The Baby Between Them

Chapter Eighteen

"Thank you for today." Rae said to Hunter the following afternoon as they walked back into the hospital. Rae spun the key ring holding her new car key around her finger and smiled. Her brand new Aurora green GWM Ora was out in the carpark and she couldn't be happier. It was super cute and Hunter said that it's safety rating was awesome as well.

"All good. Happy I could help." They walked in silence to the elevators. The tension between them today could have been cut with a knife it was that thick, but they both pretended it wasn't there and achieved what they'd set out to do that morning. "Do you always drive that careful or was it purely because I was in the car behind you?" Hunter asked.

"Having a cop following you is kind of daunting Hunter. Even an off duty one who has known you since you were a toddler."

"That's fair, but honestly Rae, driving normally is going to make you less of a target to the police. When you drive as careful as that, it makes us wonder what you're up to."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah." He chuckled.

"Good to know." She smiled as they stepped out of the elevator and walked down to Milly's room in the NICU. "He's going to make a good Dad one day." Rae said as she took in the sight of Nash fast asleep with Milly wrapped securely in his arms on her bed.

"What am I? Chopped liver?" Hunter asked, mildly offended.

"Are you the one currently looking all cute in there holding a baby while you sleep on my bed?" She asked, punching him playfully on the arm. He just sighed and shook his head at her.

"I've done just as much for Milly as he has." Rae looked up at him. One eyebrow raised. "Ok maybe not as much, but I have a pretty important job and he's currently flunking science and English because of how often he's here instead of at school."

"He's not!"

"He actually is. I'm not just being an ass."

"Shock horror!" Rae looked at him with mock fear in her eyes, before laughing.

"It happens sometimes when I'm feeling nice." Hunter shrugged.

They walked into the room, both smiling. The tension slightly less now they weren't alone.

"Looks like you two had fun today." Nash said groggily as he sat up.

"Well..." Hunter started.

"I got a car!" Rae exclaimed, holding up the key.

"Nice! Show me pics!" Nash handed Milly to Hunter, before sitting on the bed with Rae to gush over the photos she'd taken of the car, as well as the photos Hunter had taken of her with the car. "It's super cute and so you! That colour is beautiful!"

"Isn't it! The red was hot too, but I really like this one."

"Red's a bit in your face, for you."

"That's exactly what Rae said when she was looking at it." Hunter said as he put Milly down on her bed, to change her nappy.

"What can I say? I know my girl." Nash smiled, nudging his shoulder against Rae's.

"My girl." Hunter mumbled under his breath.

"Did you say something?" Rae asked him.

"Just chatting with Milly." He smiled. Her eyes said she didn't believe him, but she left it alone.

"Good. You're all here." Abi said as she opened the door and walked in.

"What's up Abs?" Nash asked.