Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
“Nathan.” I whisper so quietly, I barely even hear it myself.
A moan leaves my throat when his tongue lightly touches the centre of my top lip. I’m startled by the force of feeling such a gentle touch creates.
Yes. Finally.
A wail from downstairs forces my eyes open.
Damn it all!
Nathan scrunches up his nose and sighs. “Dillan. I’ll get him.”
Shit, my son. He’s poorly. What kind of a mother am I?
Nathan bumps my nose with his. “They said it’s just colic and possibly a cold, don’t worry. I’ll deal with him.”
“Okay, I’m going to get changed.”
“Have a shower too, wash him from your skin.” He kisses the curve of my neck and pulls me out of the way of the door.
Scowling at him, I stomp past and enter the bathroom, ignoring his chuckle as I go.
Nathan taps on the door as I’m pulling Eric’s top over my head. “Hey, Gwen?”
“Yes?”
“Actually, it doesn’t matter. I’ll tell you later.”
“Okay.” I throw the top on the ground and step out of the boxers. I don’t need a shower but I know how fussy Nathan can be.
Staring at myself in the mirror before I climb under the hot spray, I look at my reflection and ask her one thing. “Are you sure this is what you want?” Then I nod with a smile and climb under the spray. It is what I want.
It’s what I need.
Wiping the mist from the mirror, I run a comb through my wet hair to get rid of the tangles. I look flushed from the hot water. I’ve also never felt so clean. After brushing my teeth, I double check the towel that’s wrapped around my body is tight enough and pad into my bedroom.
I have to admit, now that a decision has been made, I feel like a weight has been lifted. My shoulders suddenly feel a lot lighter.
I just wish I knew how Caleb felt about this.
Christ… have I gone insane? He’s dead! He’s not coming back and I’m still alive. I need to remember that.
“It’s definitely colic. He’s not drinking the milk and he keeps bringing his legs up to his chest.” Nathan says as he walks into my room with a squawking Dillan in his arms. “He doesn’t have a temperature so I’m not too wo…” He stops in his tracks, his mouth hanging open.”…rried.”
“Yeah, I need to get dressed.”
Nathan blinks and sits. “Feel free to do so.”
My brow lifts. “Out.”
“Oh come on, I have permission now.”
I snort. “Says who?”
“Says you, when you just agreed to be my girlfriend.” Playful Nathan equals a Nathan I enjoy greatly, although I’m not sure I like the title girlfriend. It seems so juvenile. He looks at Dillan, who is still squawking. “Quiet. Mummy, aka my girlfriend,” there’s that label again, “is busy entertaining me.” He looks up at me, his face straight and showing no sign of humour. “He says get your tits out.”
I choke on my surprised laughter. That was so not what I expected to hear from him. Not at all.
“What?” He asks innocently. “He said it.”
My body leans forward as laughter forces its way upwards. It’s almost painful. Make it stop.
“You never cease to amaze me, Nathan Weston,” I giggle, pulling the towel tighter around me. “Out. Give him some cool boiled water for me.”
“You’ve been my girlfriend for twenty minutes and already you’re ordering me around.”
“What’s with the label?”
He smiles mischievously. “Well you are my girlfriend.” His smile widens. “I have a girlfriend.”
“You’re going to keep saying it, aren’t you?”
He nods once. “Yes, yes I am.”
Sigh. “Whatever. Out please.”
“But…”
“Out.”
He grumbles under his breath as he leaves the room. It’s then that Dillan finally starts smiling.
Quickly pulling on some clothes, I braid my hair over one shoulder and add a little mascara to my long lashes. I can hear Dillan still crying, so I quickly dart down the stairs and take him from Nathan, who looks perplexed about what to do.
“Maybe we should take him to the doctor?” Nathan suggests, but I shake my head and reply,
“We’ll give him some gripe water and he’ll be okay. Can you make him a bottle up; there’s some gripe water in the cupboard next to the fridge, top shelf. It’s a grey bottle. Just a couple of drops.”
He gets to work immediately as I put Dillan over my shoulder and pat his back. It does little to soothe him. My poor baby.
Two hours go by before he finally sleeps. I’m starting to wonder if it’s my breast milk that’s upsetting him. I’ve been eating the right foods as far as I’m aware. Maybe I should put him onto formula.
No, all babies get colic at some point. I’ll speak to Dillan’s doctor tomorrow and see what she says.
“Relax.” Nathan murmurs, running his gloved fingertips over my still damp braid. I feel it all the way to the base of my spine and let out a little shudder. Nathan, taking this response as permission, pushes it out of the way and shuffles closer. I feel his warm breath on my neck before I feel his lips.