Page 83 of When She Needs Them Most
We have Luna’s first checkup with her pediatrician at their office, and all three guys come along. She has lost six ounces, but the doctor says it’s normal for breastfeeding babies to lose up to ten percent of their birth weight.
The doctor we see is one we haven’t seen before. We saw several in the hospital, but their practice has five or six different physicians. She’s very sweet as she assures me Luna isn’t starving to death before reminding us to document wet and dirtydiapers, since it will help us feel confident that she’s getting enough to eat. She also assures me that it won’t harm anything if I’d like to supplement with the occasional bottle of formula.
I know all about nipple confusion, and I’m still not giving up on breastfeeding, but having the guys be able to feed her a bottle here or there should really help with my exhaustion.
They still haven’t been back to work, and it makes me feel guilty, but not bad enough to push them to return to work in the office. Having support is something I didn’t expect, but I don’t think I would have made it through all of this without them.
Kase has Luna strapped to his bare chest as we finish up dinner at the breakfast nook.
Arden gathers plates, carrying them to the sink, and I push my seat back to help.
“Nuh-uh,” Linc says, grabbing my chair and scooting it closer to his. “You’re healing. That means no helping with the chores.”
“I feel like I’ve done nothing but eat and lie around for days.” I snort, resting my head on his shoulder as he wraps his arm around the back of my chair.
“You also feed the goblin like fifty times a day.” Kase stares down at Luna. “Speaking of which, she might be ready for her next meal. She’s trying to decide why my skin isn’t providing her with milk.” He squints. “And possibly rooting around in search of a nipple. If I could feed you, I would. It just wouldn’t work, little lady.”
Linc’s entire body shakes, and I tilt my head to find he’s silently laughing. “You know they have devices now that allow the dad to simulate feeding the baby. I’ll be happy to buy you one.”
Kase shrugs, running his fingers over Luna’s cheek. “Do it. I’ll give it a try. Skin-on-skin contact is my favorite half hour of the day. I can only imagine what the connection is like knowing you’re able to provide all the nutrients she needs directly from your body.”
I laugh, because Luna is going to be the most spoiled kid in all of existence. She gets skin-on-skin contact with each of us daily. Then again, I doubt it’s possible to spoil a newborn.
“It is pretty amazing,” I agree, stretching over to give Kase a quick kiss. “Let me just visit the bathroom, and I’ll meet you in the living room?”
“Sounds good,” Kase agrees as Lincoln stands, offering me his hands.
One thing I never expected before becoming a mom? That I would choose sleep over a shower an embarrassing number of days in a row until Arden politely runs me a shower before bed.
I’m just in the process of rinsing the conditioner from my hair when a rush of cool air enters the shower.
Arden smiles as he approaches, looking a little dangerous. My arm flies to cover the hanging skin and pooch that aren’t going anywhere in a hurry.
I’ve seen some women bounce back from pregnancy like nothing happened.
I am not one of those women.
“You are stunning.” Arden steps forward into the shower spray. “Please don’t hide from me.”
“I’m gross,” I whisper, my eyes falling shut.
“Not even close,” he murmurs, planting a hand on my ass, pulling me closer to his now-slick front. “You’re healing from amiracle. Honestly, if men gave birth, we’d have mandatory two-week hospital stays with IV pain meds for the entire endeavor.”
I snort as he soothes his hand up and down my spine.
“I’m hoping I start to feel more like myself soon,” I admit.
The fingers of his free hand meet my chin, tilting it until my eyes meet his. “You don’t need to rush yourself on our account.” He brushes his lips over mine. “Are you done cleaning up?”
“Yeah, I’m good. I’ll get out of your way.”
“I’m not showering. I simply found I was anxious to see you and didn’t want to wait any longer.”
My heart thumps in my chest. Arden has such a different energy from Kase or Lincoln, but it’s the perfect vibe to round out our pack…if I could sweet talk him into biting me.
I wake up in the middle of the night with an overwhelming feeling of dread.
Luna is fine when I check on her, but I bring the monitor with me downstairs to the room I first slept in.
