Page 31 of Raising Love
It wasn’t finished yet, but the vision was clear.
“Is this a LEGO Mona Lisa?” I made a shrugging motion with the sides of my mouth. “Dope.”
Leo glanced down at Baby Love in my arms, then sighed as he looked at the half-built creation. He ran a hand down his face.
“First of all,” he started, “I’m not playing with Legos. I’m building. Like the builders or whoever they are building these houses in this village.”
I snorted.
“Second of all, what are you doing in here?”
“I need a shower,” I said, lifting Baby Love higher in my arms. “He didn’t fall asleep like he usually does, and I can’t take smelling like sour milk anymore. I just can’t. I need you to watch him.”
Leo’s eyes widened. “What?”
“I need you to watch him,” I repeated, moving closer and holding the baby out to him. “He’s so close to falling asleep. He yawned twice—like Marta said babies do right before they knock out. But I can’t wait any longer. I keep smelling myself, and I’m gagging.”
“I… I don’t know, Ivy.” Leo scratched the back of his head. “I don’t want to break him.”
My brows furrowed. “Huh?”
“I’m not good at holding him.”
“Because you don’t hold him enough. Duh.” I sighed. “You’re always out in the city, playing games or making club appearances. I wasn’t good at holding him at first either. The only way I got better was with practice. Like most things.”
“Ivy—”
“You gotta start somewhere. Here.” I gestured to the chair he’d been sitting in. “Sit.”
“Ivy—”
“Sit,” I said, lowering my voice when Baby Love stirred.
Leo sighed, inhaling a deep breath and exhaling slowly before finally doing as I said.
“You’re a righty, right?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he mumbled.
“Okay,” I said, stepping closer. “You want to keep your left arm a little higher so you can cradle him, and use your right hand for extra support.”
“Aight,” Leo muttered.
I tried to fight back my smile but found it impossible. I’d never seen Leo like this before. He was always making a joke, the life of the party, or the cool and collected LV on the court, even during the most intense games. Seeing him this nervous—over something as simple as holding a tiny human—was adorable.
As soon as I laid Baby Love in Leo’s arms, Leo inhaled deeply and held his breath.
I fought back a laugh. “Will you breathe, please?”
Baby Love stirred slightly, letting out one of his usual baby sounds.
“He aight?” Leo asked, his eyes locked on the baby. “He sounds uncomfortable. Like I’m hurting him.”
“He’s just getting comfortable,” I assured him. “Relax and get comfortable, too.”
Leo adjusted himself in the chair, leaning back a little, relaxing his arms.
The sight before me was… breathtaking.
