Chapter 22

Xavier's POV:

I kept pacing outside the hallway, waiting for her mom. I wanted to convince her to let Rebecca stay here with me. In fact, I was planning on asking Rebecca to move in with so that I can talk care of her better but I didn't want her to feel pressured or anything.

Baby steps!

"I thought you would be inside with her," I heard her mom's voice behind me and turned around to find her, narrowing her eyes at me.

"Well, I was hoping to talk to you, Mrs.Thompson." I took a deep breath and felt my palms go sweaty.

Shit! Why was I so nervous?

"Talk about what?" she asked, folding her arms in front of her and I was feeling intimidated already.

"I want Rebecca to stay here because I'm fully capable of taking care of her, Mrs. Thompson." I stated confidently and waited for her response.

"I can see how well you take care of her," she replied sarcastically, gesturing towards the ICU and I pursued my lips, running my hands through my hair.

"You have no idea how horrible I feel for what happened but you can't make her go back to New York. Hannah needs her and I just....I can't be without her." I replied vulnerably and noticed her eyes soften for a moment.

"Look, I know she loves you and I know you and Hannah make her happy but I think she deserves a break. I can't lose her like I lost her father. She is my whole life, Xavier." she spoke sadly and I could understand her worry as I was a parent myself. If Hannah was hurt by someone, I would feel the same way too. Heck, that person would be probably dead by now.

"I get it, Mrs. Thompson," I mumbled silently, lost in my thoughts.

Fuck, I am supposed to convince her.

"I can see you love her so much but I still need time to trust you. I've known Nate for a long time and he still hurt her." She tried to reason with me and I gave her a tight smile.

"I have a daughter too, Mrs. Thompson and I get your worry. Trust me, I really do." I paused and she looked up to meet my gaze, "Moreover, New York isn't far away. I would probably be visiting her every week, so I guess you have to deal with it," I gave her a small smile and was about to walk away when she stopped me.

"Wait!"

I stopped dead in my tracks and turned around to face her.

"You would really visit her every week?" she asked me in disbelief and I just let out a small chuckle.

"I would visit her every day if I could afford, Mrs.Thompson. She is totally worth it." I grinned widely, shoving my hands in my jean pocket. She let out a huge sigh and shook her head.

"I guess I could work from here too," she mumbled silently and I looked at her in confusion. That's when it hit me.

"Does that mean?" I asked, my eyes going wide in shock and excitement.

"She did warn me about you. You are really good," she smirked, raising her eyebrows

"Tell me something I don't know," I grinned widely, feeling slightly comfortable around her.

"Don't be so happy, mister. I'm still staying with her in Seattle," she tried to threaten me.

"That's okay. I'm just so glad you changed your mind because flying back and forth would have been so exhausting with a small kid," I joked and saw her lips curve into a small smile.

"I changed my mind only because of Hannah. You are not off the hook yet," she replied sternly.

"Of course, I have two months to get off the hook." I smiled as she walked past me inside the ICU, trying to hide her smile. I couldn't contain my happiness and jumped in excitement. Maybe I could get on her good side in these two months and probably gain her trust.

"Okay, are you going to tell me how you convinced her?" Rebecca kept nagging me with a huge smile on her face. She was shifted from the ICU to a private ward. The doctor informed us that she could be discharged after two days.

"I told you I could make anyone fall in love with me," I beamed proudly.

"She is still mad at you, Xavier." She laughed, rolling her eyes.

"I still have two months, woman. So just relax and watch me do my thing." I whistled, lying back against the chair.

"Come here," she whispered extending her arms and I quickly climbed on the bed, beside her.

"When do you have to go home?"

"I can stay the night, baby," I whispered, stroking her hair softly.

"No, Hannah needs you." She sighed and nuzzled against my chest.

"I need you more," I kissed her forehead, feeling so content. It felt so damn right and I never wanted this moment to end. We stayed like that for a while before she opened her mouth.

"You know, the doctor told me that I can't do any physical activities for the next two months," she blurted out and I just hummed in response.

"And by physical activities, I mean all physical activities."

Wait!

Did I hear her right?

"What?" I jerked, sitting up straight and she looked at me amusingly.

"Woah, calm down!" She chuckled softly.

She must be kidding like earlier.

"Phew! You almost got me there, baby." I laughed nervously while she tried so hard to control her smile.

"Xavier, I'm serious. The doctor explained that there should be no movement in my legs for the next six weeks for the bone to heal." She replied seriously and my face went pale. I mean, I did want her to get better soon but this was pure hell. I groaned in frustration and fell back on the bed.

"If it makes you feel any better, it's going to be hard for me too." She winked, kissing my jaw softly. I smiled, wrapping my arms around her tiny body.

Fuck, it was going to be harder for me.

"Just two months," I sighed, kissing the top of her head.

Just two fucking long months!