Page 64 of Princess

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Axel replied.

“You can go alone,” Garret said.“I’m going to hold Nikayla for as long as she and her mother allow.”

The baby squirmed a bit and he raised her to his shoulder and gently pat her back.Within a minute a small burp released and she settled down.

“I forgot about burping,” I said slightly panicked.

Garret laughed.“I had younger sisters and brothers who I cared for while my mom and dad worked.I can give you all the pointers you need.”

I didn’t ask about his family because he’d always seemed content.For the most part, families surviving the apocalypse were rare.Cuba, the island where we stayed had a better family ratio than most places but the hellhounds and the fallout after the electro-magnetic pulses had still taken a toll.Shadow Warriors lost nearly everyone.We seldom discussed our previous families.

With everything that had happened since my labor pains started, I just remembered his dinner with the two young kids.

“What happened with the twins.How did your evening go?”

Garret’s eyes went even brighter.“The dinner was perfect.Becky and Derrick want to live with us.Suzie, one of the older teens is moving in with us too.”He hesitated.

“Go on,” I told him.

“She doesn’t want to fight with Ruth’s group.She’s willing to care for the twins when we’re at work.She told us she would find another job if we didn’t need her.”

“But she can fight,” I said carefully.

“She can, but she would rather help in other ways.She’s worried that she will be forced into being a soldier.Her parents were taken years ago by the Federation.They hid her beneath the floorboards so she would survive.She never saw them again and believes they are dead.She learned to fight because she had no choice.”

“She will make a wonderful addition to your quickly growing family,” I assured him.

His shoulders relaxed and he put all his attention into cuddling Nikayla.

“How do you feel about your instant family?”I asked Axel.

His eyes shifted to Garret who was looking at the baby.I saw so much love in his expression.“Like I have the family I thought would never be mine.The twins are a delightful handful.Thank you for putting a good word in for us.”

“I’m glad it worked out.Now go and check on the women.”I looked at Garret and then turned back to Axel.“The baby hog has this covered and while he holds her, I’m going to lay down and rest.”

Axel nodded, rose from his chair, and left me alone with Nikayla and Garret.

“I won’t take the princess from the room,” Garret said after Axel closed the door behind him.“Sleep if you can.I’m sure food will arrive within the hour now that Axel wants you fed.”

I yawned.“Thank you.I don’t know when King will return.”

“I have it covered.”

I smiled but didn’t hear Garret say anything more because I fell asleep.

∞∞∞

A very fussy baby woke me.My mind felt cloudy from the nap and it took a moment to realize it was King jostling Nikayla as he carried her around the room.

“Bring her here,” I said, lifting my arms.“How long did I sleep?”

“Three hours.I sent your food back to the kitchen to let you rest.”

My stomach growled.“I’ll feed her and then I need to eat.Did you change her?”

“Was I supposed to?”King asked with true curiosity.

I laughed as I put her to my breast.“We have a lot to learn.I forgot to burp her earlier.And yes, she needs to be changed regularly.”

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