RENEE "Look who's getting out of these four bleached walls today!" Nicole squealed with delight the moment she entered the room. She ran toward me, arms outstretched. "I'm so happy, Renee." She sniffled. "So fucking happy." "As am I," I said, hugging her with all my strength. "Where's Mom?" I asked. "She's at home, er, the mansion, preparing for your arrival," Nicole said. "I suspect you're going to eat a lot today, my friend," she added, and I laughed. "I can only imagine." I groaned and let go of her when Robert and the nurse assigned to check me out of the hospital arrived. She pushed a wheelchair into the room, signaling it was time for me to leave. As Robert turned to greet Nicole, the nurse, a petite young lady, attended to me. She introduced herself, asked a few questions, provided some healthcare instructions, and then it was time to fill out the discharge paperwork, which Robert quickly took charge of. As usual, he wasn’t letting me lift a finger. It’d been two days since I woke from my semi-coma, and he still wasn't done fussing over me. He was always by my side, ensuring I ate well, slept well, and felt well. When the doctor or nurses came to check on me, he was always alert, listening to everything they said about mine and the babies’ health and taking notes. It was cute. Seeing him so protective and sweet about me. It wasn’t a new thing, but considering recent events, it made me feel more cared for. And I loved every bit of it. But most importantly, out of everything, I loved the random kisses he showered me with and the deep snuggles on my hospital bed every night. It was bliss. “Time to go home, baby,” Robert announced, grabbing my packed bags and nodding toward the wheelchair. He helped me into it, his hand steadying me as I sat down. With Nicole close behind, he wheeled me out of the room and down the hospital corridors. But then, I noticed something — we were heading in the wrong direction. "Robert? This is the—” "Rear exit," he interrupted. “I know. The paparazzi are camped out front." "Wait what?" I looked at Nicole to confirm what he said, and she nodded. "Yes, Renee." She sighed. “I don't know who tipped them off about your discharge but it's a mess out front.” "I'm sorry, baby,” Robert said as we reached the exit. He muttered something about “not being financially famous” in his next life, and I laughed. A sleek black Jeep awaited us as we stepped out, and the driver, whom I quickly recognized as Harry, stood at attention beside it. He held something above his head. A cardboard sign with the words “HAPPY DISCHARGE DAY, MISS RENEE,” written in large black letters. I chuckled. The sight was quite amusing because I never would’ve expected it from my always stiff, never smiling, personal bodyguard. "Harry, you are so sweet." I sighed as we got close to the car. He replied by handing me a small bouquet of flowers and conveying his personal congratulations and apologies. "Oh, Harry." I sighed again. "Everything that happened that night was beyond your control. Please don't apologize or beat yourself up over it.” "I have to, ma'am. I didn't do my job. I neglected you, and...” He paused and looked at Robert. The two men exchanged a strange look, which I immediately caught on to. I was about to say something about it, but Harry went on, "I swear on my life, ma’am, what happened that night will never happen again. I swore on Mr. Clarke's name, and I am now swearing on yours.” He looked so serious that I was perplexed for a minute, but then I realized just how important his words were. I could only imagine the things Robert said to him while I was unconscious. It must’ve been brutal. “Thank you, Harry. You’re very thoughtful." He seemed to relax a little bit, and with a nod, he opened the car door. Robert helped me out of the wheelchair and into the car first, then climbed in after and closed the door. Nicole sat in the front with Harry, who was behind the wheel. He started the ignition, and soon the vehicle peeled away from the hospital grounds. ~•~ The ride home was spent in comfortable silence, with only the car’s radio shuffle and passing traffic noise breaking the quiet. Robert's arms were tightly wrapped around me while I distracted myself with my phone, which I’d switched on after days. There were a few missed calls and well-wishes from friends and colleagues. I replied to