Page 40 of Spring UnVeiled
“First, you’re now part of my family.My name is Genevieve.May I call you Dylan?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Second, Dylan, we’re more than happy to continue to care for our grandson until you find proper housing.”
“Thank you, ma’am, I mean, Genevieve.”She heard so much relief in the young man’s voice that she felt guilty.She’d take care of Ian for the rest of his life if Dylan would allow it.“Do you think it would be okay if I came over to see him?I don’t know anything about babies, but you saw that back at the hospital.I’m a quick learner, though, if you’d be willing to teach me.”
Genevieve now understood what her daughter saw in this amazing young man.“I’d be more than happy to teach you how to feed and change diapers.How about tomorrow afternoon?Would you be available to stay for supper?”
“A home-cooked meal would be wonderful, but I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
Manners, considerate of others.Dylan would have been a wonderful son-in-law.
“No problem.Our lives revolve around the baby these days anyway.”
There was a long pause before Dylan spoke.“Genevieve, will the captain be there?”
Damn.She’d been away from the military for so long she’d forgotten about ranks.As a captain, Evan was next to God from a lieutenant’s point of view.It was too late to discuss the invitation with him now.Besides, he was going to have to learn to live with the fact that Lieutenant Chaney was a member of the family.
“Yes, he’ll be here, but he doesn’t bite.”She tried to joke.Actually, he did bite, and she loved it.“But don’t worry about him.Should we plan to see you around three?”
“Yes, ma’am.Three o’clock tomorrow afternoon.Genevieve, thank you so much.”When Dylan hung up, Genevieve felt strangely closer to the young man.She liked him.
Bottle in hand, she headed up to Ian’s bedroom.
“Who called?”Evan asked as he sat down in the rocker and started to feed the baby.
“Dylan.He got the confirmation that we already knew.He’s Ian’s father.”
Evan lifted his gaze to meet hers.“Are you all right?”
She nodded.“Yeah, I’m good with it.He asked if we could continue to care for Ian until he was able to find proper housing.I’m great with that.”She watched him carefully as she announced, “He’s coming over tomorrow afternoon for baby care lessons.I invited him to stay for supper.”
“Good.He can deal with the bath, and all the diapers.”Evan reached out his free hand and grabbed hers.“Maybe, soon, we can get more than a few quiet hours together.”
She leaned over and kissed him.“I think I like this young man.”
“Me, too.”
Promptly at three the next afternoon, Genevieve was thrilled to open the door to a bouquet of colorful gerbera daisies.
“These are beautiful.”She took them into the kitchen and found a vase.
She looked around, trying to see it through his eyes.It was a nice place.About five years ago, she’d had the kitchen remodeled and new tile laid on the first floor.It really was a beautiful home, if she did say so herself.
“What a lovely home,” Dylan complimented.She could tell he was nervous.
“Ian’s room is upstairs.He’s sleeping right now but we could sneak in,” she suggested.“It’ll give you a chance to see what kind of furniture you’ll need to buy.”
Dylan looked at his watch.“What time will Ian wake up?”
Genevieve laughed out loud.“Whenever he’s ready.”
“I read that babies are supposed to be put on a schedule.”Dylan’s innocent face was comical.
Genevieve laughed again.“You’re going to read a lot of stuff about babies.Half of it is bull written by someone who never had a child.Unfortunately, babies don’t come with a manual.At this age, though, you’re on the baby’s schedule.All they do is eat, sleep, pee, and poop.”
She stared at him, trying to see if he had what it takes to be a father.Then she saw the determination.
