23
Kayla had just gotten out of the shower and was packing to go home. She was beyond ready to leave. She had been in the hospital five days, including the night that Day was born. She wanted to take her baby home and get on with her life. They had already brought Day from the nursery. Kayla made a mental note to send the nursery staff a thank you note and a basket of cookies from herself and the baby. They had been so attentive.
“Looks like you’re ready to go,” Karen said. Kayla was sitting on the side of the bed, waiting for her parents to pick her up.
“I’ve been ready,” Kayla told her. “Day needs to go and see her new room.”
“Well, I am gonna discharge you, but we need to get a few things straight before I sign these papers.”
“Okay, what?”
“There are two young men outside who say they need to see you. Now, I have listened to both of them begging me to see you for the last two days. I have agreed to give them five minutes each. I am going to connect you back up to this blood pressure monitor and if it shows a high reading at any time while they are here, it’s back in the bed and you will stay there. I cannot risk having you leave here and having a stroke. Understand, Kayla? You have a little one to care for.”
“I understand. Who’s outside to see me?” Kayla asked. She figured it was Geno and Terrell. They had probably been worried to death, and Kayla already knew that Geno came to see Day regularly.
“I’ll send the first gentleman in,” Karen said as she affixed the blood pressure cuff on Kayla’s arm. “Remember what I told you.”
“I will.” Kayla took a deep breath and reminded herself to stay calm. She leaned over and checked on Day to make sure she was still asleep.
The door opened slowly and Kayla smiled at Geno as he entered.
“Hi, G. I knew you were here.”
“You feeling okay, Kay?” He kissed her cheek and walked over to see Day. “Hey, Princess.”
“I would probably be doing better if I was at home,” Kayla admitted.
“Kayla, I’m so sorry for what happened the other afternoon. I was out of line and I was wrong. I know you think it wasn’t my place to get into it with Craig, but when he made it seem like we were scheming on his punk ass, I got mad.”
“Don’t worry about it, G. It wasn’t your fault. But I’m glad you’re here. I want to thank you for looking after Day while I was sick. They told me that you gave her ’round the clock feedings and everything.” Kayla wondered how he was able to get away from that crazy Janice to do it, but she didn’t ask.
“That’s my princess. I didn’t do anything you wouldn’t do for me, Kayla. Hell, if it wasn’t for you, I never would have finished school. I keep telling you that I will always be there for you. I’m not playing. No matter the circumstances.” He sat next to her and put his arm around her. Kayla did not know what to think. She still loved Geno, there was no doubting that, but she did not know what he was trying to say and didn’t want to make a fool of herself by asking.
“Time’s up.” Karen interrupted her thoughts before she had a chance to respond. She checked the monitor and looked at Kayla and Geno. “Very good, Kayla. No high readings. Now, Geno, I really need for you to make sure Kayla gets some rest while she is at home. Don’t be calling her all times of the night and no surprise visits.”
“I know. Karen, I know this sounds crazy, but are you sure there is no possible way that I could be the father? I am not saying that Kayla’s not sure, but is there any possibility?” He looked at Karen, pleading.
“If the last time you were together was when you said it was, Geno, then there’s no way. Now if you want to take a blood test then I’d be more than happy to have it done.”
“No, it’s just like I love her as if she’s mine. She’s only a few days old, but I know I couldn’t love my own child any more. We have a bond,” he said. It took everything in her power for Kayla not to breakdown and cry. She wished more than anything that Day could have been hers and Geno’s child. It would have made a hell of a lot more sense than Day being the result of a one-night stand with Craig.
“Childbirth is a very bonding experience, Geno. And you already had a bond with Kayla. That’s a lot of emotions, when you think about it. And Day will also have a bond with you, if you choose to continue. But know that bond comes with a lot of responsibility. You are talking about being a part of a child’s life. That’s nothing to take lightly.”
“I know,” he said.
“Kayla, you have another visitor waiting. And your parents are waiting to take you home as well.” Karen opened the door.
