Page 155 of Say I Do

“I know,” Benito sighed.

I yawned as I stayed near them. I wanted nothing more than to snuggle up against Benito and pass out. Fuck, I was so tired. We made our way back to the kitchen.

“Where’s her bottle?” Benito asked.

“I have no idea how to work that thing, and she’s out of premade ones.”

Benito handed Emica over and got started on the bottle. For now, Emica was content, and I took that as a win.

“We’re going to go sit on the couch,” I called.

I got situated with the remote and Emica in my arms. I turned on some reality tv and sat back. Someone was trying to marry a pool blow-up. It was mindless, and I relaxed even more.

Benito joined us shortly after with a bottle. He took Emica and started feeding her. I watched them for a second, enamored by the sight. I would have never imagined a baby in Benito’s arms, but now that I’d seen it, I couldn’t unsee it.

Another yawn worked itself free, and Benito tossed an arm over my shoulder. He pulled me close until I rested my head on him.

“Get some rest.”

“You’re tired too,” I complained. I could see it in the bags under his eyes. Neither one of us had gotten enough sleep.

Benito grunted, and I wanted to protest. If I fell asleep, he’d be left with the baby. I at least got an hour the night before. I needed to stay awake, but it was no use. Everything bled away; the sounds around me became white noise as I relaxed against my husband.

I felt Benito move from under me, but I was too tired to do anything about it. I heard talking, but I had no strength to claw my way out of slumber. I fell into a deep sleep that I had no way of escaping. It was a dreamless sleep, one I’d probably get stuck in if I wasn't careful.

Emica’s crying reached my ears. I shot up. My hair was plastered to my face, some of it even in my mouth. I spat it out as I looked around. I was in bed.When in the hell did I get to the bedroom?

I glanced over at Benito's side, and he wasn't there. The covers were pulled back which meant he'd been there recently. Emica's wail came again, and I headed toward the door.

“I’m coming.”

I rubbed sleep out of my eyes, catching sight of the time on my phone. I’d been out like a light for three hours. Not enough sleep, but it was more than I’d gotten in a while.

“That’s enough of that, dear. You are just being dramatic now.”

I blinked a few times, making sure I was seeing it right. Benito’s mother sat on our sofa with Emica on her lap. It looked so out of place I swore I was imagining things.

“I think she’s hungry. Want me to grab a bottle?” I asked. There was one on the coffee table, but Gabriela hadn’t touched it.

Maybe it’s old.

“No, she just ate.”

Huh."Diaper change.”

“Oh, Lala doesn’t do that.”

My eye twitched. She couldn’t be normal and go with grandma? What was I thinking? Of course not. It was Gabriela Perez-Vitale.

“What?” I finally asked.

“You need a nanny. They handle things like diaper changes. It’s messy.”

“She’s a baby. Of course, she’s messy. Besides, Benito doesn’t trust people. I don’t know about a nanny.”

Gabriela looked as if I’d told her we were bathing the baby in dog shit.

“What about that bottle right there?” I asked, pointing to the one she was ignoring. I counted the hours again, and Emica should be eating now.

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