A week later, I was getting ready to check out of the hospital when Jane and BJ walked through the door to pick me up:
“Hey! Where’s Aaron?” BJ grabbed my bag:
“At home with…” She trailed off. I narrowed my eyes:
“BJ?” She sighed:
“With Nick.” I groaned:
“Really?” Jane smiled apologetically:
“He’s in good hands, Kate. Les and Angel are there too and Brian and Leighanne said they’d stop by later.” Just then a nurse walked in with a wheelchair. I groaned:
“Déjà vu.” She laughed:
“Come on, Katelin. Hospital regulations.” I reluctantly got in and we made our way out to the car.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
We arrived at the Carter’s and BJ helped me in since it was kind of hard to walk with broken ribs. Walking into the house, I immediately heard Aaron crying. I saw Nick walking around the living room with him, trying to calm him down:
“Shh. Daddy’s here. It’ll be okay.” I blinked back the threatening tears. Seems like all I did lately was cry. I went over and took him from Nick:
“Mommy’s here. Calm down, sweetie.” I glanced at Nick who looked hurt:
“Kate, I could’ve handled it, you know.” I sat down on the couch:
“He’s not used to you, Nick. You’re a stranger to him.” He glared at me:
“Well, whose fault is that?” I shot him a look:
“Don’t even get me started, Nick. Don’t go there.” Nick took Aaron out of my arms again and left the room:
“I want my son to get to know me so I’m going to spend some time with him.” I sighed as BJ walked in:
“I can’t do this Beej. I can’t be here. Nick’s going to be around too much.” She patted me on the shoulder:
“Kate, I don’t see why you’re being so stubborn. He’s really trying.” I grimaced a little in pain:
“I understand that he’s your brother and all but why are you taking his side? He left you too, you know.” BJ sighed:
“I know. But, Kate, he came back, didn’t he?” I stood up and pain shot through me again and I dropped back down to the couch:
“That doesn’t make up for it, Beej. He still left in the first place.” I bit my lip. BJ narrowed her eyes at me:
“Are you okay?” I shook my head:
“No. I really hurt.” She stood up and started walking into the kitchen:
“I’ll go get your medicine.” I nodded:
“Thanks.”
BJ brought me my pills and I laid down to take a nap.
I woke up about an hour later and went to check on Aaron. I walked into the room that I shared with him and tears filled my eyes. There was Nick, asleep on the bed, with our son sleeping on his chest. I just stood there and watched them as tears silently rolled down my cheeks.