Page 93 of Mending Scars

Son. My son.

I laughed. “Yes. Hell yes.”

“Wake up, my Warrior,” a soft, deep voice spoke, sounding garbled as I teetered between awake and sleep.

My eyes fluttered open to a dimly lit room.

Where am I?

I tried to sit up, but I was too weak and everything hurt. I moaned in pain.

“Easy, baby. You just had surgery.”

I gingerly turned my head toward the sound of the voice I loved so much. “Surgery?” I rasped, my mouth dry and cottony.

My eyes stung, and I was unable to focus on anything so I closed them as Ryker answered, “Hayden went into distress, and you passed out. The doctor had to do an emergency C-section.”

“Is Hayden okay? Where is he?” I asked as my mind scrambled to make sense of everything. I strained to open my eyes, but the faint light hurt, forcing me to shut them again.

“He’s fine, baby. He’s right here. We’ve been waiting for you to wake up.” He paused before talking again, this time in a gentler tone. “Ready to meet Mommy, Hayden?”

Tears leaked from my closed eyes. I fought to open them, anxious to see my baby and finally succeeded. My sight may have been blurred, but I knew I was looking at the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen as I laid eyes on my son.

Ryker stood next to the bed, cradling the tiny bundle in his huge, inked arms. So opposite, yet so perfect. He gazed down at Hayden lovingly before giving me the same look. “Wanna hold him, Momma?”

I weakly lifted my arms, but couldn’t hold them up.

Damn anesthesia.

“More than anything,” I whispered as more tears fell down my face.

“Relax.” He shifted toward me and gently laid Hayden on my chest. I used every ounce of strength I had in me to bring my arms up to wrap around my baby.

My baby.

I softly kissed his fuzzy head as Ryker ran a hand through my hair. “You did amazing, Warrior. He’s perfect.”

He is, isn’t he?

I stared down at my son, unable to take my eyes off of him. My eyes ran over every feature as my fingers traced over his velvety skin.

I can’t believe I created something so perfect. I finally did something right.

I glanced up at Ryker, who was also gazing down at Hayden on my chest. I smiled as I continued to stare at the man I loved.

Our eyes met as one corner of his mouth curved up. “What?”

My lips spread wider. “Nothing.”

He brushed his knuckles down my cheek. “Tell me.”

“I just love you. I’m so lucky to have you.”

“Nah, Warrior, you’ve got it all wrong.” He looked down at Hayden and carefully rubbed him on his little back. “I’m the lucky one.”

It felt amazing to finally bring Kaiya and our son home. The few days we had spent in the hospital seemed to drag, especially since Kaiya and I both hated hospitals. And to make matters worse, we had to deal with the police asking questions about Bryce. Bastards wouldn’t even wait until Kaiya was discharged.

Kamden, Kaiya, and I had given our statements about the incident. The police had decided not to press any charges on Kamden or me for assaulting Bryce or breaking into either of his properties. The investigating officers had informed us that Bryce would be charged with assault and kidnapping and would face up to fifteen years in prison.

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