She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I know it. You guys are just too dumb to notice most of the time.”
Well, she had him there.
“You know,” Mickie added, “things aren’t going to be perfect between you guys. You’ll mess up, she will too. You’ll hurt each other, maybe try to push each other away sometimes. But in the end, if you’ve made a commitment, then you’ve made the conscious decision to work through the bullshit and come back to each other. Doesn’t mean it’s a bad relationship or hopeless.”
“So you’re saying there’s hope for us?”
“Does she know you love her?” Mickie asked.
“She does.” And if she gave him a second chance, he’d make sure he told her every day. Multiple times per day. Hannah would never doubt his feeling for her.
“And do you know how she feels?”
He warmed at the memory of Hannah telling him she loved him. God, he hoped she’d meant it.
“That dopey grin says it all.” Mickie winked. “Yes, JP, there is hope for you two. I bet she’d appreciate some support right about now. Maybe in the form of her boyfriend showing up for her.”
He’d just been thinking the same thing. He could snag the next available flight out and be in Colorado by evening.
“We’re happy to keep Kayla for you while you go get your girl,” Ronnie said, blowing kisses at her niece, who’d gone back to her formula.
Hmm, it would be easier to travel without an infant, that was for damn sure, but an idea started to brew. One he’d need Kayla’s help for.
What if he could do more than just show up for Hannah? What if he could prove himself and his love for her by helping to alleviate her greatest stress?
What if he could help her parents begin to heal?
“Nah, I’m gonna take her with me. But could you watch her for a bit while I pack?”
“Of course,” Mickie said. “There’s no one else I’d rather hang out with. Is there, pretty girl?” she cooed at Kayla.
JP jumped to his feet, pulled the baby out of her highchair, and blew a loud raspberry on her cheek. She giggled as he handed her off to Mickie.
It hit him then. He’d be seeing Hannah that night.
Holy shit. A bark of laughter left him. It’d been days since he felt this light and excited about life. “I’m going to get Hannah!” he shouted, making Ronnie roll her eyes and Mickie whoop in support.
He grabbed Mickie’s face between his palms. “Thank you.” Then he kissed her cheek.
“Hey! Get your fucking lips off my woman!” Keith hollered as he lumbered into the kitchen.
JP rolled his eyes and planted another loud smooch on Mickie’s cheek. Next, he made his way toward Ronnie. “Oh, hell no!” she said, hopping out of her chair. “You know I hate that affectionate shit.” She backed away as he advanced on her. “Seriously, JP. Don’t you dare hug me. Ah!” She took off in a run, and he gave chase.
When she reached the couch in the living room, he launched himself at her, and together they crashed onto the sofa.
“Thank you, sis,” he shouted in her ear right before smacking a big kiss on her forehead.
“God, get off me, you disgusting brute. Go get your woman back.”
“Oh, I plan to.” And once he got her back, he intended to hang on to her forever.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
HOSPITALS SUCKED. JP didn’t have many memories of his mother, but most of them took place in a hospital. Since her death, he’d only been in hospitals when his father had been brought in on suspicion of alcohol poisoning. Also, shitty memories.
And there he was now, about to speak with a woman who hated him. The mother of the woman he loved. Grandmother of his daughter. Not to mention Hannah had no idea he’d hopped on a plane and traveled across the country.
Did it get more fucked up than that?
Kayla flapped her arms and babbled from the baby carrier strapped to his chest. He’d brought a stroller but found this much easier. Plus, she loved it. He kept her facing out, and she flirted with everyone who walked by, giving them her charming smile. It’d saved his bacon during the long layover in Chicago. Thankfully she’d passed out five minutes into the first flight and remained calm on the second. Traveling with infants was no joke.
He took his time following the hallway he’d been instructed to take to get to Patricia Brigg’s room. She’d been transferred from the psych ward to a standard room, which allowed visitors. Despite hours of air travel, he still wasn’t certain what he planned to say. Just that he had to find a way to get through to Hannah’s parents. Hopefully, having Kayla with him would soften their hearts. Mostly, he hoped meeting him in person, without Hannah around to absorb their anger, he’d be able to ease their hatred.