“Did he give an exact time?”
“He was a little flustered, so no.” Dad laughed. I made a mental note to ask Mom if Dad had been calm when Jamie and I were born. Probably not, given what she’d told me about his actions after we’d come into the world.
“How’s he holding up?” I asked.
“As well as can be expected.”
“So he’s a nervous wreck.”
“He’s a nervous wreck.” Dad put his arm around my shoulders and gave me a fatherly side hug. “How are you holding up?”
I played dumb. “I’m not the one having a baby.”
“Madeleine.”
Shit, Dad wasn’t in the mood for games.
“Okay, I guess, given the circumstances. It’s been quiet the last few days, so hopefully my life can return to normal soon.”
“And with Matt?”
Well, Dad, that’s a loaded question. I want to strip him down and fuck his brains out, but I don’t want to date him. Or maybe I do. But my feelings are all caught up in this stupid spiderweb of confusion because he’s a perfect gentleman and attentive and supportive, but I can’t tell if it’s because you’re paying him to date me or if he genuinely has feelings.
What I said was, “It’s weird but fine. And he won’t be around much longer, since Doug is installing the cameras this weekend.”
I pretended Dad would reassign Matt once the cameras were up and running, despite knowing he wouldn’t.
Dad always said, we hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Keeping Matt at the clinic after we had cameras was Dad preparing for the worst.
I didn’t think we’d need him, but it wasn’t the time to rehash the argument.
“About that.” Dad herded me around the corner. “The shipment was delayed, so we have to postpone the installation.”
The upward curve of my lips was unexpected.
“Why am I just hearing this now?”
“You don’t look as upset as you sound.” Dad laughed. “And you’re hearing about it now because I got the delay notice a few seconds before leaving the office. I emailed Carol, and CC’d you and Alice.”
Ignoring the first part of his answer, I said, “Right. Sorry.”
“I’m not letting you off the hook that easily. I haven’t seen that smile,” he pointed at my mouth, “in a long time.”
“I smile all the time.” Not a lie, though I didn’t usually blush when I smile.
“Not like that.”
I was saved from having to answer as we rounded the corner to the labor and delivery wing.
“Madi, you made it,” my mom said as she rushed to hug me.
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
I hugged Jack and Meg, and smiled down at a sleeping Natalie before greeting Emily’s parents, Chris and Anne.
“Where’s Matt?” Mom asked when I finished my round of hugs.
“I sent him home.”
