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She only laughed. “I didn’t think you would.”
Feeling relieved, I smirked.
I’d admit that I couldn’t pay attention to the movie Lucy put on for us. I was too focused on them. That night differed from any other I spent at Hadley’s. There wasn’t much talking or laughter, but Hadley had still asked me there. Lucy nodded off next to me, snuggled under some blankets. Hadley’s feet were underneath her ass as she held Eli in her arms, letting him whack her in the head with some sort of toy over and over as she watched the screen.
She caught me staring at her and grinned. “It’s time,” she mumbled right before she flopped Eli in my lap. I stiffened as fear sliced into me. Immediately after, I couldn’t help but think, Shit, he really is a butterball. “Relax.” She laughed as she leaned against the couch’s arm, watching me, and I was watching Eli who was holding his head up perfectly staring up at me. Suddenly he threw his hands into the air and cried.
Fucking hell. I broke him.
I started to give him back when Hadley scooted into my side, almost like she was snuggling into me.
Maybe I’d hold him after all.
Hadley took Eli’s hand and cooed softly to him. “It’s okay, see? Elijah’s afraid too. You’ve got to be the big, brave one and show him it’s okay.”
“I don’t want to hurt him,” I told her desperately hoping she’d save me from myself.
“Elijah, you won’t hurt him. Do you know how terrified I was to hold Lucy when they first put her in my arms? If you’d just give in, I know you’d be a goner. That petrified feeling you have means you can be great at this.”
“Be great at what?” I croaked.
“Taking care of babies.”
“I’m capable of taking care of a lot more than babies.” Lights bounced off her face from the TV, making my heart thump wildly.
“Let’s see how you handle Eli then,” she mumbled as she laid her head against my shoulder.
Throughout the last bit of the movie, I shared a staring contest with Eli. That was all that happened since I wasn’t sure how to talk to a baby yet. Eli either gave into me holding him or sleep, I wasn’t sure exactly which. That didn’t matter, though. Eli sprawled out on my chest, oddly adorable and comfortable. Lucy’s feet rested against my left side and Hadley curled up against my other side.
Since everyone was asleep, did that mean I didn’t have to leave? I knew I could fall asleep instantly right here even though I was sitting up. I’ve never been more comfortable. If she asked, I could say I dozed off.
