Page 49 of Their Perfect Daddy

I end up breaking into a coughing fit that wakes my sister up anyway. She doesn’t get a word out before she’s gagging and giving me evil eyes.

“Really, Skye?”

“Hey! It wasn’t me. This baby of yours is atomic.” I wiggle the baby butt at her face, which only serves to make her gag even harder.

Must be more than a fart then.

I shake my head, then go about changing the demonic poopy diaper. It makes no sense someone this small can make such a mess. Then again, I was there for all my siblings' births decades ago. The ones I can remember were about the same.

Once she’s all clean, I bounce her in my arms as I pace the room. Poppy falls back asleep. Juni isn’t far behind her either.

With Poppy out cold in the hospital bed and Juni secured in her bassinet, I pull out my phone. I need some kind of distraction. Anything to get my mind off my sister and how we’re going to help her through this.

As much as we’ll be there for her, Poppy already feels like she’s a burden to us. It’s going to be constant work to reassure her she’s not. We love her unconditionally.

I know most of this is because of the hormones in her system. That and the unknown of what lies ahead. I can’t imagine knowing I was responsible for another human life out of the blue.

The texts that greet me brighten the somber mood I’m in. My boys have done as I asked them to, sharing bits of their day in both text and photo form. It feels amazing to see them, even if it’s from afar.

I’ll take any morsel of them I can get until I’m back in Bellport.

Monty’s sent over details about practice and all the exercises they’re making him do. He sounds like he’s complaining at first, but then I sense the tease in his words.

Danny’s messages are either about food he’s thinking of eating or has already consumed, and questions about my opinion on certain outfits he likes. I reassure him with every message that his choices are gorgeous.

I think my Little might do well with a shopping spree in the future. Monty’s gift cards were a good start. I think we can do better though. A lot of his enjoyment will be in getting to show off what he tries on. He’s far too social to want to go alone.

Once I’m all caught up in the chat, I send them an update of my own.

Daddy:

Thank you both for sending me messages today. I’m thankful you did as I asked. I’ll have special rewards for you the next time we get together.

I send the message without thought. Surely I’ll come up with something. How hard can it be?

CHAPTER 16

MONTY

Grizzly gives me a hearty pat on the back as we leave the studio. I wince as his meaty fist collides with my shoulder blade. I can take a hit, but dammit if I’m not used to being padded up when I do.

“You did great in there, Monty! Those shoes are going to go flying off the shelves.”

The original plan to shoot as soon as we could didn’t work out. Something about the photographer getting delayed with another project. Since they only wanted him, we had to wait.

“Sure hope so. I want them to earn back what they put into the deal. Only seems fair.”

“Even if they don’t, it’s a business risk. Your contract is airtight, so everything is good. I made sure of it. You know I always take care of you.”

I smile at his words. Not for the reason he’s probably thinking I am.

Being taken care of makes me think of two certain men I’ve been missing. After talking to Skye and Danny about our relationship plans, I became better with my communication. I make sure to text Skye daily, along with sending him messages as I can.

For Danny, I send him funny videos and things that remind me of him throughout the day. I want to ensure he knows I’m always thinking of him, and that the softer side of him isn’t off-putting.

I don’t want him to think this is all sexual for me.

It’s not.

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