Page 14 of SEAL's Doorstep Baby
Chapter six
ALLISON
“We are not discussing this. I’m serious, it is not up for debate. I am going to come with you.”
“There’s really no need to—”
“I know, but I insist,” I tell him. Jacob’s refusal to accept my company is grating. “I’ll drive Maddie, and I’ll be right behind you. And after you’re both settled in, I’ll go home.”
I know why he’s refusing, but I’m sick of it. I’m not helpless, I’m not a kid, and, importantly, I’m not under Jake’s protection.
“Okay. I can work with that.”
“Good boy.”
“Now you’re pushing it,” he playfully warns. I wink, and he grins.
I head to my car while he follows with Maddie’s stroller. The bags are already in his car so all he has to do is lock his doors, and we are on our way.
Time has been moving… slowly. Slow, and fast, all at once.
It has been two full weeks since I showed up on Jacob’s doorstep with a baby. I never thought that two weeks after the death of my best friend, I could feel anything at all. I thought I’d be numb.
And sometimes I am. But sometimes, life is the same. Sometimes life is different.
All of it, all at once.
I shake my head. Alone in the car, it’s easy to feel lost. I drive a familiar route, and nothing about it feels familiar.
When I park beside Jacob’s car, watching him take in the apartment complex, I instantly pull Maddie out of her car seat. I need to hold her. Jacob looks at me, but he seems to realize I need this.
Emily’s place is bright, full of colors and appealing. Jacob looks a bit out of place in the room. He’s tall, big, and broad, though I hadn’t noticed it at the time, likely because I was focused on the baby’s diaper in his adult hand. But now, I realize how comically small everything seems around him. Everything seems almost too little for his grip, but he manages just fine, maneuvering around the clutter and finding his way to Maddison’s nursery.
Laying her in the crib and preparing her for sleep is something he does easily, leaving me in awe of how effortless he makes it all seem. You’d never think he’d only just met this little girl.
Jacob picks up one of the toys—her crib is surrounded by more plushies and toys than she can play with in a lifetime—and lulls her to sleep with a jingle he sings softly to her until she is settled.
I look at her peaceful form, and I know that I can’t stay away for even a day. “I will come by every day at least.”
“Thanks for offering Allie, but I don’t think I’ll need to take that much of your time.”
His easy dismissal stings.
I look towards Maddie, my heart beating fast. My palms start to sweat.
He’s not going to keep her from me,I remind myself, even as my mind starts to buzz.
I know he thinks it’s just physically taxing, but he’ll learn. I had made the same realization after having to babysit for extended periods of time. Having a baby in your care means being completely responsible for its well-being for every second of the day. