Easy to Love You

by Megan Smith

  I gave him a small smile. I wasn’t going to hold my breath. If Hunter ever found out for sure that it was Brittany, he would go ape shit and take it out on Dominic for bringing that girl into our lives.

  “Well MacKenzie, everything seems to look good. Are you experiencing any issues, other than the ones you mentioned yesterday?” Dr. Clearly said while he pushed his glasses back on his nose.

  “No! I actually feel pretty good today, not even a headache.” I was lying, but I wanted out of here. I wanted my boys, my bed and my life back.

  I could spend all my time thinking about the situation we were in, trying to figure out what would make Brittany do what she’d done to me, trying to justify it, but why? Why not just put one foot in front of the other and never look back? She was not taking anything more from me, not even another one of my thoughts.

  Looking over Mom’s shoulder to see what had made her stop was like a gust of cold air hitting me. I was staring at the exact same eyes as my own. I’d never thought I’d see him again, not since he walked out on us all those years ago.

  As soon as everything had sunk in I started to act. First, I grabbed the car seat and set it behind me. No way was this fucking asshole getting near my son! I’m nothing like him and I protect what’s mine. Always. Then, I grabbed a hold of Mom’s arm and pulled her slightly behind me with Ryder. Mr. Cahill planted himself in front of Mom and he pulled Mrs. Cahill behind him as well. We were making a wall and protecting our own. In my eyes, once you’ve violated that trust, that’s it, you were cut and never trusted again.

  Jason, my father, the sperm donor in my eyes, started laughing loud and deep. It was nasty and so was he. “Well that wasn’t the greeting I was expecting.”

  Mom gripped the back of my shirt and I shifted from one foot to the other. Who does he think he is? “What the fuck do you want?” I snarled.

  Dickbag glared at me, “Watch your mouth, son.”

  “I’m not your son.” I spat back.

  He huffed, “Figures you would grow up to be a disrespectful little asshole. I should’ve taken you with me and taught you how to treat your elders.”

  “Yeah? You set a real great example of being respectful.” I seethed. Mom tightened her hold on my shirt and I heard Mrs. Cahill fidgeting behind me. I glanced around and noticed we were drawing a crowd.

  “Let’s not do this now.” Mr. Cahill spoke up.

  I started to turn around to grab for Ryder when Jason started running his mouth again, “And you are?”

  “None of your business Jason, we were just leaving.” Mom said, raising her voice slightly.

  If my night wasn’t already ruined with this piece of shit in front of me, Mason and Hailey showing up did the job.

  Mason’s hands turned into fists and Hailey looked confused. I had talked to Mase about my father a few times and he’s even seen a few pictures, so I could tell he knew exactly who was standing here with us. CC knew of Jason, but that was it. I’d never wanted to show her who he was, since he was nothing to me and never would be. I’m not really sure how Mr. and Mrs. Cahill knew who he was, and I didn’t really care right now, I wanted my son away from all this shit.

  Mason grabbed Hailey’s hand, strode over to Ryder, picked his car seat up and started for the doors again. I’d have to make sure I thanked them for that later.

  “He yours?” Dickbag asked.

  “None of your business. Why don’t you go back to your grimy hole and rot in it? No one wants you here.” There was no way in fucking hell that I would tell him Ryder was mine.

  He shook his head; Mr. Cahill led Mom and his wife out the front doors. I had nothing left to say so I started walking away, but he grabbed my arm. I yanked it free and got in his face, “Don’t you ever touch me again.”

  I saw security guards heading our way; he must have too, because he threw his hands up and backed away from me.

  There was no way I could leave now, not with him here at the same hospital CC was staying alone in. Mason, who apparently still had my spare keys, pulled my truck up front just as I walked out the doors, Hailey was standing there with the car seat in her hands. I took a few calming breaths before I went over to them. What the hell was I going to do now?

  Mason must have seen the turmoil in my face, “I got it dude. Hailey was sleeping here with Kenz anyway, I’ll just stay too.”

  I’d have to settle for that. I needed to get Ryder home and safely tucked in bed. “Thanks man.”

