Page 123 of Curveball

“Oh, I’m…just making sure.”

“I officially have the cleanest nipples in the world. It’s time to get out. I’m tired. I want to sleep so I can get up early to go be with Kaya.”

“Kaya?”

“Yes, I think I want to name her Kaya. It means inner strength.”

I nod. “I like it. Kaya.” I say it a few times as it sinks in. My daughter’s name is Kaya.

“Okay. Let me get out first so I can get your clothes. Don’t move. I’ll help you do everything.”

“I don’t have anything with me except those hideous disposable undies. Can I borrow a robe or a T-shirt?”

“You have drawers full of clothes. I went shopping for you.”

“You did?”

“Yes. Let me take care of you.”

“Fine, but I’ll do the pads and mesh underwear. Not you.”

“Deal.”

I quickly towel off and grab some of the clothes I bought for her. When I return, she’s standing there wrapped in a towel. Her curly hair is wild, and the tops of her breasts are peeking out. I can’t help but stare at her. “You’re beautiful.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m anything but beautiful right now. What do you have for me?”

I hand the set of pajamas to her, and she raises an eyebrow. “Are you kidding me?”

I can’t help but smirk. “Quincy Abbott pajamas are all the rage.” My face is all over them.

She sighs. “Turn around.”

“We just showered together.”

“Quincy!”

“Fine, but I’m not leaving. I want to help you into bed.”

After a few minutes of her getting dressed and me brushing her hair and teeth for her, I help her into bed, desperate to stay with her but knowing I haven’t earned that right yet.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

RIPLEY

For the past month, we’ve lived in this house. We’re here at night but spend our days with Kaya. She’s getting big and strong. She’s already bigger than a full-term baby. They want to keep her one more week to make sure everything is good before releasing her.

We’ve completely avoided the topic of what will happen once she leaves the hospital. The Cougars’ preseason ended, and the regular season just started. Quincy needs to get back to Philly. Poor Arizona and Layton haven’t left either. They have a wedding reception to plan and a life to live. I’ve told them countless times to go home. They said they will when Kaya is out of the hospital.

Quincy hasn’t left my side for a single minute. He’s made sure every single need of mine and Kaya’s is being met. I’m not sure what caused the change in his feelings on parenting, but he does everything for our little girl. Feeding, bathing, changing. Anything they’ll allow, he does.

As for me, he’s been attending to everything. Physically. Emotionally, I’m not sure I’ll ever recover.

My body is healing. I still have a little pain, but it gets better each and every day.

Paul and Pamela have been to the hospital a handful of times. I was happy to see that Quincy was warmer to them. I’m not sure what happened between Thanksgiving and now, but something caused things to thaw a bit.

We’re having a late dinner one night with a few bottles of wine. Kaya couldn’t breastfeed, so I tried to pump, but my supply dried up without the natural suction of a baby. The good news is that I can drink for the first time in nearly nine months.

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