Page 22 of Unexpected Delivery

“No, don’t cry.” He gives that same tight smile that seems to indicate he’s in pain. “And don’t feel like you owe me anything.”

Gracie lets out a monumental burp, followed by a loud toot.

I laugh, and Hayes rumbles out a low chuckle that matches him perfectly.

“I bet that cleared up some space.” He grins and little crinkles appear around his deep blue eyes. Morris also has blue eyes, but his are more like a crystal blue lake, while the twins’ eyes are almost like a dark turquoise. I’m not even sure that’s the proper way to describe them. They’re so vibrant, I’ve never seen their particular shade of blue in person. “Were you done, or was this just a burp break?”

My face gets hot, and I don’t have the first idea why. “I’m supposed to do the other side. Rosie—the nurse—said it’s important because it’ll help force natural contractions.”

“Yeah,” he agrees. “And you’re producing a special kind of milk right now.”

“Colostrum.”

“That’s it.” He nods. “Do you want to get ready, and I’ll hand her to you? Or should I give her to you and step out?”

“I actually need to do the right side, so maybe just give me a second and hand her over?”

“You got it. Have you picked a name?” He lifts her, nuzzling her cheek to his face, and my heart races.

“Gracie.” I refocus on pulling down my gown, but I’m mostly turned toward him, so I don’t have the first clue how this will work.

Rosie went over three different holds, and I think the easiest will be with Gracie’s stomach turned toward mine. Only, I don’t know how to take her from him while stretched out in this position.

“All right, little lady. I think Mom is ready to hook you up with the good stuff,” Hayes says, turning to face me. He manages to maneuver her between us, laying her down and keeping her face right in front of my breast. He pushes the gown against my sternum, covering the other side of my chest. I’m basically one arm in and one arm out of the hideous contraption.

I wanted to ask the nurse to help me change into clothes I brought from home, but I was physically done for after the quick rinse off that I did during the last trip to the bathroom.

Pinching my boob, I wiggle my nipple into her mouth, but I think she fell back to sleep.

She latches, even if she’s snoozing, and I smile. Maybe she’s an easy baby, or maybe I don’t suck at every part of being a mom.

I’ll take the small win.

It’s really all I’ve got at the moment.

My entire body tenses as Hayes pulls a messy wave from my face, tucking it behind my ear. His fingers barely graze over the bruise on my cheek thatreallyshould have healed by now.

“Will you tell me about this?” he asks, and those same crinkles appear around his eyes, but this time, the expression isn’t mirth. His concern is evident, and it makes my stomach wobble.

I’m not ashamed of the way Adam treated me.

I got out!

But more than that, I didn’t do anything wrong, and I know that.

Okay, in theory, I know I’m the victim.

It still makes me uncomfortable how long I stayed. At first, it was mostly emotional torment. Adam would say things like,That’s what you’re wearing?orI thought you loved me. Why are you going out with your friends when you could be here, spending time with me?

It was little things that I didn’t catch because I’d never been in an unhealthy relationship.

I actually blamed myself like I was causing the problems between us.

So, I stopped…

Stopped wearing the clothes he didn’t like.

Stopped going out with my friends.

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