AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I grab my phone and open the picture app. “I took this the other day.” I show Chloe the picture I took when I found Madison asleep on Chris’s chest. He was sleeping too and was holding her to his chest—it warmed my heart.
Chloe looks at it and smiles. “That is so sweet. He’s laying down, but he looks good, healthy.”
“He really does. There is just a more relaxed vibe around him.” I hug JJ. “He is truly trying to make things right. He loves our little girl so much.”
She nods. “That makes me glad, sweetheart.” Chloe is quiet for a moment and then looks at me. “He’s tried to talk to Joe, but your brother is just not ready.”
My stomach tightens and my chest hurts. “I-I get it, I do. He’s a different person, Chloe.”
She looks me over closely. “Do you have feelings for him?”
I shake my head. “No, not at all. We were barely friends when we…you know. I just think back to when Abby went through everything, and no one batted an eye about forgiving her and bringing her back into the fold. Chris is Madison’s father and he’s going to be in our lives. My daughter should be able to have her whole family together to celebrate the events in her life, without excluding anyone.”
Chloe bends down, kissing Madison on the top of the head. “You’re right. I’ll talk to Joe.”
“Thank you.”
We head out after that, and when I get back to my apartment, I get Little Miss Thang out and carry her toward the stairs.
“Well hey, you two.” Lance says from his open door. He’s been so great about not being loud when we’re home. Hell, he’s even helped me get her upstairs if I have a lot of bags and stuff to carry.
“Hey Lance.” He gives me a salute before lighting up a cigarette and sitting down on the little bench outside of his door. Once I’m up the stairs, I open the apartment door and set the baby carrier down on the living room floor.
I kick my shoes off and drop my bag on the sofa. Madison is kicking her feet and cooing. I never really wanted kids, but I already can’t imagine my life without her. I pluck her out of the carrier and kiss her. “What should we do tonight? Should we watch a movie? Maybe go out dancing?”
She coos and smiles at me. I lay her down on her activity mat and turn the music on. Madison kicks her legs and waves her arms while she watches the little light show.
I hurry into the kitchen and decide on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner. While I eat, I nurse Madison, and we watch Supernatural on Netflix. Once I finish my sandwich, I grab her soft little hand and hold onto it while she finishes eating.
My phone pings with an incoming text.
Graham: Hey, I’m outside and have ice cream.
I smile and stand up with Madison still attached to my breast. He’s seen me feed her before, I’m not shy about it because it’s completely natural. I open the door and he doesn’t even look at my boob hanging out. “Hey, come on in.”
“We haven’t seen each other in over a week. I figure we’re due for a catch up.” I step back so he can walk in. He kisses my cheek as he steps inside.
Madison finishes up and when Graham comes back in from the kitchen, I’m burping her. “So what’s going on?” he says as he plops down on the sofa.
“Has it really been a week since we talked?” He nods. “I’m sorry, it’s just been so crazy. Chris is back.”
Graham’s eyes widen. “Chris? Madison’s dad, Chris?”
I nod. “Yep, one and the same. He’s staying with his dad right now.”
“How did it go when he saw her?” He holds out his hands and I hand my daughter over to him. She loves her Graham and snuggles into his chest.
“It was great. He was gaga for her, and she was gaga for him. It was pretty sweet.”
I get up and grab us two bowls of ice cream. Graham takes his and places it on the coffee table. Madison’s falling asleep on his shoulder as he pats her back. This is about her bedtime.
“I’m going to change her and then lay her down. I’ll be right back.” He kisses her forehead and then hands her to me.
Once I lay her down in the crib a few minutes later, I lean down, kissing her cheek. I whisper, “I love you, my sweet baby girl.” Her pacifier moves as she sucks on it and she looks up at me with her blue eyes.
It doesn’t take long before her eyes flutter shut. I grab the baby monitor off the charger, turning it on. She appears on the little screen, and I head out to the living room.
Graham looks up when I step back into the room. I sit on the sofa with my legs tucked under me and begin to eat my ice cream. “How are your classes this semester?” He has one more year and he’ll have his degree in criminal justice.
