Magnolia #2
Just then, there’s a tiny squawk on the monitor, followed by a grumble and shrill cry, then I gasp just the slightest as Ivy starts all out crying.
“Bet she’s either running a fever again or hungry.” Candi spins toward the freezer, opening it to pull out the tiniest bag of milk and popping it into what looks like a miniature crock pot. She tears into the paper bag, pulls out the medicine, and checks the label.
“I’ll go get her.” Lukas turns to leave, and I almost reach out for him, to tell him not to leave me here alone with Candi, but he’s already gone, feet taking him down the hall to his daughter.
“Hey, sweetheart,” a deep voice rumbles, and I turn around to see Rick walk into the kitchen. He doesn’t seem to notice me at first. His eyes are focused solely on Candi, and she beams up at him, the apples of her cheeks dimpling.
“Hi, honey.”
His arms are open and ready to embrace her before he reaches her, and she meets him halfway, curling into his chest. I swear, I can hear the sigh of relief that escapes her from being in his arms, and something about her love for him calms me.
He’s taller than I imagined, tall like Lukas, with thick wavy hair that flows a little longer in the back.
He has her wrapped in his embrace, and looking at the two of them, it’s clear that they only have eyes for each other. I feel a little foolish that I could have ever questioned her motives with Lukas.
“Don’t cry, baby girl, Daddy’s here,” Lukas’s voice rumbles over the monitor, and I avert my gaze from Candi and Rick, turning in time to see Lukas come into focus on the screen. His shoulders block out most of the view as he bends over the crib, reaching out for his squirming, squealing daughter.
Lukas whistles, low and slow. “Smells like you got a big ole dookie in there.” He moves out of view, likely to lay her on a changing table, and I can hear him blow raspberries against her skin. Her cries turn to whimpers, then eventually little giggles.
My eyes are glued to the screen, watching on bated breath even though Lukas leaves the view of the camera. But I can hear every word he says, every kiss and coo he gives her as he changes her diaper.
“You must be Magnolia.”
I turn at the sound of Rick’s voice, almost embarrassed that I had been disgustingly focused on Lukas and the baby monitor.
“Hi, yes.” My cheeks burn as I push off the stool, reaching a hand out to shake his. “You must be Rick. Thank you both for letting us drop by.”
“You’re both welcome, anytime.” Rick wraps his arm around Candi. “Although I thought you were in Paris?” He looks down at Candi as if for answers.
“I do live in Paris, right now.” I pause, wondering why I added the ‘right now’ when Paris has been my home for the last six years.
I have a permanent spot in the company, tenure until I’m in my early forties, if I want, and have never once planned on applying elsewhere.
“I was just in town for the night to see family. Lukas is driving me back to the airport.”
The man in question enters the room with the smallest little baby curled tightly against his chest. Her face is still slightly blotchy from crying, and her little fist is tucked tightly in her mouth.
“She feels a little warm, but I’m guessing she’s hungry.” He brings her over to me. “Mags, meet baby girl Ivy.”
I look down at the baby in question, and her eyes open slightly as she peers up at me. Eyes the exact same color as the rest of the Hart family. I reach a hand up, tentatively brushing the back of my finger against her little arm.
But it’s a shot to the heart seeing Lukas holding a child.
His child. This beautiful little human he made with another woman.
She’s so soft, so squishy, and even though I have the overwhelming urge to steal her from Lukas, to feel her tiny body curled up against my chest, I need to remind myself that I’m the outsider here.
Stealing my hand back, I clear my throat.
“She’s beautiful,” I tell them, making sure to look up at Candi as well.
“Absolutely perfect. It looks like she got the Hart family eyes.” The words kill me to say, even though I mean them, and when I look back at Lukas, the smile hasn’t left his face as his gaze is still on his daughter.
He lowers his head, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her fuzzy hair.
“That she did,” Candi says, and the sound of her mom’s voice has Ivy’s face scrunching together, eyes watering as her mouth opens, and she belts out a scream.
“That’ll do it.” Rick lets go of Candi as she takes a step toward her daughter.
“She’s hungry and mom’s around—I’m chopped liver.” Lukas kisses his daughter’s head once more, and Candi reaches for her, pulling her to her chest. Ivy’s little fists unravel, and she reaches up for the bottle just as Candi lowers it to her mouth.
“I’ll stop by later this evening and take her for the night?” Lukas looks mainly at Candi, who looks to Rick. A silent agreement passes between them before she smiles at Lukas.
“Yes, please.”
Lukas reaches his hand over, brushing the back of his knuckles across Ivy’s cheek. “I’ll be back later, baby girl.” His eyes then flick up to the clock on the wall, and he turns back to me. “I think we have to get going, Mags. You have a plane to catch.”