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“Salvatore thinks we should do a date night. He’s trying to talk me into it.”
“Have you two… um,you know… since?”
I shake my head again. “He hasn’t complained. He’s made it clear it’s when I’m ready, but he’s human. He’s obviously waiting.”
“He’s aman,” she laughs. “It’s only been two months. Some couples go way longer.”
“I’m just not interested right now. But I know if I called him this minute to come home so we could—”
“He’d be home in five minutes,” she finishes for me. “You know what you need. You need to just feel like a woman again. Not a mom. Not a baby factory or feeding machine or diaper changer. Awoman. A sexy, fine ass woman who’s still got it! And I say this as someone who’s still trying to get there myself.”
“Sasha, we need to set you up with someone. I’m calling Medjine, and we’re making it happen.”
“Medjine’s single too!”
“Is she? I’m pretty sure she had a mysterious date to the Pink Hearts gala a few weeks back.”
“I forgot about that.”
Sasha and Bryce accompany me upstairs as I head up to feed Dominic. Bryce is excited for the chance to see the baby, but Sasha quickly reminds him he can’t touch or make too much noise.
“Remember, Bryce boo,” she says. “It’s a little baby. So we have to be quiet.”
“Shhhh,” he shushes, holding up his tiny finger to his lips.
“That’s right. You were that small once.”
“Me?!” he squeaks in shock.
I smile at the mother and son duo as I nestle Dominic in my arms and wait for him to latch on. He’s woken up from his nap starving, giving little to no trouble before he begins suckling.
“Um, Delphi,” Sasha says, pointing at the dresser table next to the rocking chair I’m seated in. “Your phone’s ringing. It says Dad.”
“His second call today, and it’s barely noon.”
“You’re not going to call him back?”
Guilt manifests inside me, though I quickly stomp it out and redirect my attention to Dominic. He might only be eight weeks, and he still has plenty of time to change, but his features have started to take shape. Most people agree he’s a mix of Salvatore and I—his little round face resembles Salvatore when he was a baby, but he has my dark curls and smile.
Ultimately, Sasha was correct when she called him a teddy bear. That’s exactly what he reminds me of as I hold him close and bask in the deep love and affection I have for my precious boy. He has the brightest, most innocent eyes I’ve ever seen. So much so it makes my heart fill up to the brim with understanding for Salvatore’s never-ending protective instinct.
Because I feel the same. I’ll protect my son against the world ’til my last dying breath.
Sasha and Bryce leave, but not without hugs and promises to come back soon. I burp and then eventually change Dominic with my mind full of thoughts about what Sasha and I had talked about. Everything from Dad’s persistent attempts to reconcile to my uncomfortable feelings about being inside my own skin.
I’m settling Dominic into another nap when my phone rings again.
This time it’s not Dad. It’s Marcel. After a hesitant pause, I answer. He skips pleasantries and goes straight into addressing the topic on his mind.
“You realize our father is alive and you’re wasting time over a petty feud?”
I gently draw the door to Dominic’s nursery shut. “I’m guessing he asked you to call and lecture me.”
“This isn’t about lecturing, Delphi. This is common sense. Our father is alive. And you’re choosing to shut him out and keep him from his grandson.”
“You haven’t even bothered to come see your nephew.”
“We’ve talked about this,” he says in a stern tone. “I’ve been swamped with work at the hospital. But I’ll be coming for the next holiday. That is, if you’ll let me see him. It wouldn’t surprise me if you’ve decided to leave your family behind for him.”
