PEACH'S & CREAM

12 (PEACH/JAX)

Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you're not alone
'Cause I'm going to make this place your home

*

*unedited* THREE MONTHS LATER...PEACH's POV

Jax is at work and doesn't know that Makai is being released today. I have a boot on my foot so I can put weight on it. These past three months have been a lot. My parents and I have not talked once since I went off on them and Sienna and Sand are the only siblings that have talked to me.

Jax has been supportive and we have gotten everything we need for Makai. I chose not to return to work so I could watch Makai and not some stranger. I walk into the NICU with the car seat and his diaper backpack. I walk to his little area and look at him.

He has grown a lot since he was born. He weighs almost ten pounds now and I am happy. The depression has passed and I feel so much better than I did a few months ago. A nurse makes her way toward us and smiles.

"Makai is ready to go. We just need to get him dressed," the nurse says.

I get my baby dressed and put him in the car seat. The nurse hands me some papers and I look at her with my brows scrunched together.

"These are his important documents and information about his stay here," the nurse says.

"Okay, thank you," I reply.

I take the papers and slide them in the bag. The nurse walks away and I buckle Makai in. Makai and I leave the hospital and go out to the car. I put him in his spot and make sure he is secure. I go climb in and we leave.

"We're on our way Makai!"

JAX's POV

"You're all good to go," I say as I move away from the young girl.

She hops down and goes and looks in the mirror. I clean up my station and make my way to the back of the parlor. I walk into Aleks office and sit in one of his chairs. He turns in his chair and looks at me.

"When is Makai coming home?" Aleks asks.

"Peach hasn't told me," I reply. "But it should be soon. When are you going to hire more artist?"

"Whenever people come and apply," Aleks mutters.

"Peach can draw very well. I bet if you taught her how to tattoo she could do it," I state.

Aleks nods. "I will think about it," he replies.

A knock comes from the office. Aleks and I turn to see Jaiyesimi or Jai standing there with a smile on her face. Jai is from Nigeria but she was adopted by some rich white family so she doesn't know anything about her roots.

"There is a girl here to see you, Jax," Sim says.

I stand up and leave the office. I make my way to the front to see Peach standing at the front desk. I smile as I make my way to her. We have made so much progress in the last three months. I'm proud.

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

"I brought you a surprise," Peach murmurs.

"Which is?" I ask.

Peach picks up the car seat and sets Makai on the counter. A smile spreads across my face as I look at the pale baby with heterochromia. He has one grey eye and one blue eye. He's adorable. I take him out of his seat and hold him as he looks at me.

Makai starts blowing little bubbles as I rub his chubby cheek. "Is this Makai?" Aleks' voice fills the room.

I turn toward him and Jai. Jai's cheeks are a pink tint and her lips are swollen. I smirk as I look at Alek. He walks over to us and looks at Makai.

"Why is he so pale?" Aleks asks.

Peach chuckles. "Well, he is my child so why wouldn't he be?" I reply.

Jai walks to us and basically takes the baby from me. Peach watches her closely. "Babies are my life. I love babies. What's his name? Like the full name," Jai says.

"Makai Kazimir Ivanov," Peach replies.

"Awe so cute!" Jai says as she rubs his cheek.

Jai hands Makai to Peach and she puts him in his car seat. She quickly buckles him up and kisses his forehead. I let my eyes gaze over her post-baby body. When she wasn't with me or Makai, she was constantly working out and eating right. It helped her depression.

"Are you going to be at your parent's tonight?" Aleks asks.

"Well, I don't know. Makai is just now coming home," I reply.

"We can go. We just have to set boundaries for everyone," Peach says.

I nod. "I will be closing early so you can go ahead and go," Aleks says.

I nod. "I'll meet you in the car. I have to go get my phone and charger," I state.

Peach nods and takes Makai. I go back to my station and grab my stuff. I go say goodbye to Aleks and Jai then go out to the car. I climb in and Peach drives off.

We get to our condo and go inside. Peach gets Makai to sleep and puts him in his bassinet as I walk into our room. I slide my shoes and clothes off and climb into bed. Peach comes and lays beside me.

"Were you even going to mention your parent's to me today or at all?" Peach asks.

"Nope. I wanted to go spend time with Makai but now that we are home with him, we can go," I reply.

"What exactly are we going to?" Peach asks.

"Just a family dinner. My aunt and uncle will be there as well as Aleks, Gennadi, and whoever they bring," I reply.

"Okay, so casual," Peach says.

I nod. Peach climbs on top of me. Her hands trace my tattoos as her hair falls off her shoulder. I run my hands up her thighs making goosebumps rise on her skin. Her clock tattoo and sunflowers still look brand new and perfect as ever.

"What do you want to do?" I ask.

"Anything," Peach replies.

"Oh yeah?"