Richard
I wrapped a towel around Gracie and tucked her against my chest. She grizzled and grasped against my skin, her legs bending and stretching. She was anxious to get going. At six months old, from the second she opened her eyes, until they finally, begrudgingly, shut for the night, she was on the go. There was a lot of bum wiggling these days—I had many videos on my phone from Katy, and I had witnessed it many times, but she hadn’t yet started crawling, although I expected it any day.
I had taken her in the shower with me. She loved showers and I didn’t want to leave her alone too long. She laughed the whole time, and though I couldn’t say I was as clean as I normally would be, I would pass for the day.
I carefully patted her hair dry after I fastened her diaper. The sounds of Katy being ill made me hurry back to our room. Last night, she had suddenly wanted Japanese food. She disliked sushi but loved tempura. When she called and asked me to bring home dinner, I was only too happy to pick up a huge assortment of sushi for me, and tempura for her from my favorite place. I chuckled as she nibbled on a few Ebi and California rolls—the only kind of sushi she would eat. She ignored my teasing that it wasn’t really sushi since the shrimp was cooked and the other was just vegetables. She ate heartily, but began to feel ill a couple hours after dinner, and had been up most of the night. I blamed the Ebi.
Bad shrimp was hell.
Between her retching, and the contents of Gracie’s diaper this morning, I was feeling a little under the weather myself. Whoever said this shit, pardon the pun, got easier, was a fucking liar. Katy seemed to handle it all fine, but I still gagged on occasion. How something so small and adorable could produce nuclear explosions the way Gracie did was a mystery.
I knocked on the bathroom door. “Okay, sweetheart?”
A few second later, Katy shuffled out, looking like hell. She was pale and shaky, her hair a plastered mess on one side of her head.
“No,” she replied shortly, falling back on the bed.
I pulled up the covers. “Mrs. Brandon is going to check on you this morning while she’s cleaning.”
“You can’t be serious about taking Gracie into work with you,” she protested.
“You can’t look after her. Laura is away. The only other person we trust is down with the flu, so I doubt two nauseous women will help Gracie much. I have her playpen and toys in the office. I’ll lay her down for a nap before I head to the meeting, and once it’s done, I’ll come home and look after you.”
“What if she won’t nap?”
“Stop worrying. Jenna and Amy are there. All the women in the office love her. Graham is as good with her as I am. She’ll be fine.” I was telling the truth. She was a familiar visitor to the office, and they all loved spoiling her. Graham doted on her, and he was one of her favorite people.
“She’s been acting strange with people. And she’s teething.”
I laid Gracie beside Katy and ran my hand through her hair. Gracie kicked her legs, cooing at her mother. “I have this covered. Just let me run and get dressed, and brush my teeth. Make sure she doesn’t roll off the bed.”
She looped an arm around Gracie. “Got her.”
I rushed to the closet, throwing on my pants. I brushed my teeth and grabbed my shirt. Back in our room, Gracie was busy gnawing on her toes as she lay in the circle of Katy’s arms. I scooped her up and tucked the blanket around Katy. “I’ll be back once she’s fed.”
“Mm’kay,” she mumbled, already drifting.
She slept the whole time I was gone, which I hope meant she was done being ill. I fed Gracie, burped and got her dressed, then managed to finish getting myself ready after tucking her into my sock drawer for safe keeping, as I pulled on my suit. I sang to her, as I yanked on my socks and did my tie. Katy laughed when I sang, but Gracie loved it. She could appreciate my unique tone. I think it soothed her. Or at the very least, it confused her so much, she forgot to be upset. Either way worked.
Finally, I checked her bag, grateful Katy was so organized, and it was already packed, then strapped her into the front facing carrier on my chest. She loved it. Her hands flapped, and her feet kicked every time she was in it. I grabbed my briefcase and went back to our room.
“We’re off, Mommy.”
Katy opened one eye. I grinned at her and struck a pose. “On a scale of one to ten, how incredibly sexy am I carrying the cutest baby in the world? Pretty irresistible, right?”
