Page 17 of Grumpy Orc Daddy
After a thorough examination, which Lily endures with a tired whimper, the doctor gives us the news we had hoped for.
"It’s a minor viral infection," she explains with a gentle smile. "Nothing too serious. She needs plenty of rest and fluids. Keep her hydrated, let her get lots of sleep, and she should start feeling better in a couple of days."
Relief washes over me and I feel my shoulders, tense since this afternoon, finally relax a little. Janta lets out a breath he seems to have been holding too, and we both thank the doctor profusely.
As we leave the hospital, a new awareness washes over me. Watching Janta carry Lily in her car seat, his large, secure hands grip the handle firmly, and I notice the subtle shift in the air between us.
His usually tense muscles are more relaxed now, the immediate crisis behind us. Every so often, he peeks beneath the car seat's cover to check on Lily, and each gentle, protective gesture sends an unexpected flutter through my heart.
The night seems quieter, the world receding into the background. Janta's presence, so steadfast, suddenly feels different to me—more personal, more intimate. I find myself drawn to the physicality of his being—the way his shoulders have eased down from their earlier rigidity, the occasional furrow of concentration that crosses his face as he ensures our daughter's comfort and safety.
This shift isn't just about gratitude; it's something deeper, a stirring of feelings I hadn't fully acknowledged until now. As we walk to the car, the rhythm of our steps synchronizes, and I feel a connection that goes beyond our shared concern for Lily. It's as though tonight's scare has peeled back a layer, revealing an extra dimension in my feelings for Janta.
The cool night air brushes against us, and I draw in a deep breath, trying to steady the quickening pulse of my heart. The hospital's harsh lights fade behind us, replaced by the softer, more forgiving glow of street lamps. It casts us in a gentle light, and I steal a glance at Janta, wondering if he feels this shift too.
As he secures the car seat into the vehicle, his focus is absolute, but it's the quiet care in his actions that truly touches me. There's a tenderness there, a strength that I find immensely attractive. I slide into the passenger seat, my mind racing with thoughts of what all this might mean.
Tonight has changed something between us, I realize. And as we drive away, the familiar streets lit by the dim glow of the night, I'm both excited and nervous to explore where these new feelings might lead.
"Thank you," I murmur, feeling immensely grateful not just for his support, but for the good news.
"We're a team," he replies, squeezing my shoulder. "We'll get her through this, together."
The drive home is much quieter than the ride to the hospital, the earlier tension replaced by a shared relief. We're tired but thankful as we head back, ready to follow the doctor’s advice and help our little girl recover.
CHAPTER 10
Janta
As we get back from the hospital, I unload Lily from the car and we head into Rayna's house. I know my own nerves are shot and I can see from the red ring around her blue eyes that she's exhausted, too.
"I’m staying tonight to help with Lily,” I say, abruptly, breaking the exhaustive silence. “If you don't mind, that is."
This is Rayna’s house and I want to show some semblance of courtesy. But after this health scare with Lily, I'm not letting her out of my sight.
"That’s fine with me," Rayna says, looking relieved at my offer. She goes to a closet and pulls out some extra blankets and a pillow and hands them to me. I set up a makeshift bed on the couch as Rayna gets Lily settled in her room.
"Thanks again for coming today," she says softly.
"No problem. Like I said, we're in this together. It's what's best for Lily."
She nods, giving me a small smile. "Well, goodnight," she says as she disappears into her room. I settle into my bed as the house grows quiet. The only sounds are Lily's soft breaths coming from the baby monitor.
As I lay there, the silence of the house amplifies every small sound, grounding me in the present. I listen to the heavy breaths Lily takes, replaying the worst scenarios in my head that fueled my earlier fear for her.
It isn't long before the quiet becomes too much, too heavy with thoughts I can't push away. I rise and head towards the kitchen for a glass of water, my footsteps soft against the wooden floor.
When I return, Rayna is there in the living room, wrapped in a blanket, her eyes reflective and distant. She looks up as I approach, a tentative smile forming on her lips.
"Couldn't sleep either?" she asks, patting the space beside her on the couch.
"No," I admit, sitting down. "It's been a long day."
Rayna nods, hugging her knees to her chest. "I was just thinking about my childhood, you know? How different I want things for Lily."
I listen, the warmth of her nearness a stark contrast to the coolness of the night. "What was it like?" I inquire gently, encouraging her to open up.
She sighs, a soft, wistful sound. "It was tough, Janta. My parents did the best they could, but we struggled. Money was always tight, and opportunities were few. I spent a lot of my time dreaming about a different life."