Chapter Twenty-Six
Adam
I pulled a burp cloth from a drawer in the changing table I’d seen Lainey take one from, then threw it over my bare shoulder—skin was so much easier to clean than a shirt—and sat down in the chair in the nursery.
Conor was fed and content while nestled against me as I patted his back. I took it as a good sign that when he finally burped, he didn’t spit up all over me.
I could have laid him back in his crib after changing his diaper, but I wanted to hold him a little while longer, so I sat back in the glider and talked softly to him.
He made sweet baby noises in return as he settled against my chest. I found myself kissing his silky red baby hair while promising to always protect him and his mom.
Brian may have the godfather title, but I already loved the little dude more than I’d ever thought possible.
~~~~
I felt a hand on my shoulder the same time I heard Lainey softly whisper, “I need to feed Conor.”
My eyes opened to find Lainey standing before me wearing a pink, fuzzy robe.
“Aw, go back to bed, baby. Let him sleep a little longer.”
She shook her head. “He’s already slept an hour longer than he normally does. I need to keep him on a feeding schedule so he’s not hungry in the middle of the morning rush at the bakery.”
Yeah, that made sense.
I nodded and transferred Conor to her waiting arms, then stood to vacate the glider. As if sensing his mom’s presence, the baby woke immediately and started to fuss. Lainey sat and discreetly exposed her breast, which her son latched to without hesitation.
The protective feelings I’d had last night reemerged as I watched mother and son in the light of the early morning. This no longer had anything to do with Shawn.
“Maybe we could try a bottle today.”
She looked up at me with a soft smile. “We?”
“Yeah, we .”
“I thought we decided to keep this a secret?”
Secret was such a strong word. But, I had to admit, that’s exactly what this had to be. For now. Although I couldn’t imagine a time when it could be out in the open.
“I don’t think we need to advertise that we’re sleeping together, but that’s completely separate from helping you with the baby.”
Lainey glanced down at Conor. To my surprise, she didn’t argue, just murmured, “Okay. I’ll have to find the breast pump I got at my baby shower and read the instructions.”
I felt a salacious grin form on my face.
“I’m happy to help you with that.”
I liked that she wasn’t shy when she looked me in the eye and said, “Good.”
I heard my phone ding from the other room, alerting me that I’d received a message.
There was only one person I could imagine who would be texting me this early.
“I think Brian sent me a text. He probably wants to get the camera installed before his shift starts.”
“Make sure you set the air mattress up on the living room floor. You can find sheets and blankets in the linen closet in the hall.”
“Let me see what he wants, then I’ll take care of it.”
I found my phone on the nightstand by her bed. When I looked at the screen, sure enough, it was Sergeant O’Shaughnessy.
Brian: You awake?
Me: I am. You want to get started on the camera?
Brian: Yeah. But let’s have breakfast first. I can bring over eggs and bacon to cook, and a loaf of bread to make toast.
Me: Lainey is feeding Conor right now, but I’m sure she’d like something to eat when she’s done.
Brian: I’ll be there soon.
I appeared in the nursery’s doorway.
“Do you have a toaster? Brian is bringing over eggs, bacon, and bread to make breakfast.”
She raised an eyebrow at me. “You do remember I run a bakery, right? There are croissants in the bread box. But if you’d rather have plain toast… the toaster’s on the counter.”
“Heck yeah, I’m having a croissant! Why didn’t you say something earlier?”
“I told you to help yourself to anything you could find to eat or drink.”
“You’re right, you did. That’s on me.”
I moved to back out of the doorway when she called, “Don’t forget about the air mat—”
I poked my head around the corner and cut her off. “I’m on it.”
“Thanks, Adam. I appreciate it.”
“I won’t let you down, princess.”
And I found I meant that with every fiber of my being.
****
Lainey
Seeing Adam hold Conor had made a spot in the center of my chest ache. I didn’t know if it was with longing for a dad for Conor or a partner for me. I suppose they’d be one in the same.
I took Conor into the shower with me, since the kitchen was now occupied with Brian and Adam attempting to make breakfast, and I couldn’t bathe him there.
After quickly washing my son’s chubby little body and downy-soft hair, I wrapped him in a towel, then placed him in his bouncy seat while I quickly shaved and washed my face and hair.
Before becoming a mom, I’d never imagined I could shower in less than four minutes, but I’d become a pro at it in the last few months.
After we were both dressed, I pulled my wet hair into a high ponytail and ventured into the living area of the apartment.
I noticed the air mattress standing upright against the wall with a stack of folded sheets and blankets on the floor next to it, like Adam had cleaned up once he got out of bed.
I knew that wasn’t the case, but Brian didn’t need to.
“Oh, my goodness, something smells good,” I declared when I walked in and found the two men hard at work in the kitchen.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Brian replied as he flipped sizzling bacon strips in the frying pan. “We made plenty.”
“It looks great.”
Brian adjusted the knob for the burner on the stove, washed his hands, then came around the kitchen counter and took Conor from me.
“How’s my godson this morning? I think you’ve gotten bigger since last night. Yes, I do.”
Conor’s face split into a toothless smile at Brian’s expressive face.
“Uncle Adam said you’re going to be taking a bottle in no time, then Uncle Brian can watch you whenever he can.”
“We’re going to try a bottle. No guarantees on how long it’s going to take for him to get the hang of it.”
“I explained to him last night that once he’s using a bottle, we’ll be able to do all sorts of fun things.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“Go hang out with Grandma and Grandpa O’Brien, go to the park with Uncle Brian and help him pick up chicks, go to the beach with Uncle Brian and help him pick up chicks, go to the grocery store with Uncle Brian…”
“And help him pick up chicks,” I supplied with an eyeroll.
Brian was not ashamed. “Exactly. He seemed completely on board.”
I couldn’t disguise my amused grin. “Did he now?”
“Yep.”
“I’m glad my child is going to be your wingman.”
Adam declared, “Toast is done!”
Brian motioned to the stove. “Go fix yourself a plate. I’ve got him while you eat. My godson and I need to talk about this bottle situation again.”
I loved that Brian wanted to be involved in Conor’s life. I knew the O’Briens were itching to spend more time with him, too. It seemed everyone wanted to help me, but I had to wonder if they’d still be willing if they knew what Adam and I had done.
Not that they’d ever find out.
Adam and I had both agreed last night that would be a bad idea.
I hadn’t been lying; the secret part made it hotter.
But for how long?
I guess I’d worry about that when the time came.