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“Thank you.” She stood and gave me a hug, setting down a few adorable outfits I just had to get. “He’s going to be the best dressed baby ever. Want to hold him now?”
“Yes, I do. But let me wash up first.”
Seriously got an education at that store and the older lady was so sweet and gentle, and followed up my purchase with a stern warning to always wash your hands before handling any newborn.
I returned with open arms.
Lily put the baby in to them, positioning his head. “Meet your quasi-nephew, Henry Baker.”
“Henry,” I repeated softly, gazing into his sleepy eyes and upturned nose. His hair was as blond as the morning sun and thin as Grandpa Ed’s, a regular passenger to Vancouver. “He’s breathtaking.”
And right in that exact moment, I knew I couldn’t wait to hold my own. Would my child look like me, the way Henry looked like Lily, or would mine have Mitch’s dark wavy hair? And those perfectly plump little lips, poised in a newborn’s tiny pout. Henry stretched and the cutest little grunt squeaked out.
“Oh my god,” I cooed. “I’m in love.”
Lily gazed up at Eric, who had his hand on her shoulder. “You know, I knew before I had him that there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him, but having him here? I finally get it. I would die for Henry. He is perfect, and I couldn’t be happier.”
There was no way her smile could stretch any larger either, and I was over the moon happy for her. Her past was coloured, and she did a few questionable things, but she had clearly grown from it.
“I can’t wait to have one of my own.” I ran my finger lightly over Henry’s soft cheek. Damn, babies were a little gift from heaven. “Tell me about the birth, if you don’t mind. Was it easy, hard? How was Willow?”
Eric laughed. “Willow barely made it, but it wasn’t her fault.”
“I should’ve called earlier but it was pretty steady, nothing like the books all say. Then things changed and before we knew it, he was making an entrance.”
“On the beach,” Eric added, shaking his head.
“The beach?” I couldn’t even imagine that scene unfolding.
“Yeah. Not ideal, but you know what, it wasn’t the worse place to have a baby.”
“I’ll never look at an ocean sunset the same way.” Eric rose. “Can I grab you a drink?”
“Nah, I’m not staying long. Just wanted to see you all and meet this cute little guy.” My voice changed into some weird version of baby talk, shocking me, and causing Lily to chuckle.
“Everyone does that.” She reached for a glass of juice. “I even find myself doing it from time to time.”
I snuggled the little guy closer and gave his head a sniff. The lady in the store was right – baby heads smelled like sunshine and fresh air. It was intoxicating, and I would’ve continued to fragrant my memory with the scent, but it was time to go. I wasn’t going to overstay my welcome. With a grand sigh, I rose and placed baby Henry back into his mother’s arms.
“You’re leaving already?”
“I must. Need to check on Mitch.” I winced as I said it but hoped no one saw. “He had a huge hangover this morning.” My eyes connected with Eric.
How I’d wished he’d been out with him, but he hadn’t been. A part of me worried he’d been out with her, with Jasmine,and it rotted my insides.
I air kissed Lily’s cheeks, and gave a hug to Eric. “Let me know when I can come back and get more of those baby snuggles.”
“Anytime you want.” Lily made to get up, but Eric kept his hand on her.
“Just stay.” He gave her a quick kiss and my heart damn near exploded. It was like the most natural thing between the two of them, and it wasn’t forced or used as a distraction. The love between Eric and Lily was pure and wholesome.
Mitch and I had been like that before. Had been a couple of crazies when we first got together and after a while, things settled into a nice familiar pattern. Until recently. And now, I worried there was no way we’d ever be able to go back.
Chapter Nine
My hands were shaking as I fiddled and retrieved the keys from the bottom of my purse. I hadn’t been home since I took off this morning, and a wildly nervous trepidation at returning back to an environment filled my gut, as I wasn’t sure I was ready to handle what lie beyond the door.
My key twisted into the lock, and I swung the door open. A strong floral smell assaulted my nose, but it only took a fraction of a second for my eyes to register the bouquets scattered across the eating area and spilling over into the living room.
