Eighteen Days
Eli remained in the hospital for eighteen days.
I remained too. Not every hour. But almost every one that mattered.
I learned how to hold him without disturbing the wires. I learned how to warm tiny bottles. I learned which beeping sound was ordinary and which one made nurses move quickly.
I learned that four pounds could somehow become the center of an entire universe.
The development contract was eventually signed without me sitting in the room. For the first time in my adult life, the company managed perfectly well without my constant presence.
That realization was humbling.
Elise slowly became stronger. So did Eli.
We did not suddenly become husband and wife again. Life is rarely that simple. There were apologies that needed time. There were years of disappointment sitting between us.
But we started talking. Really talking. Not through attorneys. Not through assistants. Not through schedules. Just two people sitting beside their son.
