Page 41 of Remy

“Just take those clothes off, and we’ll change her diaper and put fresh clothes on.” She makes it sound so fucking easy, especially when Charlie is kicking her feet and trying to roll away.

I finally get her shirt off and then move to her pants. I never knew just how hard this could be. I wrestle her pants off, andthen she turns, trying to crawl away from me. I grab her and bring her back to the edge near me, and she laughs.

“Do they all do this?” I ask Kiki, causing her to laugh again.

“She’s almost two. They’re wild. In fact, they call it the terrible twos because they get into so much,” she tells me. That’s great and not what I needed to hear right now.

Kiki takes over, showing me how to change her diaper before passing me the pants she pulled out. It’s a damn struggle trying to get Charlie back into clothes, but once she’s dressed, she slides off the bed and walks across the room. I hadn’t even thought about her being able to walk.

“Jesus,” I whisper under my breath. “She’s walkin’.”

“She does pretty well. That just means you have to watch her closer. She’ll be into everything,” Kiki tells me. I nod my head when she heads for the door. What the fuck?

“Where the hell are you goin’?”

“To give you some time with her,” she answers.

“Alone? You think that’s a good idea?” She laughs at me. I can’t help it. I’ve never been alone with a kid before.

“You’re going to be fine, Remy. Just make sure she doesn’t put stuff in her mouth.” Before I can say anything further or protest, Kiki is out the door.

Chapter 25

Remy

“I don’t think you should do that,” I tell Charlie as she reaches for a beer cap that lies on the floor. She grins and picks it up anyway as I look around for anyone to help me with her. I thought this would be easier than it is. I have to give props to the women and men who do this shit alone.

I shove out of my chair and grab the cap from her causing her to cry. And not just any cry, either. No, that little girl is pissed. She’s screaming and then finally throws herself on the floor and kicks her little feet. I don’t know what to do so I just stand here and watch her.

“There are different ways to handle that kind of tantrum. You can let her scream it out and ignore her, or you can try to pick her up,” Gunner tells me as we both stand here and watch her.

“What would you do?” I ask, looking over at him.

“Honestly? I picked Kiki up and held her but Hodge? He was a little shit. I’d pick him up, and he’d beat the hell outta me, so I’d let him scream it out until he was done.”

“And Charlie? What do I do with her?” I ask nodding toward the small girl on the floor kicking her feet.

“You’re the dad. Pick one,” he says as he laughs and slaps a hand on my shoulder. I don’t like hearing her cry, so I reach down and pick her up, only to have her hit me in the face.

“Jesus,” I mumble when she leans in, almost like she’s going to kiss me, but then I feel it. Those little sharp ass teeth of hers sinkin my flesh. “What the hell?” I pull her back to look at her but she seems happy now.

“She bit you!” Kiki roars with laughter. I don’t think it’s all that funny. That shit hurt.

“Why the hell did she do that?”

“She’s being a two-year-old. You’re going to have to break her of that habit before it gets worse,” she tells me.

“I can’t even change her diaper. How the hell you expect me to get her to stop biting?” Kiki keeps laughing when Gunner comes over and takes her from me.

“Come and see Grandpa. Dad might need a little break,” he tells her. She reaches for his beard and grabs a chunk, yanking as hard as she can. Gunner doesn’t care. He just laughs at her and takes her toward the tables. I sigh, running my hand through my hair, when Kiki comes over with a wet rag, passing it to me.

“You’re bleeding,” she says, nodding toward my face. I take the rag and wipe my cheek as I listen to Charlie laughing with Gunner.

“I don’t know what I’m doin’. I don’t know how to take care of her by myself, Kiki. She needs her mom.”

“You’re doing fine. You’re learning, and that’s all anyone can ask for right now. This is a fucked up situation you’re in, but we’re all here to help.” I nod my head, knowing I have their help, but this is a lot.

“You good watchin’ her? I’m gonna go back to the hospital. I haven’t been up there today,” I tell her.

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