“I’m on my way,” I told him.
I hung up and looked at Stephen. “I’ll be at Bailey’s tonight,” I told him. “Bad day.”
He nodded once. “I’ve got this, bro. Go on ahead.”
I rushed out of the house and got in my truck, heading for Bailey’s. Stephen and I had driven our own vehicles in case she needed me today, and I was glad we did.
I’m coming, baby girl. Just hang on for me.
* * *
Trent already hadthe door open for me when I rushed up the porch. Her parents weren’t home, but I wasn’t surprised. It was their anniversary, and Trent and I had promised to keep an eye on Bailey so they could enjoy a day away.
She was asleep, curled into a ball, hugging the stuffed animal Jacob had gotten her to her chest. Silently, I toed off my shoes and stripped out of everything but my boxers before I slid in bed behind her, gently tugging her into my arms.
“Seth?” she whispered, her pretty eyes slowly opening.
I softly kissed her, tightening my arms around her, crushing her to me just like she always loved to be held.
“I’m here, baby girl,” I soothed. “Go back to sleep.”
She slid her leg over mine and snuggled her face against my chest, her breathing quickly evening back out. I rested my chin on the top of her head and grabbed my phone from the nightstand just as it vibrated.
How is she? – Stephen
Sleeping. I’ll find out more when she wakes up. -Seth
Keep me updated. -Stephen
I set my phone back down and closed my eyes, fully intending to take advantage of a moment to nap as I held her, making her feel safe and comforted inside my arms.
No matter how bad it got, no matter how dark it got, she would always have me. And as soon as she opened her loving heart to my brother, she would have him, too.
3
Seth
Bailey had zero excitement for her doctor appointment that morning, so getting her out of bed was a fucking task in itself. We went through this anytime something about the baby was brought up. She still wasn’t coping with being pregnant, and I was lost—I didn’t know how to help her.
I ran my hand over her hair. She looked up at me with those eyes that always sucked me in, warming my soul no matter how lost she looked sometimes.
“Come on, baby girl. I’ll be right there with you,” I promised her.
“Do I have to?” she asked quietly.
She was still recovering from the anxiety attack she’d had a few days ago. Her mood was slowly improving, but little things kept setting her back, and I knew anything to do with this baby was destroying the progress she’d made.
But she had to go see the doctor.
I sat beside her on the bed. She rolled towards me a little. I grabbed her hands in mine, lifting her fingers to my lips to kiss them. “What if I had Stephen come with us?” I asked her.
She frowned, thinking over my words for a moment. “He doesn’t need to see the mess I become,” she finally whispered.
I brushed my thumbs over the backs of her hands. “Baby girl, Stephen willneverlook at you differently,” I assured her. “He cares about you, and he just wants to help you.”
She stayed silent, still frowning, but she seemed to be thinking about my suggestion again. I sat patiently, waiting to see what she wanted.
“Okay,” she whispered. She pushed herself into a sitting position. With a heavy sigh, she swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Let me get a shower.”