Page 104 of Give Me Forever

The door opened, and Tina poked her head in. "Hey, Sam, Travis and Bonnie are here with little Rose. Thought you might want to say hi."

I immediately flipped into doctor mode. "Is it an emergency?"

"No, no. They're here for a checkup."

"Already?"

Tina frowned. "I just saw them come in, and I know how you like to see them during her checkups."

"I do." I felt a special bond with my niece. Maybe because I held her the day she was born. I’d always wanted children—but Avery’s comments at Thanksgiving made me worry how committed she really was to us, our relationship. After Olivia, my ego was rawer than I thought.

I went up to pediatrics, massaging my stiff neck. Dr. Catson's exam room was just two corridors away from the elevator, but I managed to take the wrong one. Damn, I was definitely sleep-deprived. When I finally found it, I went in without knocking first. Travis and Bonnie were hovering over Rose. Dr. Catson was administering a shot, and little Rose was remarkably silent.

"Damn, she's not afraid at all," I said.

Travis looked at me. "How did you know we were here?”

"Tina told me. She saw you come in."

“She had to get a couple shots," Bonnie said, "and we hadn't been able to make an appointment, so we thought we'd stop by today."

I narrowed my eyes, looking from Travis to Bonnie. "When did you make that decision?"

"Yesterday."

The corners of my mouth were now twitching. This was an intervention.

Travis stared at me. “When we found out through the Maxwell-gossip-central-line that you were practically camping at the hospital...”

Dr. Catson looked at me, and I groaned. The last thing I wanted was for my colleagues to know any of my business, but if anyone had to hear my drama, at least he was easygoing.

"I’m done here. My next patient isn't for another hour, so I'll leave the room for you all to chat."

"Sure." Bonnie kissed Rose’s head.

Damn, she was cute. She hadn't even cried at the shots, which was rare. Then again, Dr. Catson had a way with kids. To my astonishment, my niece looked at me and extended a hand.

"I think that means she wants you to hold her," Bonnie said.

"But I haven't showered since yesterday, I think."

"Babies don't mind," Bonnie assured me.

I lifted my niece from Bonnie, and she immediately snatched my scrubs and planted her small lips right on my sternum. Then she turned around, just resting her cheek on it. "She's relaxed, and... oh, I can't believe it. She fell asleep."

"You’re truly a baby whisperer. You should come visit us more often," Bonnie said.

She was right. The baby's breaths were even, though she sighed now and again. But babies sometimes did that in their sleep.

It was rare for anyone to actually fall asleep like this on someone who wasn't their parent. Maybe the bond I felt with her went both ways. My heart swelled with pride at the thought.

"You didn't have to come all the way here," I said softly, though Rose moved in my arms anyway. I made a sign to indicate I wasn't going to talk anymore because I didn't want to wake her up.

"Oh good, you're silent. That means we can talk," Travis said. I stared at him, cocking a brow, and then at Bonnie. "She doesn't wake up when other people talk. But if you speak, she might feel the vibrations in your body."

"Is this a trick?" I asked. The baby moved again, and I shut up.

"No, but it's working out wonderfully," Bonnie said. "We should remember it just in case anyone needs you quiet again."

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