Page 151 of Bae

“I got him.” He promised, concentration turning his handsome face serious.

I stepped away, watching as my giant husband tucked the tiny baby into his chest and fussed with the blankets, making sure he was warm.

He’d only been a father four days, but I knew without a shadow of a doubt exactly what kind of father he was going to be to Blue and to any other children we were lucky enough to add to our family.

Exceptional.

Exceptional(adjective): Not typical, unusual, uncommon, extraordinary, rare, unprecedented.

“I’m getting pretty good at this.” He boasted, glancing up at me to grin.

“Yes, you are.” I smiled, watching them.

“Romeo?” I asked as I wandered over to caress the soft pile of clean blankets on the end of the changing table.

“Yeah, Smalls?” he answered quietly, his face downturned as he studied our son.

“What was your wish?”

“For him to know your love, the kind of love I’ve only ever seen you capable of giving. The kind you give to me every day.”

My heart did a cartwheel in my chest. “You’re still my #bae, Romeo.”

“Did you just call me a shithead?” He scowled, but his eyes danced with laughter and love.

“Don’t use that language in front of my son!” I scolded.

He winced. “Sorry.” Romeo glanced down at the baby. “Your momma says you can’t say that word. I’ll be sure to teach you worse ones when you’re older.”

“Roman Anderson!” I whisper yelled. “Youarea poop head!”

“Aww, don’t be like that, Smalls,” he crooned and came closer, walking gently as he carried Blue.

When he stopped before me, he leaned down over the baby and kissed me soft. “You’re still my before anyone else, Mrs. Anderson.”

Love you,I mouthed, kissing him again.

Blue started fussing, and Romeo jerked back. “Hey there, Blue Jay. Tell your daddy what’s the matter.”

Ralph scrambled into the room with Darcy not far behind and rushed to Romeo’s feet, where they sat quietly and stared up with wide eyes at the fussing new addition.

Ralph whined a little, and I patted him on the head. “Good boy.” Even our two rambunctious dogs were wrapped around this little boy’s finger.

“He needs to eat,” I said, reaching for him.

Romeo stepped back, tugging his Blue Jay farther against him. “Don’t be interrupting man time.”

I put my hands on my hips. “He’s hungry.”

Romeo wagged his eyebrows. “You’re sexy when you’re bossy.”

Well, it was a good thing I had that going for me, ‘cause I was back to drowning in sweats, wearing the same Alpha U hoodie every day, and never combing my hair.

Who had time for anything else when they had a baby to love?

Well, Ivy did. She had some kind of magical powers.

“I’m gonna go make his bottle,” I said. “I wouldn’t want to interrupt man time.”

Romeo crossed to the rocker and made himself comfortable. Both dogs lay at his feet.

When I was in the hallway, I heard him say, “About time she left. Now let me tell you about football…”

Little Blue Jay quieted down, and I knew he was listening aptly to the sound his daddy’s voice.

All was right with the world.

I smiled.

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