Page 12

Stassie

Ryker carries the baby carrier in front of me, looking like the hottest dad on the planet as the nurses push me in the wheelchair behind him. Once he’s got our girl locked in the car seat base, he comes back and helps me into the seat next to her.

I smile down at her sleeping face. She’s worth the nearly two days of labor and stitches in my hooha. I’d do it all over again because she’s perfect.

“You want to grab food or anything? My mom brought over some frozen meals, but if you’re craving anything on the way home, just let me know,” Ryker says as he gets into the car.

I shake my head. “I just want to get home and rest with our girl.”

He grins. “Me too. You did so good, baby. I’m so proud of you.”

I’m too tired to blush at his compliment, and I stare down at our daughter. When my water broke, I started having a panic attack that Ryker brought me down from. All of a sudden, I’d been terrified to give birth, and my mind went to every horrible scenario that could happen. I’d cried and told Ryker I didn’t want to give birth anymore, that she’ll just have to stay. He laughed, but then he realized how serious my panic was when I begged the doctor to just put me under and cut her out. Thankfully, the team had assured me it was still an option if needed, but they wanted me to give birth vaginally if possible.

The nurses were a godsend, and Ryker’s patience was unmatched, trying as much as he could to calm me. It was the exact opposite of how I expected my birth to go, but in the end, I don’t care because she’s here and she’s healthy, and we’re both okay.

“I can’t wait to lie in our bed,” I say, sleepily.

Ryker nods. “I locked Archibald out of the room so when we go in, the baby’s bassinet should be next to your side and the sheets are fresh.”

I hum in acknowledgement. Archibald prefers to sleep in the living room in his tower, but sometimes he’ll end up in the room with us. He often follows me back from the bathroom in the middle of the night.

“And my mom said to let her know when you want her to come by, she’ll wait patiently until you’re ready.”

My nose tingles, and I blink away the tears. Ryker’s mom is everything I could have wished for, and while it’s embarrassing that everyone knows we technically cheated into a relationship, they’ve been more than welcoming.

“Maybe tomorrow if I’m up for it. I’d love to see your mom,” I say, grinning when our daughter’s tiny hand tries to wrap around my finger. “Did you send her some photos at least?”

“Oh yeah, they’re in the family group chat. Your phone is in the hospital backpack if you want it,” he tells me, glancing at me through the rearview mirror.

I don’t move for it, not needing the reminder that no one on my side of the family will be checking in on us. “I’ll catch up later.”

He doesn’t respond, probably knowing exactly where my mind went. We’re only twenty minutes from the hospital, but it feels like an eternity. My nerves fray with every bump and tap of the brakes, afraid of the absolute worst. When he finally parks in the apartment complex, I let out a sigh of relief.

“I’m going to bring her and you up, then come back for the bag, okay?” he says, and I nod. The heaviness of the past two days is finally hitting my body.

He grabs the baby and then comes around the other side, opening it for me and holding out his hand. I grab it and when I stand, he leans forward and brushes a kiss against my lips.

I smile. “What was that for?”

“Just because. I love you, and I love the baby you made us.”

Emotions warm my chest. “I love you too.”

We make our way around the building, and stop short at the presence blocking the rest of the way.

Mary is at the door, holding a large stuffed elephant and balloons. A small smile tips up on the corner of her lips. “Hi.”

My heart twists at the sight of her. “Hey.”

I feel Ryker at my back, and he tenses. “Mary? What are you doing here?” he asks.

“I heard from your brother that you were coming home today. I wanted to see if Stassie needs any help, and I wanted to meet my niece.”

Glancing at him over my shoulder, I nod and he walks past me and opens the front door. “You didn’t want to wait inside?”

Mary shrugs. “I should probably return your key. I didn’t want to come in uninvited.”

I grip the railing, moving one slow step at a time to the door. It’s not too bad with my underwear concoction of witch hazel pads and an ice pack, but it still feels like I birthed a whole baby. Mary hands the stuff to Ryker and lets the door close so the cat doesn’t run out and walks over to me.

“You want to hold on to me?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Are you sure? I just mean—I’m surprised you’re here.”

Mary nods, moving closer so I can grab her elbow. “I’m still hurt, believe me. I don’t know if I can ever fully get over it, but you’re my sister and I want to be in your life. And I especially want to spoil my niece rotten.”

My throat aches with emotion. “I am sorry.”

“I know. I’ve read every one of your texts, even if I didn’t reply.”

“You did? I was sure you blocked me,” I say with a smile.

Ryker opens the door just as we approach it.

Mary looks up at him. “I didn’t block either of you. I think…deep down I knew I’d eventually grow to accept it.”

My eyebrows furrow. “Really? Why?”

“I think I clung to Ryker because he was the first good thing I had to myself, something our parents had no control over,” she says with a small smile. “But the more I thought about it, and talked to a therapist, it was more the idea of him if I’d put more into the relationship.” Her eyes narrow at him. “Not that I’m accepting blame for any of this mess, but I can admit that I probably wasn’t the most attentive girlfriend.”

Mary holds the door open for me as Ryker holds out his arm for me to take instead. My sister follows us in, glancing around and seeing how we’ve rearranged the place without her.

She clears her throat. “It took me weeks to recognize the look on his face, it was the look someone has when they’re in love. We may have loved each other, but we weren’t in love.”

My heart clenches in sadness and I look up at her.

She shakes her head. “I’m just trying to explain why I want to try to mend this bridge, and I’m not saying it will be perfect. Honestly, standing here feels weird, and I’m kind of glad it looks different because I don’t know how I would have felt if it looked the same.”

A small laugh escapes and my smile falls a bit. I let Ryker walk me to the couch, and I slump in the cushions before staring up at her. “I’ll always want my sister, and I’m sorry for the hurt I caused you.”

She sits next to me. “I know, Stassie.”

Ryker settles on the arm of the couch, entwining his fingers with mine. “She’s sleeping right now, so if you’re hungry, I was going to make Stassie some food. Then after you can meet our daughter?”

The small jingle of a bell has all of us watching the ball of fluff rub himself on Mary’s leg. She sighs contentedly and reaches down to pet Archibald. “I’d love that.”