Page 79 of Solid Ground

She holds up her palms. “I’m taking a nap while the baby’s sleeping.”

I place Daisy in her crib and tuck her in before turning back to the bed.

I strip down to my underwear then slide into bed beside Zoe. She sighs as I spoon her from behind.

“Declan, I …”

“It’s okay. I’m going to nap with you. I know you need sleep. When she wakes up, I’ll get her.”

Zoe wriggles out from beside me and rolls onto her back. She reaches for my face, cupping my cheek, and I lean in to kiss her softly.

“I’m sorry. I’m just so tired.” She yawns.

“I love sex with you, but I’m never going to push it when Ican see how exhausted you are. Is there anything else I can do to help?”

She shrugs. “We just need to get into a proper routine. This moving around hasn’t helped, but now we’re here we can settle in properly.”

“I’m sure I wasn’t helping by being out of the house all day.”

Zoe studies me for a moment. “You’re doing what you have to do. I get that. And I know you’d be supportive if the shoe was on the other foot.”

“You bet I will be.”

Her smile is faint, her eyes heavy. “We’ll work it all out. I love you.”

“You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, Zoe Drake. I thought my heart was dead until I met you. And now you and that little girl are the reason it beats every day.”

She pats my cheek. “You make me happy too.”

“I’ll call Josh and see if we can round up some visitors. I know Delaney has been champing at the bit to see you.”

“That would be nice.” It’s clear now she’s fighting sleep, and she yawns and turns back over.

I snuggle in against her and close my eyes. These are the moments that make everything worth it.

TWENTY-SIX

ZOE

Declan isas good as his word.

One call to Josh and the cavalry arrives.

Delaney is on my doorstep the next morning. She’d dropped one child to Lana’s and the other was in school, so she is all mine for the day—or for however long I need her.

All I do is cry all over again.

I have a village.

Delaney, Pania, and Lana, spend the next few weeks swooping in and out and taking the pressure off me. Most times, it’s just nice being able to sit and talk. Other times, they take care of Daisy while I get some sleep.

My confidence as a first-time mother grows as I get the help I need. At times I feel so useless, but Delaney tells me the story of how her mother kicked her out when she found out she was pregnant with Amelia, and how Pania and her mother stepped in to help.

“I couldn’t have done it without my village,” she says. And I have to agree with her. I could fly my parents over, but I’m also wary since mine and Declan’s relationship is still fairly new, and living with my parents might not be the greatest idea. Besides, they both work and have responsibilities of their own. We’ve already planned to go and see them once Declan’s movie shoot is over.

Declan has invited us down to the set today for lunch. I get the feeling he’s as keen to show his daughter off as he is for me to see his workplace.

I drive in the gate and pull in where the security guard shows me. Declan walks toward the car, opens the boot, and pulls out the pram while I get Daisy out of her car seat.

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