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Her sassy voice carried through the apartment as I stood in my bedroom closet, changing out of my stuffy business attire, even though Esmé seemed quite fond of my tie.
Maggie was appalled I’d never held the baby, but the idea of it was so foreign to me. A million questions had swirled in my head since Coco left the baby with me, but the biggest one was how to handle Esmé herself. She was tiny and helpless, trusting me to take care of her when I had no clue what to do other than hiring a nanny.
In bare feet, I padded back to the kitchen for Daddy 101 instructions wearing a soft T-shirt and jeans. Maggie decided the best way for me to learn how to handle a baby was by role-playing with a lifelike doll. I couldn’t wait—cue sarcasm.
“Wanna beer?” The day’s ups and downs had me craving something to drink.
“Um, no.” Maggie’s green eyes blazed, making me stand taller. “Your first lesson is in bottle feeding, not downing a bottle. There’s your baby doll. Use it.”
I followed Maggie’s eyes to what looked like a doll sitting on top of the dining table in a small seat. The thing was so real I did a double-take. It was smaller than Esmé, but not by much.
“What the hell is this? A sweet pink version of Chucky?” I walked closer to get a better view of the blond baby girl. She had light blue eyes framed with lashes and chubby cheeks. A simple pink bodysuit covered her. Even her fingers looked like they would move if I turned away. The thing emanated a realistic quality that was creepy as fuck.
“That’s Madison. I bought her for educational purposes. Actually, you bought her with your credit card.” Esmé sat up in Maggie’s arms, fussing in some sort of protest. Perhaps it was the bottle of milk sitting in full view.
“I hope you kept the receipt. This thing is freaky.”
“Pick it up and grab the blue bottle next to the seat. I need to feed the real baby before she starts screaming.”
I tried to mimic Maggie’s position, but I couldn’t get past the freak factor of this doll. Its skin even felt real against my fingers, and the weight was heavy in my arms. I planned on locking the thing in my safe before I went to bed. I had enough nightmares.
“Cradle your doll like I’m holding Esmé,” Maggie instructed as Esmé nestled in the crook of her elbow, feasting away. I did my best to imitate her with the fake baby.
“Now, take the bottle and put it in the baby’s mouth.” Maggie might have missed her calling as a teacher. She had a bossy side to her that was hard to disobey.
I placed the odd blue nipple between the baby’s lips and the thing began sucking it. “What the fuck?” I jumped out of my chair and dropped the baby on the dining table.
“Great.” Maggie huffed, blowing a strand of hair off her forehead. “You just gave your baby a concussion. Possibly a broken arm. I should call nine-one-one.”
“I didn’t sign up for a possessed creature. How do you turn the thing off?”
Maggie placed her chin on the end of the bottle she was feeding Esmé. She removed her hand from it, and the bottle stayed in place. She had mad baby skills. I was in awe.
“Hand me the doll.” I scooted it across the table. She turned the doll onto its belly, fiddling with something under the clothing.
“Just be glad I didn’t buy the one that blinks at you. Now, get back to it.” I rolled my eyes and grudgingly did as I was told while watching Maggie lovingly feed my baby. She whispered words I couldn’t hear. Tender smiles graced her face. I sat back in complete awe at how love poured out of her. It was genuine and pure.
“Where did you learn that?” I nodded my head toward her and Esmé.
“This?” She shrugged. “I started babysitting when I turned eleven. Young by some standards, but I grew up faster than most. Probably being raised by a single mother and all. Plus, I needed money.”
“It’s not so much your actions, it’s what you put behind them. You’re a natural with her.” A slow smile spread over Maggie’s face and she looked away, as if embarrassed by the compliment.
“Thanks. I love kids. I mean, it’s never fun when they’re screaming at the top of their lungs, but babies, and especially this sweet one, are my soft spot.” She glanced down at Esmé, her lips lifting in the most assuring way. The connection between them was beautiful, making me feel like an intruder in their world.
I had to make things right. I owed Maggie an enormous debt. She loved this child, and I acted like a complete asshole.
