Page 63 of Unexpected Delivery

After they call Arbor back, the lady next to me looks at me like I’ve grown a second head as I pull Gracie out of her car seat.

I really don’t care what she thinks.

The new parent audiobook that I listened to a few weeks ago said it was important to never leave a baby to nap in their seat once you arrive where you’re going. They can tilt their head wrong and cut off their oxygen flow.

It’s fucking terrifying.

Supposedly, it’s not a risk when they’re in the seat while the vehicle is moving, but I’ve officially unlocked a new fear.

If I had planned better, I could have brought her stroller, but the back seat is filled with her bouncer seat.

That way, Gracie has a place to chill while Arbor tackles some admin stuff at the shop.

There’s every possibility I’m a ball of nerves because this is the checkup where they’ll give her clearance to go back to normal activities.

Not that I’ve been counting down the days until she can have sex, but there’s been a certain block there—at least on my part. It seems inappropriate to creep on a woman who is still healing after giving birth, but if she gets the all clear… It’s on.

My gentlemanliness has been pushed to the point it’s paper thin.

I’m ready to truly woo Arbor.

To court her loudly and do things the right way.

Gracie wakes up before Arbor is done with her appointment. She grunts, and her little lips push together, like she’s about to crank up the volume in the quiet doctor’s office.

“Aww, sweet pea,” I coo, bringing her to my shoulder as I fumble around for her bottle in the diaper bag. “I’m working on it. Shh, Daddy’s got you.” My head darts around, making sure Arbor hasn’t popped out without me noticing.

That’s a disaster waiting to happen, but honestly, I want the right to call Gracie mine.

My name is on the birth certificate.

I’m already attached on a level that’s hard to fathom. I would lose my fucking mind if someone tried to take Gracie from us now.

Snagging the bottle, I swirl it around and bring Gracie back to rest in the crook of my arm. The little “neh” cries she releases prove that she’s hungry. I don’t know how to explain it, but I’m learning that her fussy sounds mean different things.

“Here we go,” I murmur, popping the bottle into her mouth. Her whole body trembles as she exhales heavily. “I know, that took a whole thirty seconds. How dare I make the princess wait that long?” I chuckle.

God, she’s perfect.

Her little arms flail, and she reaches one toward my beard. She’s so much more alert than she was only a few weeks ago. It even feels like she knows who’s feeding her. Hell, maybe I’m wrong, but there’s nothing like the way she makes eye contact now. It seems like there’s some recognition there.

My head flies up as Arbor comes to a stop in front of me.

She grins, tucking her dark hair behind her ear. “She’s got you wrapped around her little finger.”

I snort, shaking my head.

Both my girls do.

Would it be inappropriate to ask Arbor how her doctor’s appointment went?

Probably.

I should have asked when we were leaving the office. That’s when it would have been acceptable to ask. It’s been hours, so if I bring it up now, it’ll be weird.

I think.

Fuck, Arbor makes me feel like I don’t know anything. She’s so damn beautiful. I creepily watch her through the window to my office as I work. My face twists into a frown as Hael swaggers over, opens the door, winks at me, and disappears inside.

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