******DALTON*****
With a groan, I roll over turning off the alarm clock on my phone. Running my hands over my face and staring at the ceiling, feeling a bit of exhaustion go over me. Turning my head to look up at the dream catcher that Sage left me in my gift, which honestly kept me up all night.
With a sigh and grabbing my phone, I text my boss telling him that I am not going to be in today. This is probably the first time I have ever called in sick since getting this job, but last night was a restless night of no sleep and fighting off tears.
My boss sends back a confirmation that it's all good and I look at the time debating whether to go back to sleep. Grandma was right about one thing that she said, and that was enjoy the parts you get to be in.
Getting out of bed and heading towards my bathroom to take a shower for the day. Looking into the mirror the scars scattered across my chest are quite obvious about my past. Especially the ones I gave myself going up and down my arms.
After my shower and getting dressed, Lu makes a sound at me which usually means she knows she is going somewhere.
Leaning down to rub Lu on her back, she looks so much different since Sage started being her caretaker. Since Sage had a newborn baby on her hands, Lu came over to be with me for a while.
Putting on Lu's new pink collar that Sage got her and grabbing my keys we head out the door.
Thanks to my sister hooking me up, I now have a car to drive when it's raining instead of my motorcycle. Opening the door and Lu immediately jumps in with a smile on her face.
"Alright girl, let's go pay a visit to Sage and see how she is doing."
Lu gives an approval lick and sticks her head out the window. On our way to her house, I stop at the store, I pick up flowers for Sage and some toys for Micah.
Pulling up to Sage and Ash's house, I notice that Ash's truck isn't home. That's odd, however I notice that a silver SUV is here as well. Ash must of had to leave or something, that doesn't seem like him.
Lu bounces around in the front seat, and I smile because she knows exactly where she is.
Getting out Lu runs straight up to the door and I knock a couple times and take a step back shoving my hands into my pockets.
The door opens and Summer looks at me as her eyes widen for a moment and then she crosses her arms, "What are you doing here?"
Shrugging and staring behind her, "Well, I thought I could give Sage these flowers and these toys for Micah. I wouldn't mind visiting the baby as well."
Summer mumbles under her breath, "According to the past, you aren't that fond of babies."
My chest hurts with a sting, that was a big blow. Summer was spot on with that statement, but I promised my grandma that I would change.
Letting out a breath and looking Summer in the eye, "Look, that is very true. You have ever right to question my motives. My intent is not to do any harm or cause any stress, I simply am here as a friend."
She looks me up and down and nods, "Okay. If you do anything to hurt her emotionally, or cause her to stress. Just know that I will not be afraid to kick you straight in the balls."
Her threat is pretty clear, especially how hard her punch was in the nose.
I nod, "Understood."
Summer puts her arms down and opens the door a bit wider, allowing Lu to walk in, "Micah just woke up from his nap, so she is in the living room feeding him."
Walking into the living room, Lu has already climbed onto the couch next to Sage, laying against her and her head in her lap.
Sage gives me a warm lap, "I figured with Lu walking in that you would be here."
Sitting down near her and looking at Micah, "He looks a lot like you. However, he has Ash's nose."
Sage giggles, "Thank god someone else sees it other than just me. How are you doing?"
Shrugging, I can't seem to tear my eyes away from Micah, "It's going good, just been working mostly. Can I hold him when you are done feeding him?"
Sage gasps and then looks down at Micah, "Yeah that's fine. Would give me a small break for a few minutes. Would you be okay with going upstairs and telling Summer to grab him a new outfit. She is cleaning upstairs somewhere for me."
Nodding and heading upstairs where I search and find Summer in what seems to be the nursery putting away laundry.
Summer turns towards me as she folds what looks like baby onesies, "What can I do for you?"
Looking around the baby blue nursery, and looking back at Summer, "Yeah she said that Micah needed a new outfit. This nursery looks so amazing."
Summer smiles looking at the baby crib, "Yeah I helped her pick out the stuff she wanted. Her family even sent a lot of amazing gifts to her so that helped her a lot. Plus Ash wouldn't want anything less for his son."
Summer grabs an outfit from the closet and heads back downstairs, and I notice a picture hanging on the wall and walk over to it. It's a picture of her and Ash together, holding up a pregnancy stick.
That must have been the day she found out, look at how happy she is. The only thing back then was the fact I had hurt her, then her ex came back. Ever since that event, she has been on edge that something worse could happen.
Who could blame her? Something like that would terrify someone into never leaving their house, but she has kept her head held high. I think Ash has been an amazing support in her life, and with that thought it leaves a sting in my chest.
Walking back downstairs, Sage is changing Micah and Summer is in the kitchen making something. Sage tickles Micah's tummy and he giggles looking at his mom with bright blue eyes. She looks so wonderful as a mom, as she gets him dressed.
Looking up at me and giving me a warm smile, she motions to the couch next to her.
"Your welcome to sit here, and I will place him in your arms. Are you sure you want to hold him?"
Sitting down on the couch next to her, and looking at Micah, "Yeah, I want to do it."
Sage picks up Micah and lays him in my arms, and puts his blanket over him. Micah does a small coo and settles into my arms and looks at me with his blue eyes.
"He is doing really well with you. He just ate so he will probably fall asleep soon."
Rocking him a little bit and his eyes drift shut. I never thought I would be doing this again, holding her baby. He is so tiny but so warm, and looks so precious. A feeling goes through my chest and I don't know how to describe it.
I settle back holding Micah and look up at Sage, who is currently staring at me with mixed emotions showing on her face.
Lowering my voice so only Sage hears me, "You are doing so amazing as a mom. Micah has a wonderful mom in his life. I know how worried you were about becoming your mom."
Sage fidgets with her hands and before she looks down, tears glisten at the edges of her eyes, "Thank you Dalton. I wanna be able to provide Micah with everything I didn't have. It's been rough adjusting to motherhood, but I wouldn't want anything else."
"Sage?"
She looks up at me and I can see her eyes are plastered with emotions, "What? You know I am all open to making second chances. However, this is really hard for me."
I nod and reach out with one hand slightly laying it on hers, "I know, just take your time. I just wanted to come show my support for you okay?"
Sage nods and her phone starts ringing, and a confused look goes across her face, "Just a minute."
She heads to the doorway of the kitchen picking up the phone, "Tryston?"
Summer peaks her head up looking at Sage, and Sage holds the phone to her ear, "Tryston, slow down. What's wrong?"
Sage's hands start to tremble and she looks up at Summer, "What?"
Sage hands the phone to Summer and sinks down to the floor, before I can ask what's wrong. Sage's ear piercing heart broken scream fills the room, and her cry breaks out as she puts her head onto the floor.
Sage shakes crying and Micah hears his mom, waking up and starts crying in my arms. I look up at Summer and she looks at me pulling Sage into her arms while talking on the phone. Her eyes are filled with fear and devastation.
I stand up rocking Micah, trying to calm him the best I know how.
Rubbing Micah's back, and heading towards Summer, she looks up with tears on her face, "It's Ash."
