Page 90 of Sexted By Santa
“Tori could stay with me today.” I tensed, but he continued before I could reject the offer. “I read the website information about the glucose monitor and insulin pump, as well as symptoms for high and low blood sugar. I also, uh, took the liberty of looking over the step-by-step guide you made when she stayed with her friend.”
I raised my brows. “Oh, really?”
“It was there by your laptop, and I thought it’d only be helpful to know more. After all, Tori’s well-being is important to me too.”
Oof.He got me right in the father feels.
“I’m really glad you care this much,” I said. “But are you sure you want to watch her all day? It’s Christmas Eve. Surely, you’ve got some plans.”
Christian looked me in the eye. “It’s Christmas Eve, so yes, I’m happy to keep her all day. My only plan is to visit Aunt Henry, and she’d love to meet Tori.”
I felt my resolve weakening. I’d been working hard to give Tori a great Christmas this year, but if she was miserable, what was the point? Christian was responsible and detail-oriented. He’d studied up. Knowing the information wouldn’t prepare him entirely, but he was just as educated as I was when I brought Tori home from the hospital after her diagnosis. And Tori was in far better shape and more able to manage herself than she had been then.
“I guess it has to happen sometime,” I said eventually. “I can’t have Tori with me all the time.”
“No, you can’t.”
“I need other alternatives though. I can’t rely on you and Shirley for everything. If one of you leaves, I can’t be in this position.”
He nodded. “I’m not going anywhere, but I agree that you need more support. Surely, there are support groups, resources for parents?”
I winced. There certainly were, and I’d taken advantage of none of them. I’d been overwhelmed with keeping up with work and Tori without adding anything more to the mix. Just researching my options had seemed overwhelming. But Christian was right; there was probably some kind of assistance I could find if I took the time to look for it.
“It’s on my to-do list. I’ve been a little busy,” I said.
“Well, you don’t have to do everything on your own. I could look into it for you.”
It was nearly the same thing he’d said before when I’d snapped at him. But this time I took it differently. Christian wasn’t suggesting I couldn’t take care of myself. He simply wanted me to have a safety net. I could appreciate that.
“You’re right. Thank you.”
“So, you’ll trust me with Tori today?”
“I will.” I cast a glance at her congealed oatmeal. “Do you think you could go break the news and get her to eat breakfast? I’m not her favorite person right now.”
“Of course.” Christian gave me a quick kiss before retreating down the hall toward Tori’s bedroom.
I dumped out the bowl and rinsed it, then emptied a new packet of instant oatmeal—Brown Sugar and Maple flavor—into it, added milk, and placed it in the microwave. By the time the timer went off, Tori had emerged looking a little sheepish.
“Hey, Daddy.”
I slid the bowl on the bar top. “Let’s try this again, huh? Eat your breakfast before you feel sick, hon.”
“I will.” She spooned up a small bite and blew on it before taking it into her mouth. “I really get to stay with Christian?”
“You do,” I confirmed as I checked the clock on the microwave. The drama of the morning had eaten up all my free time. “I’ve got to be going. Please be sweet for Christian, okay? Do what he asks.”
“I will. I promise.”
“Okay.” I ruffled her hair. “I’ll see you later.”
Christian followed me to the door to kiss me goodbye. I couldn’t resist giving him a few last tips. “If she seems sleepy or dizzy—”
“I’ll check the glucose monitor immediately.”
“And if the numbers are too low—”
“I’ll give her one of the juice boxes in the fridge,” he said. “You don’t need to worry. Tori knows how to set the insulin before eating and how to check the monitor, but I’ll supervise. I read all the information you gave me.”
