Chapter 41 Theo
FORTY-ONE
THEO
“Hold on,” I say, coming to a grinding halt when I reach the door that leads from the garage into the house. Norah sleeps peacefully in her carrier, utterly unaware that her daddy has been on the verge of a complete and total mental breakdown for the past few hours.
I can’t explain the sense of dread that washed over me when I found out we were being discharged from the hospital this morning.
I was shaking the entire way out, my head on a swivel as I searched the parking lot for threats.
I swear, I checked both Finley’s seatbelt and Norah’s harness twenty times each, then took all back roads so I could do a speed I was comfortable with.
Fifteen. I went fifteen miles per hour all the way home.
And now that we’ve made it safe and sound, it’s time to go inside.
“Oh my God,” Fin says, her shoulders slumping in annoyance. “What is it now?”
I swallow, feeling like I just shoved an entire bag of cotton balls into my mouth. My anxiety level is about a twenty out of ten, every bad scenario coming to life in the back of my head and reminding me that nowhere is truly safe for my daughter.
“Boner,” I choke out, my eyes wide with panic.
“What if he jumps? Or barks too loud and it scares her? She could be traumatized for life and end up as one of those people who lock themselves in their houses, only going outside to get the mail, which they never open because they’re afraid of Anthrax. ”
I’m barely able to breathe at this point, my heart ready to tear a hole through my shirt with how hard it’s beating.
My clothes are too tight, squeezing my muscles relentlessly until I feel like I can’t move at all.
“I think we should go back to the hospital,” I rush out, my chest heaving.
“We can just live there. I’ll buy it, that way they can’t kick us out, you know? How much does a hospital even cos—”
“Theo, look at me,” she cuts in, grabbing hold of my face.
I lock onto her emerald gaze, my pulse immediately slowing as she pulls me out of my thoughts.
She takes several, slow, deep breaths, encouraging me to mimic her with big, animated movements.
I follow, bringing some much-needed oxygen into my lungs until I no longer feel like I could drop dead at any moment.
She smiles up at me, her beautiful, freckled face giving me everything I need to keep from spiraling.
“It’s going to be fine. Stella put him behind a baby gate in the living room, so we can ease them into meeting one another.
If he barks, that’s okay. She’ll get used to it.
This is all part of the process, and I promise you that nothing bad is going to happen. Alright?”
I release a shaky exhale, looking down to where Norah is still fast asleep. She’s got blankets tucked around her for warmth, and she’s wearing a tiny pink hat with the biggest bow I’ve ever seen. She’s only visible from her chin to her eyebrows, and still the cutest baby in the world.
Fuck. I love her so much, it hurts.
“Yeah,” I whisper. “Sorry. I’m freaking out a little bit. I just want to protect the two of you.”
She huffs a quiet laugh. “I know you do, and for what it’s worth, I’ve never felt safer in my life.
You’re the best man I know, Theo. I have no doubt that you’ll do whatever it takes to keep us out of harm’s way.
But if you don’t get that sexy ass inside so I can take a real shower and eat real food, I’m going to commit a felony right here in this garage. ”
“Fine,” I reply, my cheeks heating because she totally just said my ass is sexy.
Packing that away to bring up again later, I reach out, twist the knob, and step inside.
I can hear Boner barking in the living room, but Norah doesn’t seem to be phased in the least, not even stirring when he gets louder and more excited.
“See,” Fin says, taking off her shoes and pushing them aside before removing her jacket. She takes the carrier from my hand, so I can do the same while she wanders into the kitchen.
By the time I’ve hung up our coats, she’s already got the baby unbuckled, lifting her from the seat.
I can’t help but chuckle at the way Norah stays curled into a little ball, making her already tiny body look even smaller.
She grunts, a quiet cry barely making its way from her lips before Finley pops a pacifier between them.
My heart does flips in my chest as I watch, in awe of how natural she looks caring for our daughter.
I have no doubt that Fin would’ve been the most kick-ass single mom, but there’s no way in hell she ever will be.
Someday soon, I’ll ask her to be my wife, and we’ll raise our family together just like in my dreams. I’ll give them everything, because that’s exactly what they’ve given me.
“We’re coming, buddy,” she says to the dog as he continues causing a ruckus, giving me a look that says let’s do this.
I nod, a bit of residual nervous energy flowing through me as I lead my girls to where Boner awaits.
