Chapter 28

I am with Elaina, Shane, Chole, and another nurse in my room. They’re all staring at me while I gape like a deer caught in headlights.

"Shiloh?" Chole calls, snapping me out of my thoughts. "What do you want to name the baby?" she asks with a smile.

If only she knew the dilemma I was in. I have a first name for the baby, but I can't seem to decide on the last name.

But come to think of it, the answer is easy. My last name is Sante, which is perfect. Then again, I don’t want my son to have a last name that’s associated with loneliness and doesn’t belong to a real family.

Other than that, I could use my family’s real last name, Dante, or Elaina’s last name, Cristian.

"Um…his name will be…" I look anxiously at Elaina and hold the baby to my chest.

I close my eyes for a few minutes and take a deep breath. I look down at the baby’s familiar hazel eyes, which make me smile.

I press a tender kiss on his forehead and mumble something quietly to him only. I rest my head on the pillow.

"His name is Wilmer Berney Cristian," I say, grinning widely.

"That is a beautiful name, dear," Elaina says with a soft smile. Chole places a supportive hand on my shoulder.

"Here. Fill in the details on this form," the nurse standing beside Shane says. I fill in the name of the baby, write my name, and then sign.

My hand stops. The form requires that I mark whether I’m a single parent. Or if not, there’s a space for the father's name and signature.

Before I can check the single parent box, Elaina pulls the form and pen away.

"I will fill in the rest of the information," she says, leaving me bewildered. "I wish I could spend today with you and my grandson, but I have to go on a business trip." She places a tender kiss on Wilmer's head before locking eyes with Chole. "I need to have a word with you before leaving," she demands.

"Have a safe trip," I call after saying goodbye.

I sigh audibly. Finally, I am leaving this hospital after spending three more days here.

"Take this," Shane says, placing a brown bag on the bed containing my clothes and some other necessities before taking Wilmer from me.

"Thanks for being here and also for the clothes." I give an apologetic smile since he had to leave the restaurant just to be here.

"I am only doing this to get you to start working at the restaurant again."

I laugh and get out of bed with his help. I walk into the bathroom, take a bath, and then change into a purple blouse, blue jeans, and black slippers.

"You don't know how happy I am to get rid of this horrible hospital gown and finally be in my own clothes," I say, walking out of the bathroom.

"So, what are your plans?"

I walk to the couch, taking a seat beside him while he plays with Wilmer.

"With the help of Summer and Emma, I was able to rent an affordable house with some of the money I made," I explain.

"That’s a great start," he says with a nod of his head. "And I trust you will figure the rest out."

Chole walks in. "Okay, it’s time we leave," she announces with a smile as she pushes in a wheelchair.

I stare at her with a raised eyebrow. "You know I can walk perfectly well, and I don't need a wheelchair."

"I know, but you need the wheelchair to be able to feed Wilmer. I’m guessing he might be hungry." Wilmer whimpers in agreement.

Chole helps me into the wheelchair before placing Wilmer in my arms.

"It seems he is going through cluster feeding. I read about it online," I explain while stroking his cheek with my finger.

"Yes, it is most common in newborn babies."

We leave the hospital in Shane's car, and he drives me to my new house.

"We are here!" I announce, getting out of the car with Wilmer sleeping soundly on my shoulder. I take in the house. It is just the way I imagined it to be. It’s not that big or small, but it feels like home. A new home and a fresh beginning for my son and me.

I breathe in the warm air before walking to the front door. "Chole, were you able to get the house key from Emma?"

"Yes," she scrambles through her bag for the key and then hands it to me.

I use one hand to open the door while Wilmer squirms in my other arm.

"Welcome home!"

I gasp. Everyone I know and love is present in the house. I thought they were all busy today but Emma, Damien, Louis, Summer, and William are all here grinning like happy fools.

"I thought you wouldn't be able to make it today," I say. Shane has a knowing look in his eyes. "Were you in on this surprise?" I ask, sending him a playful glare.

"Actually, we all planned this. We wanted to make sure your new home looked the way you wanted it and was full of love. Even Chole helped," he says, pointing at her.

"Okay. Check the arrangement and see what you think," Emma insists before taking Wilmer from me.

I walk into the living room studying the glamour of the place. The living room is decorated with four couches and a wooden table with a flower vase.

I smile widely seeing the brown rug under the table. It complements the couch. A TV hangs on the wall.

I walk into the kitchen and laugh, overwhelmed with happiness.

"This is wonderful. Thank you so much for all this. What have I done to deserve this?"

"Come on, don't be so emotional," Louis says, nudging my shoulder playfully.

I return his smile before walking up the stairs. There are two doors to the right which lead to the bedrooms. On the left is the bathroom.

I open the door to one of the rooms, which is supposedly mine. The room is perfect for my taste. It has grey, white, and blue curtains that complement the duvet and bed sheet. I place my hand on the bed and imagine how soft and comfortable it will be when I sleep. Next to the queen bed is a crib.

I smile remembering the day I went furniture shopping with Emma and Summer, and they helped me choose the bed and crib.

There is a study desk and chair beside the nightstand with a few of my books on it. There is also a medium-sized closet containing my clothes.

I check the other two rooms before walking back into the living room to find Louis, Damien, Shane, and William, who has Wilmer in his arms.

Chole sets the table in the kitchen and Emma and Summer dish out the food. I am full of joy with everyone in my new home.

"Thanks so much. I love everything. It would have been impossible for me to do all of this."

Shane replies with a nod. William and Damien reply with a shrug. Emma and Summer pull me into a hug. We urge Chole to join us, and Louis, being his usual self says something sarcastic.

After everyone leaves, I decide to take a bath. I change into my pajamas, dry my hair, and walk into the bedroom. I walk to the baby crib where Wilmer is sleeping. I watch him as he sleeps on his belly with hands curled into fists beside his head.

I stroke his cheek with my finger. "Wilmer Berney Cristian," I say, testing his name on my lips.

He whimpers softly, pouting in the cutest possible way.

I sigh audibly and turn the lights off before drawing the curtains.

I walk out of the room, closing the door silently behind me, and saunter down the stairs to the kitchen.

I fill a jug with water for later and then fill a glass up.

"Can't sleep?" Chole's voice nearly makes me drop the glass.

"No, I just came down to full this jug for later," I say.

She replies with a nod before turning on the TV and then making herself comfortable on the sofa.

"I can't sleep," she says, flipping through the channels. "You know, being in a new environment and a new home sometimes makes it hard to fall asleep. I was hoping that watching a movie might help."

"Yeah, and this is the first time I have a house all to myself. I’ve never lived alone before! I mean, I am not alone since you are here, but everything feels different." I take a seat beside her as she decides on a comedy movie before turning the volume down a little.

"I understand. By the way, you have really nice friends who cherish and care about you a lot," she says with a smile.

"I know," I whisper, focusing on the movie. Contentment bubbles inside me.