Page 25 of Tattered Souls (Whispering Falls #2)

Garrick

Six Weeks Later

Tatum was smiling at me as she handed me a little white bag.

I set the wrench on the car's frame, then tagged my rag and wiped my hands.

“What is it?” I asked as I took the bag from her hand.

She smiled, “Open it.”

I shook my head at my wife, fuck, but I loved saying that.

Then I pulled out pink tissue paper, and then blue tissue paper. What the hell?

I shook my head and then grabbed a pair of little pink boots. I lifted a brow.

She winked.

I placed them on the car's frame.

Then I pulled out a pair of little blue boots and placed them on the frame as well.

Then I pulled out a little black onesie and felt my breath catch.

My head jerked up. I locked my eyes with her sable ones and said, “Yeah?”

“Read it,” she said.

I placed the bag on the frame and opened the little onesie, Come near me. So, my daddy can kick your ass.

I inhaled a breath, then a second one, and then I rushed my wife, and had her up and in my arms, my lips pressed to hers.

And yeah, we celebrated that there was a baby in her womb.

Our baby.

Right in the fucking office.

***

Our family thought we were insane because we didn’t want to know what we were having. Like everything in our relationship, we treasured everything. The big moments, and the small moments.

***

Christmas came, and I surprised my woman with every single paperback that Amelia Shea had available.

When I had messaged her and told her a little of my story, she promised to send me some swag, whatever the fuck that was.

And she did.

And my woman’s face had been priceless. Absolutely priceless.

She had gifted me with a new leather jacket, chaps, and a helmet.

Plus, a hand-painted gas tank cover for my Harley that was us done in black and white when we danced together for the first time at Carter and Harlee’s wedding.

At the time, I didn’t know that the photographer had captured that.

To say I loved it would be an understatement, and to ensure nothing happened to it, I hung it up in my garage right over my toolbox.

We also left the very next day, and headed up to the mountains, just as I promised her.

Yes, we ended up getting snowed in and spent New Year’s naked in front of the fireplace.

It had been worth it. So freaking worth it.

What wasn’t worth it, however, was when she cried as we took the Christmas decorations down on January third.

Like the man I was, who was a sucker for this woman, I offered to leave them up year-round.

She had shaken her head and said no. That it wouldn’t be special if we did that.

Seven Months Later

“What the fuck do you mean?” I growled at the doctor.

“The baby isn’t in the correct position. It was when you had your last scan, but the baby has turned around again. We are going to have to deliver via c-section.”

I felt Tatum squeeze my hand.

And that was when I nodded.

I was led to a room, and given a blue gown, a cap, and blue things to go over my boots.

Then I was in the operating room and sat down beside Tatum’s head, which was blocked by a blue sheet.

Pressing a kiss on her forehead, I whispered, “It’s going to be alright. I love you.”

She smiled, and then winced, “I love you, too.”

Then the doctor got to work.

And just as I heard the baby crying.... things went to hell.

Literally.

Monitors started beeping.

The doctor started shouting.

Bleeding internally.

Tatum’s tear-streaked face was looking at me.

Those sable eyes of hers... I thought seeing the fear and pain in her gaze that fateful day had ruined me.

But this look.

This terrified look... it ripped my heart right out of my chest.

Next thing I knew, a nurse was shoving me out of the room.

And before I realized it, the doors locked behind me.

I stood there and stared in the little window as a doctor and nurse fussed over my baby.

I didn’t even know if it was a boy or a girl.

Needing someone, I brought my phone out, and scrolled, then I pressed dial.

“Wait. It’s Garrick. Hang on. Well?” my mom asked.

A tear trailed down my cheek, my voice cracked, “I need you.”

I heard her inhale a breath, and then I heard her stand up. And as everyone was asking what’s wrong, I knew that my dad had gotten up to follow her when she said, “No. Stay here.”

“Like fucking hell,” he growled.

“Mom. I need you.” I said with emphasis.

My mom said with a growl, “Take your behind back to that chair, sit down and wait. I mean it.”

And the moment I saw my mom, another tear slid down my cheek.

She saw it and rushed over to me, wrapping me in her arms.

Didn’t matter that I was a foot taller than her, didn’t matter that I was a hundred pounds heavier than her.

Her arms, other than Tatum’s, were the only ones that felt right.

Minutes later she whispered, “What happened?”

“When they got the baby out, the doctor started yelling. She was bleeding internally.”

My mother winced, and then she said, “She’s going to be just fine. So is your baby. You married a strong woman, sweetheart.”

I kept repeating those words in my head as my mother led me to the waiting room.