Katy slapped a hand over her mouth and tore past me to the bathroom. I grimaced at the sound of more retching. I guess she wasn’t done.
“I’m going to assume Mommy thinks we’re a ten. Who could resist us?” I looked down at Gracie who frowned up at me, drool running down her chin as she gummed her fingers. Oh God, I hoped she wasn’t going to be cranky, or this could be one long ass day.
She gurgled her agreement, as I glanced at the bathroom door, worried about Katy. It was so unusual for her to be ill, I wasn’t sure what to do to help. I tapped on the door, waiting for her to respond. She hated it when I hovered.
She came out, and I helped her into bed. Gracie waved her arms in excitement at seeing Katy.
“Maybe I should stay home.”
“Go, Richard,” she insisted. “I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure?” I really hated leaving her, even though it was important. We had worked long and hard on this campaign and the meeting with the client was today. The client was a bit of a hard-ass and Graham insisted I be the one to handle it, and I didn’t want to let him down, but Katy was more important.
“Yes. All I’m going to do is sleep. Go!”
I ran a hand through my hair. “Call me if you need me. I’ll come home right away.”
“I will.”
“I’ll be home as soon as the meeting is done.”
“Okay.” She groaned as she rolled over and shut her eyes. “I’ll be here.”
I hurried to the car and strapped Gracie into her car seat. Just in case, I slipped her a soother. Katy hated them, but today, I needed all the help I could get.
Gracie fussed most of the morning, only settling when I was close. I gave up and strapped her into the carrier, and let her play with my fingers as I went through all the last minute details for the meeting. Jenna was racing around, making sure the boardroom was set up, and Amy stayed close, helping me with any final items and adjustments. Forty-five minutes before the meeting, I sat down and fed Gracie. Her eyelids began to droop and I had to hold back from punching the air in victory. If she followed her normal schedule, I’d burp her, she’d drink a little more, and then be out for the next of couple hours. I’d be done with the meeting, Graham would take the client to lunch, and I could go home and make sure Katy was okay. I was distracted as I lifted her to my shoulder, forgetting the towel until I felt the wetness of her regurgitation soak through my shirt. I shut my eyes and groaned. I had dropped a bunch of shirts at the dry cleaners yesterday and hadn’t brought a fresh one in with me. Hopefully, I would have a few minutes to try and rinse it. I huffed out a long breath, and cradled Gracie in my arms, slipping the nipple into her mouth.
“Let’s try and help Daddy out, okay? No more spewing or diaper filling until after the meeting. How about that?”
She gurgled up at me, her fat cheeks pink from teething. I had rubbed her gums with the stuff Katy used, so I hoped it would help. She pulled on her bottle, and slowly her eyes began to drift back shut. Jenna came in, and I lifted my head, eyes wide to warn her to be quiet. She grinned at me and whispered as she came closer.
“I got Samantha coming to work in here while we’re in the meeting. She’ll come get you if needed.”
I frowned. “Can’t Amy do it?” Gracie knew Amy, at least, if she woke up. I didn’t want her frightened.
“She has all your files, and you need her.”
She was right, but still, I worried.
“We’re right down the hall.”
I stood and carried Gracie to her playpen, settling her inside, and draping a blanket over her.
“Okay.”
“Are you, ah, gonna change your shirt?”
I glanced at my shoulder with a grimace. “I don’t have another one. I’ll go rinse it out. I’ll meet you there in ten minutes.”
“He’s already here.”
I sucked in a breath, trying to be patient. I was reaching my limit for the day. “Five, then.” I’d have to forgo trying to dry it.
“Okay.”
I paused in my presentation to take a sip of water. So far, things were going well. Mr. Cunningham had been onboard with most of the campaign, asking for clarification or wanting small changes. Graham had been jotting down notes, and Amy made some for me. He was a tough nut to crack, never smiling or seemingly overly impressed, but at least he hadn’t disliked what I had done. He had been the same in all our preliminary meetings, so I was prepared for his stoic reaction.
As we moved to the next part of the campaign, I saw Jenna glance down at her phone, then at me. She averted her eyes, offered a quiet apology, and slipped out of the boardroom, pushing the door shut behind her. But that was all it took.
