Page 30 of Not the Bodyguard's Baby
When the embrace ended, Melanie stood. “Let’s go see where our men went.”
16
The nursery door stood ajar.Adam watched September rock Harmony to sleep. He tapped on the door. September looked up, a smile on her face. “She doesn’t want to go to sleep.”
“Would you like me to try?” He reached for the baby and settled Harmony on his shoulder. “Now, little one, Mama wants you to go to sleep.” In response to being patted on the back, Harmony let out a large burp.
“Perhaps that’s the problem. I can never get her to burp as well as you.”
“It’s only fair I have one talent in caring for babies.” Adam sat on the ottoman, continuing to rub Harmony’s back. “I’m wondering if I owe you an apology.”
“For the kiss?”
“Not exactly. I’m not sorry I kissed you, but maybe for the timing?”
September bit her lip and continued to rock back and forth in the chair. “Timing is, well, everything. Perhaps, though, there isn’t really a good time or a bad time to express our feelings. It’s what we do after the expression. Do you feel differently than you did a year ago?”
Adam adjusted his hold on Harmony, who now dozed in his arms. Afraid of breaking the openness between them if they moved out of the bedroom, he kept his voice low as to not disturb Harmony’s slumber. “If you mean am I still in love with you, the answer is yes. If you mean do I still feel our age gap or my being your bodyguard is a hindrance to our relationship, then no. I’ve had time to think over this past year, and I feel like it would’ve been better if I’d had somebody else take over as your head of security. I think I let the ten-year age gap play too big of a role. I was afraid it would put us on unequal footing. It wasn’t until I worked other jobs that I realized you’re emotionally older than most women your age.” He paused. “Olderis not the right word. Perhaps more mature. More experienced. I’m not saying this well.”
September gave him a half smile. “I was emancipated at fifteen, making me an adult a good three years before anybody else my age.”
“Like I said the other night, I’d like to try. I think someday we would make an awesome family, but I don’t want to pressure you into any decisions, especially right now.”
“At the dinner tonight, I feared somebody might suggest we get married immediately to protect Harmony and me.”
“The thought crossed my mind.” Adam shook his head. “But I wouldn’t want you wondering if I married you to protect you.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. I was more worried about trying to decide when I’m not quite sure I’m all here.” She tapped her head.
If he hadn’t been holding Harmony, he would have pulled September into an embrace. “The very fact that you are questioning whether you are not all here probably means you are. However, I also want to respect Dr. Brooks’ counsel that you don’t make any major life-changing decisions in the next few weeks. Which is why I kind of feel I need to apologize for kissing you. I’m afraid it’s pushing you into something you might not be ready for.”
“Like I told your mom, or, rather, she pointed out, the kiss wasn’t really a new choice or decision.” She paused a moment. Adam wondered what she was editing out. “With the thought of Sven and Shyla coming and with me having to figure out how to open the closet door while carrying a baby, it’s been an emotionally full night. And that on top of the whole paparazzi thing. It seems like this day has lasted a hundred years.”
Harmony’s breathing shifted to the deeper breathing of a sound sleep. “Would it help if we do something a little normal? I can put Harmony down, and we could go curl up on the couch and watch a movie.”
September closed her eyes and continued to rock back and forth. Then she nodded. “I think I would like that very much.”
Adam knew he would too.
* * *
Somewhere, a baby was crying. September’s pillow was so warm and the fading dream so happy she tried to hold on to both for one more moment, but the crying grew louder. She tried to sit up, but a weight held her down. Adam’s arm was wrapped around her waist. Her pillow turned out to be his chest. She moved his arm and sat up as Melanie walked into the family room carrying a fussy Harmony.
“Oh, my, I didn’t mean to fall asleep watching the movie. I don’t even think we had a baby monitor down here.”
Melanie handed September the baby. “I don’t think she cried long. I already changed her diaper.”
Adam stretched and yawned. “Sorry, Mom.”
Melanie smiled before she waved and turned back toward her own bedroom.
“I should take her upstairs and feed her.”
“You can feed her down here.”
The gas fireplace made this room warmer than the ones upstairs. “You sure you don’t mind?”
Adam shook his head and scooted to one side of the couch, and September sat down. She would not dare had Melanie not brought a blanket with Harmony. She fumbled with her nursing bra under her shirt. Fortunately, Harmony had her part down, and September started the feeding without any embarrassment. She leaned into Adam’s side, and he put his arm around her shoulder. Perhaps this is what it would’ve been like if different choices had been made last year. Neither of them spoke, the only sounds in the room the fireplace and Harmony’s eating. When she finished, Adam burped her, then balanced her on one shoulder and extended a hand toward September. “Let’s get this little angel back to bed.”
