Page 236 of The Baby Bargain
"They're so strong and safe and beautiful."
"My personality?" I ask.
She shakes her head. "Your arms. And your hair… it's this perfect shade of brown. Halfway between the inside of a chestnut and a mushroom." Her nose scrunches. "Ugh, mushrooms."
"You eat dinner?"
She groans in agony. "No. No food."
"Charlotte needs nutrition."
"That's so manipulative."
I can't help but laugh. "You're supposed to be worried about her."
She sets both hands on her lower stomach. "Are you kidding? All I do is worry about her. But she only needs an extra few hundred calories a day."
"How about plain pasta with butter?"
"Plain pasta?"
"Tell me what you want on it and I'll make it happen."
"No… plain sounds perfect. But I… I hate plain pasta."
"Don't over think it, princess," I say.
"It's just—"
"Plain stuff always sounds good when you're sick."
She tries to stand. Falters.
I move to the couch. Hold her down as gently I can.
Ariel looks up at me with that sameI'm totally going to hate youstare."Okay. But add something. As long as it's not spicy or chewy or rich or—"
"I'll make it work."
"You're supposed to complain that I'm difficult."
"Aren't you always?"
"Hey!" She folds her arms over her chest. "Oh. You're teasing."
"Am I?" I move to the kitchen. Fill a pot with water. Set the stove top to boil. Honestly, Ariel is easy. She's a little stubborn, sure, but she tells me what she wants. She asks for help when she needs it. She shares her feelings.
She laughs at my bad jokes.
She melts into my embraces.
She beams like the fucking sun.
I'd watch any shitty superhero show on the couch if it meant I got to sit with her.
She watches as I scan the fridge. It's packed with fresh food.
It must all be hers. "How often is your dad here?"
