And Back Again

Chapter 30

"You sure you wanna do this?" Angel asked Zara, scribbling his name on the last of the forms.

Zara nodded. "Is it what you want? I'm doing this for you, Angel."

"I do," he said confidently. "I don't want you to hate it, I'll still do it but I'll feel kind of shitty."

"I like it," she smiled, looking at Teddy in his bassinet. "Ariza Osbourne Reyes, it suits him."

"I still wanna call him Teddy," Angel told her. "I don't want to make it a thing." Really, he didn't want to bring any attention to the massive guilt he felt over Riz's death.

"Of course," Zara agreed, also not wanting to raise eyebrows. "Almost feels performative if we bust in announcing this name change."

"Mr. and Mrs. Reyes?" The pediatrician stepped into the nursery. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you," Zara said with a smile. "I wish it was without the monitors but I just want my boy home."

The doctor nodded. "Hopefully he'll grow out of the sleep apnea by the time he's six months."

"Six months?" Angel asked, visibly horrified. "He's not even three months yet."

"He's a little anxious," Zara said by way of explanation. "I am too but," she shrugged, "Like I said, I want him home."

"What do we do?" Angel asked the doctor cluelessly.

The doctor looked at Angel for a moment. "I thought the nurse went over the monitor and what to do if there are any alarms."

"She did," Zara told him. "Like I said, we're just a bit anxious."

"You'll find wonderfully, it'll be good for him to go home."

They shared a few more pleasantries before shaking hands and leaving the new parents to take their son home.

—

*the next evening*

"Yo, what is this place?" Gilly asked with confusion as he and Coco approached the address Bastian had given them.

"I dunno but it looks expensive as fuck," Coco hissed.

"Too good to have it at the clubhouse," Hank added as he joined them.

"Hope he wasn't expecting a fucking tie," Coco spat as they stepped through the doors and into the party.

Weeks before Bastian had come to Angel and Zara about the party and each of his plans had been shot down. Bishop wouldn't allow it to be held at any of Bastian's properties and Bastian refused to throw it at the clubhouse. Neutral ground was agreed upon so Bastian chose the most expensive ground around.

"This party costs more than the kids' entire existence so far, including medical bills," Angel grumbled.

Zara nodded and pulled a face. "I fucking told him," she complained. "I told him not to do this shit."

"You knew he'd do it," Angel said with displeasure.

"Do you know if my mom is coming?" Zara asked, swaying slowly with Teddy in her arms.

"Creep asked if she was allowed," Angel laughed. "She was invited so it's all good."

"That doesn't answer my question," she complained.

"That does though," he said, pointing off toward the entrance where Holly stood. "You good?"

"Whatever," she said dismissively. "Let's just try to have fun." Zara perked up as hors d'oeuvres and champagne began to be served.