God, just thinking I had someone taking after me, referring to myself as daddy, filled me with the most terrifying joy I’d ever felt. I stroked my finger across her plump cheek and looked on a little longer before moving my gaze to Carina. Her hair splayed across the pillow and around her shoulders like a halo. She’d demanded a shower last night but refused to let me help. She’d even gasped like I’d offended her morals just by offering.
She could hide all she wanted. But what she didn’t know was that I was going to make this work—make us work. I wasn’t sure what that looked like right now, but if it happened to include touching her and helping her shower when needed, then I was on board. I was willing to accept damn near anything to be with my girls, even if that meant roommates that raised a child together. But what I really wanted—what I was going to go for—was us together.
I wanted more.
I wanted our baby all the time.
I wanted this family.
She’d been hurt before and had trust issues, but I was Ian Bergamo, and I could be very persuasive to the female population.
More grunts pulled my attention back to Audrey. Her little face screwed up and she wriggled inside her cocoon. It looked uncomfortable, but then I remembered Carina’s reprimand when I undid it last night. Apparently, she liked to be wrapped up like a burrito.
I didn’t know. She looked awfully pissed right now.
Then the loudest grunt followed by a fart I hadn’t even heard from college guys came from my angel. It was the only warning I had before the foul smell assaulted my senses. I gagged and almost backed away when two blue eyes cracked open and just stared.
Immediately, I stepped back up and leaned lower to the stink grenade. “Hey, baby girl.”
She blinked and wriggled some more before her face started scrunching again, except this time it was to cry. I quickly picked her up, balancing her in my palms and bounced, making a continuous shushing sound, hoping to calm her. It didn’t work. Not that I could blame her. Based on the smell that continued to get worse, she probably needed changing and would continue to increase in volume until it happened.
Not wanting to wake Carina up, I got all the supplies out and unwrapped the baby burrito. Her legs kicked free, and arms shot out like she was cheering for freedom, Mel Gibson style.
“You are adorable, but that smell is foul. I may need a gas mask for this task.”
Holding my breath and gagging repeatedly, I managed to get her clean.
Just as I was fumbling with her burrito blanket, Carina woke up. “Hey.”
I gave her a brief smile and struggled with the wrap. “Hey. I didn’t want to wake you.”
“It’s okay. Looks like it was just in time. Bring her here, and I’ll wrap her up.”
“Sounds like a plan. Doesn’t it, baby girl.” I picked Audrey up and continued to talk baby-talk, wondering if she remembered me from all the times I spoke to Carina’s belly. “Yes, it does. Mommy knows best. Yes, she does.”
Carina was smiling and shaking her head by the time I passed Audrey off. She efficiently wrapped the baby burrito up like maybe she’d secretly worked at Chipotle in a past life. She pulled Audrey close and bounced and hummed until she passed out again. Unable to keep my hands off her, I reached out until Carina put our baby in my arms.
I’d been in the hospital as much as I could over the past three days, but it was never enough. I needed more of this tiny human. I’d had to leave for a few work meetings I couldn’t miss. Thankfully, Carina’s aunts had stepped in when I couldn’t be there.
“Look at you, baby-daddy,” Carina said, smiling at us both.
“We look good together, don’t we?” I said with a wink, holding Audrey close to my face.
She rolled her eyes at my antics but still laughed.
“You always look good,” Carina’s Aunt Vivian said, stepping into the room.
She boldly looked me up and down, which no longer surprised me. I’d met all four women over the past few days, and they were an interesting bunch. I felt a little sorry for Carina’s dad, but they were all pretty awesome in their own way. Vivian was brash and constantly treated me like man-meat. I think she did it to make Carina laugh.
“Hey, Aunt Vivian.”
“How are my girls?”
“Good. We get to go home today.”
“I heard. Are you ready?”
Carina heaved a sigh and shrugged. “As ready as I can be.”
“I’m taking her home,” I stated, staying strong for Carina’s impending argument. “She won’t be alone tonight.”
“Ian…” Carina half-heartedly protested. I knew she wouldn’t ask for help, but she didn’t need to. These two girls were my responsibility, and I was stepping up.