Page 50 of Calamity Rayne Knocked Up

“I went to the farmer’s market. They’re organic.”

“When?” It was barely light outside.

“I’ve been up for hours. Too excited to sleep. Besides, your body needs nutritious food. I also picked up some vitamins and fruit and a variety of dairy products?—”

“And flowers!” I leaned forward and sniffed the lilies in the vase. I searched the tray for coffee but didn’t see it. “Is there coffee?”

“It’s probably a good time to start limiting your caffeine.”

“What? Who says?”

“Doctors. Even half a cup of coffee a day could impact the baby’s weight.”

“Maybe a small baby isn’t such a bad thing. Keep in mind, junior’s entering this world through a very small hole.”

“Rayne, everything you put in your body over the next fifteen months matters.”

“Fifteen? Am I gestating for an elephant?”

“Well, I figured you’d breastfeed for the first few months. That means no raw fish or fish high in mercuryof any kind, no deli meats, alcohol, caffeine, or unpasteurized cheese.”

“I can’t have cheese? What the hell am I going to eat? And what about sandwiches?”

“Nounpasteurizedcheese.”

“That’s probably the good kind.” I crossed my arms and pouted.

“I promise to keep you well-fed and fully satisfied. We can get a chef if you want.”

A chef sounded nice. Someone I could order around to meet my every craving…Did I just graduate to a new level of bougie?“What about a maid? I should probably take it easy now that my body’s a sacred vessel creating life.”

“Whatever you want, baby. Say the word and I’ll deliver.”

“Huh. This is working out better than I expected.”

“I want to make this the healthiest, most stress-free nine months of your life.”

Well, that sounded lovely. “I should marry you.”

He leaned over the tray and kissed me. “Eat. Then let’s inform Elara that she’s going to be a big sister.”

I smiled and took a bite of the buttered toast. “Oh, I bought a doll for her. I read thatit’s supposed to help young kids learn how to treat the new baby. She can practice her big sister skills with it.”

“That’s perfect. I was thinking we should give her a present so she doesn’t feel overlooked in any way.”

“Done! You gotta admit, we make a good team.”

When we got to Remington’s, Marta greeted us in the foyer and pinched Hale’s cheek. “You’re glowing like a proud poppa.”

“Daddy!” Elara raced into the foyer and sprung into Hale’s arms.

Since Daddy disappeared for several days each week, he tended to be a hotter commodity than Mommy, who was always around and, therefore, old news.

I pulled the big sister T-shirt out of my bag. “Come here, peanut. I have something for you.” I slipped the T-shirt over her nightgown and grinned. “Let’s go find Grandpa.”

Holding Elara’s hands, we walked into the den where Remington was already midway through his morning. “About time you showed up.”

“Pop-pop,” Elara crashed into Remington and climbed up his legs to get to hislap. He helped her up, and she pulled on her shirt. “Uh-oh.”

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