No one was with her, and she was staring down at his cell phone. Knocking on the door, he smiled at her as she looked up.
“Hey, Snake,” she said.
“Hey, princess. I come bearing gifts.” He held up the flowers, showing them to her.
“They’re beautiful. You don’t have to bring me gifts.”
“Shall I take them away?” He pretended to walk off.
“No, don’t you dare. I want my flowers.”
They were already in a vase, and he placed them beside the many bouquets she’d been sent.
“How are you holding up?” he asked, taking a seat.
“I’m nervous. I’m so nervous.”
He took hold of her hand, squeezing her. “I know I was terrified that night. You could have just told us you were getting a little impatient.”
She chuckled. “I never want to go through that again. Ripper’s terrified. I don’t think he’ll be wanting another baby soon.”
“I don’t blame him. You’ve seen the little monster. He’s adorable and cute. He’ll be a handful.”
“Ripper won’t hold him,” Judi said. “He’s gone for some lunch. I sent him up, but whenever I’m with him, he won’t hold our son. I’ve heard the nurses talking. He doesn’t hold him when I can’t.” Tears filled her eyes. Moving onto the bed, Snake wrapped his arm around her.
There was nothing sexual to his holding Judi. She was the club princess. He didn’t find her attractive. No, the woman plaguing him was a raven haired, blue eyed bitch. She wasn’t a bitch, but he kind of liked calling her it. It was his own personal name for her.
“You’ve got to give him time. I imagine nearly losing you almost made him shit his pants. You’re precious to us. Give him time.”
“I’ve tried talking with Devil. He’s not helping. He told me Ripper will hold our son when the time is right.” She wiped the tears away. “I don’t want him to not hold our son. We need to think of a name for him.”
“Judi, you need to stop worrying. Everything will turn out okay.”
“Will you talk with him?”
“I’ll go and talk with him.”
“Do you need your cell phone back?” she asked. “I left mine at home, and I always forget about it.”
“Nah, kid, you have it until you get pictures for your own cell phone. He’s at lunch?”
“Yes, please, talk to him, Snake. I’d appreciate it.”
“Will do. Remember, you’ve got to rest.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, leaving the room. It didn’t take him long to find Ripper. His brother was bent over a tray, eating. There was no life to him. He looked almost dead.
Grabbing a coffee, Snake took a seat at the table.
“I’m not interested in company.”
“Good for you, I don’t give a fuck.”
Ripper looked up. “What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to find Jessica to take her shopping.” He pulled out the list for the little boy. “I’ve got to get this stuff.”
He watched as Ripper read through the list. “You don’t need to worry about that.”
“What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing? You’ve got a son coming home soon. I heard he’s been taken off the oxygen and is doing great, taking Mom’s milk, and everything.” Snake didn’t want to think of Judi and her breast milk. The entire thought repelled him.
“What are you trying to get at?”
“We’re all working hard to get that kid home safely, and you’ve not picked him up or held him.”
Ripper stared at him for several moments without speaking. “It doesn’t matter.”
“No? Judi knows you’ve not held him.”
“She doesn’t.”
“She does. Not only do you not hold him in front of her, she heard the nurses talking. You’re breaking her heart in a time when she needs to get better.” Snake took the list from him. “This is the stuff you and Judi should be doing. Your son came early. I get you’re angry.”
“You’ve got no idea how I’m feeling.”
“Then talk to me because right now, you’ve got a woman who’s scared about her son. He’s fighting and proving himself even now that he’s part of the Chaos Bleeds, yet his dad is eating alone.” Snake sat back, staring at him.
“This is none of your business, Snake. Why don’t you go back to stalking a fucking nurse who doesn’t even fucking want you.”
He was slowly breaking down Ripper’s walls.
“What’s the matter? Jealous? I don’t have to be stuck at home with a woman and kid. I can fuck whoever I want.”