The boardroom at the Gavin Group was soundproofed, so you weren’t disturbed during a meeting. But when the door opened, I heard it. The wailing of a child in the building.
My child.
I met Graham’s eyes. He had heard her, as well. His gaze was calm, and I glanced down at my notes, faltering for a moment. A rare occurrence for me.
Obviously, Jenna had gone to help Samantha out. She would sooth Gracie, and I would be done here in about thirty minutes, and I would take over. I knew I had to finish this. She’d be fine, I assured myself. Business came first. I cleared my throat. “As I was saying,” I began.
Except I swore I could hear her, even with the door closed. The piercing cry I hated the most—the one that spoke of desperate need. It didn’t happen very often, but when it did, I couldn’t ignore it. Not when I was at home, and most certainly not now.
“I apologize, Mr. Cunningham. I need five minutes,” I blurted, setting down the papers. “Please have a coffee or stretch your legs, I’ll be right back.”
I was out of the boardroom like a shot, not even looking to see what reaction my abrupt departure caused. In the hallway, Gracie’s cries were even more heartbreaking, and I rushed to my office. Jenna was holding her, attempting to calm my screaming child, but her face told me I had made the right decision. I reached for Gracie at the same time her chubby arms stretched toward me. I gathered her close, murmuring low words of comfort. She, in turn, heaved a long stuttering breath, then upchucked all over my suit.
“Fuck!”
I met Jenna’s amused gaze.
“Better you than me.” She wrinkled her nose and took a step back. “I don’t suppose you have a clean suit here, either.”
I shook my head. “I’ll figure something out. Your father is gonna be pissed about this. Cover for me. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
She grinned. “He’ll be fine. I’m sure he can tell you stories from my childhood. I remember visiting once and throwing up on his desk while he was on a conference call. He started gagging, and my mother had to drag me out, screaming. I recall her trying not to laugh.”
I chuckled. “Thanks for sharing.”
She winked, then left with a wave.
I carried Gracie into my bathroom, shrugged off my jacket, and laid it on the counter for her. It was ruined anyway. I stripped her down, wiping her body off with a warm cloth. I changed her diaper, and tugged a fresh onesie on her, the whole time talking to her in a quiet voice. I cheated and slipped in the soother again after rubbing more gel on her gums. Her big eyes followed my every movement, but at least she’d stopped crying. I glanced in the mirror with a small grimace. You could see the stain on my shoulder, but luckily, the suit jacket had protected my tie. I had no choice but to go back into the meeting without it.
Samantha was waiting when I returned, a bottle ready, but as soon as I tried to hand Gracie off, she began to cry and kick her legs.
“She’ll be fine once I start feeding her. They’re waiting for you,” she assured me, taking Gracie from my arms.
I swallowed my retort, and turned to leave. I only made it to the door when the sobs got to me. Turning, I looked at my daughter. Her cheeks were wet with tears as she fought against Samantha. Her pathetic expression was fucking killing me, and then she said it.
“Dada,” she whimpered out. I was certain I heard it, although Samantha didn’t react. But it was clear—she didn’t want her damn bottle. She wanted me.
There was no choice to be made.
“Fuck it,” I muttered.
I was sure Graham’s eyebrows hit his hairline when I walked back into the boardroom, complete with Gracie strapped to my chest, a soother stuffed in her mouth, and a bottle ready in case. Jenna glanced away, trying not to laugh.
Mr. Cunningham looked shocked.
“I apologize. My wife is ill at home, and my daughter won’t settle for anyone but me. I know this seems unorthodox, but let me finish.”
I sighed in relief when he nodded. I would take whatever shit Graham gave me later, but right now, I had to make sure Gracie was okay, and please the client.
I could do both.
Forty minutes later, Gracie was asleep, my voice and the constant movement as I paced the boardroom pacifying her. Mr. Cunningham shook my hand, and for the first time ever, smiled. “Brilliant,” he praised.
“Thank you. Sorry about the interruption.”
