Page 92 of Crimson Moon Falling

Chapter 28

Riley

I should’ve listened to Conall and taken two Betas. And I should have stayed far away from Feeny.

The pediatrician’s office was in a medical complex on the town’s edge. The building was low and modern, its exterior painted a cheerful sage green. The bright, sunny waiting room had large windows and a play area. A handful of parents sat in the molded chairs, scrolling through phones or watching toddlers play.

Freda found a spot to stand near the door. Her posture was relaxed, but her eyes swept the room, cataloging exits, sightlines, and potential threats.

The receptionist behind the counter was in her forties, had long blue acrylic nails that clacked when she typed, and a lanyard full of cartoon character pins. “Seraphina Segerson. This is her first appointment with us?”

“Yes. Her records should have come from the British Columbia Pack,” I answered, glancing at Owen.

The woman typed on her keyboard. “Have a seat. Dr. Haddad will be with you shortly.”

Owen and I found two chairs and sat. A toddler nearby screeched and hurled a plastic truck across the room. It bounced off the wall and hit Owen’s leg. The baby next to us started wailing, and Owen’s jaw tightened.

“This is hell,” he sighed.

“If anyone deserves to be in hell, it’s you,” Freda muttered as she stood next to me and kept an eye on the door.

I pulled Feeny out of her carrier and cuddled her to me. “Welcome to parenthood.”

A half hour later, a nurse finally appeared in the doorway and called Seraphina’s name. Freda stayed in the waiting room as Owen and I took Feeny back. The exam room was small and cheerful, with a mural of desert animals.

The pediatrician entered a moment later, a woman in her late thirties with warm brown eyes and a calm, steady energy. I gently laid Feeny on the exam table.

“Hello, Seraphina.” She smiled at the baby and glanced at us. “I’m Dr. Haddad. How are you doing today?”

Owen cleared his throat. “We’re fine, and she’s doing great. Eating well and sleeping through the night.”

I blinked at him. “She wakes up every two to three hours.”

“She never cries.” Nervous energy rolled off Owen as he glared at me.

“She cries whenever she’s hungry. Or tired, or has a poopy diaper,” I contradicted, staring back at him.

The doctor cleared her throat and pulled out her stethoscope. “Let’s have a look.”

She gently examined Feeny, who endured it with remarkable patience, her tiny fists opening and closing.

“She looks good. Strong and healthy. Any concerns or questions?” Dr. Haddad looked between us, her mouth twitching. We both shook our heads. “She’s doing beautifully for her age.”

“Okay,” Owen breathed out.

“Mom, are you breastfeeding, or are we on formula?”

Owen and I froze.

“She’s not the mother,” he sputtered.

“I’m her… aunt, I guess?”

Dr. Haddad nodded and finished the exam. “She’ll need a few vaccinations next month.”

She handed Owen a folder. “Any other questions?”

Owen hesitated. “When can I start feeding her meat?”