201 Home Sale

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291 Home Safe

(Winona)

We're finally back. The penthouse feels strange after everything we've been through. It's a little surreal. Cass is in the hospital for observation. I know she'll have some struggles after being captive and drugged.

I'm sure it will take time to deal with it all. But we're home and she is getting the best care, and that's all that matters right now.

I walk over to the windows, looking out over the city. It's getting dark, and the lights below are starting to flicker on. For the first time in days, I can actually breathe and relax.

"Henry's looking good. That virus is all but cleared up." Jayden says, stepping up behind me.

He wraps his arms around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder. "Doctor says he's feeding well, breathing on his own, and all the tests came back perfect."

"Really?" I lean into him, feeling some of the weight lift off my chest. "That's... that's amazing. I wasn't sure we'd ever get to this point."

"I know." Jayden kisses the side of my head. "But we're here. They're talking about taking him off all the wires tomorrow, maybe even a real bath and getting him dressed in a full outfit."

"That is exciting. And nerve-wracking. I used to be worried I'd let Abby slip when she was a baby in the bath. I think I'll need rubber gloves for tiny Henry."

"Tomorrow he is out of isolation, so we can give him his first real bath. Soon he'll be coming home."

I turn in his arms, facing him, searching his eyes. "Does that mean.... Can we finally introduce him to the kids?"

Jayden nods, his eyes softening. "Yeah. I think it's time.

My heart does this weird flip thing. The idea of Abby finally meeting her baby brother-of Bobby and Sarah seeing him for the first time-it's almost too much. I've wanted this for so long, but now that it's actually happening. I'm kinda terrified too. "What if... what if they don't handle it well?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. "What if-7"

Jayden pulls me closer, his forehead resting against mine. "We're ready. We've been through hell, and we're still standing. This is the easy part."

I let out a shaky breath. "Easy, huh?"

He grins, that cocky, confident look I've missed so much. "Surely easier than rescuing ass from a cartel."

I snort, shaking my head. "Way too soon to joke. You're so bad."

"But you love me."

I smile up at him, my fingers curling into his shirt. "Yeah, I do."

Jayden leans down, kissing me softly. "Tomorrow we'll take the kids. I think it's time for them to meet their baby brother."

201 Home Sale

"Awesome."

"Tonight, is just for you and me." He kisses me deeply.

"Even better," I say with the ragged breath of desire.

We walk into the hospital the next morning. Abby holding my hand, her eyes wide with exciternent. Bobby and Sarah trail behind with Jayden, looking more nervous than excited. I get it. We've all been through so much in such a short time, and they're still adjusting to the idea of Henry.

"Is he still really tiny?" Abby asks, looking up at me with those big, curious eyes.

"He's still very small, but he's been getting stronger every day and he has grown a lot in three months," I tell her. "And today, you get to see him take his very first bath."

"Really?" Abby's face lights up, and she practically bounces on her feet. "Can I hold him?"

1 glance at Jayden, who nods. "We'll see, sweetheart. Maybe we can start with just saying hi first. Make sure we all

e our hands."

Abby grins, and we make our way through the hospital halls. We reach Henry's room, and excitement fills me. Not so long ago I wondered if I'd ever get the chance to be a mother to Henry. The nurse smiles as we walk in. "You guys are just in time. We're about to take him off the last of the

monitors."

I swallow hard, my eyes darting to Henry, who's lying in the incubator, his tiny chest rising and falling 'steadily. There are some wires still attached to him, but not for long.

Jayden squeezes my hand as the nurse gently unhooks the monitors, her movements quick and practiced. Within minutes, Henry is free from all the machines.

"He's ready to meet his family," the nurse says, stepping back with a smile.

I blink back tears, looking down at my baby boy. He's so small, but he looks so much healthier than the last time I saw him. I reach down, carefully picking him up, cradling him in my arms. He is just the most gorgeous little fellow.

"Abby," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "Come meet your brother."

Abby steps forward, her eyes wide as she looks at Henry. "He's so tiny," she says, her voice full of awe.

"He'll get bigger," Jayden says, stepping up beside her. "But for now, he's just... perfect."

Abby reaches out, gently touching Henry's hand. His tiny fingers curl around hers, and she gasps. "He's holding my hand!"

Bobby and Sarah move in closer, watching quietly. Sarah's eyes are soft, her lips trembling as she stares at Henry. Bobby looks a little more unsure, but I can see the curiosity in his eyes. "Do you guys want to say hi?" I ask, shifting Henry in my arms.

Sarah nods, stepping up beside me. She reaches out, gently stroking Henry's cheek. "Hi, Henry," she

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whispers.

Bobby doesn't say anything, but he stands a little closer, his arms crossed over his chest. I don't push him. This is a lot for all of us. And teens are hard to get emotion out of at the best of times. "He's beautiful," Sarah says, her voice shaking.

I smile down at her. "Yeah, he is."

We stand there, all of us huddled around Henry, this tiny little miracle that somehow brought us all together. Everything's going to be okay.