Ellie looked up at me and smiled.
Then, she turned to the nurse. “When can we all go home?”
“We want you to stay at least overnight. If all is going well and she’s eating enough, y’all can go home tomorrow. ”
***
Later that night after everyone had finally left, Ellie and I sat on the sofa with Alex sound asleep in my arms.
“I didn’t think they would ever leave!” Ellie said with a laugh. “I’m exhausted. ”
“Are you hungry, sweetheart?” I asked.
I continued stroking Alex between her eyes and down her nose. She must have liked it because it put her to sleep fast.
“I’m starved, but you’re not going to find anything open in Fredericksburg this late at night. Oh wait! McDonald’s! I could really go for a Big Mac…and large fries…oh, and a giant-ass sweet tea. ”
I laughed and leaned over to kiss her. I stood up and gently put Alex down in the bassinet. Then, I turned and helped Ellie up and back into bed.
“You got it, baby. One Big Mac and large french fries coming up. ”
I turned toward the door to leave, Ellie called out,
“Sweet tea! Don’t forget the sweet tea, Gunner!”
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
HEATHER
By the time we left the hospital, it was well after midnight.
Ari called Jenny to let her know we were on our way back. Jenny begged Ari to let her and Aaron keep Luke all night.
“I don’t know. I’ve never had him gone overnight before. You promise to bring him home first thing tomorrow morning? Okay, I guess it’ll be kind of nice to sleep in a little in the morning for once. ”
When Ari hung up, Jeff expressed his happiness. “Hells yeah baby, we’re having sex all night long. Don’t worry, Heather, I’ll find some ear-plugs for you. ”
Ari and I both laughed.
I pulled up, and Jeff jumped out of my car.
“Jeff, can you give me and Heather a few minutes, please?” Ari asked.
“Sure, baby, y’all take your time. ”
Ari and I got out of the car and headed toward the house. We walked up to the porch and sat down.
“What happened?” Ari asked.
Heather sat back and let out a sigh. “Josh and I had a fight. ”
“About?”
“Lynda. What else? Ugh, Ari, she is something else. She won’t leave him alone, and he feels like he owes her something. It drives me crazy. ”
“Have you talked to him at all since you got here?”
“No. When everything happened with Ellie, I forgot about it. He was supposed to go to some Christmas party at his mother’s law firm. I was supposed to go with him, but then we started fighting, so I came here instead. I tried to call him from the hospital, but it went straight to voicemail. I sent him a text telling him about Ellie and the baby, but I guess he’s pissed. He must have turned off his cell phone. Every time I try to call, it goes straight to voicemail. ”