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“I like you too much already,” she whispers.
“Good.” I kiss her lips, just a quick, chaste kiss, before pulling away. “That means you’re not immune to my charms.” I wink, trying to lighten the mood a little. “Now, let’s get Maddie upstairs and into the tub so we can tuck her in.”
“We?”
“I told you I would stay and help.”
“You offered,” she counters.
“Well, now I’m following through.” Not giving her a chance to argue, I grab the keys from the ignition and climb out of my SUV. Making my way around the back of the car, I pull open the back door and release Madeline’s seat. I wait for Wren to grab the diaper bag. I know if I try to carry that too, she’ll argue with me. Once she has everything she needs, I place my hand on the small of her back, and we make our way inside.
“Uh, come on in,” she says once she unlocks the door.
I try my hardest not to let my eyes scan the room. Instead, I focus on Madeline. The last thing I want is for Wren to think I’m judging her. I’m not. It’s just that this place is so small, and she really needs a ground floor space or something with an elevator. The thought of her hauling her groceries up, pulling a cart while carrying Madeline doesn’t sit well with me.
“I’m just going to go get everything ready. The bathroom is kind of small, so you don’t have to help.”
“I want to. You get situated, and I’ll come keep you company. How’s that?”
She nods. “Okay.”
“I’ll watch Maddie while you get everything ready.” She hesitates only for a fraction of a second before disappearing into the door that I assume is the bathroom. I hear her moving around and then see her buzz across the small hallway. I unbuckle Madeline from her car seat and lift her in my arms. She stretches her little body, then rests her head against my shoulder.
“Ready,” she says a few minutes later.
“Time for a bath,” I tell the baby as I walk toward the bathroom. Wren holds her arms out, and I transfer Madeline to her.
“So, you never did answer me. What are your plans for the rest of the week?”
She glances at me from over her shoulder before turning her attention back to Madeline. “It’s not like I have a booming social life. I go to work, then Madeline and I spend a quiet night at home before doing it all over again.”
“I see a change in your future, Wren Wheeler.” I flash her a grin even though she can’t see me.
“What did you have in mind?” she asks.
“Dinner. Maybe we can take Maddie to the park? Or we can set up some playtime with Carter and Roan?” I suggest. I want to make sure that I include Madeline. She doesn’t have many people in her life, and I want to reassure Wren that I know they’re a package deal.
“We could do that,” she agrees cautiously.
I don’t push her any further. That’s all the agreement I need. I’ll take care of planning us getting together. Madeline having a routine is important. I’ve heard my brothers and their wives talk about that with their kids. We can hang out here. I’ll bring dinner. Hell, I could watch Madeline while she runs errands or even takes a nap. I wonder how long it’s been since she’s been able to just stop and relax. Raising kids is hard work, and she’s doing it all on her own.
“Shoot. I forgot a diaper,” she says, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Where are they? I’ll grab one.”
“Just across the hall underneath the changing table.”
Stepping out of the bathroom, I turn and enter the bedroom. My mouth drops open. The room before me is vastly different from the rest of their apartment. The room is painted in a pale pink with white trim. The furniture is a light gray, and the bedding is a mix of pink and gray, and white. On the wall above the crib, gray letters with white lace spell out Madeline’s name. There is a white rocking chair in the corner and a white bookcase filled with children’s books. The room is beautiful, the perfect setting for a little girl. However, there is one thing missing.
A bed for Wren.
Grabbing a diaper from underneath the changing table, I turn and make my way back to the bathroom. “Here you go,” I say, handing her the diaper.
“Thank you.” She smiles up at me from her place on the floor. “You ready to get dressed and get your belly full?” she asks Madeline.
I watch as she stands from the floor, grabs the diaper, pajamas, and a bottle of lotion, and makes her way to the living room. Taking a seat on the couch, she makes quick work of getting a diaper on the baby and continues on with their nightly routine. Once Madeline is dressed, Wren reaches for the blanket on the back of the couch and covers her chest before lifting her shirt.
