Part Twenty-Six

The next few weeks saw Mason and Kelley thrown into a new routine as Grace’s bassinette was moved into their already cramped room. Mason usually slept like the dead but during that first night they both sat up straight in their beds every time Grace made a sound.

Marella offered to move to the motel but both Mason and Kelley shut her down quickly, they’d make the situation work. Lee had regarded the baby like she was a stick of dynamite, clearly afraid of touching her.

For the first week Carey had woken up with them too, checking up on them before she decided that Grace was in capable hands. She did go shopping for Grace though and Mason sat on his bed, eyes red rimmed from lack of sleep as Carey unpacked baby things.

“It gets better, Mason.”

Mason stifled a yawn. “Does it?”

“If you’re lucky within a few months.”

“Shit.”

“You’ll be okay.” Carey hid her laugh and smiled lovingly at her son. “You make me proud you know.”

“Some days it still feels surreal, having a kid at seventeen.”

“I