Chapter 31 #2
“I’m supposed to keep you safe.” He cradled her, kissed her wispy curls, then swayed her in his arms. “All I’m doing is hurting you. I’m so sorry.”
Later, while sorting through papers in the kitchen for their move, he let her explore beside him.
A rookie mistake. She shoved a crumpled sheet into her mouth and gagged.
His lifeguarding skills from junior year kicked in, and with his quick, firm compressions, she coughed it out.
His hands shook, and doubt crept in. Was he cut out for this?
When Bella napped, the house fell silent, but his mind didn’t. He had work to do, calls to make, and emails to send, but he couldn’t focus. His thoughts kept circling back to the near misses and his fear of doing something wrong.
At night, exhaustion hit. After putting Bella down, he collapsed, barely managing to call Claire before he passed out. Hearing her voice had soothed his nerves, and he clung to the promise that she’d be back soon. Just one more day. Please let me get through it without another incident.
The next morning started strong, but by afternoon, his winning streak ended. While playing on the floor, he imitated Bella’s crawling. She squealed with delight, chasing him with infectious giggles—until she smacked headfirst into the wall.
Her cries shattered him, and he scooped her up. He loved her laughter, her happiness, but his constant fear of her getting hurt overshadowed it all. As he rocked her, he prayed for Claire’s safe return. Would he ever stop feeling so inadequate?
The past two days melted away when Claire walked through the door.
Wade was in the middle of the bedtime routine, and her smile soothed him.
He was so in love with his wife. She’d become his best friend.
The person he wanted to share his day with.
The one he wanted to share his nights with.
Together, they tucked Bella in, taking turns reading stories and singing lullabies until her tiny eyelids drifted shut.
Later, in their bedroom, after a proper welcome filled with kisses and hugs, a shower to wash away the day, and a tea to calm him, Claire unpacked her bag. She pulled out velvet pouches, revealing her treasures, including a translucent blue stone.
“Aquamarine.” She held out the blue stone in her palm. It shimmered under the light, its translucent surface resembling the silk of her pajamas. “I have different ideas for the aquamarine. It represents calm and clarity.”
“You are those things.” He shifted onto the bed and propped himself up on an elbow.
He held her gaze for a long, poignant moment, his love for her all but bubbling from within.
Somehow, she’d wiggled her way into his heart with her kindness, gentle spirit and endearing quirks.
Real love had happened. She made him believe in it.
“I’m glad I have you for that. So, what do you intend to create with those beads? ”
“They make good rings, but I don’t have time for that. I’ll blend it into a sterling silver chain.” She rummaged through the pouches, retrieving stones as she called them by name. Amethyst, turquoise, quartz… While he didn’t understand the gemstone lingo, her passion for her art mesmerized him.
Eventually, she turned off the overhead light and slid into bed beside him. The night-light’s glow haloed her. While he struggled to sleep with it on, he loved and savored her nearness.
“I missed you.” She inched closer, the silk of her pajamas smooth against his skin as he wrapped an arm around her. “I was disappointed when your phone went to voicemail last night.”
“That’s why I called you first thing this morning.” His hand roamed her back, her body heat grounding him. “Taking care of Bella made me realize just how much you do.”
Her brows knit. “What happened?”
He recounted the stroller tipping and all the incidents on his watch.
“Wade.” She wiggled closer. Her hand slid to the back of his neck and threaded into his hair. Heat surged through his veins at her touch. “I’ve heard stories from parents during library story time. Babies bump their heads and put things in their mouths. It happens.”
“Doesn’t make it any easier.” Bella’s cries had twisted up his chest. “Every time she cried, I knew I’d failed her.”
Her lips brushed his neck, her warmth seeping into him. “You love her and would do anything for her. That’s what matters.”
Her words melted his doubts. He sucked in a breath as her hands massaged his scalp. He trailed his hand to her cheek, her skin impossibly soft. He moved his grip over to her back and she made a sound, her body shivering slightly against his.
“You always know what to say.” His lips brushed against hers in a tender kiss.
“Anything for my husband.” She claimed his mouth in a bold seductive move, dizzying him with irresistible desire.
He was just a man in love with his wife, and it felt right not to hold back.
They didn’t need to worry about disrupting John this time.
The bed dipped beneath their weight as he inhaled her scent, committing it to memory.
Every touch, every kiss was a searing reminder of the bond they shared, a connection deepened by love and unwavering trust.
In the days that followed, with Claire’s visits into town working on her jewelry, Wade did his best to keep Bella safe. Her giggles, flashing those two tiny teeth, highlighted his day, especially when he tickled her just to hear that pure sound.
Even with his hands full, he made time for Claire.
Sending peonies to the gift shop, ordering lunch and having it delivered for her and Anna.
He also texted Claire when he could. But he most looked forward to their blissful evenings.
As he sipped his night tea, they’d catch up, laughing over Bella’s mischief and chatting about their future.
By Friday, the move loomed closer, and he was busy boxing up drawers for the movers. Bella perched on his hip, her tiny hands grabbing at everything within reach.
When he set her down in the kitchen, she jammed her little finger in the bottom drawer. Her cry cut through the air, and guilt hit harder. Scooping her up, he kissed her finger and murmured reassurances.
After he applied ice and calmed her, he blew on her reddened finger before swiping at his phone. He needed to call Claire.
It barely rang once before Claire’s cheerful voice answered. “Hi, honey!”
Perched on his lap, Bella reached for the phone, grasping air, her babbling insistent. He tilted the phone away, but she squirmed and lunged, her little face scrunched in determination.
“Bella jammed her finger.” Guilt gripped him like a new companion.
“Don’t blame yourself. Remember yesterday? I thought she was about to fall, so I rushed over. Instead, I startled her, and she fell backward anyway.”
Claire’s softness and understanding chipped away at the blame creeping up his spine. He drew out a slow breath and kissed Bella’s head. She settled against him, distracted by tugging at his collar.
“Is she okay?” Claire asked.
“I put ice on her finger. It’s red, but I’ll make sure it doesn’t swell.”
“She’s going to have tumbles, Wade. She’s mobile now. The important thing is that she knows you’re there to comfort her.”
He nodded, even though she couldn’t see. Her earnest words hung in the air, but they couldn’t assuage his guilt and doubt. Best he steer the conversation to safer ground. “Have you made any pieces?”
“You won’t believe it.” She laughed. “I’ve made six bracelets so far today.”
“Six? You’ve only been gone since eight.”
“You’d be surprised what I can accomplish with three uninterrupted hours. Thank you for this, Wade. Really.”
Her gratitude soothed his battered soul, making him feel less like a failure and more like her partner.
By the time they ended the call, Bella was wriggling in his arms, eager to move on to her next adventure.
He set her down, watching as her little hands reached for the next bit of chaos. He could do this, couldn’t he?