I laugh and pretend to give the pig a kiss.
“Ball is his go-to word for everything.” Garrett says and reaches out to high-five Kai as he once again runs to his toys. This time, he plops down and plays on his own.
“I can see that.” I smile.
“Peggy says you’ve been busy with work.”
“Yes, it’s been a crazy few weeks. Lots of babies born, and unfortunately some of them need critical care.” We have six babies in the NICU this week and once again, we’re at capacity.
He nods his head and begins to look uncomfortable making small talk.
He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a large folded stack of papers. “Here, I’d like you to review these when you get a chance.”
He places the papers into my hand. Our fingers brush against each other and I almost don’t let go. He does reluctantly and sits back on the bed.
“What’s this?” I ask, unsure of what he placed in my hand.
“I met with my lawyer today to see what I could do about formalizing documents that allow you to take Kai whenever you want. It wasn’t easy to do, but he drew up a few documents that say that you’re an appointed guardian in my absence. I want him to be with you when I’m on the road.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing, and I slowly unfold the documents. They look legal, and they’re signed and notarized with raised seals and everything. “Why would you do this?” I ask, shaking my head.
“Because, there isn’t anyone on this earth that I would trust more with my son than you. He loves you, Sam.”
Kai loves me?
Kai giggles from the other side of the room and says “Ma-ma” again. He looks at me and blows kisses to me. I pretend to swipe them out of the air and press them into my heart. He laughs and continues playing.
“Garrett, I—I don’t know what to say.”
“There’s nothing to say. I know you’ll take good care of him when I’m not here.”
“I have a job; you know that, right?” I say.
“I’m fully aware of that,” he says and nods his head. “Peggy and Max have agreed to help you as much as you need. I can email you our travel schedule tonight when I get the final list of dates from Dax.”
I sink into the chair and tears fill my eyes again. “I’ve missed him so much.” I sob into my hands and feel Garrett next to me almost immediately. His hands cover mine, and he slowly pulls them away from my face.
“Please don’t cry,” he begs. “I didn’t do this to make you sad. It’s just—I don’t want anyone else with him but you. You’ve been with him since the first day he came into my house when I couldn’t bear to be in the same room as him. You had enough strength for two. You made him who is he and I don’t want him to be without you another day.”
His words take my breath away and I stare into his eyes, unable to speak.
“In addition to allowing you full guardianship while I’m on the road, I’ve also named you as a true legal guardian. You can come and spend time with him whenever you want. Like you’re one of his parents.”
I don’t understand why he would do this, but I throw my arms around his neck. “Why?” I whisper against the stubble on his cheek.
“You’re his mother. You always have been,” he says clearly and pulls me tight against him.
“Ma-ma!” Kai yells from his pile of toys, and he giggles again.
I start to laugh, and Garrett shakes with his own fits of laughter.
I reluctantly pull away from him, trying to compose myself. I wipe away the leftover tears from my face and take a deep breath.
“Thank you,” Garrett says, backing away. Kai stands up and runs to his father, wrapping his hands around his legs tightly. “Da-da!” he exclaims.
He reaches down and picks up his son, kissing him on the cheek. “What do you think, buddy? Do you want to see Sam more?”
He claps his hands and smiles, pointing at me with his little fingers.