Page 28 of Fall

“Have you thought of a name?” Izzy asks, and I shake my head.

“I couldn’t decide on one, so not yet,” I respond, and then someone knocks at the door. Izzy gets up and goes to open it slightly before I can hear Allie.

“Can I come in?” she asks.

“Yes,” I reply back.

I’ve gotten closer to Allie in the last few months and consider her a good friend. I can see why Izzy and Maisy love her so much.

“Maisy wanted to come, but she isn’t getting much sleep with the baby kicking her, so I told her to rest,” Allie tells me.

Maisy only has a month left until they meet their own baby girl. I still remember Sebastian’s shocked face when he came back from the scan with Maisy. Saying Sebastian was shocked might have been an understatement, and I kind of wanted that same feeling for myself, which is why I never found out the sex of my baby during my scans.

“That’s okay,” I say, watching as Allie walks over and looks down at my baby.

“She’s a real beauty, with that red hair and button nose,” she says gently, and I nod, looking at her.

“Thank you, she is.”

“Why don’t we go get some drinks and food? I need to call Blake to let him know we can’t go on that secret trip he planned,” Izzy says.

“Another secret trip?” I ask, knowing he has taken her on three now.

“Yes, something always seems to go wrong on each trip. The first time we went on a boat and it was lovely with lights and everything. Then the boat engine caught caught fire and we had to get off the boat.

“The second date was the beach. Again lovely, but halfway through the date, it started to pour down with rain, and then lightning hit a nearby tree, setting it on fire.

“And the third secret date, we didn’t even get to because the car broke down on the way there.”

“So unlucky,” I say, watching as Harley is grinning at the floor and trying not to laugh.

“I don’t get why he keeps planning all these things, I’m happy with a normal meal.” Izzy laughs. “But it is sweet.”

Allie kisses my cheek before leaving with Izzy, and Harley stands up.

“Can I hold her?” he asks, and I lift my arms a little so Harley can pick her up off me. Seeing him holding my little girl is beyond cute, even more so when he starts rocking her gently.

“She looks like you,” he says.

“That’s a good thing,” I respond, and his green eyes stare down at me.

“I’m proud of you, doing all this alone. You’re so strong,” he tells me.

“I’m not alone, you’re here. I know I will be in the future, but for now, I really appreciate all your help,” I say, and Harley goes to respond when the baby wakes up with a small cry. Harley hands her back to me after placing a kiss on her forehead.

“I’m not going anywhere, not now or ever. Not unless you ask me to, Tilly,” he says, but I know he can’t promise me that. He hasn’t won the fight yet, and he won’t even tell me when it is. All Harley has done is train and work out, getting ready for this fight. His arms are so muscular, bigger than before, and every part of him looks prepared for a fight now.

“Do you need anything?” he asks, and I shake my head, pulling my eyes away from him.

“No. I have a bottle ready and everything in that bag you brought in.” I nod my head toward the bag sitting on a chair in the room.

I know breastfeeding is better for the baby, but I want to bottle feed. I know it’s my choice in the end, and it’s something I feel more comfortable with. I spoke a lot to the midwives about it, and they said that some women choose the same as I have.

“Will you let me feed her? Only if you want,” he says, almost stumbling a little on his words as he looks nervous. I nod, watching as he opens one of the pre-made bottles and puts a feeding top on it. Harley comes and takes my daughter from me and starts feeding her in his arms as he sits on the edge of the bed.

“Why are you here? With me? I don’t know many men who would want to help their roommate with their first baby, and you’ve made it clear that’s all I can be to you,” I say, ignoring the sharp shot of pain I feel at even saying those words. I know my hormones are likely making me a little emotional at the moment, but I’m trying to be normal.

“I’m not going anywhere, I’m here for you. I know she isn’t mine, but I want you to know that I’m here,” he tells me gently.