Page 9 of Sudden Summer

“Thank you,” he whispered, his hand resting on my back as I leaned over and placed Juniper on the mat at the bottom of the Pack ‘n Play. My side pulled sharply, and I had to bite the inside of my cheek before I groaned.

I steadied my breathing, the pain subsiding as I stood back up. “Of course.”

Something about that moment, about standing with Beau over his baby girl, had a wave of emotion crashing over me. I sniffed, turning away to finally get in bed.

“Birdie?”

My head shook back and forth as I pulled the comforter down and slipped under the cool sheets. “I’m exhausted, and I know you are, too. Come on, it’s bedtime for all of us.”

“Is she going to be okay?” he asked, still standing next to her.

“She’s got her pajamas on and a full belly. The fan is going, which is recommended to lower the risk of SIDs. She’s going to do just fine. But you need to get some rest, because I’m fairly sure she’s going to wake up again in a few hours wanting another bottle.”

Beau nodded, finally tearing his eyes away from Juniper as he walked into his closet. My head hit the pillows as Beau walked back out, shorts slung low across his hips, a fresh t-shirt in his hands. I didn’t mean to stare, but I loved his tattoos. The way they covered his arms and his chest. The way his muscles moved the artwork so it looked alive.

He quirked an eyebrow at me as he pulled the clean shirt over his head. I could feel the heat climbing my cheeks as he got into bed beside me, but opted to ignore his questioning stare.

“Do you want me to sleep on the couch?” I asked as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his chest. My side pulled again, and I buried my face in his fresh shirt before he saw me wince.

“Absolutely not. You’re right where you belong.”

I nodded, his steady heartbeat already lulling me to sleep.

“I’m so sorry, Birdie.” His whispered apology had my eyes popping back open.

“Sorry for what?” I asked.

“I just…I can’t believe I have a daughter.”

I tipped my head up, catching his eyes staring back at me.

“It’s going to be okay.”

“Am I doing the right thing?” The nightlight I’d dug out of his catch-all drawer in the kitchen was plugged in right near Beau’s bed, and thanks to the pale-yellow light, I could see his eyes begin to fill with tears. My rock-steady best friend was crumbling.

“Of course you are,” I replied as I pushed off his chest. I sat next to him, resting my back on the headboard as my arms wrapped around my knees. “She doesn’t belong anywhere else.”

“She deserves to have someone who knows what they’re doing. I have no idea how to be a dad. I mean, I knew it would happen one day, but…”

“Life threw us a curve ball. A beautiful, nearly five month old blessing of a curve ball. She needs you, Beau.”

He shook his head. “She doesn’t even know me.”

“Could have fooled me. Because not once did she fuss in your arms. Babies know when they’re safe, and they let it be known when they don’t feel that way. From what I saw tonight, you’re going to be just fine.”

He slid his hand over mine, his thumb stroking my skin. “I don’t know what I would have done without you here. Thank you for staying.”

“Don’t mention it. Especially since I was already planning on spending the night, and I wasn’t about to drive back to my house.” I laughed, a smile now spreading across his face. “Besides, I was doomed from the minute I saw she has your eyes.”

“Yeah…Oh God,” he groaned.

“What?”

“I just realized how many times I used my eyes to get me outta trouble…And my dimples. Did you see hers? They are kryptonite.”

I laughed. “Yeah, Cowboy. I’m sure she’ll learn that trick fast. But you’ll handle it just fine. If your parents could somehow wrangle you, we can handle her.”

“We?”