The Alpha's Weakness

Chapter 26

—-Zayla

"Ow-wen."  I mumbled opening my eyes slightly.

"Zayla?"  I heard.

"Ow-wen."  I mumbled again.

"I'm here baby.  I'm here."  He said kissing the back of my hand.

"Baby okay?"  I said.

"She's in the NICU."  He said.

"See her?"  I asked.

"Soon.  You'll see her soon okay?"  He said.

"Y-yes."  My words were slurred as I spoke.  He pushed the call button pressing kisses to the back of my hand.  I felt his tears hit my hand.

"I love you so much."  He pressed his lips to my forehead.  Dr. O'Ryan came in with Dr. Martin and Dr. Carmichael.

"Hi there.  It's good to see you awake."  Dr. O'Ryan said.  "You know Dr. Martin.  Dr. Carmichael is the neurologist on your case.  The best there is."

"How long... asleep?"  I asked.

"5 weeks total.  Your baby girl is 4 weeks old.  She still needs a name."  Dr. O'Ryan said.

"Angel Grace Vance."  I said slowly.  Owen smiled with approval.  "When... home?"

"Honey, you were in a very bad accident.  You'll be in here a while."

"See her?"  I asked.

"Soon.  You have infection.  We need to get that under control before you see the baby okay?"  O'Ryan said.

"P-promise."  I said.

"I promise."  She said touching my free hand give a squeeze.

"We're going to set up a schedule for your physical therapy.  Starting Friday.  We'll start with you getting out of that bed and into a chair.  Then we'll get into the harder stuff okay?"

"'Kay."  I said.

That night, Owen was asleep beside me in my hospital bed.  The doctors approved and I was glad.  The back of my hand resting against his chest, my head resting on his shoulder.

A week later, I was improving so much that I was transferred to an excellent rehab center.  Owen walked in, coming to visit me.  "Hi baby."

"Hey."  I stood carefully and hugged him, I really wanted his warm embrace.  It was comforting and just helped me.  He pressed his lips to my jaw.

"We brought someone to see you."  He said.  "You haven't seen her in a few days."  I pulled away and saw his mom and Dad walk in with Angel's carrier.  I sat down slowly and reached my hands out for her.  Owen unbuckled her from her carrier and he slid a chair close to me.  He picked her up carefully and settled her in my arms keeping his hands over mine.  "We'll bring the boys by tomorrow okay?"  I nodded.

They stayed for a few hours, Owen was sitting beside me on my bed.  "We have to take the baby home."

"Come see me tomorrow."  My speech was better than what it was a week ago.

"Of course I will."  He said.

"Promise."  I said.

"I promise."  He said.  "I can't wait until you're back home.  I miss my baby so much."

"I miss you."  I said.

"I've hardly slept."  I lifted my hand and slid it over his cheek and into his hair.  He leaned his forehead against mine.  My lips met his in a soft kiss. I parted my lips with his, touching his jaw with my other hand. "I love you." I said when we parted.

"I love you." He gave me one final hug before having to go. "See you tomorrow." He said. I nodded.

They arrived the next day while I was walking the hallway without any help. The nurse walking beside me just in case I needed her. Owen saw me walking by myself and a smile appeared on his handsome face. "Hey baby, looking good." He said. I went to him hugging him. My arms around his neck.

"She just started her walk for the day. She has a few things to do today and that will determine if she can go home tomorrow. She's improved so much. An adult brain is so much harder to retrain." The nurse said.

"Mommy!" Austin and Owen Jr. came in with papa and Mimi. They hugged my legs.

"It's so good to see you two." I said.

"We have to finish the two laps in the hallway. Then heading to the cafeteria for lunch." The nurse said.

"We'll join you." Owen said.

That evening, Owen was still here waiting for me to finish packing my bag. He wanted to do it but the doctor told him not to. "Zayla, you still have physical therapy every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Keep doing your exercises at home. If you hit your head or fall or anything like that, go straight to the ER." The doctor said.

"Okay." I said. He walked out. Owen picked me up in a giant bear hug. I wrapped my arms around his neck kissing his lips.

"I'm so glad your coming home." He said.

"Me too." He gave me one more kiss and set me down. He put my bag over his shoulder and I put on my jacket.

At home, I was greeted by my boys. "Mommy!" I sat on the couch and got my hugs. "Sissy needs mommy." Austin said. Mama Vance brought Angel in for me.

"The only time she is calm is when she's with you. Owen does a fair job of keeping her calm, but she's missing her mommy." I took Angel and she curled up to me. I held her tight kissing her head.

"Let's give mommy time with sissy okay?" Owen said directing the boys into the kitchen.

"My sweet baby girl." I said kissing her head again. I brushed my fingertips over her soft head of hair. She had light brown hair like me. Owen had raven black hair which is where the boys got their hair color from. She kept her eyes on me until she fell asleep.

Owen walked in and sat beside me. He slid his arm around me and Angel. "She looks just like her mommy. Beautiful." He said. I leaned against him my head on his shoulder. He rubbed my back.

"Mom made dinner, I hope your hungry."

"Starving." I said.  "I'm just glad I'm home."

"I'm glad your home.  I need sleep."  He said.

I smiled leaning my head against his.  "Where does she sleep?"

"In the crib I made.  I'll move it to your side of the bed when we go up."

"Thank you."

After dinner, I was standing at the foot of the steps.  I had been up and down stairs at the rehab center, but not this many.  "Baby?  You okay?"  Owen asked walking in.

"Yeah.  It's just... a long way up."  I said.

"The baby's already upstairs.  Come on, I'll go up with you.  Either one at a time or however you want."  He brushed his hand over my back.

I stumbled at the top 5 steps.  I panicked and grabbed Owen.  He steadied me.  "Baby it's okay."  He whispered in my ear holding onto me.

"I need to sit down."  I said trying to calm down.

"Zayla, relax okay?"  He scooped me up and carried me into our room.  By the time he put me down, I was sobbing.  I shoved what was close to me onto the floor.  He climbed onto the bed behind me.  He wrapped his arms around me.  I put my head in my hand.  "It'll be okay.  We will get through this okay?  You're not alone.  I'm here with you.  I love you."

"I hate this.  I hate her.  She did this.  She almost killed my baby."  I said sobbing into my hands.

"Shh... you'll wake the baby.  The baby is alive and healthy.  Everything is going to get better."  He helped me lay down and held me as I fell asleep.