Page 77 of Second Chance with Seth

“Yes. He’s just getting dressed, and then he’s going back to the hotel to take a shower and change his clothes.”

Owen nods his head. “You should tell him to bring his things back with him.”

I stare at him for a second or two, wondering about that. I should have suggested it to Seth earlier, and I don’t know why I didn’t… other than being in an enormous rush to get down here. It would certainly make things easier. Not only that, it might help us, too. It might make things feel more like they used to… make Seth feel less like a guest, and more like he belongs. I’d like that. And I think he would, too.

Chapter Fourteen

Seth

Everly’s footsteps are still echoing on the stairs as I turn toward the bedroom, smiling when I see she’s picked up the clothes we were wearing yesterday and left them in a neat pile on the box at the end of the bed. They’re muddled together, hers and mine, and I sort through them before sitting on the edge of the bed and getting dressed.

I’ve enjoyed my morning, even if it was rushed. Getting River dressed was fun, although I never knew a baby could have so many clothes. I thought Everly was bad enough, but our daughter… I shake my head, smiling, as I remember trying to get her feet into her leggings, while she wriggled around. It was like she knew we were in a hurry, or maybe she just wanted to play. I couldn’t be sure, but either way, she wasn’t making things easy. We got there in the end, though, and the good thing was, she didn’t object to my involvement at all. In fact, when I first went in to her and lifted her from her crib, she quietened in an instant. Her eyes fixed on mine and I held her close, marveling at how snuggly and warm she felt. I had to take a moment then, just to hold it together… to realize what I’d gained, and how close I’d come to losing it. And then she grizzled, reminding me she was hungry.

“Okay, okay. I get it. Never keep a woman from her food,” I said, and she stared at me, and she smiled. It was the firsttime I’d seen her do that, and I forgot about keeping it together. There was no hope of it, and I held her tiny body to mine, until she grizzled once more, and I remembered my duties.

Fixing her formula was easy enough, and rather than going back upstairs with it, I sat on the couch and fed her there. She sure was hungry and had drunk down the entire contents of the bottle before Everly even emerged from the bathroom. I wasn’t sure what to do then and filled the time just talking to River.

“You’re a beautiful baby girl, you know? Just like your mom,” I said as I held her in my arms. “And I know I’ve been away for far too long, but I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere, I promise. I’m gonna be here for you and for your mom, and I’m never gonna leave you.” I kissed her forehead. “You’re safe,” I whispered, and she rewarded me with another smile, just as the bathroom door opened and Everly stepped out. She’d wrapped a towel around herself, fastened above her breasts, but she looked breathtaking in a swirl of steam, and I let my eyes wander, taking her in.

“Yep,” I said, smiling at her. “Still got it, babe.”

She blushed through her chuckle and walked over toward us. “What have you been telling our daughter?” she asked, and I explained, surprised when I saw tears welling in Everly’s eyes, and that she was struggling to swallow.

I got up, then went to her, putting my free arm around her.

“Hey… don’t cry.”

“I’m not,” she said.

She clearly was, but I was blown away when she told me she was crying because she was happy, and although she was clearly in a hurry, I don’t think I helped her emotional situation when I told her we were enjoying a family moment together.

She seemed to like the idea, though… which was good.

Of course, practicalities got in the way, but that was only to be expected, and like I say, I enjoyed getting River dressed.

I’m dressed myself now, and I go back out into the living area, wandering to the kitchen. The sterilizer seems to have finished, the screen reading ‘zero’ again, like it did at the beginning, although I’m not sure whether I should empty it.

My phone is still in my back pocket, where I left it last night after that awful moment when Davina sent that damn message, but I don’t want to think about that now. I don’t need to, and instead, I pull out my phone and type a quick message to Everly…

— Hey, babe. Sorry to disturb you, but what do I need to do with the sterilizer? It seems to have finished, but do I need to empty it? Love you xxx

I’m not sure how long it’ll take her to reply, especially at this time of day, and I’m surprised when my phone beeps within seconds.

— You don’t need to do anything. It will automatically dry the bottles, so they’ll be fine in there until later. Thanks for asking, though. xx

— You don’t need to thank me. I’m just heading back to the hotel to shower. See you soon. Love you xxx

She just sends a row of kisses as a reply, and I smile to myself, knowing how busy the breakfast service can get at the coffee shop, and feeling pleased that she took the time to reply at all.

I grab my coat from the hook behind the door, check my keys are still in the pocket, and head down the stairs, letting myself out onto Main Street, and locking the door behind me.

I glance into the coffee shop as I pass, but there’s no sign of Everly. Owen’s serving behind the counter, but doesn’t notice me, and I make my way past, knowing I’ll be back soon.

That thought is enough to make me smile… as is the recollection of everything Everly and I did last night.

Making love with her was like coming home, although in a way, it was more than that. It was better than that. We didn’t just recapture what we’d had before. We gained something new, too… or I did. Call it maturity, call it understanding. I don’t know what it was, but after I’d watched Everly feed River in the middle of the night, bathed in the soft glow of the nursery, I knew things had to be different this time. I had to be different.

We went back to bed, and when she said she was too tired to make love again, I wasn’t upset, or angry, or frustrated. I just knew I had to do something about it. I wanted to help her, to make things better for her, so she’d never have to feel like that again. Not so we could make love all the time, but because she’d carried the load for far too long. It was time for me to pull my weight… to be the man she needed. That meant being here, listening, helping, keeping her safe, and anything else she wanted of me.

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