Page 24 of Crossing Lines

“I know. I told Daddy and Trace that I’d be helping with this little man. You have your shoe full of munchkins, and Mama J has so much to do. She’s not a spring chicken anymore either.”

“I’ll pay you $500 right now, in cash, if you say that to her face.”

I made a face at her, then laughed right along with her. Jesus. “No way. She’d tan my ass. But I’m serious. I’ll be helping with the baby. As a matter of fact…he’s coming home with me tonight.”

“Stel, what about your hand?” she asked, looking at my bandages.

“I have Daddy and Trace to help. Plus, Shelby is going to check it again in a bit. It feels better, so I’m hoping it’s going to be bandage-free. I’m over this mess.”

Dani Lynn laughed, shaking her head. “Yeah, well, that serves you right. Next time you’ll know not to put your hand through a window or use a wooden bat against a two-ton truck.”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head, a small yawn escaping me. “I guess. Louie deserved a better end to his life,” I pouted.

The intercom came to life. “Dani Lynn, please come to reception.” Mama J’s voice was soft. She didn’t sound worried or upset, so I was just going to sit right here and hold this baby.

“Duty calls. If you need anything, holler.”

I nodded, waving a hand. The chair rocked softly back and forth, reminding me of the nights I’d done something similar with Carter. Though back then, I’d curl both legs under me, sit with my back in the corner where the arm and back met, and rub his back until he was asleep. Some nights—most nights, I’d fallen asleep with him.

Pushing the chair back with my shoulders, I got it rocking. Carter, who was being a fussy butt, laid against my chest. I yawned as I covered us with a blanket. I was so sleepy tonight.

“It’s okay, buddy. Sissy will make it all better.” I spoke the truth as I knew it. I’d already changed his diaper and given him half a bottle of formula so he would sleep. I just had to get him to calm down to do so. I started singing to him. My smile was soft as the words left my lips.Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Starmay not be a normal nursery rhyme or an appropriate one, but it would work. And I knew the words. He finally started to settle down. The darkness surrounded us now, so I closed my eyes, hugging him to me as best as I could.

Just as I’d sung to Carter so many times in the past, I started to sing. This was comforting. It reminded me of the times I’d spent with my nephews, Robbie and Matthew. I really did love this stage of their lives. Unlimited cuddles. Even when they were accompanied with stinky diapers, crying, and puking up sticky, smelly things. No one could ever say babies weren’t full of surprises for you.

I buried my nose into his neck, breathing in the scents of baby and powder. My eyes closed, and I continued to slowly rock us.

“Stel, hey, Stel.” A hand on my arm made me blink awake, grumbling at all the bright lights. Damn. I met the amused gaze of none other than Doctor Shelby McKenna. I flipped her off and sat up. Then I realized my arms were empty. I jerked up, gasping as I looked around on the floor.

“What’s wrong?” she asked me.

“The baby! Where is he? Did I drop him?”

“Hey, calm down. He’s fine. Dani Lynn took him a little bit ago to give him a bottle. You were sleeping, and she didn’t want to disturb you.”

“Oh. Damn. I didn’t even feel her taking him away. I’m getting slack in my old age.” We shared a look and a laugh. “Are you here to see someone? Did something happen?”

“No, not here for anything specific. I just stopped by to see if anyone needed anything. You know they’re not going to ask for doctors, so I put myself here. It usually makes them see we care and want to help so then they’ll come see me.”

“Cool. I like that plan. What can I do to help?” I asked, getting to my feet. I stretched my arms out and bent at the waist, cracking my shoulders and back.

“Come outside with me. We can try and talk to the new ladies that came in. They’re both shy and as skittish as a cat in a room full of dogs.”

I snorted. “We need to work on your choice of words. Room full of dogs. It’s a room full of rockers, crazy.”

Shelby shoved my arm gently as she went by. “It’s whatever I want it to be.”

I followed her down the hall, the two of us bickering back and forth until we were outside. I was laughing at her crossed eyes. She was such a dork.

“You’re a total?—”

“Auntie Stellllllllllla!” I turned just in time to see Kaitlyn barreling toward me. I scooped her up, covering her face with kisses.

“Hey, cutie pie. Your mama didn’t tell me you were out here.”

“We’re playing in the grass!” She was breathing heavily when I righted her and put her on my hip. A parade of little munchkins followed her. All of the kids were here. I laughed and crouched down to hug all of them. I gave Robbie a fist bump. It was hisnew thing. He saw the older boys doing it all the time, so now he had to as well. It was adorable.

“They’re waiting for the picnic and movie outside. Derek and Carter are over there setting up the big screen. We’ll pull out the big shade screen to make it easier to see if the sun doesn’t cooperate.” Dani Lynn came over, arms full of babies. Her daughter, Kimberly, and her granddaughter, Noelle, were both lying across her shoulders.

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