Strings of Destiny

Chapter Twenty Five

Ellie was strong enough to leave the hospital three days later with heavy restrictions. Happily enough, so was Èr.

Nate put on a nice outfit to go get his family from the hospital. He came downstairs, whistling.

Solomon looked up from watching television. "Where are you going?"

Nate smirked. He knew Solomon knew. "I'm going to get my family."

"Will you bring them by soon? I miss Ellie."

"After she gets more strength."

Solomon nodded. "Proud of you, little brother."

Nate started. He looked to Solomon in how to be a man and for his elder to tell him he was proud of him, made Nate tear up.

Solomon could tell. "You know that. Don't you?"

Nate said nothing.

"Nate, I'm so very proud of you. The man you are. Your kids will always be loved and cared for. Your woman will always be loved and cared for. And that's because of your heart."

Nate wiped his face. "Thanks, Sol."

Solomon stood up and opened his arms. "Anytime."

Nate hugged his shorter big brother. "I thought I was turning into Dad-"

"Put that thought out of your head." Solomon commanded. "You're nothing like Father. You are wild and impulsive but you are not cruel. You're nothing like that man. When you pass, you will have a massive family and a beautiful widow crying. When he dies, there will be no one to mourn him."

Nate nodded.

"Okay?"

"Okay." Nate nodded again.

"Now go get your family. I'm sure your woman will appreciate her own bed."

<<<

Nate was calm and collected when he went to Ellie's room. He had a new car-seat for his son and the fire department had put it in for him so he couldn't mess it up. He was on cloud nine.

Nurses spoke to him on his journey and he spoke back, excited.

He made it to the room and knocked.

"Come in!" Eve's voice called out.

He opened the door. "Who's ready to go home?"

"Me!" Ellie groused as she folded the last of her clothing that Eve had brought up for her. She packed it away and closed her suitcase.

Eve smiled. "Hi, Nate."

"Hello, Yuè Mǔ."

Ellie gave up on figuring out what Yuè Mǔ was and simply figured it meant "ma'am". She'd looked up plenty of Chinese things but she didn't know how to spell Yuè Mǔ so she never looked it up. Now she left it alone. "Come on. Let's go."

A nurse came in with a wheelchair. "Who's leaving today?"

Ellie wiggled. "Me."

"We're sorry to see you go but glad you can."

Ellie smiled at the woman. "I don't ever want to come back here."

"Understandable but you don't want a home birth next time, do you?"

"Home birth?" Ellie caught what she was saying and blushed. She looked away from the confused Nate and her smirking mother. "I want to sign out."

The nurse snickered as Eve did.