Page 7 of Shiver

If I’d seen her before the paternity test, I’d have had no doubt in my mind she was mine.

Somehow, seeing the immediate resemblance between us has me choking back a sob. My throat constricts, and my face flushes with heat as I purse my lips, holding back the tears. She’s only three months old, and I’ve already missed out on so much.

Ted reaches out, gripping my shoulder firmly. “You’re going to do great. I’m confident in this,” he says, and the way his eyes bore into mine with absolute certainty gives me the ounce of faith I need to get through this first day. “Now let me check out the car seat, and I’ll get out of your hair.”

***

Once we’re settled on the couch with a Boppy pillow on my lap, Gia coos softly, suckling on her binky.

I gently rock us back and forth, making a mental note to buy a rocking chair soon. I’m sure I’ll be needing it.

Her eyelids look heavy as she wrestles her need to sleep, doing her best to keep them trained on me, but eventually, she loses the battle between her willpower and her exhaustion.

I clench my eyes tightly shut, blowing out a breath of relief.

I should update my family.

Doing my best to avoid as much movement as possible, I wiggle my phone out of my back pocket and unlock it, searching for my family group chat.

She’s sleeping. I’ll try to update you guys later.

I snap a photo of her, making sure I have the flash turned off before I do, and send it along with my message.

Mom

Oh my gosh, look at that sweet face! When can we come over?

Arielle

Just give me a few minutes to get the kids ready, and we’ll be right there!

The messages flood in from every direction, my anxiety climbing as they do.

Please don’t take this the wrong way, but I just want the weekend to adjust. I’ll let you all know if I need help, but for now, I plan to bring her to dinner on Sunday. You’ll meet her soon, I swear.

Mom

We understand. See you soon, honey.

Thank god, that was easier than I had anticipated.

Chapter six

Luca

Saturday, July 4, 2026

She’s finally stopped crying.

I’ve been up all night, miserable, as I try everything I can think of to calm her.I don’t know what I’m doing and now she knows it too.Everything that works on my nieces and nephews only makes her more aggravated. I even tried driving her around, but that riled her up further.

I scoured the internet, silently pleading for a solution as she screamed her head off. I came across an article about skin-to-skin contact.

And it worked.

When she finally settled down, I tried to get a hold of Cecily, but naturally, her line had been disconnected.

I know I need to nap before she wakes up again, but I’m sure I won’t be able to sleep until I’ve spoken to the one person who might be capable of easing my mind right now.

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