’t want everyone to fuss, but I think I need to go back to bed. My vagina throbs, and not in the good way. My eyes are heavy like cinder blocks, and my head’s starting to swim.

I’ve been nursing Bean almost nonstop for most of the day, I’m exhausted, and I’m missing over a liter and a half of blood; according to my charts.

I need to eat, I need to fall on my face, and according to the blood goingupmy IV tube, I’m pretty sure I need a new bag of antibiotics.

“Bubs…” Leaning in close, Jim pushes loose strands of hair behind my ear. “Let me take you back to your room.”

I smile dazedly. It’s like he can read my mind. “I don’t want to leave her.”

“Well, you can’t pass out and fall out of your chair, either.”

I yawn wide. “You wouldn’t let me fall.” I’m so tired. “I know you wouldn’t.”

“No.” He sighs as I rest my head on his shoulder. “I won’t let you fall, but you’re almost out already. Let me take you back to bed.”

“I’ll stay with Bean.” Kit waits for me to sluggishly meet her gaze. “You just fed her not twenty minutes ago. I’ll stay. I won’t put her down once, I promise.”

“Are you sure?”

“Definitely sure. Why don’t you both go back to your room and have a nap? Send my husband in on the way past, that way I can make googly eyes at him and Bean at the same time.”

“And you won’t take your eyes off her?” Tiredness wiped clean, the thought of leaving Bean without me or Jim sends anxiety spearing through my stomach. “I need you to not take your eyes off her.”

“I promise I won’t put her down, except maybe to pass her to Uncle B if he begs enough. I double pinky promise not to take my eyes off her.”

“Come on, Bubs. Time for some sleep. Bean’s in good hands.” Jim stands and reaches for the handles on my wheelchair, but the feeling in my stomach intensifies, coils and strangles my insides.

I don’t want to leave. I literally feel sick to my stomach at the mere thought of stepping out of this room. “No, wait.” Sweat trickles along my spine and sends shivers to my toes. “No. I’m not ready. Give her back to me.” I hold my arms out in expectation. This isn’t a request. This is a demand. “I’m not done hugging her.”

“Okay.” Tink stands instantly. “Here you go, babe. It’s okay.” Doing the baby juggle, as soon as Bean’s hot skin touches mine, the sticky fingers of anxiety release my stomach and allow me to breathe again.

“Are you alright, Bubs?”

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