Donna and I went to the local Rescue Mission and with donations to the House, we’ve been able to buy other things that I needed. I was able to get assistance through the government, but Warren has already challenged that. He claimed that I was still a dependent, and he was planning to add the baby as a dependent too. I hired a divorce lawyer who’s taking my case pro bono. She said I had a better chance of getting support for Ava if I let Warren claim her. I don’t know how I feel about that, but with Warren having a steady job it will be easier to enforce child support. I just don’t want him to get visitation. After what he put me through and threatened to do to her, I can’t imagine what visits would be like.
“You about ready?” Donna leaned in through the doorway.
“Ready for what?” I was confused. Donna was supposed to be at work. “I thought you were at the hospital all day today.”
“I had someone cover the afternoon for me. I thought you might want a ride to the hospital. This way you don’t have to bring Ava home in a cab.” Donna smiled.
“That would be great.” I couldn’t help it, tears started to leak from my eyes.
“Don’t cry on me, now,” Donna tsked. “Today is supposed to be a happy day.”
“It is. These are happy tears. I’ve just never had anyone who cared about me like you do; not since my parents anyway.” I wiped at my eyes. Things had been so different since I moved in. I was making friends with the other women, I was learning to open up more in therapy, and now Ava was coming home.
“All right. Well, grab the car seat, and let’s head out. I’m sure the NICU nurses will want to go over everything before you leave.” Donna led the way out to her car parked on the street. I placed the car seat in the backseat before climbing into the front.ooooooooo
It didn’t take us long to arrive at the hospital. Donna let me out by the front door, and promised to meet me upstairs after she parked. I lugged the car seat along as I headed toward the elevators. When I reached them, I set the car seat on the ground and pushed the call button.
“They’ve been really slow all day. Might take a while.” A male voice sounded from behind me.
I turned around to see Blake breezing down the hallway in his white lab coat. “What are you doing over here?” I scrunch my brow. Neurology was several floors up.
“I heard you were picking up Ava today. I thought I’d take a chance that you might be arriving soon.” He shrugged as a smile pulled at his lips.
“You came to see Ava?” I was surprised, shocked almost.
“And you.” His lip curled as a shy smile appeared. “Hope that’s ok.”
“Sure.” It was that moment that the elevator dinged and the doors opened in front of us. I lifted the car seat with a heavy sigh.
“Let me help.” Blake grabbed the handle from me, causing our hands to brush together. I could tell he noticed because his body went kinda stiff.
“Thanks.” I released where I was holding and stepped into the elevator. I’d been making this trip for the last four weeks, but today would be different; I wasn’t leaving alone.
“No problem. These things weigh a ton.” He laughed lightly to break the tension before following me into the elevator.
As the doors closed and we began rising, the tension began to come back. “So, why Ava?” I turned slightly, but didn’t face him directly. “I mean, I’m your patient and I’m fine now.”
“Yes, that’s true, but I’ve read a few of Ava’s scans too.” Blake stumbled over his words almost.
“Oh.” The doors opened and when we stepped off, Donna was leaning against the wall across from us. “Wait?! How did you beat me?”
“My parking spot is on this level. I used the walkway and just came across.” She smiled. “Dr. Blake.” She nodded at him with a knowing look and he blushed. I’d never seen a man blush before, but Donna had quite the effect on Blake.
“Afternoon, Donna.” He nodded as he motioned for us to lead the way to the entrance of the NICU.
As I stood there listening to all the instructions from the nurses for Ava, Donna and Blake stood in the background. “I think I’ll be fine,” I told Maggie. “I’m staying with Donna, so she can help me if I need it.” Maggie gave me a bag filled with diapers and formula samples. It was enough for a few days until I was able to get to the store. She helped me buckle Ava in, and then watched as the three of us walked out the door.
“I can carry that if you’d like.” Blake motioned to the carrier in my arms.
“It is heavy, but I want to do it.” I struggled. “I need to do things for myself. I know you’re trying to help, but you won’t be there all the time.” I sighed as we headed for the walk thru that Donna had taken.
“Oh, right,” Blake mumbled. “Let me give you my number here in case you have any questions. I don’t live far from
