Mason knocked on the door. “Frozen pot pie does not a grand gesture make, Tilley. You should raise your standards.”
“You know, Mason, I think I will. That’s an excellent plan.”
Daisy opened the door, looking surprised, holding Maisy. Tilley stood back a step or two, but her heart positively pulsed when Mason kissed Daisy and then Maisy. He rubbed the baby’s forehead. “Hey there, little girl. Is she taking good care of you?”
Tilley walked up and smiled, and Daisy gestured for them to follow her inside. Already, her small kitchen was a mess of bottles and towels that made Tilley’s stomach clench. They reminded her. But, no, nope. She wouldn’t go back there.
“Do you want to hold her?” Daisy asked Tilley.
Tilley was touched that Daisy would bestow such an honor on her.
“Well, I would be delighted,” Tilley said. She moved over to the couch. She could certainly hold a baby standing up. She’d done plenty of baby duty with Greer and George. But she knew that it felt a little nicer for the parent—or, well, foster parent—if one was sitting down while holding their brand-new baby.
Daisy handed Tilley the baby, being careful of her head, and Tilley arranged her on her lap so that her head was at Tilley’s knees and her feet were at Tilley’s stomach.
Mason said, “I wanted to check that painting in the nursery. Make sure it’s double hung and can’t fall in the crib.”
Maisy moved her face just a little, and Tilley knew she was too young to technically smile. It was just gas or whatever they said, but, still, it took Tilley’s breath away. This was her baby, wasn’t it? Didn’t she remember that smile, that smell?
Oh, she had done so well. But this was one break with reality that Tilley simply could not fight or resist. She could feel herself going back. For the first time in days, she let herself. She told herself it was okay. She had to go. Just for a little while.
MASONDomestic
Motherhood looks good on you,” I said, wrapping my arms around Daisy’s waist.
She smiled and kissed me, quickly at first and then longer. Then she put both hands on my shoulders and pretended to push me away. “Oh, no, no,” she said. “Do you know that I’m having trouble resisting you?”
I pulled her close and whispered into the top of her head, “That’s what I was hoping.” I kissed her hair and said, “Maybe I could take Tilley home and then come back for a longer visit?”
I felt her nod. “Maybe you could stay the night?” she said into my chest.
I pulled away and made a face like I was impressed. “I thought I would have to convince you.”
She laughed, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed me. “No convincing me. I’m good and hooked.”
Maybe this was what I felt myself falling for so quickly. She was so open with me. Although maybe it was because I was honest with her. I had asked her to be mine and no one else’s. And that should mean something. Itdidmean something. I hadn’t so much as thought aboutanyone else since we had met. I couldn’t remember ever having that feeling of wanting to be together all the time. I would remember not to be so hard on Parker for being so whipped by Amelia. He would love throwing this in my face.
“So, maybe we should sort of talk about what the ground rules will be with Maisy here?” I asked. I knew this was going to totally change Daisy’s life. I wanted to be a help, not a hindrance. But I also wanted her all to myself. The juggling was going to be tricky. With anyone else, this would have been too big a complication. With her, I felt like I would jump over any hurdle.
“For sure,” she said. “I will put her down around seven, and then I thought maybe we could have dinner and hash all that out?”
It was all very domestic, very un-me. But I was going to lean in, because this was what it would take to be with Daisy. Growth.
“I know Tilley is doing well and everything,” Daisy said. “But maybe we shouldn’t, you know, tempt fate.”
I nodded. “For sure.” She was talking to Maisy, but I couldn’t make out what she was saying.
I put my hand out to stop Daisy.
“Robbie, they’re trying to take you from me,” she said.
Daisy and I shared a confused glance.
“But I won’t let them,” she continued, cooing down at Maisy. “You are my own precious baby boy with my Robert, and I will not ever let them take you away from me. I can take care of you just fine.”
Daisy mouthed, “What?”
She was definitely having a spell. And, while my first instinct was to grab Maisy, I stood back. Something was coming together for me, a memory maybe, of my mom and Elizabeth talking in the kitchen when I wasn’t supposed to be listening, of feeling confused about something having to do with baby Robbie.
