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He studied her for a moment. “I don’t want you walking around. But I have got something I bought a while ago. I know you like being close to my skin.”
She watched in confusion as he drew something out of the closet and laid it on the bed. Was that a baby harness for an adult?
He took off his top and then clipped the harness around his bare waist. Then he picked her and sat with her straddling his lap. He raised the harness, so it covered her back and then slid his arms through the shoulder parts.
When he stood, she was pressed against him, chest to chest.
Snug and secure. It meant he could carry her around and still use his hands.
“I ordered this while you were in the hospital,” he told her, rubbing her back as he walked around the room. “I knew I was going to want you close all the time, but that sometimes I’d want my hands free. How does it feel? Not pinching anywhere?”
“Daddy, it’s perfect. I love it. Thank you so much. You always know just what I need.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Of course I do. I’m your Daddy, that’s my job.” Picking up her pacifier, he held it to her lips. She sucked on it as he walked out into the kitchen and made her a snack.
God. She felt like she could fall asleep like this. Although, no doubt Reuben’s back would get tired if he had to carry her around for too long.
When he sat at the table and started to undo the harness, she let out a noise of protest.
“Hush, baby. I’ll put you back in it soon. But you have to eat and have your medicine.”
“Not hungry,” she grumbled.
“Just eat a bit for Daddy. I don’t want you getting lightheaded.” He sat her in her own seat, which she really didn’t like. But then she noticed the flower arrangement sitting in a vase on the table.
“They’re pretty, Daddy. Did you get them for me?”
“Yeah, I’ve put in a standing order for flowers each week.”
She sniffled. “That’s so nice. I love them.”
“Good. Now, be a good girl and eat for Daddy.” He spooned up some macaroni and cheese.
Yum.
Anita must have cooked that for her. He tested the temperature first, then swooped the spoon through the air, making a plane noise.
She managed half the bowl before shaking her head. “Daddy, full.”
“All right. Let me just get your pills and then you can go back to bed.”
Urgh. Bed. Yuck.
But she took her pills like a good girl, sucking down the water from her sippy cup to swallow them. She hadn’t once had to remember to take them, Reuben had taken care of all of that.
Like he took care of everything.
“Daddy, I’ve been thinking,” she said as he put her back in the harness, so he could rinse the dishes.
“Yes?”
“I think that we should do something nice for Margie.”
“I’m already on it. I’ve offered her a place to stay and she said yes. She and her dog moved in there yesterday.”
Dear Lord.
“You’re so sweet.”
