Page 169 of With A Little Luck
I’ve taken so many pictures over the last twenty-four hours that I’m going to have to transfer them to a memory card and copy them to the cloud as soon as we get home.
I drop my phone next to my thigh and pat Camdyn’s back. She just got done with a bottle, meaning it’s time to burp. I just had to grab a few pictures with her little lips pushed together and her eyes looking milk drunk.
Quincy tried breastfeeding during her golden hour, but she quickly admitted that she didn’t feel like it was for her. One of the nurses tried to prod her into trying again, which I put a quick stop to. The most important thing is that Camdyn is fed, and this actually makes it easier for us to help out with feedings. If she changes her mind that’s one thing, but I don’t want her to feel pressured one way or the other.
Quincy has been in good spirits, but bathroom trips are still rough, and we can feel every bit of her pain echo in the bond. She waddles out and jabs a finger at Ridge. “I’m telling you, I’dbe twenty-five percent better off if you didn’t pass on your ‘big-headed’ genetics.”
“Well, I can’t help with that, but I’ve heard kisses help you feel twenty-five percent better.” He snorts and saunters over, bending low and kissing her.
She melts into his chest, all her ire apparently forgotten.
“I bet you won’t scoff next time when I offer to help with perineal massage,” Trigg says, like he has a death wish.
Quincy laughs, pulling back from her kiss with Ridge. She spins around, but rather than sporting a look that should melt the skin from his bones, she smiles. “Never change, Trigg.”
“You’re so damn lucky that she likes your brand of quirky.” I snort.
He nods. “I know.” He reaches over, running his fingers over the back of Camdyn’s head. “What I can’t believe is that we made such a beautiful baby.”
I grin, shaking my head.
He’s weird as shit, but he grows on you.
The more time we spend as a family, the more I actually like the guy. Once our bonds were in place, the rivalry between the three of us fizzled. Being able to experience Quincy’s emotions toward them probably helped, but building genuine friendships with Trigg and Ridge has been one of the more rewarding parts of pack life so far.
We might be completely different people, but our love for Quincy brought us together. And now we get to fall in love all over again with Camdyn as we learn to be fathers.
“I get it, Nugget,” I coo down at Camdyn as we pace around the nursery at three or four a.m. “I’d be angry too. You just have to get it all out before I can change you.”
I chuckle to myself as my head shakes. Ridge is never going to live that nightmare down. He went to change her diaper a little too soon and when he stretched over to grab some wipes… It was brutal. A whole projectile poop that covered his arm and half the wall next to the changing table.
Over the last six weeks, I’ve been peed on twice and had her spit up in my mouth once. Neither seems as bad as what happened to Ridge.
Not only was it a nightmare to clean up, but I couldn’t stop laughing long enough to take over with the baby.
Quincy just shook her head and told Ridge to get in the shower. I did help clean up the aftermath, though.
“I’ve seen what you eat, child,” I murmur, swaying around as I pat her back. “I’m still confused how you convert that into what comes out the other side.”
“Has she been like this all night?” Trigg asks, appearing in the doorway.
“Wide awake?” I raise a hand and swivel it side to side. “She’s slept on and off, but hardly any consistent stretches. As long as you’re up and moving, she’s pretty content. Or she was before this diaper.”
His nose wrinkles. “Yes, well, you handle that. I’ll prepare a bottle, and once you’ve addressed that diaper—it technically happened on your shift—I’ll be back to take over.”
I almost snort.
For being so comfortable with blood and gore, he’s a big giant baby when it comes to changing shitty diapers.
“All right, little lady. Let’s see if you’re happier with a clean bottom.” I stride over, placing her down on the changing table.
Her little arms flail, and I grin, bending over to nuzzle my nose to hers. Being a parent is tough, but it’s the most rewarding experience of my life. I can’t wait to see how much more personality she has as she grows. And if we’re lucky, maybe we can add another kiddo or two to the mix.
Epilogue
Trigg
Four Years Later
