Page 30 of Daddy's Unexpected Gift

He nodded and went back to his work.

“That’s so weird,” Cecelia said.

“Hmm?”

“Having a butler, it’s… not something I think I could get used to,” she said.

“Trust me, it is very easy to get used to having someone help out. I grew up with staff, and for a while, I did it all on my own, but at some point, I kept forgetting that laundry didn’t do itself, and if I wanted a protein boost after my workout, I had to have the protein powder and peanut butter available to make the shakes with.”

“Maybe I could imagine having a personal assistant like that. I hate having to make sure I have enough money loaded into the app for the laundry at the apartment complex. Or I need quarters and a block of time to hang out at the laundromat, just to have clean clothes. And I have to do my own grocery shopping.”

“And you have to make sure that I’ve done all of that for Georgie.”

“Yeah, but that’s my job. I want to help out. It doesn’t mean I couldn’t use some help myself from time to time.” She lifted Georgie from the highchair, and food cascaded to the floor. Cecelia brushed her off and held her on her knee. “You are a mess.”

Georgie yawned and rubbed her little fist into her eyes.

“Bedtime,” I announced. “I’ll take her.”

“Your dinner will be ready by the time you’re out of the shower. It will be in the oven,” Wayne said.

“Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Cecelia stared up at me, her brow twisted in confusion. “It’s her bedtime, but you’re taking a shower?”

I cocked my head for her to follow.

“She’s a mess, and she needs a bath. I’ve discovered it’s easier to just get in the shower with her. I’m going to get wet, anyway.”

“Do you have any laundry baskets?” Cecelia asked.

I shrugged. “I have no idea. I’m not doing laundry.”

“No, you’re washing a baby. Don’t get in the shower. Start the tub. I want to show you something.”

I had my shoes kicked off and my shirt off by the time she stepped into my bathroom. She held a white plastic laundry basket, and her expression was one of shock. There was no tub, only a large walk-in.

“I guess the trick I was going to show you isn’t going to work.”

“What’s the basket for?”

“I learned this great trick. You put the baby in a small laundry basket in the tub, so it's a baby-sized tub in the bigger tub. But no tub.”

I took the basket and tossed it in the shower on the floor. “It will still help. She can sit in there while I hose her down. I’ll show you.” I stood and dropped my jeans.

“Mr. Alexander!” Cecelia shouted and spun around, giving me her back.

“I have shorts on,” I said with a chuckle.

Georgie and I stepped into the shower. I put her in the basket and turned the water on. I had previously programmed the spray for a lukewarm temperature. It was warm enough so the shower didn’t feel cold, but it wasn’t hot enough to burn the baby.

I knelt down and washed the baby as water showered down on us.

“This really helps. I don’t have to hold a wet, squirmy baby.”

“Do you really shower with her like this?”

“This, and she’s had a few baths in the kitchen sink. I don’t know how, but she’s always sticky. The shower makes less of a mess than the sink.”

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