Page 97 of Bound Hearts

“It may all be a haze, but I could swear I read once that we should try to sleep when the baby does. You weren’t listening. So, good luck,” I joke.

Now his smile comes easily to him when he’s content. “I’ll drink a thousand cups of coffee if I need to, and it will be worth it.”

“I’m sure you will.”

Foster stands and leans down next to him to pick up our son. “Come here, little man, your mom woke up on your timetable, it seems.”

He slowly lifts our son, wrapped in a blanket. Foster moves delicately as though our son is made of porcelain. What really makes my chest fill with joy is listening to the little sounds Foster makes. I’ve never heard them before, a type of cooing that is reserved for our son. A completely different side of Foster.

He continues to make little tutting sounds as he hands our son to me. “There you go. Your mommy did a lot to bring you into this world, you know. Be kind.”

Happily, I accept Levi into my arms, and I’m reminded how tiny he is. “Nah, he’s good. He needs to get to know us.” Our son makes little stretches with his mouth, intent to suckle.

“I pressed the button for the nurse to come in.”

“Good, because I’m not a hundred percent sure what we’re doing here.” The bunny keeps distracting me every time I glance at Foster. “Hey, why is there a giant bunny in the room?” I glance at it, bewildered.

He grins. “Word might have spread fast that a new little Roth entered the world. There’s already a list of people who want to visit. Hayes and Elodie will wait to meet the baby while Lola goes to daycare, because they don’t want to risk introducing any extra germs to the baby. Lola picked a bunny, her favorite animal, apparently. Elodie dropped it off when she brought you a bag of things for the hospital.”

I chuckle. “Right. I wasn’t prepared and didn’t have anything. You threw us off guard,” I coo to Levi.

“I’ve told everyone that they can meet him when we’re home. You need rest, and he’s early. It’s better we have a little peace.”

“I want to be in a bubble for a while. Just us three.”

“Good.” He kisses my forehead. “I called your parents, and they will call when you’re feeling more up to it. I’m going to run home really quick to change.”

“Hmm. That’s it?” I grimace because I’m positive he already had someone bring him some things.

He grins. “I need you to stop reading through me.”

“Now isn’t the time for secrets.”

Foster offers his pinky to Levi. “Don’t you dare learn to team up with your mom. I need someone on my team.” Even completely drained of energy, my heart skips as I’m on the receiving end of a sexy grin that Foster gives. “We weren’t supposed to be here today, so forgive me for not having your gift tucked in my pocket on standby. Flowers won’t suffice for what you just did.”

“Oh?” I pretend to frown. “I kind of wanted you to bring me some.”

“Sweetheart, you deserve far more than a thirty-dollar bouquet from the gift shop. Can you let me go pick up your gift?”

Brightly, I smile at him. “I don’t need one, but you have my permission. The nurse is going to show me things anyhow, and you don’t have the goods, so you’re useless,” I joke and drop my eyes to my breasts.

He rolls his eyes at my antics as the nurse enters the room.

Foster quickly touches base with the nurse before leaving, and my full attention is back on our son.

I’m still wrapping my mind around the day’s events.

One thing that is clear to me is that everything with Foster seems to be unplanned. But you can still land from the unexpected exactly where you should be.

I slide the charm with the letter L on the silver chain of the necklace Foster gave me. I’ll give him credit for creativity. I’m never going to ask about the price tag of what is hanging around my neck, and he added Levi’s birthstone next to a small diamond. He even had the jeweler change to the correct birthstone the night of Levi’s arrival.

Standing behind Foster, I peek over his shoulder to observe him dressing Levi on the change table in his nursery. It’s been two weeks since he was born.

“He’s drowning in these clothes, and it’s the smallest size,” he comments as he rolls up the sleeves. The man has a talent for diapers and clothing our son. Still, I have questions about today’s outfit choice.

“You’re insistent that he wears his onesie with a shark in a suit,” I remind him dryly. “There are other options.”

“Sharks are fitting for this occasion, dear.”