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“Maybe she is. Maybe she’s never going to forgive you for it.”
She turned to me, worry on her face. “Is that what you think is going to happen?”
“Camilla…she’s a tough woman – just like her mother. And she’s hot-blooded like her, too. She might’ve seemed like she was cutting you out of her life for good tonight, but things might be different when she calms down. And it might take some time. Right now, you’ve got something more important to worry about – but I don’t need to tell you that.”
She smiled slightly before glancing down at Emmy, the little girl happily drinking from her bottle.
“The thing about children is that they ground you,” I said. “Give you perspective. You can have the worst day in the world but when you come home and look at your child, or children, in this case, you know that nothing elsematters. Everything is about them. Thinking that way…it’s gotten me through some hard times.”
I hadn’t wanted to mention Saoirse, but she’d just sort of slipped out.
Sadie’s eyes flashed, and it was clear she knew what I was hinting at. With her free hand, she reached over and took mine.
“Not trying to get sympathy here,” I said. “Just letting you know that as long as you keep these kids the center of your universe, you’ll be fine.”
“Thanks, Noah,” she said. “I know that being a father again isn’t what you expected. But knowing you’re doing it with me, that goes a long, long way.”
I squeezed her hand. “Kids simplify things – it’s not about you or me anymore. It’s about them.”
She smiled, then let out a sigh.
“I hope you’re fine with me crashing here tonight.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
* * *
Two weeks later…
I was beginning to love the mornings. My alarm was set for five every day, more than enough time for my usual four or five hours of sleep.
I’d start each day the same way. First, I’d make a cup of coffee for myself, drinking that on my heated back porch as I watched the sun come up in the eastern distance. After two weeks, I had the timing down well enough to where the morning text from Sadie would come in right about the time I threw back my last sip.
Sure enough, my phone buzzed right about the time I was done with the coffee.
They’re up.
As much as I offered otherwise, Sadie insisted on getting the twins going in the morning. She was off in the guest house, the twins in their nursery there and always seeming to get up bright and early. They took after their Da in that way. She’d get them up, change their nappies, and while she did that, I’d get some more coffee going along with the bottles.
Sadie came in right at about the perfect time, a twin in each arm.
“You’re getting good at toting those two around,” I said. “Real pro.”
She smiled weakly. Andy’s eyes were closed, and Emmy was looking around the place with her big green eyes. I hurried over to Sadie and offered my arms, and she wasted no time giving me Andy. I took him gently and held him close.
“Bottle ready?” she asked, nodding toward the stove.
“Good to go.”
Sadie was still having a bit of trouble keeping up with the breastfeeding demands of two hungry babies. So, a breast pump and bottles were how we handled things most of the time. It took the burden off her and allowed me to pitch in with keeping the kids fed.
“Perfect.” With the agility and quickness of a mom, she plucked the bottle off the stove, tested the milk’s heat, then popped the nipple into Emmy’s mouth. Sadie eased herself into one of the stools in front of the kitchen bar, speaking quietly and softly to our little girl as she did.
Andy was still out, sleeping soundly.
“How were they last night?” I asked.
“Same. Up twice, then up for good at five-thirty. I swear, these kids are more regular than a well-run train. Is that good? Are they going to be like that forever?”
