Page 120 of Trigger's Forever

I was having a hard time with breastfeeding, so we decided bottles would be the best decision. I think Trigger was secretly hoping for that so he could feed Cade. He measures each bottle meticulously to make sure he is eating enough. I’m Cade’s mother, and I’m lucky if Trigger gives him up long enough for me to snuggle him.

“Did you have a good nap, mama?” Trigger asks as he lowers onto the couch next to me.

I let out a yawn and nod as he gently moves Cade into my arms. I let out a breath of contentment as my itty baby coos against my chest. Before he stands back up, Trigger kisses my forehead. “Motherhood looks good on you, babe.”

“Ha! I haven’t showered in three days, I’m wearing a diaper, and I have spit up in my hair. There is absolutely no way you can sanely say that any part of this looks good.”

He leans over and kisses me again. “I must be insane then, because you’ve never looked more beautiful to me than you do right now.”

A smile pulls at my lips. “Thank you, Jamie.”

“It’s true,” he says with a shrug. “Anyway, Brenna called. She said they will all be here in about thirty minutes. As long as the sale goes through uneventfully, I should be home by dinner. Why don’t you go shower now?”

I narrow my eyes at his not-so-innocent smile and shake my head. “Of course. You’re diabolical.”

“What?” he asks, trying to feign innocence.

“You finally let me hold Cade, and then you offer me a shower. You know damn well I’m going to choose snuggling him, because the second the girls get here, I won’t touch either one of the babies until they leave.”

“I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.” Trigger shakes his head, holding his hands out for Cade.

“Whatever. As soon as I’m out, all of his cuddles are mine!” I whisper-yell behind him as he wanders into the kitchen.

Before leaving the living room, I lean over the edge of the bassinet and kiss Cole’s bald head.

After the most glorious shower I’ve ever taken, I head back downstairs and immediately take Cade from Trigger’s death grip. The front door opens, and Brenna, Lilah, and Lyric charge through.

“Where are my babies!” Lyric squeals, effectively waking up Cole and making him scream.

“Well, one of themwassleeping,” Trigger chuckles.

“Gimme, gimme!” Lilah holds her hands out to me. I spin, hiding Cade from her and sticking out my tongue. “No! I just got him!”

She rolls her eyes playfully and skips into the living room. I watch three of my best friends coo over my baby, and a sense of peace settles over me.

As soon as we are all settled on the couch with Lyric holding Cole and Cade still safely tucked in my arms, the door opens again.

Brenna jumps up and runs around the couch to greet Winnie, who has Poppy tucked to her chest in the most intricate baby-wearing wrap I’ve ever seen. “Hi guys!” Winnie says excitedly as she comes around to join us on the couch.

Sitting back and watching everything around me, I smile. Brenna and Winnie are pressed together as they examine every single one of Poppy’s features while Lyric and Lilah do the same to Cole. I know this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.

The girls hang out long after Trigger comes home. Bull and Flame eventually show up, and we all order pizza. Wednesday nights have certainly changed in the last year.

* * *

“How has it already been six weeks?” Dr. Murphy smiles as she closes my chart and tucks it under her arm.

I awkwardly sit up and hide all my lady bits, even though she was just wrist deep inside of me. “I know. I’m so sad that it’s going so fast.”

“They are absolutely beautiful, Heather. It looks like you and dad are doing a fabulous job,” she says with a genuine smile.

“So am I safe to go back to work?”

“I would say so. You’ve healed wonderfully. If any strenuous activity hurts, I would say to stop or maybe just slow down, but other than that, I’d say you’re free to resume any activity.”

“What type of activity are we talkin’ here, doc?” Trigger asks, earning an eye roll from me and a laugh from Dr. Murphy.

“Heather is free to go back to work teaching her classes, and is also safe to resume sexual activity.”

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