Page 11 of Not the Bodyguard's Baby
Group therapy, though the words conjured scenes of television AA meetings, turned out to be nothing September anticipated. Still, it was hard to be open and honest when she wasn’t even using the name the world knew her by. Two women discussed how their spouses didn’t understand or have any desire to help them. As near as September could tell, she was the only one in the room who had been attempting to single parent without the support of her parents or the child’s father. Her live-in housekeeper and visits from Melanie Hastings were good but not the same.
Dr. Brooks shared enough about her own recovery to give them hope. Postpartum depression, unlike other types of depression, had a known beginning and end. Right before the session concluded, Leisha asked a question. “When I got married three years ago, we discussed having three children. But I am afraid if I have more, it will get worse.”
“While there is no telling exactly how your body will react with future children, most women are able to successfully raise families after a PPD diagnosis. One of the keys is early recognition and treatment. There are many elements to recovery, including stress factors beyond motherhood. Sorry there are no blanket answers for next time. Each case will need to be handled individually.” Dr. Brooks looked each mom in the eye before concluding the session. “Now, for most of you, it is time for some baby-and-me time, followed by lunch. Those of you who are nursing, remember that as much as we try to make it homey here, your babies notice the underlying hospital smell and know something is different. They also are getting more supplemental bottles. Just love them and don’t worry if they aren’t eating. If you get frustrated, remember, help is nearby.”
September followed the others out of the room. One of the aides stood near the door. “Rayne? Your daughter is here. If you will come with me.”
Adam stood in the middle of the room they were in yesterday with Harmony in his arms, his focus on the baby. “There she is, just like I told you.” He spoke in soft tones before placing her into September’s waiting arms.
“How was she last night?”
“Once the bumbling idiot, yours truly, figured out how to make a bottle, she did fine. Dad fed her, and they both fell asleep. I wish I’d had my phone to take a photo.”
“Your dad? I can’t picture it.” September smoothed the top of Harmony’s head. She smelled fresh, like the baby wash she’d put in the diaper bag.
“Well, he had plenty of practice with the five of us, and with Abbie expecting triplets, he probably needs more.”
“I thought the triplet thing was a tabloid joke.” In her experience, tabloids only published enough carefully worded truth not to get sued.
Adam put one hand in his jeans pocket. “No, only the part about being fathered by an alien.”
He smiled one of those half smiles she missed so much. The cheeky smile in a photo on his mother’s phone had invited her to entertain a crush before they’d even met.
“I probably should go.”
“You’ll be back around six thirty or seven?”
“Dr. Brooks told me six thirty. Security had me leave the diaper bag at the check-in station. I brought two extra outfits in case little Miss Harmony decides she needs to wear separate outfits after each meal.” When his voice softened as he said her daughter’s name, a lump came to her throat, and warmth filled her chest.
He stopped at the doorway. “Oh, Abbie brought over some clothing her friend’s baby grew out of, so if you don’t recognize some of the outfits in the bag, that is why.”
September swallowed before speaking. “Tell Abbie thanks. I have more clothes for Harmony at home, but I grabbed just what was on the dresser and stuffed it in the bag since I needed to leave fast.” Before my demons caught up with me.
“Don’t worry about it. Abbie is having all boys but keeps finding things for girls. I wouldn’t be surprised if she doesn’t still find a thing or two she can’t resist buying.”
“Your sister is so fun. Tell her not to buy too much.” She didn’t worry about Abbie spending too much money—not possible for
a billionaire’s wife—but she didn’t want to feel any more awkward around the Hastings family when she got out.
“I will. Anything else you need?”
“I can wear my own clothes as long as they don’t have drawstrings. When your mom gets back, will you please ask her to go get some from the house?” She froze, wondering how much he already knew.
“Mom knows where you live?”
He didn’t know. Melanie had promised not to let even Jethro know, but part of September doubted she would keep everything secret. “Um, yes. Your mom helped me buy it.”
“Well, she is due in this afternoon. I’ll let her know. Anything particular you want?”
“Nursing tops. But T-shirts and button-downs work. And two pairs of jeans, a pair of sweats, and some underwear, please.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed before he answered. “I think I’ll let Mom pick those out for you.”
“The base to Harmony’s car seat is in my car in the garage. I took an Uber to your office and here.” Actually, she had taken three, all under an assumed name. She’d met the first one outside a house three doors down so he wouldn’t see where she lived. “I’d better go. She is hungry.” September hurried from the room before he could ask any more questions she didn’t want to answer. Like how much his mother knew.
Harmony made the pinched-face look she got right before she cried. September entered the nursing area filled with chairs and rockers. Madison already sat with other moms. Leisha’s twins had a cold and wouldn’t be coming up today, so she was nowhere to be seen. September joined the women as they chatted and nursed and pumped. Something in the camaraderie made the task easier than two days ago in the solitude of her house. Or perhaps the meds had kicked in, or seeing Adam’s smile had boosted her mood. September didn’t care about the why, as long as her personal storm clouds continued to float away.
7
