He’s much more adept at being a caregiver than I am.
Still, I’m the one here.
I give them instructions to drop the items wherever and shove the prescription at Keegan as soon as they’re done. I already texted him her personal information, and I felt a little like a creep when I realized her birth year. She’s younger than Vanessa, for God’s sake.
Charlotte has spent all of her adult life as a mother, and that blows my mind. She never had the opportunity to enjoy her lateteens and early twenties. She’s been responsible for caring for Lucky since she was little more than a kid herself. She deserves to know what it’s like to be pampered for a change.
Apparently the spending spree wasn’t only sanctioned by Malachy; he helped. Hell, even if he hadn’t, I wouldn’t have complained about Miriam spending a few thousand dollars on Charlotte and Lucky.
Malachy politely let us know that he promised to assemble Lucky’s indoor playhouse. Then he gave me a look that I’m still trying to decipher. I believe he was indicating that he wanted me to spend some time caring for Charlotte, but he should know how little experience I have with such things.
I’m going to fucking try, but that doesn’t mean I won’t accidentally screw up.
I stand outside the bathroom door in the downstairs hallway, listening to the violent vomiting as I search omega facts on my phone. Apparently stopping suppressants in the middle of a pack isn’t recommended for a multitude of reasons. It can cause flu-like symptoms, anxiety, and fevers as the omega detoxes from the medication. It could last a few hours or a few weeks, and any number of missed days increases the likelihood of a breakthrough heat.
The sounds coming from Charlotte indicate pure fucking misery, and I don’t know what to do. I could possibly talk Miriam into switching with me. Then Miriam could help Charlotte while she’s ill, and I could take over with Lucky.
That feels shitty, though.
She’s had a really rough few days, and after she spilled her guts this morning, I don’t want her to think I’m abandoningher. Even the thought makes my stomach tighten, and I frown, shoving my phone into my pocket and rubbing at the ache.
Lucky and Miriam come down the hallway from the opposite end, and the boy throws himself at my legs.
“Where’s Mommy?” he asks, shoving his finger into his mouth as I pick him up. He must be cutting molars or something because he did the same thing earlier.
“She’s not feeling good,” I tell him, running my fingers through his messy blond hair.
“She okay?” He rests his cheek on my shoulder, and I smile. He must be getting ready for his nap.
“She will be. I’m going to take care of her while Mimi keeps an eye on you.” I rock from side to side as I study his face.
Vanessa was right, he does look like he could pass for my kid. Not that it matters, but it does make me consider if I’m ready for children. Accepting that Charlotte is ours will mean stepping into a parenting role from day one, not some imaginary future endeavor.
I’m not as annoyed by children as I thought I would be prior to him coming to stay with us.
I assumed kids were something we would tackle one day to secure succession, and I’ve always intended to be more present than my fathers were with the three of us. I’ve just never been genuinely excited over the prospect of having to care for another human being, especially one that comes out essentially helpless. Then again, I thought the excitement for kids would come with the lines on the stick.
Maybe that’s stupid.
I guess I never put any real thought into it.
“He’s about to fall asleep,” Miriam says softly. “We brought you a bottle of water and a washcloth for Charlotte.” She holds them out, and I take them. “You should take her upstairs and get her settled into bed. I’ll keep Lukas down here while henaps. I didn’t only shop for him, I got necessities for Charlotte too. You’ll need to go through the bags, but there are ice packs, fever reducers, an omega thermometer, and a few other things that might come in handy.” She holds out her arms, and I twist, stretching forward to make it easier for her to take Lucky.
Miriam scoops him up, and a weird-ass feeling hits my stomach.
I need to look after Charlotte, but I didn’t mind holding Lucky.
He wantedmeto pick him up.
Well, if this is even a fraction of the guilt Charlotte experiences every time he’s out of her sight…
I officially get it.
Chapter Twenty-One
Charlotte
Death warmed over, that’s what I feel like as Patrick helps me into bed. I try to grab the blanket to cover up, since I’m freezing, but the asshole pries it out of my hand.