He shook his head. “Do you know how often I had to stop meetings or be interrupted when my children were small? My wife worked with me, and we had an office for the kids, but invariably they would find me when they wanted something. I wouldn’t change those memories for anything.” He eyed me for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. “I want to do business where family is first, and the people share my values. You proved to me it is here. The contract is yours.”
I didn’t know how to respond—those were words I never thought anyone would ever utter to me.
Graham chuckled. “Looks like Gracie was our ringer, Richard.”
Bending my head, I pressed a kiss to her fuzzy curls. She woke up as soon as I stopped walking, but was happy as long as she was close.
“I guess she is.”
Mr. Cunningham laughed, and patted Gracie’s head. She grabbed at his fingers, pulling on them and making him laugh. “I hope to see more of her.” He turned to Graham. “Shall we discuss the logistics?”
Graham extended his arm. “Jenna, show Mr. Cunningham to my office.” Then he turned to me. “Go home. You look a fright, and I’m sure your wife needs you.” He leaned forward, trying to hide his amusement. “A piece of fatherly advice. You should always look down, Richard.”
I glanced down at my feet and cringed. I hadn’t noticed the splatter on my shoe.
I had to join in his laughter. He was right. In addition to my shoe, my suit was ruined, my shoulder a mess, and Gracie, before falling asleep, had drooled all over my hand and arm, so the sleeve was soaked. I knew my hair was sticking up everywhere from my anxious tugging, and the front of me felt far too damp and warm. I had a feeling I didn’t have the diaper on as snugly as I should. I needed to go home, get cleaned up, and look after my wife.
I shook his hand. “Will do.”
He shook his head as he left the boardroom. “It’s never dull with you, Richard. Ever.”
Laughing, I made my way to my office, and gathered up all the baby things scattered around. It surprised me still how many items it took to keep a human this small alive and happy while you were out of the house.
Still, I wouldn’t change a thing.
I settled into the chair on the deck with a relieved groan. Gracie was asleep, I was clean, and Katy was resting. I had tried repeatedly to get Gracie to say “Dada” again so Katy could hear it, but she chose to remain silent.
“Honestly, Katy. She said it.”
She patted my cheek. “I believe you.”
I knew without a doubt, she was lying. But Gracie had said it while she was reaching for me. Or it may have been duh, but I was certain it was Dada.
The house was quiet, the sun beginning to set, and I was enjoying a hard-earned beer and sandwich. The water in the pool shimmered in the evening light, and I decided I’d have a dip once I finished eating.
I had spoken to Graham, and he told me the contract had been signed. I laughed at his description of me striding back into the boardroom with Gracie strapped to my chest, and a bottle in my hand, determined to finish my presentation. “Not a sight I ever thought I’d see when it came to you, Richard. I almost fell off my chair.”
I had to agree with him. It wasn’t something I ever saw happening, either. Only a couple years ago, if I had been at a meeting and witnessed what occurred today, I would have rolled my eyes, thought the man was an idiot, and would never have done business with the company.
How I had changed.
Graham was glad to hear Katy felt better and Gracie had settled. We were both shocked about the fact it was my attention to my child that swung things in my favor. We never would have guessed under that unsmiling countenance beat the heart of a devoted family man.
“Like you,” he added with a laugh.
And he was right. When it came to my family, Graham was right.
“I think Gracie can sit out the Conrad presentation next week. We don’t want to get in trouble with the labor laws or anything,” he teased. “We’ll only keep her for the real tough cases.”
“Right,” I snickered and hung up.
I drained my beer, headed to the cottage, and changed into my trunks. I set the baby monitor beside the pool, and dove in, the cool water refreshing. I swam some laps, surprised to find Katy sitting on the edge of the pool when I reach the end.
“Hey, sweetheart.” I pushed up out of the water and kissed her. “You look better.”
“I feel better.”
“Good.”
“Gracie is sleeping hard.”
I smirked. “She had a big day. It’s not every day a baby is the deciding factor in a business deal, you know.”
She chuckled, the sound echoing in the quiet of the evening.
“Did you eat?”
She shook her head. “I had some ginger ale. I’ll try something later.”
