Page 93 of Husband of the Year
“No, let me,” I say. “Please.”
“Marv, babe, I’ve got it.”
“I know you do, but let me take a turn.”
Olan yawns and the taut muscles of his stomach flex. “I’ll be right here if you need anything.”
With a warm bottle from the kitchen in hand, I slowly poke open the door to Greggie’s room. We quickly decided the guest room, which has a pullout loveseat and a few small pieces of furniture, would be the easiest to transform into a nursery. With Maria’s crib, changing table, and the colorful mobile Jill bought because even though she’s two, Maria still loves hers, we have enough to get us started and plenty of time to add items as he grows.
“Hey, little sprout.”
When he hears my voice, the cooing, which was bordering on crying, ceases. I peek over the crib’s railing and see his giant, saucer-like brown eyes staring up at me. His right hand extends, tiny fingers wiggling in anticipation, and I reach in to scoop him up and carry him to the sofa.
“Are you hungry?”
Cradled in my lap, on the animal-themed baby blanket my mother sent, I move the bottle to his face and his hands attempt to hold it in place. He doesn’t quite have the fine motor strength yet, so we do it together.
“There we go.”
As he drinks, his eyes flutter, and then close.
“You don’t know if you’re hungry or tired. Wait, maybe both.” I let out an enormous yawn. “Hashtag relatable.”
As I cradle him in my arms, his weight resting on my lap, I am struck by the pure bliss radiating from his tiny, angelic face. He already trusts me with his entire existence. And then it hits me like the most fabulous ton of bricks. I love him.
He’s been here less than a week and managed to weasel his way straight into my heart. I think I loved him before this moment but was too wrapped up in the minutia of adding a baby to our routine to notice. Amid the complete chaos of my life and the world around us, we somehow found each other. With a deep sigh, my eyes well up with tears as Greggie looks up at me, blinking.
But because I’m me, and nothing can be pleasant or simple for long, my brain immediately begins to worry. I’m now going to be a parent to not one, but two children. My heart thumps against my chest with the weight of the responsibility, but then I remember Olan. And Isabella. Jill and Nick. Sheldon and Theo. Kent and even Vincent. My mother would drop everything and fly here permanently if I asked. I’m not in this alone.
Greggie finishes his bottle and I quickly burp him. The noise that comes out of him vibrates through my torso, and I’m unable to suppress a giggle.
“You were starving.”
By the time I maneuver him back to my lap, he’s managed to fall asleep. I know I’m supposed to return him to his crib and head back to bed, but I want just another minute with him. Holding him carefully, I extend my legs and turn on my side with Greggie between me and the back of the loveseat. He makes a few gurgling noises but quickly snuggles into my chest. As I close my eyes, I am immediately embraced by his comforting warmth and sweet fragrance that swiftly lulls me into a deep slumber.
“Marvin?”
There’s a soft pressure on my shoulder.
“Babe?”
I crack an eye and see Olan standing before me. He’s holding a sleeping Greggie.
“You dozed off for a few minutes.” Olan heads toward the crib. “Let’s get the baby back to bed.”
After placing Greggie in the crib, he returns to me and takes my hand.
“And now, you.”
Back in our bed, Olan spoons me, and his mouth lands on my shoulder blade.
“You did an awesome job.” Even though we’re alone, Olan’s voice is a low, rough whisper.
“You were right. About everything. About him. It’s only been a few days and I already love him. So deeply. Is that strange?”
“Nope, not at all. I loved him the first time I held him.”
I push back against his firm chest, and Olan kisses the crook of my neck.