  “Will someone please tell me what the fuck is going on?” Hailey was fuming.

  “We’ll talk about it later Hailey; right now we need to get up to my sister, she shouldn’t be alone. I know you said you wanted to spend some alone time with her but not tonight.” Mason said, trying to calm the situation.

  Hailey looked from Mason to me. Worry, confusion, concern and fear flashed over her face. I wasn’t sure if she knew that I was aware of Mr. Cahill’s career as an FBI Agent. I didn’t want to stir another pot tonight though, so I’d let Mason handle it his way and pray that she didn’t start talking to CC about this shit.

  I went to grab the car seat from Hailey, but before she handed him over she kissed his little forehead and said, “Don’t be too rough on Daddy, Chunky Monkey.”

  Mom hopped up from the front seat of Mr. and Mrs. Cahill’s car and jumped in my truck. “I left Kenzie my phone so if anything goes down, call the house and I’ll come here as soon as I can.” Nothing better go down or there would be hell to pay.

  Mason nodded, “Get my nephew home.”

  I opened the door and placed Ryder’s car seat in the base, then walked around the other side and crawled in, “Mom, I need your phone.”

  She handed it over without question. I dialed Cooper.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey it’s me; I left my phone with your sister.” I explained.

  “Yo, you on your way home?” Cooper asked; I could hear Call of Duty in the background.

  I put the truck in drive and took off for home, “Yeah. Where’s Jay?”

  “Taking a bath.” He must have been in the middle of a match because there were gun shots and bombs going off.

  “We got a problem; my dad showed up at the hospital.” Cooper was aware of the shit that my dad was in to.

  There was silence, no background noise, nothing. “Fuck!” Cooper yelled a few seconds later.

  Fuck is right, shit’s about to get real.

  “Well MacKenzie, we’ll be able to release you today but we’ll need to set you up with home healthcare. We offer that through the hospital and Lynn has volunteered to assist you, if you should choose her.” Dr. Clearly explained to me.

  As much as I didn’t want Lynn to help me and my son, I really didn’t want anyone else doing it either. She’d been with Ryder and me since we’d arrived. “There’s no way that Hunter, or even my mom, could help me until I’m able to care for myself?” It was worth giving it a shot.

  “No, I’m afraid not,” he responded.

  Hunter knocked once and then walked in. Dr. Clearly nodded at him, “I really think at this point Lynn would be your best option. Once we can get you up and moving we can have the catheter removed and you’ll no longer need her services.”

  Hunter had set Ryder’s car seat in the chair and was removing him from it when he started fussing. He shook his head, lifted the baby on his shoulder and began patting his back. He was trying his best to comfort him but Ryder just wasn’t happy. Dr. Clearly stood there for a second observing and I lifted my arms for him to bring Ryder to me. Hunter reached down and adjusted the pillow, just like when I’d held him the last time, and then placed him on my chest. He instantly settled.

  Hunter shook his head and smiled, I winked at him. “We agree with Lynn being MacKenzie’s nurse until she’s able to take care of herself. As you can see we need her home as much as she needs us.” Hunter handed me Ryder’s bottle and he began drinking it with no problems.

  “Very well then. I’ll get all the paperwo
rk for that completed and then you guys can be on your way.” Dr. Clearly cleaned his hands and left the room with a smile.

  Hunter bent down and kissed my forehead. “Can you do me a favor?” I asked.

  He winked, “Of course.”

  “Can you please help me freshen up? I feel gross and I’m not going to be able to take a shower for a while.” I scrunched my nose thinking how nasty things were going to be. I’m going to get this catheter out of me by the end of the week! I’d figure out a way, and figure it out fast. Just thinking about not being able to shave gave me the chills, and I couldn’t torture poor Hunter by making him sleep next to a cavewoman. I refused to let Lynn help me when I knew I’d be able to do it myself once I got this catheter out.

  Hunter gave me a pity smile, “I’ll do whatever you want. I just want you home, in our bed, next to me.” He kissed my forehead again. “And for the record, I can’t smell you from here.” He said with a chuckle.

