“Ryder it is. I still really like Chaos though.” Hunter said and Ryder smirked.

Hunter and I both started laughing. “Ryder Chaos McCormick.” I liked it and was sure Cooper would be thrilled that we kept the name he picked out.

“Ryder Chaos McCormick.” Hunter repeated.

“I think Coop’s going to be happy we kept his silly name.” I kind of liked it too though, and I would make sure I told Cooper.

Hunter and I chatted for a little while before my eyes grew heavy. He grabbed the baby from my arms and placed him back in the bassinet before climbing back into bed with me.

I was lying in bed with CC, holding her while she slept. I knew she was in pain and I was glad they were giving her medicine to make her comfortable, but I wanted to keep talking to her. I’d missed her so much. I was glad she’d gotten over her fear of Ryder, when I handed him over to her I hadn’t realized it was the first time she had seen him. I’d just assumed, and you know what they say about people who assume shit.

There was a tap on the door and Dr. Stopper walked in with Lynn behind her. “Just wanted to give you the paperwork for the baby’s release, but we need a name before we can do that. Have you and MacKenzie decided on one yet?”

I untangled myself from CC and sat up. “Yes we have.”

Lynn smiled at me and handed me the paperwork. “You’ll have to fill these out and get them back to me. I’ll get Dr. Stopper to sign off and then you can take him home.”

I shook my head and took the paperwork, “Okay, thanks.”

Ryder was just having his final checks, so I took the opportunity to ask Lynn if she knew anything about MacKenzie’s release.

She frowned but seemed to catch herself and changed her expression quickly, “I’m not sure, but Dr. Clearly should be making his rounds soon. How is she?”

I knew what she was really asking, “She’s better. We worked through it.” That’s all she needed to know. I didn’t want her to think any less of CC.

When Dr. Stopper was done with Ryder he was kicking his little legs and waving his little fists everywhere. I’m not sure how CC was sleeping through all of this, that medicine must have really knocked her out.

“As soon as the paperwork is filled out, he can go home with you today.” Dr. Stopper informed me before she turned the water on and started washing her hands.

I stood up from the bed to shake her hand, “Thank you so much for all that you’ve done for us.”

She grinned, “You’re welcome. Take care of your family, Hunter.”

“Will do.”

Both the doctor and Lynn left the room and I went over to Ryder to settle him down. I saw CC stir in the corner of my eye and turned to her as I picked up our boy.

“Everything okay?” she asked, yawning.

I snuggled Ryder in my arms, “Yeah, Dr. Stopper was here to give us the release paperwork.” He wiggled his little hands out of his blanket and started crying even louder. I laid him down on the foot of CC’s bed and re-wrapped him like Lynn taught me. “Daddy’s gonna make everything better.”

CC sniffled; I looked over at her, “Everything okay with you?”

She tried to smile but it wouldn’t come fully, “Everything is perfect, Hunter. I can’t wrap my head around this, it’s so surreal.”

I knew exactly how she was feeling because I was feeling it too. I knew this probably wasn’t the best time to bring this up but I wanted to do it as quickly as possible. “I know you said you wanted to wait until after the baby to get married, but I want to do it as soon as possible now. I don’t want to wait another day to marry you.” I reached over and brushed the tears under her eye. “I want us to be a real family. I want you both to have my name.”

I saw it in her eyes, the wheels were turning. I knew she was going to try to talk her way out of it and I wasn’t going to let her. I didn’t give a shit if I had to carry her down the aisle. She was mine; she always has been and always will be.

“Don’t you think we should wait until I’m better?” Her voice was shaky when she spoke.

“No. Not at all. I almost lost you; I don’t want to wait another God damn minute.” I stated.

There it was; I saw it. Her mind was made up. “Okay.” She whispered. “But,” Damn, almost, “I want to be able to walk down the aisle.”

I smirked at her, “Or you can just let me carry you.”

She laughed, “You’re crazy.”

“Only about you.”

Our little banter was cut off by Ryder crying, “You want to give him his bottle this time?”

I saw the panicked look on her face, the same one I’d had when Lynn asked me that first time. “It’s ok, I’ll be right here with you.”

She nodded her head. I propped a pillow under her arm so she wouldn’t struggle so much with the broken wrist, then handed over Ryder and beamed as her face lit up when she held him close to her heart. “See, you’ve got the touch already.” I winked at her. “I’ll get the bottle and we’ll sit here and do it together.”

As CC and I fed our child, we talked about the upcoming holidays and how different they were going to be now. We talked about dressing the baby up for Halloween even though he was too small to take out; she really wanted to get pictures of him. Who was I to deny her anything after everything she’d been through? I’d give her the world if I could. We were going to keep our normal routine and spend Thanksgiving and Christmas together with our families.

“So, what about New Years? Think it will be too soon to leave Ryder with your mom?” I really wanted to plan something for us alone. I knew we wouldn’t get a lot of that time together anymore.

“Do you have plans?” she asked playfully. Now wasn’t the time or the place for this but my pants started shrinking. Think of something else, anything else.

CC started laughing. I glared at her, “What’s so funny?”

She looked down at my jeans and before she could notice, I quickly adjusted myself. Cooper chose that moment to walk in.

“Damn dude, keep that shit in your pants. You’re going to scar my nephew.”

This time CC, Cooper and Jaylinn were laughing. I glared at all of them and walked over to the door, counting backwards.

“How’s Chaos doing?” Cooper asked; taking the seat I’d just vacated next to CC.

“Chaos, huh?” CC asked. I turned to look over at her, wondering if she was going to tell Cooper that we’d decided to keep the name.