“This way,” I say, taking her bowl as I stand.
Once she’s settled in, I walk out of the room and tell her, “I have something.”
“Okay?”
I return with ice, wrapped in a burb cloth and a heating pad, two things I requested Robert bring up with the Sundaes.
I hold them up, “Ice it first, then switch to warm compresses. Bruises fade faster when you alternate.”
Sofie freezes for half a second.
“Make up for meetings, but if you’re filming, you may need these.”
She nods, “Thanks, Claudia.”
“Need a hug?” I ask.
“I really could use one.”
THIRTY
Deacon
My phone vibrates with a message.
Bridgeview Robert:
Ms. Fairfax has just left the premises.
I look at the time, it’s just after five in the morning. Savannah should be up, but that doesn’t mean she is, and I will not be the one to wake a sleeping baby by calling or texting.
Me:
Thank you, Robert.
I fold up and stretch a bit, piss, and brush my teeth. Then I tap lightly on the door, just enough that Claudia will hear it if she’s up, but it won’t wake her.
I wait longer than needed, then turn and head back to bed when the door opens.
Smiling, I turn back and see her, looking … not too impressed. This confuses me. She’s usually very relaxed when she is nursing.
“Are you okay?” I ask cautiously.
“I’m upset with you.” Savannah starts kicking, grabs the blanket covering them, pulls it down, and smiles as soon as she sees me, completely abandoning her nursing to begin babbling and squeaking at me.
Claudia’s jaw not only untightens, but gapes when Savannah reaches for me, laughing.
“Good morning, little one.”At least one of them is happy to see me.“Doc?” I breathe out, feeling those things I feel when I see Savannah intensifying.
“Yeah,” she says and allows me to take her, but there’s pain in her voice.
“Talk to me, Claudia, what is it?”
“You—”
“You saw the engagement photos online.” I nod. “That’s not going to change a damn thing for you or Savannah.”
“The what?” She asks.
