AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay, what about Pull-Ups? Does he wear Pull-Ups or diapers? How about we get Zane some cotton underwear, and he can try it? We can get a little potty seat for him and…”
“Pull-Ups are fine, and we can try the cotton underwear.”
“Eris, please…”
“What, Colton?” she turned, looking at him. “Are you expecting me to be all excited and lovey-dovey now that it’s binding on paper? That’s not how this works. My apartment burned, I’m broke, and…” she drew herself up and looked away – and he knew. She was traumatized and had reached her limit.
“Hey,” he said quietly, pulling her into his arms for a hug and ignored her struggles. “Listen to me as a friend, not a husband, but an old friend… you’ve been through a lot, and I’m trying to help in the only way I know how.”
“You don’t have to…”
“That’s the thing – I want to,” he offered quietly. “I want to get you settled, for you to feel like it is your home too, and I need your input – please. Our son needs some necessities, some toys, and childproofing items so he is safe when he runs around and plays. I’m clueless, Eris,” he chuckled nervously, realizing it was true.
“I can put out a class three fire, know exactly what the foam ratio is on the truck, or can do a wicked stint of chest compressions if necessary… but other than plastic plugs and a thing that prevents the television from tipping – I’ve got nothing.”
“It goes on dressers, too,” she said quietly, nodding.
“See? I didn’t even think about that because I have zero experience, nor have I read anything about children; but I want to learn. Will you help me?”
At that question, she looked up at him in surprise. He could still see the wary, jaded emotions in her eyes, but there was also confusion and hope. She was scared to trust, just like he was afraid she’d run again.
“Help me learn what you both need,” he whispered softly, fighting the urge to touch her cheek or kiss her. “I don’t even know what toys or things he likes – and I have a lot to learn.”
Her eyes searched his, and he saw that crease appear between her eyebrows once more as she looked at him.
“I haven’t potty trained him yet because I haven't had the time,” she whispered nervously. “I’ve taken so many overtime shifts in order to get by…”
“You could quit for all I care,” he offered gently. “Take the time. I’m not judging you, but rather letting you know that you aren’t alone. If you decide to go part-time, that works too. Enjoy him growing up, and let me help. I’m getting by on my check, and while I’m not rich by any means, we’ll figure this out.”
“Why are you doing all of this?”
“Why do I run into burning houses?” he countered, chuckling and shaking his head. “It’s the right thing to do, and I’m able to do so. Does there have to be a nefarious reason behind it? Can’t I be the good guy for a little bit?”
“Dadddeee,” Zane called out excitedly, and Colton caught his breath at hearing the term. He turned immediately, looking at him and noticed he was pointing at the little underwear three-pack hanging on a peg. “A pooh! Wook, a pooh bear.”
“Yeah, there is,” he replied, feeling a lump in his throat, looking from his son to Eris and back again. “Do you like Winnie the Pooh, Zane?”
“Yesss. I wike Pooh.”
“Then let’s get you some Winnie the Pooh underwear… and maybe we can get you some more stuff with Pooh Bear on it? What do you think, Mama?”
He was deliberately asking her, trying to draw her into the conversation and wanting her to feel included in this family unit he was trying to draw together. Everything in him wanted to figure this out because he still cared and felt it every time he looked into her eyes.
“You win, Colton,” she sighed heavily and crossed her arms protectively over her chest. “We’ll do this your way.”
She plucked some cabinet latches off a peg, a bowl with a suction cup on the bottom, and some little plastic utensils that were brightly colored. Tossing it into the cart, she looked at him almost like she was challenging him, and he just smiled.
“Keep going,” he urged, and she seemed to relax a little bit. “Get whatever you both need.”
8
* * *
ERIS
This had to be the most insane thing she’d ever done – she married Colton Fischer today. Knocking on his door had been done in sheer desperation to get a warm, dry place to sleep and maybe twenty bucks to put gas in the car; but she never expected that he would step right up, offer her his home and marriage in record time. Sure they had a past, but he hadn’t proposed back then – but one look at Zane obviously changed his mind.
Heaven help her, she was trying to be a bigger person too – agreeing with most everything he was saying or suggesting, but it was a struggle. Those memories and hurt feelings were buried so deep. Yet, every time she turned around, he was saying or doing something that kept striking a chord within her. If she was a banjo, he was plucking at that string repeatedly to get a response out of her using her ultimate weakness.
