Page 37 of Part of Me
“Hi, Mum.”
“How are you feeling?” she asks as she takes off her jacket and sits down next to me.
“I’m okay. Just tired.”
“Well, that is to be expected.” She smiles softly at me, and it isn’t until I hear a throat being cleared that I realise that my father has come with her.
“Dad,” I say, a smile forming on my face as I stand up and give him a hug.
“Hi, sweetheart,” he says as he hugs me back.
“Oh that’s lovely,” I hear my mother say. I turn back around to look at her, wondering why she sounds a little bit sarcastic. “Why does your father get a smile and I don’t?” She has one of her eyebrows quirked up, but I know that she is just joking with me. I roll my eyes at her, making her laugh.
“And how is my grandson this morning?” my dad asks as he goes over to the moses basket and peers in.
“He’s good. Although, don’t wake him up. He’s only just gone down for a nap, and I am enjoying the peace,” I say as I sit back down on the sofa and take a sip of the drink that Luke made me earlier. My dad continues to stare at Oliver as my mother starts giving me parenting tips. I love my mother to pieces, but she gave me tips yesterday at the hospital, so hearing even more is sapping the remaining energy that I have left. Luke comes into the lounge with drinks for Mum and Dad and sits on the sofa opposite us.
“And how are you, Luke darling?” my mother asks him.
“Well, I’ve got a wonderful girlfriend and a healthy son, so I would say that I am on cloud nine right now.” Luke winks at me and it makes my heart melt a little. He has never been one to hide his feelings for me. He has always been open and honest about how much he loves me––something I have always found refreshing, seeing as most guys get all shy around their girlfriend’s parents. “Actually, Sophie, I was wondering if you would mind babysitting for us tomorrow night?” My ears perk up at this sudden change in topic. Babysit? Already?
“I would love to,” my mother answers excitedly.
“Hang on a minute,” I interrupt. “Why would my mother need to babysit?”
“Because I want to take you out,” Luke answers.
“Um, do I have to remind you that I have just given birth?”
“I am fully aware of that fact,” he answers with a smirk.
“Don’t get smart with me, Sanders. I’m hardly in the frame of mind to be going out anywhere.” I look a mess, I have bags under my eyes, and I feel like I could sleep for a week. Plus, I don’t want to be away from Oliver yet.
“We won’t be gone long.” Luke is clearly not going to budge on this.
“But––” I am about to protest again when my mother interrupts me.
“It will be good for you, darling.”
“See, your mother thinks it’s a good idea,” Luke chimes in. Oh boy, between the two of them I am never going to be able to wriggle out of this one.
“Absolutely. What time do you need me here?” my mother says to Luke. They both ignore the fact that I am sat here with my mouth hanging open and eyes wide with shock.
“Five o’clock.”
“No problem. I can’t wait to spend some more time with my grandson,” my mother says as she gets up and goes over to stand by my father, who is still looking at Oliver. I narrow my eyes at Luke and mouth the words, ‘we’ll talk later.’ He has the audacity to look all innocent whilst trying to hold back laughter at my reaction. I return my attention to my mother and father who have complete looks of adoration on their faces. I can’t say that I blame them. Oliver is such a beautiful baby. I know that I am biased, but I would argue with anyone who tried to say otherwise. As I hear Oliver start to wriggle about, I get up off of the sofa and go over to him. His eyes are still closed, but he is screwing his little face up.
“Guess that’s quiet time over for the next half an hour or so,” I say and am met with chuckles from everyone else in the room. I smile as I pick up my baby and give him a cuddle. Even though I may be exhausted, I wouldn’t change this for anything. I have Luke, I have Oliver, and I have wonderful parents. What more could I ever need?
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Luke has my hand in his as he leads me to our ‘special spot’. I thought that when he said that he wanted to take me out it would involve me getting dressed up. But when he said I could dress casually, I must admit that I felt relief. Throwing on a pair of skinny jeans and a jumper is much more preferable right now to donning a dress and heels. We reach ‘our spot’ where there is already a blanket led out on the ground.
“Please tell me that isn’t just someone’s random blanket that you expect me to sit on?” I say.
“No,” Luke says with a chuckle. “It’s definitely not a random person’s blanket.” As I eye him suspiciously, I realise that he has had help at some point. Luke has been with me all day, so he must have asked someone else to put the blanket here, and my money is on Tori being the one that he would have called. I now notice that there is a bottle of lemonade and two glasses to the side. Luke gestures for me to sit down and I oblige. I slowly lower myself to the ground as I am still a little sore from giving birth.
“You okay?” Luke asks as he notices me wince slightly.
