Chapter 32 Silent Tension
Xavier stood there for a few seconds before giving a quiet nod.
Mary smiled gently, then turned and left with Barry.
Finished
As soon as Becky heard the door handle turn again, she immediately shut her eyes, faking unconsciousness.
Sharon let out an exasperated sigh. Seriously? Again?
Xavier walked in and set the takeout containers on the bedside table.
He reached over and lightly tapped Becky’s arm. “Time to eat.”
She stayed still.
Should I open my eyes?
Xavier added, “Oatmeal and scrambled eggs.”
He hadn’t gone far–just grabbed it from the brunch café down by the hospital entrance. It was the only spot open.
Becky’s stomach growled, and she swallowed hard. Then she opened her eyes.
Xavier glanced at her, then raised the head of the bed and tucked a pillow behind her back.
He set up the tray table and laid out the food.
ལོ་ཤྭ་ཛ་༸འོ་ ཞ
Becky was starving. She didn’t bother pretending anymore and grabbed a forkful of scrambled eggs without hesitation.
Xavier sat back in a chair and watched her eat.
Sharon had wandered off to the crib, gently playing with the baby’s tiny fingers. She kept sneaking glances back at them.
Becky finished eating and mentally braced herself for the storm she knew was coming.
Any second now, Xavier was going to start grilling her.
She snuck a few glances at Xavier, but he said nothing.
He quietly cleaned up the tray, tossed the ‘trash, and sat back down.
She couldn’t figure him out. What is this? The silent treatment before the storm?
The silence in the room grew heavy. Sharon sensed the shift in the air and decided to escape.
“I’m going to grab some food. Be back in a bit.”
Xavier spoke without looking up. “No need. You don’t have to come back.”
Sharon blinked. “What?”
Chapter 32 Silent Tension
Becky’s eyes went wide. Wait–he’s kicking everyone out? Is he clearing the room to go off on me?
Yup. It was happening.
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Sharon stiffened, ready to stand her ground for Becky’s sake. “Mr. Bolton-”
Xavier cut her off. “I’ve hired baby nurses and house staff. You can head home and rest.”
Sharon opened her mouth to argue, but Xavier gave her a cold look that shut her right up. She glanced at Becky with guilt in her eyes.
Becky shot her a pleading look. Don’t leave me!
“You still here?” Xavier asked calmly.
Sharon bit her lip, guilt all over her face, but she turned and left anyway.
Becky was speechless.
Wow. Some best friend.
The room fell into a heavy silence again.
Then came a soft little coo from the crib.
Becky immediately turned toward the sound.
Come to think of it, she hadn’t really seen her son yet. Hadn’t even held him.
All because of Xavier.
She’d been way too shaken to even think straight after leaving the delivery room.
She threw back the covers and tried to get out of bed.
Xavier stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “What are you doing?”
“I want to hold my baby.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“You’re still weak.”
“I can manage. Just for a minute.”
“Sit back. I’ll bring him to you.”
Becky obediently lay back down.
Xavier walked over to the bassinet.
He was little and perfect, fast asleep with his lips twitching now and then.
This is my child, Xavier thought. Mine and Becky’s.
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Chapter 32 Silent Tension
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Finished
The thought hit him harder than expected. Something stirred inside him–something unfamiliar and hard to define.
He picked the baby up.
He was unbelievably small–light as a feather in Xavier’s arms.
Becky watched anxiously. “Xavier–hey, be careful! Don’t drop him!”
Xavier looked up at her. “I’m a lot more reliable than you are right now.”
Becky made a face. “Just bring him here! I need to see if he’s handsome.” Xavier didn’t answer.
He looked down at the baby, then said flatly, “Ugly.”
To him, all newborns looked the same–squishy, red, and kind of weird.
Becky’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me? We’re both good–looking–how could our baby be ugly? I don’t believe you. Let me see.”
Xavier paused.
Our baby, she said.
Something about those two words stopped him cold.
Becky was growing impatient. Why is he taking so long? Just give him to me!
“Let me hold him!”
Xavier finally placed the baby in her arms.
Becky’s whole face lit up as she looked down at her son for the first time.
An
There’s something about becoming a mother–it flips a switch. No matter how wrinkly or red the baby looked, to her, he was perfect.
“His skin is so soft! And look at those lashes! That nose! And those little fingers–so cute!”
Xavier didn’t say anything.
He glanced down. Still looks like any other baby to me.
Becky studied his face closely and realized something.
This kid looks just like Xavier. The features weren’t fully formed yet, but the resemblance was already clear.
She pouted. Why couldn’t he look more like me?
Xavier let her hold the baby for a few minutes before gently taking him back and placing him in the bassinet.
Becky frowned. “I wasn’t done holding him.”
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Chapter 32 Silent Tension
Xavier sighed. “You’re still recovering. You shouldn’t hold him for too long.”
She sulked but didn’t argue.
Just then, two baby nurses arrived.
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Kevin had come through. The women were experienced, professional, and kind. They moved efficiently, taking over the baby’s care without missing a beat.
Becky felt relieved. These women were clearly way more capable than the one she’d originally hired.
Oh, right–she needed to let that other nurse know she wasn’t needed anymore.
She picked up her phone and sent a message.
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