Homebound

Epilogue

"He's so cute, Josie" I say in awe as I stand over the bassinet. I can feel Hex behind me as his chest brushes my back.

"I know, I still can't believe he's finally here" Josie exclaims as I watch her looking at him. Her eyes are bright and full of love, so much love that I can't comprehend it.

His little legs kick around and his hands wave in front of his face, looking for something. He had yet to open his eyes for Hex and I but his scrunched facial expressions are proof that he is awake. Josie had dressed him in the clothes that I had brought him for her baby shower and it seems I got the correct size because it fits him perfectly. I always thought that all babies look alike and people were only lying when they would say the baby looks like one of the parents but all I can see Harvey's face looking right back at me.

"I think he's hungry" Josie mumbles to herself before disappearing around the corner and into the kitchen. I hope he doesn't start to cry while she's gone, I don't know what to do.

"He's very small" Hex mumbles from over my shoulder as he looks at the baby.

"He's tiny" I whisper as he whines and his face scrunches up, ready to cry. I don't know how to soothe him so I grab his tiny hand, watching as he instinctively wraps his fingers around my index.

I hear Josie's footsteps come back from the kitchen as she shakes a small bottle in her right hand.

"Do you want to take a seat, guys?" she asks as she scoops the baby up. We take a seat on the couch, watching as the baby becomes fussier and releases a little cry.

Josie looks good for having a newborn. She hadn't managed her usual make-up but her hair is washed and she got dressed for the day. It also seems like she's been getting a decent amount of sleep, but she could just be hiding her tiredness behind a smile.

"Here" Josie says as she places the baby in my arms unexpectedly and the bottle in my right hand. I tense up but at the same time curl my arm around the baby so he doesn't roll off my lap.

"O-oh Josie, I don't know how to do this" I say in a panic. Am I holding him wrong? What happens if he chokes on the formula? What if he's sick on me?

"It's okay. Here" Josie guides my hand with the bottle and runs the nipple across his lips until his mouth opens and he starts drinking the formula.

Josie stands back and takes a seat on the couch opposite us, keeping a close eye on her baby.

"What's his name?" I ask as I watch his face move in motion with the bottle, his eyes remaining closed.

"Jack" she reveals with a wide smile. My eyebrows rise in surprise, all the names she had told me she was considering were very unique and spelt strangely. Jack is common, the complete opposite for what she was going for.

I nod, he looks like a Jack.

I watch Jack drink the formula closely, fearful he'll choke or the nipple will pop out of his mouth and send formula up his nose. Josie watches closely but is calmer then I am as she chats with Hex, most of their words becoming a background blur to me.

"How is the new apartment?" Josie asks as she looks between Hex and I. I leave it to Hex to answer as I focus on Jack. We moved into a new apartment for our safety, with Teddy of course. Mum moved with us too and now resides in the spare bedroom on the opposite side of the apartment. I know she wants her own place but until she can afford it then she can stay with us for as long as she likes. Hex has yet to see his own mother and I know the guilt is eating away at him but his fear of seeing her sick is bigger. I've visited Wyonna a couple of times with Harley since Hex was released, her health is still declining but she hasn't had a medical emergency since her fall. She asks about Hex most visits and it hurts to watch Harley lie to her mother about her brothers whereabouts.