Five
ADAM
I knew the moment I walked in the garage door that something was wrong. First, Felix wasn’t crying. Second, Naomi’s younger sister Mimi sat on the couch, and she was crying.
“Where is Naomi?” I asked. My pulse spiked as terror shredded my guts. “Did something happen to her? Felix? Are they okay?”
“If you cared about them and those things maybe you should have turned on your phone!” Mimi screeched.
I flinched because Mimi rarely raised her voice. She was calm, almost Zen-like in her life outlook, which I’d hypothesized was because Naomi ensured she never knew how bad the living situation was when they both still lived with their mother.
Mimi grew up in a different luxury than Naomi and I had, thanks to my seventeen-year NHL career. She’d had a calm, uneventful childhood, and that was exactly what I wanted for Felix.
Wait…whoa. Hold on. Mimi grew up with Naomi and me from middle school onward because Naomi raised her.
That thought circled through my head again: Naomi raised Mimi. By herself, when she was a child herself, and then with me.
Holy crap balls.
Naomi had already proven she was an outstanding parent, and I hadn’t realized that until just now.
Naomi and Mimi had been a package deal, one I’d been more than willing to accept.
Mimi was cool and all, but I’d loved—still loved—Naomi enough to accept her any way I could get her, and that meant opening my home and heart to Mimi, too.
These two ladies have been my family for almost a decade now, and any harm to them and Felix would devastate me.
“Um…you’re mad, and I’m sorry. But is everything okay? Mimi, I’m freaking out…”
Mimi shook her head, her expression fierce.
“No, everything is not okay. Felix has a milk intolerance or allergy or something, which is at least part of why he’s been crying in the afternoons.
Paloma figured that out and called the pediatrician for an appointment, which they went to a couple of hours ago.
The pediatrician suggested Felix go on this ridiculously expensive specialized formula… ”
“Oh, shit,” I whispered. Because I knew exactly where Naomi’s mind went.
Mimi was nodding as the weight of this newest emotional blow slammed into me.
“Naomi thinks it’s her fault for not that was the problem.
So, on top of not already failing to nurse Felix, the formula she chose, based on the doctor’s previous recommendation, was making him sick.
So even if Naomi changed her diet drastically and managed to figure out the nursing thing herself, the pediatrician nixed that because she said Felix still hasn’t gained enough weight,” Mimi said, her tone dark with frustration.
I groaned. “Naomi thinks she’s hurt Felix somehow nutritionally or some shit.”
Mimi nodded, her eyes shadowed with concern.
“Naomi’s in a tailspin. When Paloma bundled Felix up like an adorable little burrito man, Naomi initially fretted it was too tight—way tighter than when you guys were swaddling him—but Paloma clarified he liked that sensation, which made Naomi feel inadequate.
She shouldn’t because she was swaddling him, just not in a straight jacket, and he still fussed to go down, just like always.
I don’t think the baby wrapper is solving all that much, really, but Naomi’s…
she’s just so tired, Adam, she can’t think straight.
She-she locked herself in the bedroom and I…
I’m scared, Adam. I haven’t seen her like this since Judd—”
“Do not say that piece of shit’s name in this house,” I gritted out. I reviled that abusive asshole. Good thing I hadn’t met him because he wouldn’t have teeth…or balls. No man worth the title hit a woman. And no man got away with hitting my woman, ever.
Mimi’s dark eyes met mine, worry a deep shadow pulling at me. “When Paloma and I couldn’t reach you, Naomi freaked out about you not answering your phone. I think that, on top of everything else today, was just too much.”
I clenched my jaw, accepting my part of the blame. I hadn’t done a good job today, or any day since Felix’s birth, of giving my wife much-needed affirmations.
“I screwed up.” I hissed out a breath as I met Mimi’s gaze straight-on. “But you need to know that I was with the guys at the practice rink.”
Mimi nodded, but I noted some of the tension left her expression.
It wasn’t that she’d worried, but…she’d been a little worried.
I could understand that. I’d been caught up in my worries and inadequacies, which left Naomi feeling alone at the worst possible time.
The situation might be difficult, but I’d made it worse—like pouring gasoline on a smoldering pile of leaves.
Fucking stupid is what I’d been.
“You were trying to clear your head?” Mimi asked, bringing me back into the conversation.
I glanced around my living room, noting the bright splashes of color in the throw pillows and art that now graced my walls. Naomi and I had picked everything out together, just like we planned to live the rest of our lives.
