“So you’re sure Lynn helping is going to be ok? If not just say the word and I’ll have them get someone else. I don’t want any extra stress on you.” Hunter said while scrolling on his phone.

“It makes sense I guess, she knows what I’ve been through.” I shrugged my shoulder. “She’s supposed to be a professional after all.”

“Yeah she’s supposed to be.” Hunter grumbled. “If anything she does makes you uncomfortable you have to tell me, alright?”

My strong protective man was out in full force today. “I will.” Before I could even get Ryder up to my shoulder to start burping him, he let out a huge belch. I scrunched my nose at the awful formula smell and Hunter laughed. “Times really have changed, huh?”

“Yeah and I wouldn’t change it for the world, baby.” I really did love this man with all my heart.

Hunter stood up and said, “I’m going to start taking some of this stuff out to the car. Will you be ok with him by yourself?”

I looked down at Ryder who was barely able to keep his eyes open, “Yeah we’ll be great.” This was the first time I would be by myself with him, even if it was only for a few minutes.

Hunter gave a peck to Ryder’s cheek and brushed his pointer finger down the side of his cheek, making his little eyes close. He gave me a wink then grabbed the flowers and a few gifts from around the room and left to put them in the car.

As I sat there snuggling with Ryder, I thought about just how much this little human being had made our love stronger than it’s ever been. I knew there were going to be some sleepless nights — the house would never be quite the same — and some things would have to be put on the back burner, but it was my future, our future now, and I couldn’t wait to see how it played out.

After leaving the hospital last night, I’d worried about how my mom would cope with seeing Jason again. I’d offered for her to stay with us but she insisted on going back to her own house. I dropped her off and made sure she got in safely before heading straight home, where Cooper and Jaylinn were waiting for me. “Hunter?” Jaylinn called out to me. I could see them from where I was, but they couldn’t see me.

“Yeah, it’s me.”

I heard Cooper say, “See I told you. No need to worry, Twinkle Toes.” What the f**k’s up with that nickname? I’d never thought I’d see the day that a girl, my sister nonetheless, brought Cooper to his knees. I was still amazed he was hanging around; I thought for sure I would’ve already gotten into it with him about Jaylinn. The Cooper I knew had a different girl every week; he was a veritable man whore.

I set Ryder on the dining room table, pulled off his blanket and belts and scooped him up. Jaylinn walked out and looked at me with eyes full of fear and worry.

“Get that look off your face. That dickbag isn’t going to touch us again, Jay.” Ryder started fussing. “I’ll let you know when you have to worry.”

Jaylinn still looked scared but dropped the issue and went to go sit with Cooper again. I took Ryder to my bedroom, changed him and fed him his bottle. He passed out shortly after that and so did I. He woke up a few hours later and I started all over again. I changed him, fed him and then we both went back to sleep. The problems started that morning after Jaylinn and Cooper left for work. I was getting calls from unknown numbers and when I’d pick up, all I heard was breathing. I didn’t want CC to come home to this but what could I do? I had no proof it was the dickbag playing games.

I was trying to feed Ryder when CC called me and begged me to make sure she could come home tonight. The little one could probably sense that something was wrong because he wasn’t eating for me. I was stressed the f**k out. I packed him all up and just wanted to get to the hospital as soon as possible.

When I got there CC was talking to Dr. Clearly about Lynn assisting us, I promised CC I would bring her home so I had to make sure that happened. After everything was settled I told her I was going to put some of her stuff in the car. I had to give myself a few minutes before facing her again, I hated not telling her about my piece of shit father but she didn’t need to worry about that right now. These next few weeks were going to be hard enough on her because she’s so independent and she hated not being able to do stuff her way when she wants to. I was more worried about running into my dad again when we brought CC down as well, so taking the things to the car was also my way of looking around for him.

A little while later it was finally time for us to head home, and thankfully there was no sign of my sperm donor anywhere. I got Ryder all situated back in his car seat and Lynn came in with a wheelchair. “You ready for this?” I asked CC, a huge grin spreading across my face. I couldn’t wait to get her home and in our bed. I knew there would be no sex for at least six to eight weeks but I just wanted her next to me. Us together, skin to skin.

“Yes! Let’s get the hell out of here and never, ever come back.” She said; her smile just as big as mine.

I scooped her up and put her in the wheelchair, according to hospital procedures I wasn’t allowed to push CC downstairs, so Lynn was there to do it for us.

She winced as I put her in the chair, “You ok?”

She squeezed her eyes shut, “Yeah.” She took a deep breath, “It’s my stomach,” she opened her eyes, “I’m fine now.”

I looked up at Lynn, nodded my head and she wheeled CC out while I grabbed Ryder and the last bag from the room. As we approached the elevators Lynn hit the button and said, “Would you like me to stop over tonight and assist or would you like to pick up things tomorrow?”

CC glared at Lynn behind her back, “Tomorrow please and just so you know by the end of the week, I won’t need your assistance. I’ll figure out a way to do this on my own.”

I tried to hide the smirk on my face by looking down at Ryder and busying myself with his blanket. That was my girl, courageous, self-assertive, gutsy and tough. She was intoxicating to me at times, I just got so caught up in her that I saw nothing else.

“I’ll be here to help as long as you need me to.” Lynn tried to keep her face neutral but I could tell she was infuriated by CC’s determination. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea that we allowed her to be our nurse. It was too late to change it now, but if things got too bad or if CC wasn’t on her own by the end of the week, I’d talk to her about bringing in someone else.