Page 66 of Princess

“He didn’t want to examine her?”

“He wasn’t the slightest bit moved to check her.We may need a new pediatrician.”

“He’s the only certified doctor on the island,” I replied.

“There is that.I threatened him and he laughed at me.Even Garret laughed.This entire baby thing is hard work.”

I gave him a bland look.“For whom?”

He set the tray down on the table and reached for Nikayla.“For both of us.Try not to think about the diaper I just changed or you won’t be able to eat.”

I loved him so much.I looked at our daughter and realized that love could expand in your heart to infinite proportions.

We had to fight for our family, the island, and the people holding out in the U.S.to rebuild the country that we wanted to return to.

We would win this war.

Chapter Thirty-One

Marinah

There was no time to relax after Nikayla’s birth.I stayed in full work mode with the added responsibility of a newborn.I didn’t resent my child; I resented everything that took me away from her.I wanted cuddle time and to learn her likes and dislikes.A wet or dirty diaper or a hungry belly were easy to decipher, but there was so much more.She liked bright colors.I learned this when one of the island women came in to change the bedding.She was dressed in a brightly colored dress, and Nikayla’s eyes followed her.

Later that day, the woman, Carla, brought a mobile she made from an old dress similar to the one she wore.She had cut and stuffed the fabric in different shapes, hung them with string, and attached them to a dowel.We’d failed to use the crib, but after the new toy was set up with Carla’s help, Nikayla lay in it and eventually fell asleep.

Endura and Amissa became my personal shadows.I was accustomed to having security when I left the citadel, but not while inside.

“There must be something else you could be doing other than following me around,” I finally snapped.

Endura gave a soft smile.“We’re here to assist with the baby.You should allow us to take her back to our rooms and care for her while you handle the things that are pressing on you.”

“What’s pressing on me is the fact you say I will leave Nikayla shortly.I want to spend as much time with her as possible, even if it means toting her around with me.”

“I understand,” Endura said.

I wanted to gripe at her some more, but that damn mellow essence kicked my butt, and my irked mood disappeared.I couldn’t even complain because when Nikayla was content, she gave off the same vibes.I calmed when she did.Ms.Beast felt the same.Nova hadn’t shown herself since the baby was born three days before.

On day four, Amissa approached me with Endura behind her.She had a piece of fabric in her hands.

“This is for you?”

I had no idea what it was.

“Allow Endura to hold the baby, and I will show you how it works.”I turned Nikayla over, and Amissa wrapped the cloth around me.I finally understood.

It was a garment to hold the baby, and it allowed me to keep my hands free.With a few adjustments, Nikayla hung contentedly against my chest while she slept.

“Thank you,” I said.“Did you make it?”

“It belonged to one of our babies who outgrew it.We want to help, not hinder you.If that’s more time with the baby, we will see you get it.”

“Again, thank you,” I said.

“Is there anything else we could help with?”

“If you could figure out how to acquire tofu, I most likely wouldn’t snap at everyone so much.”I smiled good-humoredly.I was embarrassed over how I’d treated these women the day before.

Amissa gave me a huge grin.“We have a large supply of soybeans with us.It’s one of our main farming crops, and one that’s helped us survive.I will give some to the kitchen staff and help prepare it so they know how.”

---