She moved me to a chair and shoved at my shoulder for me to sit down.

I heard her telling everyone what was going on.

About fifteen minutes later, Talia sat down beside me and said, “Come on, let’s go see your baby.” Talia said.

I shook my head, “Not without Tatum.”

“Garrick,” Talia said softly.

I shook my head. “Nothing before her made sense. She’s my one. We made that baby together. We’re going to see him or her together.”

“Want us to go see, make sure the baby is okay?” my dad asked.

I shrugged as I stared at the door. “Can if you want. Don’t want to know about its gender. Me and Tatum will find out together.”

They nodded, but it was Everly who came and sat down beside me, placed her hand on my shoulder.

I bent forward, and her hand fell. “Nothing against you, darlin’. But right now, I just want Tatum’s touch.”

I saw her grin from the corner of my eye, and then she said, “I get that.”

Three hours later, my eyes felt like dirt had been in them. I’d been awake for thirty-nine hours now.

My family had all come back, but Dom didn’t.

Bronson jerked his chin up. “Said he was staying. Making sure your baby stayed safe.”

Tatum and I had already picked out the godfather and godmother of our baby.

Dom didn’t even know yet.

And then it happened... the doctor came out and headed straight to me.

One Hour Later

I walked into the hospital room and saw my woman in the hospital bed, blinking her eyes open. Fuck, but she looked tiny.

And she’d never looked more beautiful.

I smiled then and let out a breath.

Fuck. Thought I’d never see those sable eyes of hers ever again.

I crossed the room and then bent down so my face was the first one she saw.

It took her a moment, but when her eyes opened, she squinted, and then recognition kicked in.

Her tiny arms came up and wrapped around my neck, and then I knew. Knew the moment everything came back full force.

She buried her face in my neck and sobbed.

I sat down on the edge of the bed and gathered her in my arms.

“They need a moment,” I heard my mom say.

It was a few minutes later when I felt that her tears were slowing.

Then and only then, I pulled away from Tatum and smiled, “Ready to meet our child?”

She looked confused as she brushed her cheeks. Then she sniffled, “What do you mean?”

I took her hand and pressed a kiss on her fingers.

Then I growled when I recalled they had to take them off her finger before surgery.

I dug in my pocket and pulled them out, then I slipped them back on her ring finger.

“I haven’t seen the baby yet. Wouldn’t be right without you.” I told her.

She placed her hand on my cheek and smiled, “I love you, Garrick.”

I winked down at her and then went to the door and saw our family standing there.

Then I looked at our nurse and said, “We’re ready.”

She smiled, “I’ll go get the baby.”

Our family came in then, and hugged Tatum.

Kisses on her cheeks were placed.

Bronson, Madalyn, and Cole moved to stand near Lila, and I lifted a brow at that. Huh.

Everly was also there.

Then the door opened, and every head turned to look.

A little clear basket was pushed in.

Then the nurse stopped the cart, and then moved her hands, and lifted our baby out of it.

Everyone had their eyes on the tiny bundle.

Then she moved and placed the baby in Tatum’s arms, looked at us, and smiled, “You have a healthy baby girl.”

Tatum’s eyes teared up as she gazed down at our daughter.

I moved the blanket and counted her fingers and toes.

Taking in her little features.

She. Was. Perfect.

The perfect mix of the two of us.

And when she opened her eyes, I felt my breath catch as I asked, “Hope her eyes darken and look like yours.”

She winked up at me, “I’d prefer if they lightened.”

“Well, what’s her name?” Trust Talia to ruin the moment.

I growled at her.

Which caused everyone to chuckle.

Tatum looked up at me, and said, “What do you think?”

We had learned earlier that in order to stop the bleeding, they had to remove her uterus, fallopian tubes, and her ovaries.

I swallowed, then I said, “This is our only child, the only one we’re ever gonna have. You name her.”

Her eyes welled with tears, but she swallowed them back and then looked down at our daughter. And when I heard the name, “Sage Makenna Griggs,” I knew that it was perfect.

I nodded, “Fucking love that.”

My mother growled, “Language.”

We all chuckled.

When Tatum winced, I asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Pain is starting.” She said.

I nodded and pressed the call button.

Then I took Sage from her arms, but not before she pressed a kiss on her forehead.

The nurse came in then and inserted something into her IV.

Then I watched as my wife’s face transformed into that of relief, and then she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

I looked at Dom as I handed Sage to him and said, “Spend some time with your goddaughter. I’ve got to get some sleep.”

Dom’s eyes flared wide, and then he nodded as he took Sage and pulled her to his chest.