Page 53 of Molly

I don’t get a response, but I can hear her mumbling from down the hall, so I head towards it.

The house is a mess. There are clothes scattered everywhere, food on the floor like Emma’s picked up a whole packet of crackers, crushed them and then tossed them around like confetti. The sink is full of dishes, and there are cleaning supplies everywhere.

What the fuck is going on?

I put the bag of sandwiches and the takeaway coffee cups on the dining table and make my way down the hallway. I get to her bedroom door and freeze. She’s sitting in the middle of her unmade bed, Emma in her lap, tears streaming down her beautiful face, rocking back and forth.

“Molly,” I whisper.

When her eyes meet mine, she lets out a loud sob. I’ve never seen my girl like this. She’s normally so cool, calm, and collected with Emma. I creep up to the side of the bed closest to me and lean in, resting my body weight on my hands. Emma’s little eyes open wide, and she immediately jumps out of Molly’s hold and throws herself into my arms.

Fuck, it feels good. For about two seconds. Molly’s face crumbles, and she cries into her hands.Shit.

“Mol, baby, what’s going on? What’s got you so upset?” I ask, rocking Em back and forth in my arms. She’s got her little head tucked into my neck, and I can already feel her body drooping. She’s sleepy.

She mumbles into her hands and then turns her head so I can hear her. Her voice is so hoarse and quiet it breaks my heart. “I’ve been trying to clean this stupid house all day, but Em keeps throwing food all over the floor, putting her vegemite hands on everything, and pulling dirt out of my plants and tossing it on the carpet every time I try to vacuum.” She clears her throat before continuing, her voice sounding a little stronger. “She didn’t sleep last night, and I’m so tired. I try so hard, you know? It just keeps getting harder and harder. The older she gets, the more demanding she is. I lose my temper all the time, and I know it’s not her fault. She’s a baby.” She takes a deep breath and drops her head back against the headboard. “I ordered her chicken nuggets and had them delivered because I couldn’t even be bothered cooking her lunch. I’m such a shitty mum.”

I hold Emma tighter to me and sit down on the edge of the bed. “Baby…”

“She’s refusing to nap. I’ve been sitting here rocking her for half an hour, even though she’s too big. She keeps crying and saying she’s hungry and thirsty, but she won’t eat or drink, and I just don’t know what to do,” she whispers in between breaths, still sobbing.

That snaps me into action. Emma needs a nap. I can do that. I can fix that.

I lean in and kiss Molly on the forehead, “You’re the most incredible mother I’ve ever known, baby. Never doubt that.”

I stand up with Em still clinging to me like a spider monkey and head for the door. “C’mon, little miss. Nap time for you.”

“Ry, you don’t have to,” Molly calls out, her voice raw.

I ignore her and close the bedroom door before she can continue.

Stubborn woman.

27

MOLLY

I’m still hiding under the covers when he comes back into my bedroom. I can hear his footsteps round to my side of the bed and stop. I pull the quilt down just enough so I can peep up at him. Ugh, he’s so beautiful it kills me. He’s got a little smirk on his face, but his expression is all concern.

“You okay, baby?” he whispers.

I nod and pull the covers back up over my head. He climbs over me, getting on the bed and then wriggling his way under the covers so he can hold me. I feel myself instantly relax as his arms squeeze me.

“You should have called me, Mol. Let me know you were having a bad day. I would have dropped everything and come to help. You know I would have.”

I shake my head. I can’t rely on him like that. I’ll be fine tomorrow.

“Molly,” he scolds.

“Emma is my responsibility. I can handle it. We just had a bad day.”

He sighs and pulls me closer, tucking his head into my neck. “Let me help, baby,” he pleads.

“And what happens to us when you’re not here anymore? If I rely on you to help with this stuff... I can’t. It’s too soon.”

“Bullshit. I’m all in, Molly, and you damn well know that. I’m not going anywhere, not unless you want me to. I’m here, I want to help, I want to be part of this, part of your family. Just fucking let me in.” His tone goes from gentle to angry, real quick.

“Why?” I whisper. Why would he want that? Especially after today, after seeing how emotionally draining parenthood can be.

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