A Visitor

“You have made me the happiest man in the world you know that?”

Toni smiled, “I hope so because I couldn’t do any better than you. Do you want him?”

“Yeah, let me have him.” Travis took his son, Cole in his arms and walked him around the hospital room. It was one of the few times since he’d been born that the room was empty of visitors. Everyone from Glenridge had been in and some of their friends from The Glen.

The door to her room opened and a vase of flowers were stuck through the opening, “Come on in,” she said.

“Are you sure?”

“Richie…”

“Hi Toni,” he came in and closed the door and looked over at Travis, “that’s him?”

“Yeah, wanna look?” Travis walked over with Cole.

“He’s little, hi little guy…”

“He was big enough,” Toni said remembering the birth.

“His name is Cole William Michael McGee.” Travis supplied.

“Big name for such a little fella, they grow fast though…”

“How was Michael, he came over during the holidays didn’t he?”

“Yeah he did, he’s good says he’s coming back for summer break.” He set the vase down on the table by her bed.

“Thanks, I do love roses.” She looked up at him.

“You’re doing okay?”

“Yes, we go home tomorrow. I’ve had to spend the last three months in bed so I’m looking forward to walking again.”

“She says that but she’s spoiled rotten now, it will be hell to pay once she’s home.” Travis grinned.

“Well I just wanted to say hello and see the kid…”

“Wanna hold him?”

“Oh…no…no I might drop him or something.”

“Come out and see us sometime, I think you and I have buried the hatchet…I mean that.”

“Thanks, I might do that…well I’ll see ya,” awkwardly he bent and kissed Toni on the cheek.

“Bye Richie, and thanks for the flowers. That was nice.”

“Bye Toni…Travis,” he went out the door and stood in the hallway for a minute before walking back toward the elevators. She wasn’t his any longer but he still had feelings for her. Three years of his life he’d loved her…that didn’t go away.

Toni looked up and met Travis’s eyes, “That was nice of him,” he said.

“Yes, it was.” She hadn’t seen him since the chance meeting on the street in The Glen…he was still Richie.

“You and I make pretty babies Toni.”

“I know…I’m sorry there won’t be anymore…” She’d been advised not to get pregnant again by her doctor.

“That’s okay we both got what we wanted…and more.” Travis sat on the side of her bed with Cole. “I love you, Toni.”