Night
There's a knock on the door. When I bid them enter, in walks my dad and Shannon. She's got her arms full of all sorts of stuff.
She completely ignores Bones and me and sits by Rayne.
"Here, sweetheart, the smallest we have is 6 months. It's probably going to swallow her, but I have some cloth diaper covers we can use to help absorb any leaks. I have blankets, clothes, mostly a sleep sack cause she's still so small."
My dad is just watching her over Shannon's shoulder. He looks at me, then her, then back at me, and smiles.
Shannon and Rayne lay Hope down on the blanket and removed her very wet diaper. Then Rayne washes her down with baby wipes and talks to her the whole time. Her eyes are open, and she's watching Rayne, and she smiles and tries to kick her legs. She also coos back at Rayne.
Those are some of the sweetest sounds I have ever heard. I watch, enraptured by a baby for the very first time.
"So, how are mama and baby doing?" Hallow asks me.
"She's better. Bones got her all stitched up. She can't take anything really strong for pain cause she's nursing, but unfortunately, I think she's a little too used to pain." My voice darkens as I think about that.
My dad's face doesn't look like he's any happier to hear that. He'll be right with me in destroying those fuckers as soon as he hears more.
He looks at me shrewdly, "You sure about this, son?" He looks at Rayne and Hope to be sure I know what he's asking.
"I've never been surer of anything in my life. They are mine. I'm never letting them go."
My dad looks at me for a minute, then gets this huge grin on his face and whacks me on the shoulder. "Congratulations, son, now introduce me to my new daughter-in-law and my granddaughter."
I smile and lead him to the bed. I see that Rayne has folded the diaper to fit Hope as well as possible and is fitting the diaper cover over it.
Hope is starting to get a bit fussy, but Rayne is getting her all squared away and talking to her the whole time.
"Rayne, I want you to meet the Prez of the Crimson Riders, Hollow Point, or Hallow, and my dad. Dad, this is Rayne and baby Hope."
Dad goes over and looks down at Hope with a huge grin, "May I?" he asks Rayne. She's surprised but nods.
Dad scoops up Hope, who is tiny in his big arms," Now, who's the most beautiful girl in the world? Yes, that's right, you are." He talks softly to her, and we're all just watching him melt at his granddaughter.
She's kicking her feet and just cooing and gurgling at him. Rayne is watching, totally surprised and not sure how to take this. Shannon is grinning and getting all misty-eyed.
"Rayne, you are under our protection. From now on, you're family. You don't worry about nothin, we'll take care of both of you, you understand, darlin?"
She actually has a couple of tears that run down her cheeks, and I want to hold her. She wipes them away quickly.
"Yes, thank you." She softly whispers.
Dad hands Hope back to her and kisses her head. She looks gobsmacked at that. He leaves, Shannon smiles, and then she and Bones leave together.
I go to the mini fridge in my room and get a bottle of water. I sit on the bed next to her and hand her the bottle. She thanks me and gulps down the water.
"Do you need more, or are you hungry?" She shakes her head.
"Why don't you lie down and rest, baby? I'm sure you're tired, and you need to heal."
She looks at me a bit funny again, and I just smile at her. She lies on her side and pulls Hope against her. She lifts the hem of the shirt and situates Hope to nurse.
I probably watch a whole lot more than I should, but it does things to me to watch her take care of our baby. She's been hurt, stabbed, sewn up, and still she's cuddling and nursing our baby. Of course, she doesn't realize they're mine yet, but soon, she will.
She falls asleep with Hope still nursing slightly, but pretty much asleep. I cover them both with the blanket and check the status of everything.