  “Gee, thanks!” I said sarcastically. “So are you going to tell me what was going on this morning? Was it Ryder?”

  Hunter sighed and sat in the chair next to the bed; I’d removed the bottle from Ryder and was getting ready to burp him. “No, there’s some shit going down, but don’t worry about it right now. I’ll fill you in about it later. Just one step at time, CC, for me.”

  Hunter gave me those eyes, the ones that said, “This conversation’s over,” so I let it go and continued to feed Ryder. I was going to have to pick my battles, and this one just wasn’t one I wanted to pick. I wanted to put my family in a little bubble and live happily ever after.

  “So you’re sure Lynn helping is going to be ok? If not just say the word and I’ll have them get someone else. I don’t want any extra stress on you.” Hunter said while scrolling on his phone.

  “It makes sense I guess, she knows what I’ve been through.” I shrugged my shoulder. “She’s supposed to be a professional after all.”

  “Yeah she’s supposed to be.” Hunter grumbled. “If anything she does makes you uncomfortable you have to tell me, alright?”

  My strong protective man was out in full force today. “I will.” Before I could even get Ryder up to my shoulder to start burping him, he let out a huge belch. I scrunched my nose at the awful formula smell and Hunter laughed. “Times really have changed, huh?”

  “Yeah and I wouldn’t change it for the world, baby.” I really did love this man with all my heart.

  Hunter stood up and said, “I’m going to start taking some of this stuff out to the car. Will you be ok with him by yourself?”

  I looked down at Ryder who was barely able to keep his eyes open, “Yeah we’ll be great.” This was the first time I would be by myself with him, even if it was only for a few minutes.

  Hunter gave a peck to Ryder’s cheek and brushed his pointer finger down the side of his cheek, making his little eyes close. He gave me a wink then grabbed the flowers and a few gifts from around the room and left to put them in the car.

  As I sat there snuggling with Ryder, I thought about just how much this little human being had made our love stronger than it’s ever been. I knew there were going to be some sleepless nights — the house would never be quite the same — and some things would have to be put on the back burner, but it was my future, our future now, and I couldn’t wait to see how it played out.

  After leaving the hospital last night, I’d worried about how my mom would cope with seeing Jason again. I’d offered for her to stay with us but she insisted on going back to her own house. I dropped her off and made sure she got in safely before heading straight home, where Cooper and Jaylinn were waiting for me. “Hunter?” Jaylinn called out to me. I could see them from where I was, but they couldn’t see me.

  “Yeah, it’s me.”

  I heard Cooper say, “See I told you. No need to worry, Twinkle Toes.” What the fuck’s up with that nickname? I’d never thought I’d see the day that a girl, my sister nonetheless, brought Cooper to his knees. I was still amazed he was hanging around; I thought for sure I would’ve already gotten into it with him about Jaylinn. The Cooper I knew had a different girl every week; he was a veritable man whore.

  I set Ryder on the dining room table, pulled off his blanket and belts and scooped him up. Jaylinn walked out and looked at me with eyes full of fear and worry.

  “Get that look off your face. That dickbag isn’t going to touch us again, Jay.” Ryder started fussing. “I’ll let you know when you have to worry.”

  Jaylinn still looked scared but dropped the issue and went to go sit with Cooper again. I took Ryder to my bedroom, changed him and fed him his bottle. He passed out shortly after that and so did I. He woke up a few hours later and I started all over again. I changed him, fed him and then we both went back to sleep. The problems started that morning after Jaylinn and Cooper left for work. I was getting calls from unknown numbers and when I’d pick up, all I heard was breathing. I didn’t want CC to come home to this but what could I do? I had no proof it was the dickbag playing games.

  I was trying to feed Ryder when CC called me and begged me to make sure she could come home tonight. The little one could probably sense that something was wrong because he wasn’t eating for me. I was stressed the fuck out. I packed him all up and just wanted to get to the hospital as soon as possible.

