Against the Odds (Fighting to Survive #2)(44)

“I put my investigative team to work on Drake Sinclair tonight.”

“That was your conference call that I interrupted?”

“It was. I had to finish it before I came over; that’s what took me so long to come. If Drake is hiding something, and I know he is, they’ll find it.”

“I’m worried about Leah and the baby. I don’t want him around them. He's snooping around here for a reason.”

“How much longer will Grace be hospitalized?”

“Another week, maybe.”

“I know this is personal, but how are your finances?”

“Good. House and cars are paid off. We have money in the bank. My boxing career has proven to be a very lucrative income for us. Why?”

“Have you considered hiring a full-time neonatal nurse for a few weeks when she is released? They could release Gracie and you can have a nurse at the house. It’ll help with any anxiety you may have with her being preterm.”

“No, that never crossed my mind.”

“Well, it’s something for you to consider.”

“That is a brilliant idea.”

“You can call Mason in the morning for a recommendation for a nurse. You’ll need two or maybe even three.”

“Bruce, that is a superb idea. Thank you.”

“I also think we should file a continuance for custody of Madison. Drake is one step ahead of us. It will take my team some time, but if Drake is doing something he shouldn’t, they’ll find it.”

“I really hate to postpone the court date. I know Leah and I are ready to meet and get to know our daughter, Madison.” I stop and think about Drake and his anger. “There is no telling what he is saying to Madison about us.”

“I don’t want to, either, but we can’t go to court with allegations that you are still using or that you have unresolved anger issues. Hence, the assault charges that he was able to find.”

“That bastard!”

“Another few weeks won’t matter much,” he adds.

“Try telling Leah that.”

We agree to the postponement. We also agree on me hiring a home health nurse for the baby and I reluctantly agree to letting Bruce handle everything. He wants to file a police report and a restraining order against Drake, but I refuse. I’ll handle Drake the next time I see him. I won’t interfere with Bruce’s work, but if Drake harasses my family, he’ll have to deal with me.

Bruce leaves and I spend the night on the couch outside of the double doors leading to the N.I.C.U. Department. I text Dad in the morning and ask him if he can come to the hospital earlier than usual. When he arrives, he brings three coffees and breakfast for everyone. I tell him what happened and explain that I need a couple of hours to get everything arranged. I don’t have to tell him not to say anything to Leah, he already knows.

I leave and call Mason. He gives me the name of a personal friend of his who happens to be a neo-natal nurse, Christina Badder. He tells me she has a home health care business and this is her expertise. I hang up and call her immediately. She informs me all of the nurses she employs have had an extensive background check completed and they are all very competent at their job. She adds that she used to work at Lakewood Ranch Hospital but decided to open her own business to help people like me and Leah. She also adds that some of her nurses work for her part-time while still working at the local hospitals.


I shower and change into jeans and a tee-shirt. I text Gus, Dad, and Tim and cancel my training session for this morning. I can work out at home later on today. I gather Leah a change of clothing and some personal items I think she’ll need.

Before I leave, there is a knock at the front door. A delivery truck is outside. I open the door expecting to tell them they have the wrong house when they announce a delivery for Leah Grether from Coconis Furniture. Her chaise lounge is finally here. Not that she needs it, but I know she’ll be glad to have it. Luckily it takes only a few minutes for them to set it up. Remove some cardboard and plastic and viola, a chaise lounge. Easy enough.

When I get to the hospital, I park closer to the front than I normally would. I love my Hummer and I don’t like it when people stab at her tires.

When I get upstairs, Dad is holding Gracie, who is screaming, while Leah and Dad are laughing. I’m glad to know my crying baby brings so much joy to her family. I kiss Leah and pick up Gracie. Her eyes are red and her lips quiver as she tries to stop crying. “Are they picking on Daddy’s girl?” I ask softly.

“Here we go again,” Dad says, laughing while looking at Leah.

Leah laughs, too, and says, “I told you.”

“What?” I ask unknowingly.

“You and your Daddy’s girl. You did the same thing with Jamie.”

I smile, “Jamie was my girl. And Gracie is my girl, too,” I confirm. I hold Gracie up to my shoulder and pat her back softly. “Aren’t you, Gracie?” I kiss her soft cheeks. “She isn’t crying, is she?”

“Brainwashing,” Dad chuckles.

Leah

One week later, I’m sitting in the nursery of my home, holding my baby. Gracie is now 4 pounds and Robert insisted on hiring a neonatal nurse for a few weeks.

Amy will be our nurse 12 hours a day until Gracie Robert is convinced Gracie is fine. I already think Gracie is perfect. Having a neonatal nurse at home adds reassurance that everything will be all right. Before Gracie was released from the hospital it’s mandatory that all parents take an infant C.P.R. class, so we did. Amy will work 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and then we have get another nurse to replace her from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. I spoke with Amy and told her I wanted to handle all of Gracie’s needs, minus her medical needs. She laughed but understood. Mom and Margie are in the kitchen cooking and Dad and Walter are in the yard. Robert is standing in the doorway in protective mode.