Page 110 of Forged in Steele

Bristol swiped her pass at the birthing center door and waved her ID card as she passed the nurse on duty. Jared had texted Piper’s room number so Bristol started down the hall.

She approached the Pratts’ suite, where Patrick, one of the Steele Guardians’ guards stood watch. The family might not be in any danger, but Bristol would keep a guard on the suite until the family went home. That was, if her family kept the hospital contract that long. She would have to meet with Coglin first thing in the morning. What happened to Aaron and Osborne could happen to a guard in any company. Hopefully, Coglin and the board would see it that way.

“Hey, Patrick,” Bristol said. “Everything quiet here?”

He nodded. “Unless you mean nurses and doctors coming and going.”

Bristol got a hitch in her heart. She had to check to see if Luna was okay. She knocked on the door and then entered.

Mrs. Pratt held Luna, her expression dreamy while Mr. Pratt stood over her. Toni was no longer in the room nor were any medical staff. The lights had been turned down and soft music played in the background.

The way it should be with parents and their newborn.

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

Tears flooded Bristol’s eyes, but she quickly swiped them away.

Mrs. Pratt looked up. “Oh, good. I hoped you would stop in.”

“I don’t want to interrupt your reunion.” Bristol stepped closer to get a good look at Luna. “One of our task force members went into labor, and I have to get down to her suite, but I wanted to check on Luna. See if all is good with her examination.”

“She’s just fine. Blood sugar is great.” Mr. Pratt beamed a smile. “Thanks to you.”

“Finding her was a team effort,” Bristol said, as she was uncomfortable under the praise when she should’ve found Luna sooner.

“From what we heard, your knowledge of guns saved the day,” Mr. Pratt said. “In any event, we can’t express our thanks enough.”

“No need.” Bristol smiled. “I’ll be going. But I’m so happy to see you all reunited and Luna’s blood sugar is good.”

“Thank you.” Tears wetted Mrs. Pratt’s eyes.

“Don’t cry, honey.” Mr. Pratt patted his wife’s back.

“These are happy tears.” A wide grin spread across her face, and she bent down to kiss the sleeping baby’s forehead.

“I’ll check in with you tomorrow.” Bristol’s heart filled with such a rush of happiness, that tears beaded up, and she hurried out of the room before she started sobbing. Or before she felt compelled to ask about Luna’s real father.

She gave Patrick a forced smile and marched down the hallway, swallowing her tears with each step. She knocked on Piper’s door then entered. Piper had already dressed in a gown and sat up in the bed with Nurse Raney at her side. Jared stood on the far side of the bed.

He uttered a soft, “Thank you,” and came rushing around the end of the bed. He gripped Bristol’s hand like a lifeline. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I can tell.” She smiled and turned her attention to Mary and Piper. “An officer should have Nick here in fifteen minutes or less.”

“Thank God!” Piper smiled. “And thank you for arranging that.”

Bristol freed her hand and stepped closer to the bed. “We’ll stay with you until Nick gets here. Just tell me what to do.”

Nurse Raney looked at Bristol. “Other side of the bed. Hold her hand if needed. Ice chips as needed and cheer her on.”

Bristol circled the end of the bed and looked at Jared. “You can probably go back to the debrief if you want.”

He rubbed the back of his neck and kept glancing at the door. “I can stay as long as Piper wants me here.”

Piper locked her gaze on him. “No offense, but the fewer people here, the better, and it seems like Bristol’s determined to stay.”

“I am,” Bristol said.

“Then go, Jar—” Piper jerked forward in a contraction and grabbed onto Bristol’s hand with such intensity that Bristol couldn’t hide the pain from her expression.

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