Page 112 of Double Daddies
Wordlessly, she shakes her head and holds her arms out. I scoop her up, cradling her close and she clings to me gratefully, whimpering as I carry her into the living room. “This is all going to be worth it,” I murmur. “You’re going to be an amazing momma.”
She doesn’t answer, but her fingers clutch my shirt, and I know she heard me. That’s enough for me.
Gently, I sit on the couch with her in my lap. There’s already two empty mugs on the coffee table, and when I look up, Ryle is coming with the tea kettle.
“I didn’t know what kind you liked,” he says as he pours steaming water into the mugs.
“I don’t drink tea.”
“Noted. More coffee?”
I shake my head. “You don’t have to wait on me. Just join us. Maybe we should watch a movie. Would you like that, baby?”
Cami nods and I pick up the remote and begin flipping through channels while Ryle returns to the kitchen. Once he returns to the living room, he takes a seat next to us.
“Finding Nemojust started,” I remark. “How does that sound?”
Cami tries to smile, but it falls away and she gives a tiny nod.
Ryle is gently blowing at the brim of the teacup and puts it to her lips. “Drink.”
She glances at me, then back to him and obeys. She winces as she swallows.
“Too hot?” he inquires, beginning to blow again without waiting for a response.
When he lifts it to her lips again, she takes a tentative sip, but then another.
Then she settles back on the couch, shifting her weight until she is sitting between the two of us. I expect to feel jealous, but truthfully, I’ve seen the way he looks at her. The way he cares about her. More importantly, I see the way she looks athim. She cares about him, and I care about her enough to give her what she needs.
“This is great, I haven’t seen this in forever.”
Arching a brow, I look quizzically at Ryle.
“What?” he asks. “I love that clown fish.”
“That’s Dory. She isn’t a clown fish.”
“Oh.” Ryle makes a show of rolling his eyes. “You get to tell me what fish I like now? I can like the clown fish if I want. It’shismovie.”
“Okay. Fine. Like the clown fish.”
“I intend to.”
Cami giggles at our antics, and Ryle tips me a wink.
Mission accomplished,his expression says.
“Who do you like?” I ask her, even though I know the answer.
“Dory, of course.” She shoots Ryle a mischievous smile.
“Two against one? I see how it is. But maybe you’ve never viewed this movie with someone who had the right point of view.”
“Oh, is that right?” I chuckle.
“You bet it is. Just sit back and be ready to be educated.”
“Can’t wait.”
