Chapter 4 .

Thorn rushed into the emergency room, straight to the front desk. "Bella Prescot. I need to see her."

The front desk nurse rolled her eyes. "Calm down, sir. We have a full house today. No one but family members is permitted in the ER at this time."

"I am family. She's my daughter."

The lady's eyes grew wide. "Aren't you Thorn Prescot? The MMA fighter that's fighting this weekend? They plaster your face all over the strip."

"Yes. I know. Where is my daughter?"

"I'm sorry. The mother says you are not allowed back."

"The mother? I have full custody. Her mother hasn't seen her since she was born. I need to see my daughter, now."

"I will need to see some proof."

Thorn bulked up and leaned to get nose to nose with the nurse. His massive size loomed over the woman. "Listen, lady. If you don't let me back to be with my baby, I will have your job. Got it! Now open that damn door!"

The grouchy nurse huffed. "Fine. Whatever. I don't get paid enough for his shit. Room 3. Down the hall to the left."

As soon as the ER doors opened, Thorn ran down the hall to the room his daughter was in. Her nanny was waiting at the door, looking worried and rocking back and forth.

The older eccentric woman seemed frantic as she pushed her colorful, large frame glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Thorn. Thank God you're here. Slone just walked in and shoved me out of the room. They won't let me go back in and, said if I didn't stay quiet, they would kick me out. I'm so sorry. I tried to tell them you have sole custody, but no one would listen."

"It's all right, Janis. How's Bella?"

"She had a fever and was throwing up a little. They're running tests. I didn't want to risk keeping her home if it's serious."

"Come with me. It will be okay."

Thorn walked in the door, and his ex-wife was sitting texting while the baby was lying on the hospital bed crying. A man stood near the door in a suit that Thorn didn't recognize, not saying a word. Thorn rushed over to pick up the little girl, ignoring the woman in the room. Instantly, the baby hushed to a small whimper.

"Dada!" The almost eleven-month-old baby, who was the spitting image of her father, reached for him with her little lip pouting.

"Awe. My poor little Pickles. Daddy's baby girl doesn't feel well, does she?" Kissing her little cheek, he could feel the fever.

Slone glanced up from her phone. "It stinks. You may want to change the diaper."

"It? That's a child you're talking about. Are you kidding me right now? You can't even change a diaper? What the hell are you doing here, anyway?"

"I came to see my baby." Slone started texting again. "The outfit is ugly. Who's dressing him? We need to find a stylist."

"She's a baby, you half-wit. Not a fashion accessory. Slone, you need to leave and take whoever this guy is with you."

"He's my assistant. I'm back from Milan. I heard your heavyweight title bout is tonight. You're going to be worth millions."

Thorn groaned. "So that's why you're here. You don't give a damn that your daughter is sick. All you care about is that you might get a new Prada bag for your collection. Don't you think you took enough of my money in the divorce? How did you find her, anyway?"

Slone got up and walked to Thorn, running her hand down his bicep. "My sister works here. She called me because she knew I was heading to the fights tonight. Oh... Owen..." The man stepped up and handed Thron an envelope. "You've been served. I'm getting custody of our child."

"Why the hell would you be doing this? You didn't even want the baby. You don't even know the baby's name."

Slone put a finger to her chin. "Humm? Sure I do. It's... Brandon... Brian... Brody? That's it. Brody."

The nanny took the baby from Thorn's arms, cuddling her. "You're an idiot."

"Who the hell is the old bag?"

"Old bag? I'll cut you, you..." Janis scowled.

"Janis. You know who she is, Slone. She's our nanny now, and more of a mother to that child than you ever were. Now get out."

"Fine. See you in court." She patted the baby's back. "See you soon, Brad."

"It's Bella," Thorn groaned.

"What? No. That's not it."

"Yes. It is. Her name is Bella."

"Ew. Gross. Like those stupid ring girls? You named our son after the Ring Bella's?"

"No, genius. She's a girl. Now leave before I call security."

"Oh. That makes more sense. Maybe I'll change her name to Chanel or Paris? I wonder if I can get baby clothes to match my handbag?"

Thorn just shook his head at the clueless woman. "I can't believe I married you. What was I thinking?"

"Drunken night in Vegas, great sex, and a drive-through wedding chapel." Slone giggled and walked out. "Tootles! See you at the fights. Win me that money, baby. Let's go Owen."

"Yes, ma'am."

Janis looked at Thorn, like he was the biggest moron on the face of the earth, while shaking her head.

Her lips pressed she grumbled, "Unbelievable."

Thorn shrugged. "What? She was hot and put out."

"Men are idiots. What happened to that nice girl in those photos you have in your home office? The way you talk about her, she was the one. Not that bimbo."

Thorn chuckled, pretending to cover the baby's ears. "Janis. I've never heard you talk that way."

"I've never known you to be such a moron."

A knock came on the door, and the doctor walked in. "Afternoon, Mr. Prescot. The tests are back and it looks like baby Bella is just fine. From what I see, it may be a little allergy or starting to cut teeth. Nothing to worry about. Her fever probably caused vomiting. You can take her home. Keep her hydrated and see your pediatrician on Monday morning."

"Thank you, doctor."

"Good luck on your fight this weekend. It will be a great one. I hear this is Alexander Rodriguez's first big title match. He's tough."

"Yeh. Alex trained with us at our gym. The kid's good but too cocky. It's going to hurt him in the ring. He's not focused."

"I think you have it in the bag."

The doctor left and Thorn looked at his pride and joy, who was smiling up at him. "I hope so. I want to get out of this town, and this is my chance for a new life for us."

Janis smiled at him. "You're a good dad, Thorn. You made mistakes in the past, but you're still young. You have time to set things right, for you and this little girl."

"She's trying to take my daughter, Janis. I can't let that happen. I'm a day away from the fight, and I can't get my head in the game. If I don't win, I could lose her. Slone left us with nothing after the divorce. I had to sell my old house and cars. I'm driving an old 1979 Ford Pinto for gosh sakes. I've been struggling to even keep my head above water. I'm three weeks late paying you to watch Bella. If I don't win this fight, I may be out on the street. I can't let Bella go to that woman."

"Don't you worry about me. I'm fine. My husband and I have good savings set back. We'll be all right. Worst-case scenario, you move in with us. You're like a son to me. We've known you since you were a teenager, and you know you can come back to live with us. I won't let you fall. Family isn't always blood. It's who matters to you most."

"Janis, when this is all over, I'm taking you and Fred on vacation."

"Good. I need a break. You're a handful. Just win that fight."

"I should just run away with you." He teased the older lady.

"You couldn't handle this old cougar. Now get that pretty little behind of yours back to the casino. Your best friend needs your help from the Bridezilla before she kills him. I know Maven's probably driving that poor girl crazy. I'll take care of the little one."

"Thanks, Janis. You're amazing." Thorn kissed his baby goodbye. "I promise that mean lady will never get her hands on you. It's me and you forever, taking the world by storm. Papa Bear and Pickles."

The baby cooed as Thorn nuzzled her. "Da da da."

"I love you too, Pickles."