Page 123 of Halo

“Let's go meet our girl.”

***

The NICU is another world compared to the rest of the hospital. The rooms are warm and dimly lit, some with soft glows of neon blue. Machines whir and chirp in every direction. Matt stays close as we scrub our hands and follow a front desk clerk through unit.

“Mr. Barnett?”

A woman in a white coat approaches us. “I'm Dr. Amina Rahim, one of the neonatologists caring for your daughter.”

Matt's face changes at the word daughter. “How is she?”

“She's a tough one.” Dr. Rahim smiles gently. “She's had a difficult start—an early one at that—but she's exactly where she needs to be. Come on. I'll take you to her.”

Matt reaches for my hand as we follow Dr. Rahim farther into the unit. She stops at a set of sliding glass doors marked BARNETT, GIRL and leads us inside, pulling back the privacy curtain around her bed.

I make it one step before all the air leaves my lungs.

Someone is already beside her, hunched forward in his scrubs, quietly talking to her through the incubator in his charming drawl.

Chapter 30

Nick

Ipush quietly to my feet, mindful of the baby cords and lines as Leah comes toward me. She doesn't say anything before wrapping both arms around my waist.

My arms close around her, pulling her into my chest as I rest my lips in her hair.

“I don't even know what to say,” she whispers.

I press a kiss to her forehead. “You don't have to say anything, darlin’.”

She looks up at me, those dark eyes swollen from—no doubt—a very emotional evening. But for half a second, I forget we're standing in the middle of a NICU. We aren't texting or sending each other doodles through some dumb game. My girl is back in my arms, and I don't remember it feeling this fucking perfect.

A throat clears behind her.

I loosen my hold as Matt extends his hand.

“Crawford.” He grips firmly. “I heard about what you did tonight. And I, um …” He softens. “Thank you for taking care of my family.”

“Of course.”

Do I finally have Big Bro’s approval?

“I think it's time for you to go.”

Well, that's a no.

“Matt,” Leah warns.

“I'm sure you're needed elsewhere. And we … well, we need time alone.” He flashes a bright smile that doesn't reach his dark eyes. “You understand, I'm sure.”

Message received. “Absolutely.”

Leah's gaze nervously bounces between us before landing on me. “I'll text you?”

I wink. “Whenever you're ready.”

I step aside and leave the room.