“Good-bye, Kayla. I’ll call before I stop by later.” He looked at Karen for approval. “To see Day, of course.”
“How about tomorrow? Give Kayla and Day a chance to get settled their first night.”
“Okay. But I’m gonna call.” He kissed Kayla, Day, and Karen as he left.
“Ready for your next gentleman caller?” Karen asked.
“Send Terrell with his retarded self in.” Kayla prepared herself for the smart comment she knew he would have when he came in. Karen shook her head and walked into the hallway.
Kayla could not help but frown when instead of Terrell, Craig walked in. She was about to curse him out when she caught a glimpse of the blood pressure cuff on her arm and began to breathe deeply.
“Hi, beautiful.” Craig spoke smoothly. He walked over and gave Kayla a hug, then touched Day’s back. “And little beautiful.”
“You are the last person I expected to be here,” she told him dryly.
“Okay, I can’t risk you falling the hell out again, so I’m asking you just to chill while I say my peace.” He looked at her intensely. Kayla didn’t want to hear anything he had to say, but she decided to let him talk so he could hurry and leave.
“Go ahead.” She took another deep breath.
“Okay. I am sorry for saying what I did. It’s just that I was looking at you and Geno and it was like it was your baby—yours and his. I know you wouldn’t lie to me, Kay. And Karen confirmed what you said about the date of conception. I already made my peace with Geno, now I’m making amends with you and Day.” He reached inside his jacket pocket and passed Kayla a folded piece of paper. She took it from his hand and slowly opened it. It was the registration for Day’s birth certificate and he had printed and signed his name under the space for father’s information.
“Thank you,” Kayla whispered. She looked up at him and saw him standing next to Day.
“Can I?”
“She’s your daughter. Of course you can.” Kayla reached in and passed the baby to him. He gently rocked her in his arms.
“I want to be a part of her life, Kayla. I know you and I will be nothing more than friends, but I still want to be there for her and you. Please, give me a chance.” He looked at her with that intense stare and Kayla could not help but smile.
“I don’t have a problem with that, Craig. But I will not have you walking in and out of her life like some distant relative that she gets to see on birthdays and holidays. If you’re gonna be a father, I have no problem with that. But I don’t have time for your games, either,” Kayla warned him.
“All right, I understand. Well, I guess I need to let you finish up and get out of here. Do you need anything? Or does she?”
“No, we’re fine for now. Thank you for stepping up, Craig.” She took Day and placed her back into the bassinet.
“Well, call me if you need me.” He gave her a hug.
“But are you gonna answer when I call? You know how you conveniently lose your phone sometimes.” Kayla smirked.
“You’re a trip.” He opened the door and she could see her parents talking with Karen.
“Mister and Mrs. Hopkins, she’s ready,” he told them as he turned and waved to Kayla. “I’ll call you later.”
“Good-bye, Craig.” Kayla waved. “Hi, Daddy. You ready to take all of us women home?”
“You’d better believe it. Where’s my newest baby luv?” Her dad kissed her as her mother followed him into Kayla’s room.
“I thought we took all of this kind of stuff home?” her mother said as she picked up a pink and white vase full of flowers that had been delivered earlier. She read the card then turned to Kayla and asked, “Who’s Uncle Darrell?”
“Craig’s brother,” Kayla answered as she bundled Day up into the bunting Roni had sent.
“Well, that was nice of him,” her dad said as he picked up Kayla’s suitcase.
“He’s a nice guy,” Kayla told them.
“Mom, can you please grab Day’s pictures out of the drawer?”
“You’d better not forget them pictures,” her father warned.
“I gotta have plenty to take when I go back to work. My grandbaby,” he said proudly as the nurse and Karen came in and Kayla sat in the wheelchair, holding her precious daughter.
“Thank you for everything, Karen,” she said. “I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“Yes, you could have. It just wouldn’t have been as easy.” Karen grinned. “Now, I have given your parents specific instructions, so I know you’re in good hands. I’ll see you next week in my office.”
“Well, Day. We’re finally going home.” Kayla smiled and kissed Day’s forehead.