Dad. Don’t give the nurses a hard time. Mum, call me and let me know how it goes.”
“I will,” Marge promised.
“Tell the boys at the pub I’ll be back next week,” Roy said. “I’ll challenge them to a footrace around the block.”
“I’ll let them know to start training.” Darcy touched Emma’s arm as he passed. “Can I have a word?”
“Sure.” She set a paper cup containing pills on Roy’s tray and poured him a glass of water. “I’ll be right back,” she said to Darcy’s mother. “You could help him take those if you like.”
He waited for Emma a few steps down the corridor, well aware Tracey watched him from the nurses’ station. He acknowledged her with a nod and turned away.
Emma came out of the room striding briskly. Her steps slowed as she approached. “Before I forget, thanks for the flowers. I meant to send a note but things got crazy.”
He was momentarily thrown. “Flowers?”
“The ones you brought the day Billy was born.”
“Billy. So that’s what you’re calling him.” Darcy moved to the side of the corridor as a couple went by. “How is he?”
“He’s wonderful!” she said brightly. “Such a good baby. He smiled for the first time the other day.”
“That must have been great.”
A shadow momentarily dimmed her animated expression. Or it might have been the fluorescent lights flickering. Emma gave another brilliant smile but it didn’t erase the lines of strain around her eyes. “It was amazing,” she enthused. “I recorded it straight into the baby book.”
“I’m surprised you’re at work. Shouldn’t you be on maternity leave?”
“The hospital cut maternity pay. I could use the extra money so I’ve come back part-time.” Darcy’s mother came out of Roy’s room. Emma stepped back to let her go past. “Good night, Marge. I’ll take good care of him. Don’t worry.”
“Thank you, dear.” Marge’s smile turned wistful. “I would love to see the baby sometime.”
“Uh, yeah, sure. When I get my term paper finished. I’m flat out at the moment.” Emma brushed wisps of hair back from her eyes. “I don’t even have time to get my hair cut.”
Marge glanced at Darcy then to Emma. “I’d be happy to babysit for you.”
“That’s really nice of you. But I’ve got it under control, honestly. He spends so much time at the day care when I’m at university that I like to have him at home when I can.”
Marge bit her lip, struggling to hide her disappointment. “If you need me, just call.” She hugged Darcy and walked quickly away toward the elevators.
Darcy waited until his mother was out of earshot. He glanced over at the nurses’ station. People were moving through the open area—orderlies, visitors, nurses—but no one was paying attention to him and Emma.
He turned to her. “Would it have hurt you to give her some time with her grandson? I don’t understand. You say you have everything under control but it sure doesn’t sound like it.” As she pulled a tissue out of her pocket, he added, “And you are sick. You shouldn’t be working.”
Emma stiffened, her chin lifting. “In case you’ve forgotten, we’re divorced. You don’t get to tell me what to do.”
“I’m not trying to tell you what to do. I’m asking you to be nice to my mother. She’s the baby’s grandmother, after all. Your mother’s not around. My mum would be happy to stand in for her.”
Emma didn’t reply.
Hell. He wanted to shake her. He wanted to kiss her. He missed her like crazy. Everything was so messed up. He couldn’t stand that she was working too hard and wearing herself out. It wasn’t necessary. “I offered you support payments. You didn’t have to return to work yet.”
“Oh, I get it. You’re afraid I’m not taking good enough care of our son. You’re afraid I’m neglecting him.”
“What? Did I say that? I don’t think that at all.” He drew back. “You’re a terrific mother—”
“I love him, okay? I love him to bits,” she added fiercely. “So you can just stay out of it.”
“Emma?”
“I’m sorry.” She took a deep breath and wrapped her arms around herself. “We’ve had this conversation already. I’m too tired to do it again.”
A tense silence sizzled between them. Emma glanced at the nurses’ station, at Roy’s room. Darcy knew she had tasks to do, but he didn’t want her to leave on a negative note.
“I came here that day, the day he was born.” He didn’t know why he was telling her this. “There were so many people in your