“He knows it’s me,” Mark said enthusiastically, looking from Heath to Layla.
Layla laughed, “Of course, he knows it’s you. You’re his favorite person in the world. You’re his daddy.”
“Da!”
“I can’t believe it,” Mark exhaled, feeling as though he could cry tears of elation. “He’s so smart. I never thought he would be walking and talking this way. I owe you a huge thank you, Layla. I feel like you have helped my son tremendously.”
“Thank you, Mark, but I can’t take all the credit. Heath is a very smart boy,” Layla said, and she removed a fresh cake from a pan. “He helped me bake this cake—didn’t you, Heath?”
Heath responded by making gurgling sounds, but Mark still marveled at his son’s abilities. He might not have answered using actual words, but he was undoubtedly interacting with Layla.
Layla lifted the cake from the pan with a knife and settled it onto a tin plate, tipping her head at Mark. “I was going to save this cake until later, but are you hungry? I could make some tea, and we could have a little feast right now.”
Mark’s stomach rumbled in response. “I’m famished,” he answered. As Mark had left the house before having breakfast this morning, his stomach was empty, and the sight and smell of the freshly made cake tempted him greatly. “Let’s have a slice of cake. What do you think, Heath? Should we eat some cake now?” Heath flapped his hands happily in response. “I’ll take that as a yes. The Flint men would care for a slice of cake. Thank you, Layla.”
She smiled at him kindly. “It’s my pleasure, Mark. You take Heath into the dining room, and I’ll bring the cake and the tea out in just a moment.”
Mark cradled Heath in his arms and thought of how his relationship with Layla evolved. He felt very guilty about the way he treated her the day before. “Layla, I would like to apologize to you. I know I said some very hurtful things yesterday. I’m sorry for that,” Mark said, intentionally meeting Layla’s gaze because he wanted her to understand that he was making an effort now. He was trying very hard.
By the time Mark situated Heath properly in his seat, Layla had rounded the corner, carrying a heavy tray loaded with tea, cups, sugar, slices of cake, as well as a platter of biscuits and a jar of jam.
“What’s all this?” Mark asked, rising to help Layla set down her heavy load.
Their hands touched as he reached for the tray, and Layla blushed slightly. While Mark always acknowledged that Layla was beautiful, he thought she looked gorgeous with the red apples of her cheeks brightened. Heat crept up the back of his own neck as he stared at her adoringly.
She was quick to answer his question. “I made fresh biscuits this morning, and I know how much you like this raspberry jam. I just thought since you were hungry, you might appreciate a robust snack.”
Mark chuckled. “That was very thoughtful. Thank you, Layla.” He watched her as she served him a slice of cake and two biscuits and gave Heath a small piece of cake. Once she’d put a plate at her own place and sat down comfortably, Mark took a taste of the cake and moaned in satisfaction at the burst of vanilla flavor. “This was exactly what I needed.”
After a moment, Layla said quietly, “Thank you for the apology, Mark.”
“I’ll try to control my temper more, Layla. I want to be better for you and for Heath. I think I can at least try.” And Mark knew that he meant it.
The family ate the cake together, laughing and joking as they did, and Mark felt light-hearted when he watched how Layla interacted with his son.
Once the afternoon snack was over, Heath yawned broadly. “Little guy looks tired,” he said. After stuffing himself with the cake and biscuits, Mark was rather content and would not have argued with the suggestion of a nice, long nap.
“It’s close to naptime,” Layla said knowingly. She rose from the table to take Heath out of his chair. The baby nestled snuggly into Layla. She gazed at Mark. “Before he naps today, I was planning on giving him a bath. Would you like to help?”
Heath giggled, and Layla’s face lit up. Mark nodded for Layla to lead the way, and she held Heath tightly as they walked up the stairs, Mark trailing just a step behind.
When they got to Heath’s room, Mark saw the small washbasin in the center. “Should I go get the water?” he asked, though unsurprised if Layla had somehow already prepared it.
“That would be nice,” she said with ease. “I boiled it a while ago and took it off the fire when we sat down to have cake. It should be the right temperature now but check it before you heft it up the stairs.”
“Right.” Mark had only ever given Heath a few baths. Mrs. Calkins had been responsible for doing that when she watched over Heath, and Trudie had done it a handful of times before her. Mark moved swiftly through the house, gathering the pail of water after checking the temperature, and carried it up the stairs.
“Seems fine to me,” Mark announced as he returned to Heath’s room. Layla was kneeling next to the basin, peeling away Heath’s garments and talking to him quietly the whole time, explaining each of her movements.
“And then we find your belly,” Layla said softly. “Can you show me your belly, Heath?” She tickled his tummy, making the baby laugh giddily.
Mark poured the lukewarm water into the washbasin, then knelt next to Layla.
“All right,” Layla said, slipping the white cotton shirt up and over Heath’s head. “Now, we take a bath.” She tilted her head and gazed at Mark. “Would you like to do the honors?”
“Yes,” Mark replied without hesitating. Lifting Heath lightly, he placed his feet in the washbasin first. Then, he lowered the baby so that his behind touched the bottom of the basin.
Heath splashed the water with zeal, tapping his tiny hands against the surface and giggling when the water splashed and hit him in the face. “He seems to like it,” Mark chuckled, loving the way his son was enjoying the way the water moved around him.
