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All the carefully constructed walls surrounding him started to chip and crumble.
This was what happened when he let music back into his life. Life took it away again immediately.
How Zara managed to stay afloat in a world that felt like a constant tsunami, he would never know. But he couldn’t do it.
He wasn’t that guy.
That guy had left the building years ago.
His flight started to board.
He texted Nikki instead.
ASA: none of that happened. I’ll explain when I get there. ttys
Then he shut off his phone.
When Asa finally found Nikki’s hospital room, it was full.
Nikki’s parents, Bob and Mary, were cooing over the little bundle in André’s arms. Nikki spotted Asa hovering in the doorway and gave a little wave with her tired smile.
Mary glanced up at him and did a double-take.
“Asa.” She moved his way and grabbed him in a tight hug. The moment she released him, Bob was there to hug him as well.
“It’s good to see you,” Bob said, slapping him on the back before releasing him.
“We saw you on the television last night accepting Nikki’s award,” Mary said, pride shining from her eyes. “Didn’t think you’d make it back so soon.”
“I couldn’t miss meeting my new niece,” Asa said with a smile.
Growing up, Bob and Mary had been more supportive of him than his own parents. Too many times he’d wished that he and Nikki were actually related so he could claim them as his own.
“She’s perfect,” Mary sighed, turning back to the baby now fussing in André’s arms. “Eight pounds of stardust wrapped in a blanket.”
The baby’s grunts and protests grew louder and André moved closer to Nikki.
“I should probably try to feed her again,” Nikki said, holding out her arms.
“Do you want me to get the nurse?” André asked, setting the bundle carefully in Nikki’s hold.
“No, I think we’ve about got this thing figured out,” Nikki said, voice soft.
André arranged the blanket around the mother and child so Nikki could nurse in privacy.
“Mom, Dad, would you please make sure André eats something?” Nikki asked her parents. “He’s being stubborn.”
“I just want to be here in case you need me,” André said.
“I’m fine,” Nikki reassured him. “I’m well taken care of.”
“Come along, son,” Bob said, patting André’s back. “Let us buy you lunch.”
André sputtered a bit, his gaze bouncing from Nikki to her parents to Asa.
“Go,” Asa encouraged.
“Call me if something happens?” André asked.
