Chapter 69
Q uaid stared down at Hope.
Protectiveness welled inside him. He’d do anything for her. For her mother.
Reaching out, he placed a finger on Hope’s small head. She’d reached a big milestone yesterday and had finally moved out of the incubator. Indie had cried.
Happy tears, she’d told them.
He’d still prefer that she didn’t cry any tears.
Indie’s incision had healed nicely and she appeared a bit more relaxed. But even though they’d started making the smaller decisions for her, she still seemed tired.
He moved his finger to Hope’s hand.
Her fingers and toes were still so tiny that it was frightening. But every day she got a bit stronger. Right now she looked so calm and peaceful as though she had no idea of all the excitement and terror she’d caused.
Which was as it should be.
The door opened and he turned, his stance protective. But he relaxed as Slade walked in with their girl .
Slade’s gaze moved over to Hope. “So glad she’s out of her incubator.”
“Me too,” Indie said. “We’ve still got a way to go, but we’re getting there.”
Quaid walked over to her, taking her into his arms. “And how are you?”
“I’m better now that I’m with you,” she said as she sunk into his embrace.
Yes. Him too.
“I’m going to order some dinner,” Slade said. “Then Indie is going to bed early. She didn’t have a nap today.”
Indie sighed. “Spencer is such a tattletale.”
“Actually, that was Rock,” Slade said.
“Drat,” she grumbled. “I feel fine.”
“Beginning to hate that word,” Quaid told her as he stepped back slightly so he could grasp hold of her chin and tilt her head back. “Let us take care of you.”
All of the tension seemed to drain out of her and she nodded.
Hope let out a small cry and they all turned to her. Indie walked over with a smile.
“Hey, Button. Are you hungry? How do you feel about a bath?”
“Do you need any help?” Quaid asked.
“Sure, you can help bathe her,” Indie replied.
Fuck. Wait, he’d meant he’d get a nurse to help. But, hell, he needed to step up. How hard could this be?
He could totally do this.
Quaid wasn’t sure that he could do this.
He could remain cool in highly stressful situations and yet the idea of bathing this innocent, fragile, small baby was making him want to run away screaming.
You have this.
Don’t be ridiculous .
Shit.
“Do you want me to do it?” Indie asked.
Indie had already fed and burped Hope and now they were going to bathe Hope.
Well, he was.
“No. I have this.”
Indie stared at him for a long moment. “Of course you do. You can do anything. Support her like this and then bathe her. That’s it. Good. See? It’s not so hard.”
Right. Sure.
Not hard at all.
“She just has short baths at the moment,” Indie said as she stepped away.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
Yes, he could hear the note of panic in his voice. But he couldn’t help it.
“Just to get the towel,” she said soothingly.
Slade snorted. Quaid would have glared at him if he hadn’t been too scared to look away from the baby.
Thankfully, Indie returned and together they dried her off.
Fuck.
That had left him feeling drained.
“Want to help dress her?” Indie asked.
Jesus.
He’d seen Spencer and Slade help change her nappy. But dressing her? That seemed a whole other level of hell.
“Sure,” he replied tightly. “Love to.”
Slade had to hold back a laugh as Quaid grew pale when trying to help Indie dress Hope. Not that he should laugh considering he had felt much the same way the first time he’d changed her nappy.
He hadn’t fumbled that much in years.
“I was thinking we could get some newborn photos of Hope when we get out here,” Indie said as Quaid remained laser focused on Hope.
“Of course, Boo,” Slade told her. “I’ll do some research into the best photographers. Do they have special ones for baby photos?”
“Actually, I’ve found someone I like,” she said almost shyly.
“Good. Do you want me to contact them?” he asked.
“I already have and they’re available in two months, which would work well, but, um, they cost a lot.”
Was she serious right now?
“Which isn’t a problem for you,” Slade said slowly. “Because you know that money isn’t an issue. Right?”
“She’d better know that,” Quaid said as he picked Hope and cradled her against his chest. Hell, he was nearly shaking with relief that he’d gotten her dressed without hurting her. “Right, Indie?”
“Right,” she said.
Slade cupped the back of her neck. “Book the photographer. Or give me the details and I’ll do it. Now, come sit down and eat.” He drew her against him, kissing the top of her head.
“Love you,” she whispered.
“Love you more.”