Page 113 of Fourteen of a Kind

“You were knee-deep in delivering your granddaughter. She’ll understand.”

“I’ll be right back,” my dad pulled his phone from his pocket and stepped out of the room.

I looked at Graham holding our baby and never taking his eyes off her.

“She looks like you, babe.” He smiled. “God, I’m such a horrible father. I couldn’t even be here for her birth. I’m already setting her up for failure.”

“Graham.” My Uncle Christian placed his hand on his back. “You’re a doctor. Shit happens. It’s not the end of the world. You were getting a kidney to save a child’s life. Your daughter will understand that when she gets older and if you decide to tell her.”

“He’s right, babe.” I smiled. “I understand, and Aubrey will, too.”

CHAPTER 36

THREE MONTHS LATER

Ella

Graham and I worked out a schedule. We stuck to it, and life was easy peasy with a newborn—as much as it could be. The one thing that wasn't easy was leaving my baby when I returned to work. The first day, I was a mess. I could have put her in the hospital daycare, but there was always a babysitter between everyone in my family. As the week went on, it got a little easier.

My shift ended before Graham’s, so I went to pick up the baby from my parent’s house. When I walked in, I saw my mom in the kitchen.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Hi, sweetheart. How was work?”

“It was good. Where’s the baby?”

“Down at the beach with your dad.” She smiled. “He’s already spoiling her rotten.”

“I know. You might have to have a talk with him.” I laughed, opening the sliding door.

I walked through the sand to where my dad was sitting, knees up, with the baby nestled on him. I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw he put little sunglasses on her.

“Hi, Dad.” I kissed his cheek.

“Hi, sweetheart.”

“What are you and Aubrey doing out here?”

“Getting some fresh air. She loves it out here, Ella.”

“And the shades?” My brow arched.

“I’m shielding her eyes from the sun.”

I went to take her from him, and he stopped me.

“Just a little longer, sweetheart.”

“Dad, you’ve been home all day with her. I’ve been gone for twelve hours without her.”

“I know, and I get it. But I’m not ready to give her up just yet.”

“Okay, Dad. I’m going back to the house.”

“I’ll be in soon with her,” he said.

Opening the sliding door, I looked at my mom. “He won’t give me my baby back.”

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