“Oh, I got some clarity, but I’m not liking what it cost here.” I glanced upstairs, where we had a nursery, then back down at Mimi. “I’m assuming you’re here to keep an eye on Felix…”
“Yeah. Paloma had to head home for Trixie’s sleepover.”
“Would you be willing to stay the night?”
Mimi was in her first year of the master’s program in architecture at the University of Houston, no easy feat, and she wasn’t just doing well. She owned the program with top grades and the best internship. But it took up a lot of her time.
“I don’t know if you can reach Naomi right now,” Mimi said with a sigh. “She’s hurting…”
“And postpartum. Serenity and the obstetrician told me signs to watch for.” I wrapped my arm around Mimi’s shoulder and squeezed. “I’m watching, and I see what’s what. Promise, little sis, I won’t let her keep sliding. I’ll…figure something out.”
“So…”
“So I’m going to talk with my wife if she’s awake. We’re going to come up with a plan so that she stops trying to take the whole situation on her sexy shoulders.”
Mimi wrinkled her nose. “Um…could have done without the last comment.”
I clucked my tongue. “No way, Meems. I gotta make sure everyone knows I find my wife desirable as fuck.”
“Gross!” Mimi made a fake gagging sound as she ducked out from under my arm, but I caught the smile she was trying to hide from me. The stinker.
“My finding her hot made you a cool aunt,” I called after her as she darted toward the stairs.
She glared at me over her shoulder…even as her lips continued to curl upward. My charm was irresistible.
“That’s a valid point, but I’m not that cool—she’s my sister. And a mom now!”
“All the more reason for me to point out how luscious she is. Moms are people first, Meems.”
She shook her head and shot me the middle finger. I laughed, and she giggled. Felt good, teasing my family. I walked to her and pulled her into a bear hug. She was small and barely reached my shoulder, so I was always careful with Mimi. I planted a kiss on the top of her head.
“Thanks for being here. I’ll work through this with Naomi and get more help sorted out with Paloma.”
Mimi rested her head on my shoulder. “Paloma’s all over that. She said she’s going to have three nannies for Naomi to interview tomorrow, and she refused to take no for an answer. She kind of steamrolled Naomi, which, you know, Naomi doesn’t get steamrolled.”
I raised an eyebrow at that. Mimi was right; Naomi held her own. So, clearly, she was at her limit. Paloma must have realized the same thing.
“Paloma said you could afford a good caregiver, and you should have hired one sooner.”
“She’s not wrong,” I said. “Why didn’t I think of a nanny?”
Mimi shrugged. “Probably because you’re still getting used to being a dad. I mean, technically, little dude is still supposed to be baking.”
“It’s a good thing we have Paloma to set us straight,” I said.
Mimi snorted. “Well, Paloma said she’d find more nannies for you to interview if these first three don’t work. Plus, she’s set up a rotation with the CATS to come over for the afternoons, one to five, to give Naomi some time to sleep until you find the right person.”
“I never want to live in a world without Paloma,” I said. I’d figure out what a nice thing to give her and send her three. I should have called her sooner.
Mimi giggled. Felix let out a wail.
“Well, that was a brief nap.” Mimi sighed as she pulled away. “He’s kind of high maintenance.”
“Did you really think our kid wouldn’t be?” I asked, eyebrows raised.
“Good thing you’re rich, mister, because you’re going to need to spend some of those bucks on help with your high-maintenance kid and formula.” Mimi shook her head, mumbling something about never being able to afford a family.
She’d afford one if she wanted one. I’d make sure of it.
“Best use of my money ever. Well, except for that trip to the Caribbean we took when you graduated high school,” I shot back. Her laugh floated down the stairs.
But she was right. We’d come into parenting unprepared.
There was no reason for us to remain so.
I shot Paloma a text, telling her that. Then I set up a group chat with the guys, explaining that we were definitely looking for professional help with Felix.
Realizing I was stalling, I pocketed my phone and headed to our bedroom.
The door was locked. My unease turned to fear because we had a rule: we never locked doors. Ever.
I knocked as I called her name. No response.
I knocked louder. Then again. I was just deciding if I could try to pick the lock or break down the down when Naomi opened it.
She was in her robe, her throat glistening and her hair piled high in that way she wore it when she took a bath.
Steam still eased off her richly tanned skin.
“I was in the tub,” she said, confirming what I’d surmised.