“It’s hard to mind when you love them,” Marcus says on a sigh.
“It really is. I’m a sucker for that little face,” I say. “Even when he’s crying, he somehow manages to look adorable.”
Jasper shudders before stalking back over to his locker. “No, thanks.”
Marcus elbows me in the side. “Listen, if you want to bring Caleb over and have dinner with us, we can give you a break. The kids would love to dote on him.”
I smile at him. “I might take you up on that.”
“Please do. Harper is starting to get baby fever, and maybe if Caleb is fussy, I can hold her off for a little while longer.”
“You don’t want more kids?” Dax asks from Marcus’s other side.
“We do, but I’d like to enjoy some time with my wife.”
Harper got pregnant right after they renewed their vows, so I can understand them wanting to wait. I lived my life never wanting to settle down. It didn’t feel like something I was ever going to do.
Now? Now it feels like I’ve settled down in a different way. I never knew that a tiny bundle of chaos could change my life the way he has.
Staring at the picture of the two of us I printed out and hung up, I smile.
Yeah, I’m okay with the different kind of chaos life has thrown at me.
ChapterEight
BODE
I’m exhausted. I have never been more exhausted in my entire life. Even my eyelashes are tired.
Caleb was up all night for the second night in a row. I never knew a baby that size could poop so much. I had to get more diapers and wipes delivered this morning because I went through everything I had.
At least the vomiting stopped.
I called the pediatrician, but they weren’t concerned. The nurse told me what signs to look for and to make sure he stays hydrated, so that’s something I am keeping a close eye on.
Which is something I never thought I’d be doing.
Right now, the baby in question is staring up at me, tears wetting his eyes.
“What’s wrong, buddy?”
His lip quivers before a rip cuts through the air.
“Oh, fuck.” I gag. The smell is terrible. Probably the worst thing I’ve smelled in my life. Well, since last night at least.
Sighing, I get up and carry him upstairs to change him. I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve done this.
I know I can change a diaper with the best of them now.
“Is this bothering you too?”
His tiny bottom is starting to get red, so I slather more diaper cream on it to try and help. Poor kid is miserable.
That makes two of us.
And there goes the doorbell. Who in the world is here in the middle of the afternoon on a Friday?
Gran and Deb left after watching him this morning while I had my workout, and Stevie is currently at the spa. She asked if she could stay and help, but I promptly sent her to work.
