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Grunting from the small being I wore across my chest made my chin drop, checking to make sure he was still asleep. Up and down, I continued to rock him, trying to keep moving so he wouldn’t realize our car ride had ended and we were back home in the garden.
I kissed the top of his head. As suspected, his hair was scarce and hadn’t sprouted much at three months. Maz was born a healthy seven pounds with dark eyes and dark skin like his father. As his features began to form, I wondered if I’d even shown up to his genetic pool party. Malachi hit every marker, leaving me hopeless.
The vibration of my phone alerted me of movement on the property. Naturally, my hand landed on the butt of the Glock .9 on my hip. I turned, quickly locating Aussie before focusing on the driveway. Because it was elevated and a few feet higher than the garden house, it wasn’t easy to see past my position.
“Ici, Aussie.” With a snap, I summoned her presence.
Within seconds, she was at my side.
“Est-ce que tout va bien, maman?” she asked, wondering if everything was okay.
Her French was impeccable.
“Calme.” I quieted her, placing a finger to my lip.
“Where in heavens could Aussie be?” Malachi’s voice rang out, breaking the silence and bringing a smile to both of our faces.
“Ooohhhh. You’d better hide,” I whispered.
“Where is my baby girl? You see her anywhere, Willie?”
“I don’t see her, Boss. You want me to check in the back seat?”
“Hi, Willie!” I yelled, knowing he would have pulled out of the driveway by the time I made it up the stoned steps that led to the upper level.
“Hi, Mrs. Domino. Have you happened to see Aussie? Boss man is looking for her.”
“I haven’t. Sorry.”
Malachi descended the large steps, one by one, finally making it to the garden where three of the most important people in his world all were.
“Good evening, my love.”
“Good evening. I wasn’t expecting you for another hour at least.”
“Chef sent a text and said dinner was almost done. I’m starving.”
“Aussie got new plants today. She’s on a mission to repot them herself.”
“Jesus. How long has he been sleep?”
“Since our trip from the plant nursery. He’ll be up soon.”
“I’ll take him when he gets up.”
The night shift belonged to Malachi. While Aussie and I prepared for bed, the boys hung out in the basement. By the time I was comfortable and under the sheets, it was feeding time. After the ten o’clock feeding, he was fine until approximately three in the morning. He was a night owl, giving Malachi the perfect excuse to spend the wee hours with him while I rested.
“Rahhh!” Aussie jumped out, screaming.
“Aussie, shhhh.”
“Oh, sorry, Mommy. Daddy didn’t find me.”
Chuckling, I nodded. “He didn’t.”
“Maybe next time. I’ll definitely find you next time. Your hiding spots are getting better and better. I can hardly keep up.”
“I don’t know. She’s getting pretty good.”