“No more Ebi, I guess,” I teased, rubbing her legs.
“Not for a while.”
“I’m sorry—the one time you want Japanese food, it makes you sick.”
She studied me for a moment, then bent low, meeting my gaze steadily. “It wasn’t the sushi.”
“It wasn’t?”
“Think about it, my darling. You weren’t ill.”
“True. I thought it was the Ebi. I only had a couple.”
She chuckled. “A couple? The way you inhaled it, I don’t think so.”
“What was it then? The flu?” I groaned. “God, I hope I don’t get it. Or even worse, Gracie.” The thought of her sick made me shudder. Lord only knew what smells she’d produce then.
“Not the flu. The baby.”
I frowned in confusion. “Gracie made you sick?”
“Not that baby.”
“Do you have a fever, Katy? You’re not making any sense. We only have one baby.”
“For now.”
It took a moment to sink in. When the words did, I stared at her, then at her stomach. “Again?” I gasped. “I bought condoms!”
“And how often have we used them?”
I was at a loss for an answer. I did get carried away fast when it came to my wife. I remember opening the box—I think.
“I did it again? Knocked you up?”
“Either you or the pool boy.”
I narrowed my eyes. “We don’t have a pool boy.”
“Then it’s on you. Gracie is going to have a baby brother or sister in about seven months.” She grinned. “Dr. Suzanne called you an overachiever.”
Holy shit.
I wrapped my hands around her calves, staring at her legs. She let me process. She always knew what I needed. My mind raced—I hadn’t expected this. Gracie was only six months old. We’d have two children under the age of two. Our busy lives would get even busier. Then I thought of the love I had for Gracie. The way it felt when I held her in my arms. The way it made me feel when it was my touch or voice that she needed. How big it made me feel. It was everything. She and Katy were the most important things in my life. I lifted my gaze to meet my wife’s watchful scrutiny. Her expression was joyful, and her eyes danced. She was thrilled.
Then I realized, so was I.
With a whoop, I pulled her into the water, snickering at her gasp. I covered her mouth with mine, holding her tight with one hand, and gripping the side of the pool with the other. I kissed her hard, long, and deep.
Pulling back, I rested my forehead on hers. “So, today was morning sickness?”
She had struggled with that when she was pregnant with Gracie.
“Yes.”
“Morning sickness is a crap name for it, by the way. They need to improve their marketing. Anytime projectile vomit is more accurate.”
She laughed in agreement.
“And the Japanese food was a craving?”
“Yes. I had suspected yesterday, and Suzanne confirmed it this morning when she called with the news.” She smiled. “I didn’t want to tell you while I was throwing up and all. Give you the wrong idea that maybe I wasn’t happy.”
“But you are?”
“Yes.”
“So am I.” I pulled her closer. “Another baby. Good thing we bought a big house.”
“Good thing I love you so much I don’t mind being knocked up again.”
I dropped a kiss to her head. “Good thing, indeed. Think it will be a boy this time?”
“We’ll find out soon enough.”
I eased us into the shallow end, and held her close. “Yep. And if not, we can keep trying.”
“Is that a fact?”
“I’m willing to give it my best shot. Show Suzanne how much of an overachiever I really am.”
She sighed in contentment. “This from the man who didn’t want children.”
“I want everything with you.” I squeezed her, suddenly feeling serious. I spread my hand over her stomach. “Thank you, my Katy.”
“I love you, Richard.”
“I love you, sweetheart.” I smiled. “I love you, and I love our life.” I knew how lucky I was. How different my life had become, how I had changed since I fell in love with her. She had changed me for the better. She filled my life with great moments. The ones Penny told me to hold on to.
She covered my hand with hers, looking up at me.
“Me, too.”
I bent down and kissed her. The monitor crackled and Gracie’s babble filled the air.
“Dadadadadada.”
I fist pumped the air. “Told you!”
She laughed. “I guess you did. You’re being paged.”
I hauled myself out of the pool, grabbed a towel, and headed toward the house and my new, favorite sound.
Dada.
Yeah. Another great moment.
Thanks to my family, life was full of them.