Page 63 of Secret Baby's Second Shot

SUMMER

The beeping of the monitors had become a constant background noise, a rhythmic reminder of why we were here. I shifted in the uncomfortable hospital chair, my back aching from another sleepless night. Ava was asleep, her small hand clutching Bunny while the other rested loosely on the blanket covering her.

“Summer,” Enzo’s voice was soft as he stepped into the room, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand.

I glanced up, exhaustion tugging at my every movement. “Hey,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He crossed the room, setting the coffee down on the small table beside me. “You need to rest.”

“I’m fine,” I said automatically, though the weight of my words betrayed me.

“You’re not,” he said firmly, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder. “You’ve been here for two nights straight. Let me stay with her while you take a break.”

I shook my head, my eyes fixed on Ava. “I can’t leave her, Enzo. Not now.”

“You’re not leaving her,” he said gently, crouching down so we were at eye level. “You’re letting someone else step in so you can take care of yourself. Ava needs you at your best, Summer.”

His words were logical, but the thought of walking out of the room, even for a moment, felt impossible. “What if she wakes up and I’m not here?”

“I’ll be here,” he said without hesitation. “She won’t be alone.”

Before I could respond,the door opened, and Elaine and Richard stepped inside. Elaine carried a small tote bag, her warm smile doing little to hide the concern in her eyes.

“Thought you might need reinforcements,” Elaine said, setting the bag on the chair by the door.

“We brought sandwiches,” Richard added, holding up a small cooler. “And coffee. Real coffee, not the stuff from the cafeteria.”

Tears pricked my eyes at their thoughtfulness. “Thank you,” I said softly.

Elaine approached Ava’s bed, smoothing the blanket gently. “How is she?”

“She’s stable,” Enzo said, his voice calm but tinged with exhaustion. “The doctors are monitoring her closely. We’re waiting on more test results.”

“She’s strong,” Richard said, his voice full of conviction.

“She is,” I agreed, my throat tightening.

Elaine turned to me,her hands on her hips. “Summer, you need to step out for a bit. Let us watch over Ava for a while.”

“I—”

“No arguments,” she said firmly. “Go stretch your legs, get some fresh air. Enzo, take her.”

“Mom—” Enzo began, but she silenced him with a look.

“Go,” she said again, softer this time. “We’ll take good care of her.”

I hesitated, glancing at Ava’s peaceful face.

“She’ll be fine,” Richard said gently. “We’ve got this.”

Enzo offered his hand,and after a moment, I took it, letting him lead me out of the room. The hallway was quiet, the faint hum of activity from the nurses’ station the only sound.

“Come on,” he said, steering me toward the small garden outside the hospital.

The fresh air hit me like a balm, the cool breeze brushing against my skin as we stepped outside. I took a deep breath, the tension in my chest easing slightly.

“Better?” he asked, watching me closely.

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