As soon as he sees us, he sits down, his happy tongue hanging from the corner of his mouth as he pants excitedly.
“Let me pet him first,” I instruct. I read several articles on how to introduce dogs to new additions, and the first step is to give them attention and praise.
Then, you can bring the baby around, allowing them to check everything out at a safe distance until they’re acclimated and showing no signs of anxiety.
I step forward, kneel down, and give him a kiss on the head as I thank him for not tearing the house to shreds while we were gone.
Stella was here a lot, and Austin stopped by to play with him, so I know he wasn’t alone much.
But this is all a big change for him, so I’m grateful it didn’t seem to have any negative effects.
He’s the same goofy oaf he’s always been, his fluffy tail slapping against the floor as I scratch his neck and body.
When I’m sure he’s calm, I beckon Finley over, smoothing my hand along his back as he looks up at her.
He stands, extending his neck over the top of the gate, making her laugh because she knows exactly what he wants.
She gets closer, and he nudges her belly with his nose, pulling back when he realizes that something is different.
“I’ve got your little bestie,” she says with a smile that could light up the entire world.
She bends down just enough to let him sniff Norah’s body, giving her a tiny little lick through the blanket.
I make a mental note to wash it immediately, so she doesn’t get sick, although I’m sure that’s probably overkill.
One time, I watched Reid eat an old French fry off the floor of my sister’s car, so I’m pretty sure a little dog slobber won’t hurt.
We finish up, and I open the gate, giving Boner free rein of the house again.
He gets bored with us pretty quickly, opting to take one of the new toys Austin brought for him over to his bed, where he chews on it like a gremlin.
I return to the kitchen, put the kettle on the stove, and take the baby from Finley’s arms.
“Why don’t you go take a nice hot shower? I’ll make you a cup of tea, and we can order whatever you want for dinner.”
“Mmm,” she hums, her eyes fluttering closed. “That sounds amazing. I won’t be long, I promise.”
I dip down, pressing my lips to hers in a soft yet claiming caress.
She smiles into the kiss, true happiness radiating from her small frame as she pulls away.
She’s fucking beautiful, and this whole experience only intensified my feelings for her.
I didn’t think it was possible with the way my heart seemed to beat faster and harder every time she was near, but fuck.
Watching her bring a life into this world has made me fall even deeper in love with her than before.
I’m the luckiest asshole alive for getting to call Finley Bolton mine.
“Take as long as you want, Mama. You deserve it. We’ll be just fine down here.”
She hesitates for a second, a hint of worry passing over her expression as she pulls her bottom lip between her teeth.
I level her with a stern look that says go, until finally, she turns and leaves the room.
Then, it’s just my baby girl and me. She’s awake now, her big blue eyes looking up at me as she sucks on her pacifier.
“Hey there, pretty girl,” I coo, swaying back and forth mindlessly as she begins to doze off.
It’s impossible not to stare, admiring each one of her tiny features.
Finley was so worried about her looking like Eric, but there’s not a trace of him to be found.
Between the round, pink cheeks and auburn-red hair, she’s all Fin—perfect in every way.
I prepare Finley’s tea with one hand, only going upstairs when Norah starts crying.
She hasn’t eaten since before we left the hospital, and unfortunately, I don’t have the proper equipment to feed her.
By the time I enter the bedroom, Finley is already out of the shower, a warm, fluffy robe wrapped around her gorgeous body.
“I knew you’d be a little troublemaker for Daddy,” she says with an adorable grin as she gingerly walks toward us.
I know she’s still a bit sore from delivery, but I plan on making it so she doesn’t have to lift a single finger around here until she feels better.
After what she just went through, it’s the very least I can do.
“Nah,” I reply, transferring the baby into her mama’s arms. “She’s been good. Just hungry.”
She sits on the bed, and I stare in complete adoration as she slides the robe down her shoulder and offers her breast to Norah. She stops crying immediately, soft sucks and grunts leaving her tiny body as she takes what she needs.
I have to admit I’m beyond grateful that the Renegades’ season is done.
I can’t imagine leaving my two favorite girls to play another road game, missing out on precious moments with both of them.
We’ll be back next year, bigger, badder, and ready to claim our championship.
But for now, I’m going to soak in every minute I can with my family, because this, right here, is the most important thing of all.