Page 22 of Seeking Salvation

His head shook. “No.”

“Thank God.” Heat invaded her cheeks as he grinned, and she realised what she implied.

“Why? You want to apply for the position, sweetheart?”

“No, no. I meant good because I didn’t implode your life any more than I already have.”

Ti held a palm over his chest. “You wound me. I thought we had something special and now you’ve broken my heart.”

Maya snorted. “Please, a man with an ego like yours doesn’t get wounded or have his heart broken.”

“You’re a sassy thing, aren’t you, Maya?”

“What’s the matter? Can’t handle it, big guy?”

“Oh, I can handle whatever you dish out, sweetheart.”

“Hmm.”

Tyrique began to squirm in his father’s arms and Maya knew what was coming. Around this time every night, he would begin to fuss, his knees pulling up and his cries filling the room. Colic was a bitch and Ti was about to get a crash course.

Titan held him away from his body, his gaze moving all over as if he were checking for injury. “What’s wrong with him? Is he hungry again?”

Maya stood, thankful she’d finished eating for a change before it hit. Usually, she’d feed Tyrique, get him ready for bed, and then change for her job at the club and apply the ridiculous make-up they insisted on. By then, she might have enough time to stuff down some toast or a sandwich before the colic began. She preferred it that way though because at least Tyrique was settled by the time the sitter got there to watch him while she worked.

“He has colic.”

Ti’s eyes widened in alarm. “That sounds serious. Is it serious?”

Maya stood and moved closer, resisting the urge to take Tyrique from his arms, instead pushing the baby closer to his father as his heart-breaking cries filled the kitchen.

“Colic isn’t serious, and they do grow out of it. It’s often caused by gas or overstimulation. In his case, I think it’s gas because he guzzles his food like he’s never getting fed again.”

“How do I fix it?”

“Hold him close and rub his back.”

Ti did as she asked, his big hand engulfing the small child’s back.

“That’s it.”

Tyrique’s cries eased the tiniest bit but they didn’t abate and she wasn’t sure who was the most upset at this point, the baby, or his father.

“He’s still crying. Why is he still crying? Make it stop.”

Maya chuckled and walked towards the living room, knowing Ti would follow. “Sit down and I’ll show you what I usually do when this happens.”

Ti sat and she moved in beside him. “Sit back and place Tyrique on his back on your knees.”

“Like this?”

“Yes, perfect. Now rub his tummy like this.”

Maya leaned over and rubbed her hand in clockwise circles using her other hand to gently pull Tyrique’s crunched legs down and give the air in his tummy room to move.

“You try.”

Ti followed her instructions and soon Tyrique’s cries ebbed as he squirmed before letting out the biggest fart and startling Titan.

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