“Got to go, Mandy. Get ready. Time for you to take your fine ass home.”
I shut the door just in time to miss whatever object she tosses across the room.
Crazy bitches. This is why I’ve avoided relationships for so long.
Parking in front of Axel and Izzy’s, I quickly jog up the steps and let myself in with my key. “Iz?” I call out, my voice echoing throughout the house.
“Back here, Greg. Just getting his bag ready for you.” Assuming her voice is coming from the kitchen, I take off in that direction.
Turning the corner to the kitchen, I almost knock Izzy to the floor in her rushed flurry of activity. “Baby girl, you have got to calm down. What exactly do you think is going to happen, huh?”
“Oh, Greg… I don’t know. I just feel like something is going to go wrong. Now with Nate sick, and the wedding this weekend, I just can’t stop worrying.”
“You need to chill. I promise you nothing is going to happen.” I wrap her up in a hug, waiting for her frantic breathing to calm down a little. “Where’s my little buddy for the day?”
“Over by the backdoor. He is obsessed with looking out the window right now.” I walk off, letting her continue her rush around the kitchen.
Ah, there he is. The day that Nathaniel Gregory Reid was born was one of the best days of my life. Not because he is my child, no. Because the girl that has grown to be a sister to me not only gave birth to him, but she beat her demons and won in order to do so. Plus, it helps that the handsome little thing is named after his favorite uncle.
“Nate! How’s the handsome baby boy today?” He turns from his window gazing and gives me a big, drooling smile. Scooping him up, I hold him close to my body, just enjoying the feel of his little body next to mine.
“Here’s his bag. Snacks, sippy cup, and his paci. Diapers, wipes, and all the other things you might need. His appointment is with Dr. Shannon. You know how to get to the pediatrician’s office, right?”
“Yeah, Izzy. I have this. I also have to go, or we will be missing that appointment. Want to trade cars so you don’t have to switch out his seat?”
“That’s fine, and Greg… thanks.” She leans up and gives me a kiss on the cheek before smothering Nate in love. I might have even seen the poor kid begging me with his eyes to get him out of here. Uncle Greg to the rescue.
We make it to the doctor’s office with minutes to spare. Getting Nate out of the car and into the office is the easiest part; trying to get my dog tags out of his mouth is a whole new issue. I know Izzy hates it when he does this to Axel, but damn, the poor kid is miserable. He goes from happy as hell to screaming in two seconds. I hate seeing little man in pain, so I know it has to kill Izzy and Axel.
Walking up to the sign in desk, I smile at the pretty little blonde. “Hello, I need to check in Nate Reid to see Dr. Shannon.” She looks up at me, eyes wide, and I swear drool forms. I hate reactions like this. Yes, I am a large man, but damn. “Miss? Nate. To check–in.”
“Oh, right. I’m sorry.” She makes a few notes, looking up at me a couple times before blushing and almost shoves her head through her monitor. “Do you have your son’s insurance cards? We just put a new system in, so we need to make sure they match.”
The sharp pain that always comes crashing through my system at just the thought of having my own child never seems to dull. One day.
“Nate’s my nephew. His mother, Izzy, didn’t leave the cards, but I can assure you nothing has changed with their insurance.” Since this little chick is still drooling, I’m guessing it’s a safe bet she didn’t hear a damn thing I just said. Looking down at her nametag I get ready to help her focus, scanning the basic script ‘Lauren’ before addressing her, “Lauren, darlin’?” She blinks a few times, and then finally gets with the program. She checks Nate in, and instructs me to have a seat to wait for someone to call us. Joy.
Following her instructions, I take Nate and plop down on one of the hard chairs in the waiting room. Jesus Christ, these things must be made for women or extremely small men. Adjusting Nate to make sure I can at least keep him happy and silent for the moment, I dig my phone out to send a quick text to Izzy to let her know we are here. Nate once again decides my tags make the best teething toys. Izzy can kick my ass, but there is no way in hell I will take those from him now that he is happy. Hell no.