Chapter 3
Maddie
Connor is finally asleep. No sooner than his head hit the pillow was he out. Though I don't think he's slept a wink in the past few days.
So, I spend the next hour cleaning the house, doing dishes, and taking the trash out until Faith starts stirring again.
After I change her, we settle in for her to eat, and honestly, I love this. She is a slow eater, and I'm in no hurry. While she eats, she looks up at me as if she wants to figure me out.
Finally, she burps and settles in, so I grab the folder that was left with her and start reading through it.
The note is so cold, and I swear it breaks my heart how little her mother seems to care about her. So, honestly, it's best Faith is here with us. She will be taken care of and loved.
When Faith finishes eating, she seems to want to sit up for a bit, so I keep her with me as I go through the diaper bag and take stock of what was left with her and the brands of diapers, formula, and other items.
"We for sure need to get to the store. You will be out of diapers before bed tomorrow, and formula not long behind that. You have only four days of clothes, poor thing. We’re going to spoil you for sure."
The more I look at this little girl, the more of Connor I see in her. Growing up, I've spent many days flipping through his family's photo albums and his baby pictures are on proud display. This little girl could be his twin at this age.
That being said, I need to remind myself not to get attached because this isn't my kid, even if the DNA test comes back that she is Connors. At best, I'd be the fun aunt in her life, while he will still be the strict career-driven one.
So, I figure I will take this time to call Summer and get the details on what’s going on with her.
After hiding it for a few months, she recently told the father of her baby she was pregnant.
What’s really crazy is she told him at his parent's 30th anniversary party not long after they were engaged.
This is the first time we have really had to catch up so I get the details as we sit on the phone for a few hours talking and catching up with each other.
Faith falls asleep on my chest, and there is something so peaceful about baby cuddles.
After we hang up, I carefully lie down on the couch, so I don't wake up Faith, and figure I can read my book until her next feeding.
Connor
Who knew a three-hour nap could be so life-changing? I feel better than I have in days and it's all thanks to Maddie.
I head out to find her, and the sight that greets me makes my heart race in the best possible way.
Maddie is asleep on the couch with my daughter lying on her chest, also asleep.
They both look like they are meant to be here.
I grab my phone and take a quick photo because I know I will want to document every moment like this.
These will be the ones to get me through when Maddie takes a step back, as I know she will have to.
I kneel down beside the two most important women in my life and run my hands through Maddie's hair to gently wake her up. She starts to stir before opening her eyes and looking at me. In that moment, something clicks.
I know without a shadow of a doubt this is the life I want. Not just with my daughter, but with Maddie here with us. Though I know it will take a lot of work to convince Maddie, I plan to fight like hell for it. Good thing I will have the help of the cutest baby in the world.
"Do you feel better?" She asks in her soft, just woke up voice.
"So much better. Thank you." I whisper, but the baby stirs anyway.
I pick her up and start to make her a bottle.
"Go get some sleep in the guest room. I got the night shift." I joke, and she just nods and stands.
When she stretches her arm above her head, it shows off her round breasts and a small strip of skin just above her shorts. Her dark brown curls cascade down her back and I have this urge to tangle my hand in them and pull her in for a kiss.
"You mind if I shower in the morning?" she asks.
"Not at all. Whenever you get up, it's yours."
She nods and goes off to bed.
Now that we have both had a reset of sorts, I sit to feed Faith and soak up some baby time. She is all smiles, and after she eats, we play before I get her ready for bed.
Even though she is still young, I realize I need to get a set bedtime routine down now so that she gets used to it.
According to her birth certificate, she is just over two months old.
I plan to pick up one of those baby books to see what I should be doing for her development.
When do they start tummy time? Should we be working on letters or colors?
I have no idea, and I don't want her to be behind because of me.
As she falls asleep, I lay her down on the bed I made on the floor so she can lie with me. First thing tomorrow, I will get her a proper bed because the floor just isn't going to cut it for either of us much longer.
Maddie
When I wake up, it takes me a minute to realize where I am. I didn’t even hear the baby once last night, and it was so great to be in an actual bed and not my car. While I know it wasn't the safest; I slept in my car on the way here to save time and money.
I get up to go see how Conner is doing with the baby and find him on the living room floor playing with her and the sight melts my heart. He’s going to make a great father. Moments like this prove it.
Connor turns his head to look at me.
"Good morning."
"Have a good night?"
"She did great. Only woke up twice. Go get a shower. It's time for her to eat again, and I’ve got her; we need to have some bonding time."
I waste no time getting my stuff and jumping in the shower. The hot water feels amazing on my neck and shoulders, which are stiff from driving the last few days.
When I step back into the living room, I reach for the baby and Connor hands her right over with a smile.
"Your turn to go get ready. I will make breakfast, and then we have a doctor's appointment for the DNA test. After that, we have a lot of shopping to do."
"Then I am taking you to lunch," he says, and I won't argue with him. A girl’s got to eat.
"Deal. Now go."
I go for a simple breakfast of eggs and toast with coffee.
Our trip to the doctor is simple and easy. Since Faith fell asleep in the car she slept through the whole thing while I stayed in the car. It took him less than twenty minutes, and allowed me to get a chapter in my book read.
We are now walking into the baby store, and his eyes are wide open with the deer in the headlights look. Not to mention, he’s completely out of his element.
"Do we need all this stuff?" He says, looking through the sales flier.
"No way. Come on, diapers first."
As he follows me, he takes a photo of the brands of diapers, wipes, and formula I pick up.
"I am leaving this in your hands,” he says. “Whatever you say I need goes into the cart. What exactly is this?" he holds up a hand breast pump and laughs.
"You definably don't need that." I put it back on the shelf.
"I need a crib, bedding, and a rocking chair because she seems to like the rocking motion," he says.
"We will get her a swing too. It will be a lifesaver when you have things to do."
Going up and down the aisles, we spend an hour getting everything from bottles to a baby carrier and furniture.
We end our trip in the clothing section, where Connor seems to have the most fun picking out clothes.
"You are going to be just fine, daddy." I joke with him.
"I like you calling me daddy, but not in the way you might think," he whispers in my ear before walking away.
Damn him. He knows he's driving me crazy, and now he's doing it on purpose.