Page 53 of Jag

Two weeks I’d beenlearning this baby stuff and if River hadn’t been staying with us, I not sure I would have survived. The experience gave me great respect for single parents. Sami was getting a big hug the next time I saw her. I’m not sure how she handled it all for four years raising Ally.

As I looked into my daughter’s dark brown eyes, I wonder what she thought of our predicament.

“I’m trying, baby girl, but you got to meet me halfway,” I said, and Poppy blew bubbles in response.

I looked around the bathroom and cringed. Nothing like a baby to make you feel incompetent.

“So much for surprising River and having you bathed when she gets back from the grocery store.” Once again, Poppy’s response was slobbery bubbles.

“Are you finished? Can we try the bath again?” I looked at the tub and groaned. Yeah, the only way I was going to get Poppy’s bath finished was in the other bathroom.

“Oh, my goodness, what is going on in here?” I turned my head and River stood in the doorway, her eyes taking in the bathroom. “And why are you holding her above the toilet?” she asked and walked into the bathroom.

Poppy turned her head at River’s voice and answered before I did. She still slobbered, but she babbled a string of unrecognizable words.

“I’m pretty sure she’s telling you her daddy has no idea what he’s doing,” I said, and River stepped closer, then looked in the tub.

“Oh, Dom,” River said, then laughed. “Why didn’t you wait until she was finished? You could have drained the tub and washed it out, then filled it and finished her bath.”

“Because it’s poop,” I said as though River didn’t recognize what she was seeing. “I panicked, alright. The poop started coming, and my only thought was to get her out of the water, so I did. And since it was still coming, I kicked the toilet lid up and held her over it. Satisfied?”

River’s lip twitched.

“Don’t you dare laugh?”

“Sorry, I’m trying to picture you with two,” she said, then grabbed the counter as she laughed.

“Well, hopefully, Poppy will be sitting on the toilet by the time that one comes,” I answered and pointed to River’s stomach.

“Dom, Poppy won’t even be two years old when this one is here. The chance is slim that she will be potty trained unless she takes an interest early.

“Could you at least let me believe for now?”

“Okay, you can have your fantasy. Let me clean the tub out, then I will finish her bath, and you can put up the groceries. Here, let’s wrap this towel around her, and I think it will be safe to move away from the toilet.” I watched as River bundled Poppy in the towel.

“Fine.”

“I think your daddy needs a nap, sweetie,” River said, kissed Poppy on the cheek, then me.

I held Poppy while River cleaned up the disaster of a bathroom. When everything was ready, she reached for Poppy. As I handed her off, I leaned and stole a kiss.

On my way out the door, leaving my two girls to it, I yelled over my shoulder, “When she goes down, I’m going to expect you to tuck me in for my nap.” I laughed when the wet washcloth hit my back.

Iwatched from thedoorway as River rocked Poppy and hummed to her while she drank her bedtime bottle. We hadn’t discussed what we were going to do since she was pregnant. Getting Poppy settled was a priority. Another reason I hadn’t broached the subject was that I didn’t want to push River. I’d hope giving her time and showing what we could have together would sway her to my side. Hell, we were already a family.

River looked up and smiled when she finally noticed me in the doorway.

“She’s out,” she said, and raised from the rocker and walked to the crib. I stepped into the room as she kissed Poppy’s head and laid her down, then covered her with a blanket.

When River walked out to take the bottle to the kitchen, I leaned in and kissed my daughter’s head.

“Love you, baby girl,” I whispered, then ran my hand gently over her soft curls. As I left her room, I clicked on the monitor that sat on the dresser and pulled the door halfway.

Once I was in my bedroom, I stripped down, then climbed in the bed with my back against the headboard. I didn’t have to wait long for River to come in.

“Why are you sitting up?” she asked as she walked toward the bathroom.

“Just waiting on you.”

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