“Why don’t I babysit so you and Rawling can haveprivatetime?” He grinned when he emphasized that word. “As Rawlins is not here to play the grandfather role, perhaps I can step in. There's so much knowledge I could share with her and information about her family background.”
He could have been talking about Atticus’s family, but his piercing look suggested something more menacing. He had to be referring to my mate’s species.
I wasn’t sure which was worse. Him wanting to be alone with our daughter, insinuating we would have sex, or wanting to be Eira’s mentor. But there was no fucking way he was looking after Eira. We had an oversupply of grandparents, and we were batting them away, both biological and pretend ones.
“That’s so kind of you, Professor Shaw, but Atticus is so fond of his new niece that he’s babysitting her later today. He can’t get enough of her. He keeps doing this, and it’s so cute.” I pinched my cheeks and made goo-goo noises, and the professor’s eyes widened. Yeah, I’d do the same if anyone mimed Atticus being adorable.
“Well, Atticus is a good friend of mine.”
I doubted that. My former roommate rarely mentioned the guy other than when he spoke of his uncle.
“I might stop by this afternoon while you’re gone.”
The blood in my veins turned to ice. I had to think fast. “Okay. Jack will be there too. She’s practically an aunt to Eira.”
The mention of Jack wiped the smile from his face. “Ahhh, well, I won’t disturb them.” After a last glance at the baby, he turned on his heel and strode away, and I pushed the stroller at speed back to Phoenix House.
Jack was sauntering in the same direction with Knox when I reached the main doors, and I didn’t have time for niceties.
“You have to help Atticus babysit later.”
“You’re allowing that asshat to look after Eira? What sort of parent are you?” She stuck a finger in my face and glowered.
I wasn’t in the mood, and I let her see my wolf. Her bear may have been fierce, but I had the upper hand because I’d known my beast for years. She and hers were still finding their way, despite maiming Atticus.
“Fine. Wanna come and watch Atticus change dirty diapers and get covered in shit?” She kissed Knox’s cheek.
He held up his hands, saying he was spending the rest of the day in the library and he scurried off. Maybe he wasn’t a baby person either.
“Don’t come at me. It was a bet between Atticus and Rawling.”
We entered the infirmary. Rawling was standing near the window.
“I’ve commandeered Jack to babysit along with Atticus.”
“Oh thank gods, I was thinking we shouldn’t go anywhere because Atticus would probably look at his phone all afternoon and tell Eira to change her own diaper.”
“I’m here.”
What was it with Atticus and his parents not knocking?
He slumped into a chair and put his feet on the coffee table, but Jack marched over to me, took Eira and gave her to Atticus. I almost laughed at the look of horror on his face.
“What am I supposed to do with this?” He held her awkwardly at arm’s length.
“Put her over your shoulder and burp her?”
He screwed up his face. “If the kid poops on me, I’m outta here.”
“The kid has a name. Use it.” Jack adjusted Eira and showed Atticus how to rub her back.
“My hand is awfully close to her butt.”
I hid a giggle with my hand. Jack wasn’t letting him get away with anything. Rawling explained to Jack where everything was, but she already knew.
“And no funny business from either of you or I’ll do serious damage to your dick.” My mate fumed at Atticus.
Jack snorted. “Are you talking aboutsex? We stopped that ages ago.”
