Page 46 of The Way We Collide

“Da da!” Her little voice goes high, her eyes bright like we’re playing a game.

Exhaling, I shake my head, lifting her out of the crib and carrying her to the changing table.

“I can’t believe you.” My voice is playful, and I’m smiling despite my words. “After all that morning sickness, you take his side?”

I shake my face close to hers, and she laughs, switching to blowing raspberries through her lips while I change her diaper.

Dry diaper on, I snap her onesie and lift her off the table. She settles onto my hip as I walk to the kitchen. “This house is so big, I’ll get all my steps just walking back and forth to our rooms.”

My phone goes off, and I lift it to see my sister calling on FaceTime.

I hit the answer button, and Haddy squeals when she sees her aunt.

“Hadeee!” Amelia coos. “How is my favoritest baby niece today?”

“Da da da!” Haddy bounces on my hip, shaking her hand in reply.

“Whoa. Did she just sayDada?” Mimi’s brow furrows.

“Yes,” I groan, dropping my head back. “In the middle of our wedding ceremony she starts sayingDada.”

“Haddy, you little traitor!” My sister’s voice is a high-pitched tease. “That’s right! That’s what you are! You’re just a squishy-poo little traitor.”

Haddy squeals and makes more attempts at speech. I put her on her feet in front of the coffee table between my legs and sit on the couch, holding my phone so Amelia can see both of us.

“How does Hendrix feel about all thisDadatalk?” My sister’s tone is sly. “He’s not running for the hills yet, is he?”

“We actually live in the hills, so it would be a short run.”

“You know what I mean. How’s it going with you three?”

Pressing my lips to the side, I nod. “Really good, actually. Surprisingly good.”

“Surprisingly?”

“Yeah…” I think about everything that’s happened since we got here. “He’s very sweet. He’s very invested in Haddy. He helps me bathe her, and he even tries to help feed her. He doesnotchange diapers.”

“Do any men change diapers?”

“They should!” Now I’m cross. “Where is it written that only women change diapers?”

“I’m just saying they’re wimps.”

My mind trips back to Hendrix running into the living room wearing a snorkel mask, and I snort a laugh. “It’s true.”

“What?” A smile is in my sister’s voice. “Why are you laughing?”

“It’s nothing…”

“Tell me,” she cries, and Haddy squeals, reaching for the phone.

I hold it down so she can see her Aunt. Ameila helped me so much with her over the last six months, I imagine Haddy misses her, too.

“Make her tell me, Haddy-boo!”

“Don’t say anything because I kind-of promised I wouldn’t rat him out.” Actually, as I think about it, we never finished that conversation. “Hendrix tried to help me change a poopy diaper, and he almost barfed everywhere.”

“Noooo!” she laugh-cries.

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