Page 43 of Van

“Yeah, I do. I think you’re doin’ great,” I tell her. I know she needs to hear it, and I’ll be the one to tell her.

“You too, Van. I know this wasn’t what you had planned for your life, but you are great with him and me, too. I can’t say thank you enough.”

“I’m just glad I’m here and can help.”

“Me too.” She smiles. It’s everything. It’s just a smile to her, but to me, it’s everything.

“I need to go talk to the guys. You need anything?” she shakes her head.

“We’re fine. Go talk.”

“You sure?”

“I’m sure. We’re good. We aren’t going anywhere, Van.”

“That’s the damn truth,” I tell her as I slide out of bed and shove my feet back into my boots. I walk around the bed and kiss her before I leave the room.

When I get in the hallway, I sigh. I’m glad Chy’s back. I’m glad she’s safe. But I need to know Derrick is out of the way. I need to know he isn’t going to be around her anymore, and he won’t have the chance to touch her or our baby.

I walk to the main room and find the guys just hanging around, and walk over, dropping into the first free chair I can find. That’s when Nicole walks over.

“Is she awake? I didn’t want to bother her,” she asks.

“She’s awake. Feedin’ Nate. Go on in.” She nods but doesn’t walk away just yet. Instead, she stares at me strangely. “I get it, Nic. I’m happy to have found her.”

“She’s my best friend, Van. I wouldn’t be able to handle it without her,” she tells me.

“Well. I don’t plan on lettin’ her go, so she’s gonna be around more often.” The smile that crosses her face brightens the room.

“Thanks, Van.” I nod my head once and watch as she walks off toward the hall.

“What’s that about?” Free asks when he passes me a beer and sits in the chair next to me.

“Just happy she’s still around.”

“Heard that. How you holdin’ up?”

“I’m good, brother. A little tired, but I’m good.”

“What’s it like? Havin’ a little one like that?” he asks.

“It’s weird. He’s so small but needs so much attention. Chy though, fuck, Chy is amazin’. She has it all handled.”

“And you?”

“I’m … happy. Fuck, brother, I’m happy as hell. Holdin’ that little boy in my arms after watchin’ him grow inside her? That’s the best feelin’ in the world. I wouldn’t change that at all.”

“So she’s stayin’?”

“She ain’t goin’ anywhere,” I tell him proudly. She’s mine, and I plan on keeping her here for as long as she’ll stay.

“Then let’s talk about this asshole of hers,” he says.

“He’s a piece of shit. Likes to hit her. Only wanted the baby when he took her. He kept her chained to a bed,” I tell him what she’s told me.

“What kind of sick fuck does that?”

“Him. He’s the sick fuck. I don’t know how we’re gonna track this one down, Free. He walked away from the hospital. I can only imagine he knew I was there after seein’ you guys in the hallway. He probably got spooked and ran.”

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