  When I got there CC was talking to Dr. Clearly about Lynn assisting us, I promised CC I would bring her home so I had to make sure that happened. After everything was settled I told her I was going to put some of her stuff in the car. I had to give myself a few minutes before facing her again, I hated not telling her about my piece of shit father but she didn’t need to worry about that right now. These next few weeks were going to be hard enough on her because she’s so independent and she hated not being able to do stuff her way when she wants to. I was more worried about running into my dad again when we brought CC down as well, so taking the things to the car was also my way of looking around for him.

  A little while later it was finally time for us to head home, and thankfully there was no sign of my sperm donor anywhere. I got Ryder all situated back in his car seat and Lynn came in with a wheelchair. “You ready for this?” I asked CC, a huge grin spreading across my face. I couldn’t wait to get her home and in our bed. I knew there would be no sex for at least six to eight weeks but I just wanted her next to me. Us together, skin to skin.

  “Yes! Let’s get the hell out of here and never, ever come back.” She said; her smile just as big as mine.

  I scooped her up and put her in the wheelchair, according to hospital procedures I wasn’t allowed to push CC downstairs, so Lynn was there to do it for us.

  She winced as I put her in the chair, “You ok?”

  She squeezed her eyes shut, “Yeah.” She took a deep breath, “It’s my stomach,” she opened her eyes, “I’m fine now.”

  I looked up at Lynn, nodded my head and she wheeled CC out while I grabbed Ryder and the last bag from the room. As we approached the elevators Lynn hit the button and said, “Would you like me to stop over tonight and assist or would you like to pick up things tomorrow?”

  CC glared at Lynn behind her back, “Tomorrow please and just so you know by the end of the week, I won’t need your assistance. I’ll figure out a way to do this on my own.”

  I tried to hide the smirk on my face by looking down at Ryder and busying myself with his blanket. That was my girl, courageous, self-assertive, gutsy and tough. She was intoxicating to me at times, I just got so caught up in her that I saw nothing else.

  “I’ll be here to help as long as you need me to.” Lynn tried to keep her face neutral but I could tell she was infuriated by CC’s determination. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea that we allowed her to be our nurse. It was too late to change it now, but if things got too bad or if CC wasn’t on her own by the end of the week, I’d talk to her about bringing in someone else.

  The elevator doors dinged and we stepped in, the ride down was quiet. The doo
rs dinged again and we stepped out. Lynn wheeled CC over to the front doors, “I’ll go get the car.” I said.

  She nodded, “Leave him; he’ll be fine with me.” I glanced up to Lynn who nodded as well.

  I walked out the doors to go get the car and pulled it up out front. I parked, got out and came around the car and my heart stopped.

  “Awe, isn’t he a handsome looking baby?” said a man’s voice behind me. I turned to see an older guy and couldn’t help but notice how much he looked like Hunter.

  “He is, isn’t he?” I replied back, looking down at Ryder sitting next to me in his car seat. He was all decked out in his Nike track suit with hat included.

  “He is. Is his dad pulling the car around?” The older guy asked. That last comment was giving me a weird vibe, what the hell was taking Hunter so long? I reached down with my good arm and held onto Ryder’s car seat, needing that extra reassurance.

  “Yeah,” I looked out the front door and nodded with my chin. “He’s actually right there.” Hunter came sprinting in, the second he put the car in park. Christ, I don’t even know if he put it in park, he was out so fast.

  The guy started backing away when he noticed Hunter coming in our direction, “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he roared.

  The guy smiled and kept on backing up while staring Hunter down. Well that’s just creepy. Lynn was just holding on to the back of my wheelchair the whole time, a lot of help she would be if something were to happen.

  “Baby, you ok? What did he say to you?” Hunter asked. He was on his knees next to me, red faced with a vein popping out of the side of his neck. That vein proved to me just how pissed off he was, I figured he would be a little over protective but the guy had only said that Ryder was handsome.

  “Relax, nothing happened, we’re both fine. He only said that Ryder was handsome, that’s it. He didn’t try to touch us or anything.” I let go of Ryder’s car seat and reached over to cup Hunter’s cheek. He covered my hand with his and leaned into it.