Page 42 of A Moment Never Forgotten
He kissed her before rolling to the other side and getting out of bed. “Don’t move. I need to take care of the condom.”
Her body was spent. Between the roller coaster of emotions that day and the two big Os he’d just given her, she didn’t want to leave.
She heard a rustling in the hall and realized her gun was in the guestroom on the other side of the condo where Kenzi lay sleeping. When he emerged from the bathroom, she whispered, “Where’s your gun?”
He stopped, frozen in place.
They both listened. The noise of cloth on cloth came through sounding strange, followed by a whimper.
Micah’s shoulders dropped. Unabashedly naked, he headed toward the hall. “I left the baby monitor in the pile with our clothes. I’ll bring everything back with me.” A minute later, he tossed his sweater and jeans into the laundry basket but neatly laid her blouse and slacks on a chair.
“Where’s your gun?” He asked as he headed back to the bed.
“In the guestroom.” She leaned up on an elbow allowing the sheets to fall, exposing her breasts. She held out her hand. “I’ll put the monitor on my side.”
He glanced at the image of the sleeping baby before he handed it to her. “She’s such a cute little thing.”
Berit smiled at her granddaughter. “She certainly is.”
Micah crawled back into bed and pulled her to him, her back to his chest. “Sleep. Kenzi will be awake before we know it, with a wet diaper and hungry.”
He was right, unfortunately.
By morning, Berit was thoroughly exhausted. Kenzi had been up twice for an hour each time. Knowing he had to get up early and go to work, she refused his help. She remembered sage advice when Mak was born—sleep when the baby does—so she went back to bed after each feeding and changing.
When she awoke again shortly after nine, she found a note from Micah.
B - Take a nap if you can. The two of you had a rough night. The SUV is there when you need it. The food we bought last night is in the fridge. Don’t forget to eat. You’ll need your strength tonight. I’ll try to be home around three. M
How sweet of him. Thoughtful. She’d never received a note after spending the night with a man. Never.
Hungry, she checked on the sleeping Kenzi while grabbing a change of clothes and made her way to the kitchen. An omelet and toast, and lots of coffee, made her feel human again. When her phone rang, she startled, then secretly hoped was Micah.
“Mom, can you check Kenzi’s bag for her birth certificate?” Mak hesitated. “I was told there’s a zippered compartment inside and it’s supposedly in there.”
“Hang on.” Berit dashed upstairs and brought the bag back down with her. “I’m looking.” It took some careful examination because the zipper was almost hidden in a seam. “Found it.”
She read though the official paper with a raised seal. “Did you know her name is Rylen Makenzi Barker?”
“No. I was told her name was Makenzi, Kenzi for short. But I didn’t ask many questions. I was kinda in shock and…the woman who brought her…let’s just say I’m not her favorite person in the world.” He paused. “Uhm, is my name listed as the father?”
It most certainly was. “Yes, son. Spelled wrong, M-A-C-K-E-N-Z-I-E, but it’s there. Annie may never have seen your full name in writing. Since it’s an old family name, many people want to modernize it.”
“Annie and I…we never talked that much about our families,” he admitted. “Is there any way you could bring that to me?” He sounded hopeful. “I need to get her registered as mine, enrolled in DEERS so she can be on my insurance, and I need to change my beneficiary to her. They asked if she was current on her shots. I have no idea who her doctor even was.”
“Don’t you think you should get the paternity test first?” The whole situation had Berit worried from the beginning. But then she thought about Annie. She was such a sweet person. Naïve, certainly. She wouldn’t do that to Mak. But desperate women do desperate things.
“She’s mine, Mom. The JAG officer said that if my name is on the birth certificate, I’m good to go. He also suggested, that I stop by the drugstore and pick up a home paternity kit. They aren’t legal in court, but I’ll use it to be sure. It’s just a cheek swab and takes about five days at a lab.” He chuckled. “I’m sorry if you didn’t want to be a grandmother already. I’m not sure I’m ready to be a father, either.”
She glanced at the baby monitor. She was already in love with the little girl with fuzzy hair.
“I’m fine with being Nanna to that sweet little girl.” She dove back into the hidden pocket of the bag. “You’re in luck, there’s some information about her pediatrician and a shot record. It seems to be current. I can call the pediatrician’s office if you’d like.”
“I doubt they would give you the information given the laws today. That can wait until next week.” Her son was right. He had to start taking responsibility for all the things that went along with having a baby. “Besides, she’ll most likely be seeing the pediatricians on the base.”
“Kenzi should be waking up soon. I’ll get her dressed and text you when we’re headed your way. I have Micah’s SUV and my badge so I shouldn’t have a problem getting on base.”
“Mom, what’s the deal with Captain Reid?” Mak sounded exceedingly serious.
