Protecting Her(14)

And the next day, I am. The hospital released me at nine this morning and we just arrived at the house. As I’m walking in, I smile when I see that the entire living room is filled with flowers and balloons.

“Welcome home,” Pearce says, kissing me.

“Thank you.” I hug him. “When did you have time to do all this?”

He shrugs. “I’ve given up sleeping. I don’t need it. You can get a lot done when you don’t sleep.”

I reach up and kiss him. “When did you really do it?”

“Garret and I went shopping yesterday after we left the hospital.”

I smile. “You took him shopping?”

“It was short trip. He slept through most of it.” He picks Garret up from the baby carrier and holds him. “Although while we were shopping for you, he found a few things for himself.”

“Oh, really?” I kiss Garret’s cheek. “What did your daddy buy you?”

Pearce points to a basket on the floor, which holds a mini football, baseball, and basketball. “He apparently likes sports.”

I laugh. “Yes, I’m sure his father had nothing to do with that.” I sit on the couch and take my shoes off. I’m still so tired. The doctor said it’s from the loss of blood. She said it will take a while before I have energy again.

Pearce sits next to me. “That box on the table is for you.”

It’s a small box wrapped in silver paper. I pick it up. “You got me a gift?”

“It’s from both of us,” he says, meaning him and the baby. “Go ahead and open it.”

I unwrap it and open the box. Inside is a gold necklace. It has two gold hearts hanging from it; a big one and a little one.

“The big heart is from me and the little one is from Garret,” Pearce says. “They’re lockets so you can put photos in them.”

“Pearce, that’s so sweet.” I hug him. “Thank you. I love it. I’ll wear it all the time.”

“I’m glad you like it.” He gives me a kiss. “I’m also glad you’re home. I missed you.”

“I missed you too.”

Garret fusses and squirms a little in Pearce’s arms.

“That’s his diaper change look,” he says as he stands up.

I stand up too. “I’ll do it.”

“No, you just got home. Just rest. I’ll do it and bring him back down.”

Pearce goes upstairs. He’s already much more comfortable taking care of the baby. Maybe it was good for him to have these past couple days alone with Garret. If I’d been here, I would’ve taken over and Pearce would’ve just watched. But now, he’s had a chance to practice caring for the baby and he’s getting good at it.

“Hello, Rachel.” Eleanor appears. She must’ve been in the kitchen. She’s wearing navy pants and a short-sleeve white blouse, which is a more casual look than her usual suits and dresses.

“Hello, Eleanor.” I smile, but it’s not a big smile. I admit I’m still angry at her for disowning her son. I’ve forgiven her for being rude to me. She doesn’t know me, and it’s easy to be rude to someone you don’t know. But treating your own son the way she did is inexcusable.

“How are you feeling?” she asks.

“Tired. But I’ll be fine.”

“I was very sorry to hear about your parents.”

That was almost a year ago, so it’s odd she’d say this now, but at least she said it.

“Yes, it came as quite a shock.” I see her eyeing my outfit. I’m wearing one of my maternity dresses; a short sleeve, blue cotton dress. No matter what I wear, I always feel frumpy around Eleanor, because of the way she looks at me.

“Well, now that you’re home, I’ll go up and pack my things.” She starts for the stairs, but I stop her.

“Eleanor, you don’t have to leave. You’re welcome to stay.”

“I don’t need to. Pearce has become quite adept at caring for the baby, and now that you’re here, you two will manage just fine.”

I don’t argue with her. I would like to have time alone with just Pearce and Garret.

“Will you at least come over again? We’d love to see you more. And I know Garret would love to see his grandmother.”

She smiles, and I think it’s the first real smile I’ve ever seen on her. “Of course I will. Call and let me know when you would like me to come over.” She pauses. “He’s a beautiful baby. You two will make very good parents.”