Part 274
Becca lay and watched Garrett sleep until the sun had set and dinner trays were being delivered. He was so tiny and so perfect and she smiled as a thousand future scenarios played in her mind. She had such a vivid picture of her son and his father, both innocently beautiful. How she longed to see them in the sun-kissed shores of Florida, sand between their toes and fingers as they built sand castles and played tag in the surf. She prayed that Garrett would have his father's free and child-like approach to life. It was what had endeared Nick to her in the first place and she treasured every minute she had with him.
Looking at the clock on the wall, she sighed. Fourteen hours, that's all they had left. In fourteen hours Nick would be leaving Toronto without her. Becca felt the hot sting of tears and fought them back. Damn it, if she started to cry now there was no guarantee she could stop.
She wiped her eyes as Garrett began to stir and fuss. "Hey sweetheart," she cooed. He opened his deep blue eyes to look at her and she melted. "Just like your father," she sighed. "Bat those blue eyes and I’m lost." Laughing, she picked him up and managed to get him fed and changed before her dinner tray arrived.
"Mrs. Carter, how are you tonight?"
"Not bad," Becca smiled at the young nurse. Laura had been there when she'd been admitted three nights ago and had quickly become one of her favorites.
"Got a treat for you tonight," she smiled.
"Oh boy, don't tell me, let me guess. Broiled, skinless chicken?"
Laura shook her head and smiled. "Nope."
"Okay, broiled fish?"
"Nope, one more guess."
Becca had almost run out of bland, low-salt options. "Poached eggs?" she guessed, making a horrible face.
Laura laughed, setting down the tray. "Eww, no! Here, let me take the newest Carter heartthrob off your hands and I'll get you set up. C'mere, blondie," she said smiling, picking Garrett up and tucking him into his bed.
"So, what taste treat do I have to look forward to tonight, Laura?"
"Ahh, just you wait," she grinned. "That exceptionally handsome husband of yours pulled some strings in the kitchen." She placed the covered dish on Becca's tray table. "Are you ready?"
Becca nodded and then laughed as Laura uncovered the most delicious looking chef salad she'd ever seen. "Oh Laura, this is wonderful. He remembered!" She sighed.
"I understand you had major cravings for salads the last few months?"
"In a BIG way. But what about my diet?"
"Ah, well, all the meat is low-salt and unfortunately, so is the salad dressing, but-"
"But nothing, it looks wonderful. Thank you so much!"
"Enjoy, Mrs. Carter. I need to get this little one back to the nursery for a while." She saw Becca's expression and held up a hand. "I'll bring him back later. The staff pediatrician is here tonight and needs to see him once more so he can complete the discharge papers."
Becca lay her fork down and leaned her head back.
"I'm sorry," Laura said sympathetically. "I heard they're not letting you travel."
"No, I have some friends I'm going to stay with."
"It'll be okay, you'll see. Time will fly by. Besides, you can come back and visit me before you leave."
"I think I will. Laura, you've been so good to me. Thank you."
"My pleasure, but you're not getting rid of me that easily."
"No?"
"Nope," she grinned. "Your friend Julie added me to her email list this afternoon."
"Awesome! Laura, that's great!"
She laughed. "Any excuse to get close to the Boys."
"We're pathetic, huh?" Becca laughed.
"Yep," she grinned. "I'll be back in a bit. Oh, and Dr. Anthony is here tonight, too. You can probably expect a visit."
Becca took a bite of her salad. "Any chance he'll change his mind and let me go with Nick?"
"No way. I've seen your chart, and you seem to forget who was here when you were brought in on Tuesday night. You're not out of the woods yet. You're better off getting back on your feet in a quieter atmosphere. From what I know about the backstage scene at concerts, it's not the place for you OR an infant."
"Thanks, Laura, I know you're right," she sighed.
"Look, I'll be back. Enjoy your dinner!"