the texts one by one, and just as I finished, the car came to a halt. "Are we—" "Yes, baby," Robert cut in, finishing the sentence for me. "We’re home." His arm around me tightened and he drew me closer. Nuzzling his face into my hair and running his hand through the strands, he asked, “Are you happy to be home?" "Very." "And my peanuts?" His hand moved from my hair to my stomach. "Are they happy too?" "Yes. They’re more than happy." "Good." Robert hummed. "Good." A finger lifted my chin. He moved in closer for a kiss, but the car door burst open just then, halting him. "Welcome home!" A united chorus filled the air, followed by loud cheers and applause. Our heads turned to see a small crowd gathered around the car. Mom, Sally, Mrs. Andrews, Robert's assistant Mark, and a few other faces I didn't recognize. On their hands rested placards, bouquets, and balloons. Tears pricked my eyes. “Oh my God,” I gasped, the tears threatening to spill. I wasn’t expecting such a welcome. I’d only been looking forward to the lavish feast my mother had allegedly prepared. But not this at all. "Mommy, Sally…" I called out, scrambling across the seat to greet them. Upon seeing my enthusiasm, Robert quickly stepped out of the car, making way for me. The moment my feet hit the ground, the group assaulted me with hugs and kisses. "Renee, you beat this. You fucking beat it." Sally was the first to speak. She squeaked, her large dark brown eyes welling with unshed tears. "Oh, my girl. Welcome home. Welcome, you fucking gorgeous, beautiful girl." She cussed, and I laughed. Mrs. Andrews was next. She kissed my cheek and gave me a hug. "Welcome home, Ms. Micheal." "Thank you so much, Mrs. Andrews." Releasing me, she made way for Robert's assistant. The young man approached and extended his hand, a broad smile on his face. "Glad to have you home safe and sound, Ms. Micheal." "Thank you, Mark." I grinned as I accepted his handshake. The unfamiliar faces greeted me next, introducing themselves as the house staff. Then— "My baby girl!" My mother’s voice broke through the chatter. She threw her arms around me in a tight hug, and with no hesitation, I did the same, the tears streaming freely now. "Hey, hey, honey," she comforted me, gently stroking my hair. “Don't cry, okay?" "I didn’t mean to. I'm not sure why I..." I trailed off, sniffing, and she just let me be. "Welcome home, baby," she said after a while. Pulling back, she turned to Robert. "Thank you, Robert. Thank you so much for bringing my baby and her babies back home safely." "Of course, ma'am," Robert said, taking my hand. “Always." I looked between the two of them, pride and warmth filling my heart. "I wasn't expecting this," I admitted softly, wiping away a tear from my eye. "Well…" Robert chuckled and wrapped his arm around my waist. He pressed a tender kiss against the crown of my head. "You didn't enjoy the housewarming party, so Nicole and I decided to compensate with this. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy it." "Yes, she will," my mother said brightly. "It’s nothing too big or too small. And it won’t stress you and my grandbabies.” "It’ll put a bright smile on her face, right?" Robert chimed, and my mother beamed brightly. "Right. I can't wait till she digs into the feast I've prepared." "The feast," I hummed, remembering what Nicole said earlier at the hospital. "Yes. Lots of food for everyone, but especially for you. I was told that you can begin eating solids, so...” She winked at me without finishing the sentence. "Now, come on. Come on in, everyone!" She ushered everyone in. I started following her lead, but Robert didn’t let me move. Without warning, he scooped me off the ground, carrying me bridal style. I screamed out loud in surprise. "Robert!" I laughed, clutching his shirt tightly. "Put me down!" “No.” "Put me the fuck down!" "No!" he insisted stubbornly, his legs already moving. I heard him yell something to the house staff nearby while still ignoring my pleas to be put down. "Rob…" "Renee…" He perfectly mimicked my drawl, which made me laugh. "I'm not putting you down until we get inside, sweetheart. Just give up." “Fine…” I pouted, giving in. “That’s a good girl.” I rolled my eyes, but the smile never left my face. “Welcome home again, my love," he mumbled sweetly, planting the softest kiss on my forehead. "Welcome home."