Page 56 of Shot to the Hart

That’s kind of reassuring, I don’t know Sin very well, but I know that Kodi has a good group of women around her and I trust that Sin would be proud of the place she works.

“But what if it isn’t just the flu? What if it’s some deeper thing that I’ve missed because I’m not home enough?”

“I’m scared too. I care about her a lot, you know.” I know that, I do, but aside from Ma I’ve never really had anyone who would notice something being wrong with Bella. “I think outside of that I would have noticed if she was acting weird or getting weaker or anything like that.” I’m a fucking idiot for thinking that she doesn’t pay attention to Bella like that, of course she does.

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” I let out a breath as we pull into the parking lot. “I know that you would notice if something was wrong, and I know you care about her just as much as I do. I’m sorry if I made you feel otherwise.”

Pulling into the spot and placing the car in park, she turns towards me. Moving her hand from my lap to my cheek softly rubbing against my stubble. “I know Mav, it’s okay. Let’s go get our girl.”

Giving my information to the receptionist, she directs us to Arabella and my dad. Taking Kodi’s hand in mine, we get to the room and enter quietly. Relief floods over me when I see my little girl sprawled out on that big hospital bed with a red popsicle in her mouth. “Daddy.” She’s much quieter than normal and I can tell she doesn’t have much energy. “Kodi!” she adds when she sees Kodi standing behind me.

“Hey, baby. How you feeling?” I approach and sit on the edge of the bed.

“She threw up on the way here, but her fever went down and the nurse convinced her that a popsicle would help her feel better.” My dad chimes in from the chair on the opposite side of the bed. “I’m sorry,son, she really was fine last night, but thismorning she just woke up not feeling well.” His voice cracks at the end.

“Dad, it’s not your fault. She's a toddler, everything goes into her mouth, she probably just picked up a virus somewhere. I’ll pay to get your car cleaned out, I don’t want you dealing with that.” I smile at him then direct at Kodi who hasn’t moved since we got here, “Come here, sit with us.” She takes the chair by my side and we wait, watching Bella fall asleep with her popsicle.

A few grueling hours later, an antiviral and care instructions in hand, I’m pulling Arabella out of her carseat, fast asleep. Turns out, she had caught not one, but two viruses that her body couldn’t fight off itself. I want to put her in her bed, but when I go to lay her down she cries to stay with me, so we all head to my room where I make a pillow barrier around her because I need a shower and something to eat.

“What do you want to eat? We could order something and then take showers while we wait for it to get here,” Kodi whispers from behind me.

“Baby, you don’t have to whisper, she’s down for the count. Do you like Thai?” I ask.

“Oh, that sounds really good actually.” She almost moans and if I wasn’t so exhausted, I would be dragging her down the hall and into her bed because of that sound.

“Perfect, I know the place. Go turn the shower on, grab some clothes and meet me in my bathroom. I’ll call it in.” Pulling my phone out of my pocket as Kodi heads off in the direction of my bathroom opting to grab one of my tshirts instead of going to grab her own clothes, I place our order, let my dad know we are home, and switch the monitor app on my phone. I turn the volume all the way up and place it where I can see it from inside the shower. Closing the door behind me, I strip down and step in behind Kodi wrapping my arms around her middle and pulling her into me. She immediately wraps herself around me, lettingher forehead rest on my chest. She’s the perfect height that I can rest my chin on top of her head, and we stand there for a moment in silence. “Thank you for being there for me today, Darlin’. I hate that I wasn’t there for her this morning when she woke up.”

“You know it’s not your fault right, this isn’t something you could have prevented. You were there for her and when you weren’t your dad was. Don’t ruminate on the fact that you weren’t there as soon as she started to feel bad. You’re a good daddy, Mav, and that little girl out there is surrounded by so much love because of you.”

My throat tightens and I hold her tighter to my body. “Thank you, Kodi. I really appreciate you being there with us today.” I didn’t think I needed that confirmation but when you’ve been parenting by yourself for two-and-a-half years, you get used to not having someone encourage and support you when your child gets sick or reaches a milestone or is having a bad day, someone who cares about how you’re doing just as much as they care about how your child is doing.

“You’re welcome, but it’s just the truth.” She sighs, attempting to wiggle out of my hold. “Mav, we need to clean up, our food will be here soon.”

“Just a little longer, please.” Placing a gentle kiss on the top of her head and extending my arm to grab the shampoo, squeezing some into my hand and massaging it gently into her hair.

“Mmm, that’s nice.” Holding her like this, after a long and emotional day, gives me a sense of security I’ve never had. Knowing that we can ground each other in this moment, relax knowing Bella is okay on the other side of that door. “Alright Big Guy, your turn.” She smirks up at me.

She has to get on her tiptoes and still can’t reach my hair making us both laugh. “You might have to sit for this one, Mav.”

I head over to the bench that runs along my shower wall sitting down while Kodi stands in front of me running her fingers gently through my hair. Needing more contact, I let my hands find her waist pulling her closer, even with me sitting we are eye level. After a few minutes of her gently running her hands through my hair, I stand back to my full height. I can’t help but pull her back into my chest, my hand resting at the nape of her neck while the other caresses her lower back and jokes,“I think you missed your calling, babe.”

“As a scalp massager?” she snickers at me. “That privilege is reserved for sweet and caring, over six-foot tall hockey centers with smoking bods.”

“Oh, well in that case, I will be requesting these services every night.”

“Who said that I was talking about you?” She’s not making any sound but I feel her small body moving up and down on her silent laugh.

“Haha, very funny.” Gripping her hair and tilting her head up so she has to look me in the eyes.

“Remind me who you belong to again.”

She shudders but almost immediately says, “You.” With that I let my lips descend upon hers for a brief moment before I finally release my hold on her. We help each other finish washing up, nothing sexual in our touches, just soft caresses taking away the stress of the day, just in time for our food to arrive.

Snuggled into the couch withBig Bangplaying and Bella sleeping soundly on her monitor, we devour our food. Kodi is snuggled into my side, and I can feel her dozing off. “Baby, let’s go to bed.”

Grabbing my hand and leading me down the hallway, stopping at her door. “I wish you were sleeping in my bed tonight.”

“I know, me too.”

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