Page 6 of Fanatic

I gaped as suddenly the doctor sprung up.

“Get off now, she’s bleeding excessively,” she ordered. I jumped down as the doctor pressed a button, and the room filled with medical staff. Someone lowered the headrest, and Willowwas laid down as they rushed her out. A midwife moved to leave with the baby, and I stopped her.

“Where you taking him?” I demanded.

“To be checked.”

“Yeah, you do that here. Until I know what’s happening with his momma, that boy stays with me,” I ordered.

“You can’t stop me,” she snapped.

“Darlin’, you don’t know who you’re messing with. You ain’t taking that kid. I’m his guardian in his Momma’s absence. He goes nowhere, and if you argue within ten minutes, I’ll have lawyers crawling all over this hospital,” I stated, yanking my phone.

I punched in some numbers and dialled.

“Steven, don’t tell Mum, but I’ve got a situation…” I quickly explained what was happening while the midwife and I glared at each other.

“I’m taking this baby,” she said after five minutes.

“I’ll not hold you fuckin’ hostage, but that kid is going nowhere,” I snapped.

“Is that a threat?”

“A damn promise.”

The sound of running footsteps echoed off the walls, and the door flew open. A guy in a suit burst in, and I snatched the baby and turned to protect it.

“Is this the Ware child?” he asked, panting.

“Yes, and we need security. This man is refusing to let me take the child, and he has no legal rights,” the midwife replied.

“Mr Michaelson. I’ve spoken to your lawyer. Baby Ware will remain with you until Miss Ware gives orders otherwise, but he does need to be checked. Please, would you accompany Deirdre here?”

“He doesn’t leave my sight, and I’ll carry him,” I stated as Willow and Grey’s baby snuffled at me. Nobody was taking this kid. I would kill them first.

“That’s acceptable, but we can’t risk him being dropped. You’d have to use a wheelchair,” the guy said.

I snorted. As if I’d drop my best friend’s child. But I was reasonable. I could see their side.

“Fine.”

“Deirdre, Baby Ware is to be accompanied at all times by Mr Michaelson,” the man ordered.

“Okay,” Deirdre snapped. “For someone who’s not the father, you’re awfully concerned about this kid.”

“His dad was my best friend, a brother, and a damn hero. I owe Grey this to keep his child safe,” I replied.

Deirdre’s face softened. “That’s a nice sentiment.”

“It’s brotherhood.”

An hour later.

The baby had been fed, weighed, poked and prodded, and given back to me. And boy, did he have a set of lungs on him.

Now, the little fucker was sleeping in my arms after filling his belly. We were in Willow’s room where I’d found her bag with his stuff in. Baby wore a onesie Willow had packed and had a woollen hat on his head. He was also wrapped in a soft beige blanket.

Clearly Willow hadn’t discovered the sex of her baby as everything was neutral. I was trying to decide whether to call Axel when Willow was wheeled back in. She was hooked up to fluids and white as a ghost, but she was alert.

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