Page 47 of Claiming What Is Mine

“Come on in,” Chet bellows from inside.

“Hey. Meredith thinks I should’ve scheduled our visit. Is this a bad time?” Meredith jabs me in the ribs as I pull back the privacy curtain. Christy sits up in bed, cradling a bundle of blankets wearing a blue cap.

Chet stands by Christy's side, watching over his family as he beams with pride. “Couldn’t be better. Logan’s got a fresh diaper and momma just finished feeding him. You missed Frank and Mom by about fifteen minutes.”

“Probably for the best.” I shrug. “Anyway, we’re here to visit with you. How ya feeling?” I say to Christy as I hand Chet the bouquet.

“A little better each day. Thanks. ” Dark circles stand out under her eyes and her hair is pulled back into a messy ponytail, but joy fills her face. “Would you like to hold your nephew?”

I pull back my arms defensively as I bring my palms up. “Is he still under warranty? Because I can’t be held responsible if I break something.” Meredith, only too happy to take my turn, gives me the side eye as she extends her arms towards Christy. After the baby settles back down, Meredith brings him over for me to get a closer look. He smiles and fusses in the blankets as his eyes grow heavy, blinking slower and slower.

I look to my brother. “Logan huh? Mom mentioned that was the name you chose.”

Chet nods.

“Strong name. ” I bob my head. “I wouldn’t call it original, considering where we come from, but it’s a fine name.”

Christy scoffs. “If you have an issue, take it up with me bub. It was my idea.” She looks up at her husband. “Logan county brought me everything I always wanted.”

“No ma’am. You’ll hear no argument from me. I’m just glad you didn’t follow Mom’s line of thinking and give the boy some ridiculous name. You know, one he’d spend the rest of his life embarrassed by.”

A nurse enters the room to check on mom and baby. She runs through a list of questions and is pleased to hear Logan is eating well.

I turn to my brother when she leaves. “Chet?”

“Yeah?” Chet's voice is warm.

“I don’t want to start any problems here, but are you positive this kid is yours?”

Meredith stares at me, her jaw dropped. “Gabe, ” she whispers.

“I’m just saying. This little guy is adorable—and he seems happy. Two things I would never say about him.” I point at my brother and laugh.

Meredith apologizes on my behalf, but I’m fairly sure Christy laughed louder than I did.

I take a seat by the window when it’s my turn to hold the baby. Meredith carefully places him into my arms, instructing me where to put his head, how to hold him, and so on.

“Mer. He’s fast asleep and I’m sitting in a chair. What could I possibly do to the kid?”

Meredith smiles. “With you Gabe Wilde, heaven only knows.” She drops me a wink.

This guy is adorable, swaddled into place under layers of blankets. He suckles away at his binky while his little fists ball up tight and then release. Not a care in the world.

It's a surreal moment for me as I realize I'll be doing this with my own son or daughter. Soon.

Meredith pulls up a chair next to Christy and the two of them disappear into a world of their own. Chet stands beside me, solemn as ever, looking out the window, but I feel his eyes drift down every so often to check on me while I have his son in my arms.

“Any idea when you’ll come home?” I ask

“Maybe tomorrow,” Chet replies. “They would’ve released us already, but Logan has…what did they call it, Doc?”

Christy looks away from Meredith only long enough to answer her husband. “Jaundice.”

“Yeah. They’ll test him again in the morning, and if things look good, we’re free to go. What about you? Everything go alright with your appointment?” Chet turns away from the window. “And what’d you think of Dr. Lee?” He cracks a smile after he asks the question.

I shift in my chair, trying not to disturb the baby. “Was he your doctor too? Is that how we got lined up with him?”

“Suppose so. Meredith asked Christy who her doctor was, and she loves him.”

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