Page 63 of One Unexpected Gift

“I’m used to it.” Damn. There she went again, coming off as bitchy. “Thank you though,” she added before setting the carrier on the coffee table.

“Can you teach me how to unhook her from this contraption?”

Gabby kicked her feet with excitement, knowing human contact was coming. Sky showed him how to unhook each strap and how to gently move Gabby’s arm free. “You can do her other arm.”

She stood back and watched as Nick approached the car seat. He stroked Gabby’s cheek with the back of his knuckles earning him a toothless grin.

“When will she grow teeth?”

“Some babies cut their first tooth around six months, others not until closer to a year.” She watched as Nick held onto Gabby’s arm and attempted to pull it through the belt.

“Shit. I’m going to break her.” He let go and stood back.

“You’re not going to break her.” Sky laughed. “She’s fine. Try again.”

Nick rubbed the back of his neck and let out a huff. “You got this, Pierce,” he said before trying again. Gabby smiled at him, and then she was free. “I did it. Now what?”

“Have you ever held a baby?”

“Not since my sister was born, and I outgrew that novelty before she was a week old.”

“The most important thing is to support her neck. She won’t be able to support her head for another few months.” Sky scooped one hand behind Gabby’s neck and the other under her bum, lifting her out of the seat and then set her back down again. “Now you try.”

“Me?”

“Hey, you said you wanted to learn.”

“Okay. Talk me through it, Hayes.”

Sky grinned. It was the first time he’d called her by her last name and while it may be standoffish and unromantic to some women, she rather liked the intimacy of him calling her by it. She repeated her directions and watched with admiration as he efficiently scooped Gabby out of her seat.

“I did it.” He beamed with pride, holding Gabby away from his chest. “Now what?”

“Do what feels natural, as long as you’re supporting her neck. And don’t drop her.”

Nick gave her the side-eye glare. “I’m not that incompetent.”

“I never thought you were incompetent. Just inexperienced. So was I until six weeks ago. Unlike you, I’d never held a baby before. I mean, I’m sure I did when my brother was born, but I was sitting on the couch with my mom or dad by my side.”

Gabby grunted and her cheeks grew pink. Sky knew what was coming next. Buttoning her lips waiting for Nick’s reaction, she watched as Gabby’s stomach gurgled and then the loud explosion filled the room.

“What the hell?” Nick’s brow rose as he tucked his chin back in surprise. “Her butt is warm.”

“Ready to learn how to change a diaper?”

Nick’s eyes and mouth opened in shock. Gabby gave him a toothless grin, and Sky burst out laughing.

And eventually, so did Nick.

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