Book IV of the UNC Series
Carter Blake has a bone-deep hatred for the world-and especially for the people in it. All he wants is to keep his head down, focus on school and basketball, and avoid the mess of human connection. After enduring years of...
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I wait until visiting hours, then hurry down to the gift shop, the cheerful sounds of children and the scent of balloons guiding my way, before buying a teddy bear and balloons. I didn't want to drive back home or leave, even though we got the news that Ryan would be okay. Driving to get Ryan here was hard enough. Driving back on my own still seems like a difficult feat.
I spent the night at the hospital because I also knew that if I went home, I would find another excuse not to tell Carsen everything. So I stayed as I promised and knocked on their door as soon as possible.
I hear Carsen's voice softly say, "Come in."
I push the door open and peer inside tentatively. Carsen sits by the window with a bundle of blankets and his daughter. She's cradled in the crook of his elbow, and she's basically the length of his forearm. Ryan's still sleeping with an eye mask over her face to block out the morning light. Wires continue to monitor her blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels. But I note the rise and fall of her chest, steady and calm.
"Hey," I whisper, mindful that Ryan's still sleeping.
Carsen smiles up at me, "Hey, come in." He adjusts himself and makes room for me. I place the bear and balloons on the table by Ryan's bed and sit next to him.
"I want you to meet Audrey Diana Blake," Carsen shifts his hold so that her sleeping face peeks through the blankets.
Despite being so tiny, her cheeks are round and full, and her lips are pouty and slightly parted. The nurses' diligent cleaning has left her skin dry and taut, almost papery in texture. Her lashes are so faint that they're practically invisible against her cheekbones. Her hair is dark with a bit of a wave. She's almost a replica of Carsen.
She's slightly more tanned than him, taking on Ryan's Latin side, but her facial features are that of Carsen. I wonder what colour her eyes will be, as Carsen has grey eyes like me and Ryan has bright blue ones.
"She's beautiful," I lean over, running my finger along the seam of the blanket as I skim the side of her face. She's so warm and soft.
"Want to hold her?" Carsen attempts to lift her so I can slide my arms under, but I shake my head, "I'm going to break her."
Carsen chuckles, "You won't."
With a quick glance at Carsen, I slip my hands underneath and transfer her to my arms. She's so light, lighter than I expected her to be. She fusses a little, her eyes crinkling as if she's going to cry, but she instantly settles back to sleep when I rock her, patting her back lightly.
"Hi, Audrey," I mutter, "I'm your Uncle Carter."
Warmth blossoms in my chest as her lips quirk upward into a smile but immediately fall to her pouty look.
"Did she just smile?" I smile up at Carsen, and he just watches me momentarily. There's a look of awe on his face, and I realize it's been a while since I smiled at him. Much less had a conversation with him.
