“All right,” she calls out distractedly.
At some point, we’ll need to start buying things for the babies, too. Huh. Wonder what kind of clothes for babies they have here. Looking around, I see tiny little outfits hanging on racks not too far from the fitting room.
Meandering that way, I pick a pastel green one that says for zero to three months and hold it in front of my face. Good God, it’s so fucking small. Not even the width of my palm. Sobering, I realize just how fucking helpless newborns are. How they have no choice over who takes care of them. How they’ll be totally dependent on Rosanna and me.
I tug at the collar of my shirt to alleviate the choking sensation, but it doesn’t help. Fuck. I’m prepared for this responsibility, I really am, but now I realize just how heavy it is.Shoulders strong, Connor. Shoulders strong.
Turning my attention back to the clothes, I wonder if we’ll have two boys, two girls, or one of each. To be on the safe side, I gently collect two light pink onesies that sayDaddy’s Little Princessand two light blue ones that sayDaddy’s Handsome Manand ease my way to the register, keeping an eye on Rosanna’s closed fitting room door.
“This it for you?” the cashier asks as she rings the outfits up.
“For now.” A satisfied smile crosses my face. “For now.”
Aboutthirtyminutesandan argument or two over payment later, my digital wallet’s a bit lighter and I have a somewhat cross kitten in the cab of my truck, along with all the clothes I purchased for her. Not to mention my secret purchase in the back seat.
“I can pay for things, Connor,” she huffs as she turns the heat up to chase away the chill. “I could have paid for the appointmentandthe clothes.”
“Look at me.” I cradle her head, warming her soft lips with mine before tasting her sweetness. “I know you could have. But you don’t have to—not now that I’m here.” I’m going to wear her down one way or another.
“Fine,” she sighs, pulling away to rummage through her purse for some lip balm. “Fine. But we need to talk about—”
“Not yet,” I smoothly interrupt. I knew she’d want to talk about me claiming the babies as mine. “I know what you’re going to say, but not yet. Okay?” Not until we’re in bed and I can convince her to see things my way.
A delicate eyebrow hikes up on her forehead. “Connor Shay, I may be crazy for saying this, but okay. As long as we do talk about it.”
“I swear we will, kitten.” Satisfied for the moment, I back out of the parking space and past the traffic lights, the city limits, and head towards home. Lost in thoughts about the babies, I almost have a heart attack when Rosanna jolts up and grabs my arm, an urgent note in her voice.
“Pull over!”
Alarm sparks through my veins. What could be wrong? “Fuck,” I grunt. With a quick glance to the nonexistent traffic behind me, I guide the truck to the shoulder of the road and park. “You okay, baby? You need to throw up?”
Her eyebrows furrow. “Throw up? No, I’m good. Can you back up a little bit?”
Back up? I didn’t think I was hovering, but I shift away, just in case her nose has gotten sensitive again.
She laughs, a twinkle lighting up her eyes. “No, silly. The truck. There was something on the side of the road, and I want to see it up close.”
“Rosanna. Woman, you—” Mild irritation washes away the alarm, and I throw my head back in frustrated relief against the headrest before backing the truck up. “Put your jacket on and stay here until I open your door.” Road still empty, I get out and walk around to help her out.
A squeal of excitement leaves her as the reason for our altered route comes into view. “A crib! And it looks like it’s in good shape, too.” She caresses the chipped railing.
Surely, she doesn’t think—
A hopeful expression crosses her sweet face. “I know it’s only one when I need two, but maybe they can share. At least until I can buy another one.”
That’s exactly what she’s thinking, and this is exactly why she needs me. My heart almost cracks in two at her willingness to accept anything and everything, regardless of its condition. It’s time for her to be completely mine now. “Baby, c’mere.” I lead her to the truck and lower the tailgate. “Sit.”
Backing up to the truck bed, she jumps up and misses. Tucking my lips so she won’t think I’m making fun of her, I grasp her hips and lift her, situating myself between them. “There you go. Listen, kitten, the last thing you want is a used crib. They’re just not safe, not even if they don’t have a scratch on them. It’s what we don’t know about it that makes it unsafe.”
Trouble brews in her eyes. “But—”
I shush her with a finger to her lips, tracing their perfect bow shape. Birds warble a sweet song that echoes along the chilly air as I gather my thoughts. “I wanted to wait until we were home to talk about this, but I can’t. I want better for you. Better for the babies, because the three of you deserve the very best anyone could ever offer. Starting with doctors. The clinic we just left?” My thumb points over my shoulder. “Yeah, we’re not going there anymore.”
“How can you say that? That’s the only place I can even come close to affording, Connor. At least until my money runs out,” she worriedly adds on.
“Kitten,” I cajole. “I know that place does the best it can with what it has, but I want only the best for the three of you. And that means finding somewhere other than there.”
Her face falls, resigned. “I’ve looked, Connor. Believe me, I’ve looked. That’s the only place I can afford without health insurance.”
