“Let’s try a pacifier,” Andrew says. He reaches into the overnight bag and puts one in. Instantly, the room is mercifully silent. I watch him sway a little, and Violet nods off. She is so, so tiny in his arms. I’m hit with a love for Andrew so strong that my throat shuts. I want my dad to be here. I want him to hold Violet too, and promise to keep her safe and loved as much as he has for me.
“Andrew?” I ask after a few minutes.
“Yes?”
“I wish my dad was here.” I feel guilty for saying it out loud, because it almost sounds like I’m blaming him for how everything has unfolded, but he doesn’t see it that way. He has a sad smile on.
“I do too.” He pauses. “You should take a nap while Violet’s sleeping, Noelle.”
I nod and close my eyes. It feels like just a second later when my eyes snap open, my heart thudding. There’s a big crash. Andrew has hit the blood pressure monitor beside the doorway of my room, and my mom is yelling at my dad. I look around wildly until I see Violet, safe in the bassinet on the other side of the bed. The large noise wakes her up and she starts to cry.
“Wh-what’s going on?” I try to wobble out of the bed to reach Violet but it’s hard and my mom rushes over to help bring her closer to me instead. “Dad?!”
Violet makes it known that she isn’t pleased and I have to concentrate on rocking her. At least it gives me a minute to collect my thoughts. I can’t believe it. What is he doing here? Andrew clamors back up on his feet. He has a hand over his face.
“That was a good one David,” Andrew says good naturedly. He holds out a hand to my dad. After a second, my dad takes it and they shake. Something goes on between the two of them, and then they both smile, clapping hands over each other’s shoulders. I’m pissed though.
“What the hell were you guys thinking?” I demand. “Waking up the baby like that!”
“I’m sorry Noelle,” dad says. “But Andrew said he would do whatever it took to mend things between us. He tells me that you want us to be a family again, and so do I.”
My mom looks just as bewildered as I do.
“So you settle it with fists? Honestly David,” she says shaking her head. “I don’t understand you men.”
Neither do I, but I don’t care, because in the next second, Dad reaches the bedside, and Violet instantly calms. Her large eyes gaze solemnly at her new visitor.
“Can I hold her?” dad asks tenderly.
I carefully hand her over, and dad takes her, cradling Violet’s head so that she’s safe. I can’t believe it. I look over at Andrew and give him my most grateful smile. ‘I love you’ I mouth, and he says it right back.
“Honey? Noelle?”
It’s Andrew. He’s come back with the groceries, and from what it sounds like, he could use some help. I get up and stretch, then slowly make my way down the stairs. Our puppy, Shadow, is sniffing around the plastic bags hopefully. It looks like Andrew’s gone off the list, because I spy Oreo’s and chips and all types of bad things.
“I thought I told you I was on a diet,” I say, pretending to frown.
“And I thought I told you I love the extra curves on you,” he replies, leaning in and giving me a kiss. His hand wraps around my ass and gives a playful squeeze. “How are you enjoying your afternoon off?”
“I’m good. I’m just finishing up Violet’s baby book.” I reach into the bag to pull out the bag of chocolate covered almonds. “Remember when dad gave you a black eye at the hospital? Did I ever say thank you for that?”
“No you didn’t, but that’s okay. We were so tired we forgot our own names. But now that you mention it...”
Andrew’s arm pulls me flush against his long, taut body. I put my hand on his warm chest and smile up at him.
“I guess we better fix that huh?” I say.
He scoops me up and I can’t help but laugh as he plops me onto the living room couch. How the hell did I get so lucky? I think, but I then all thoughts are chased out of my head as he captures my mouth in a deep kiss.
*****
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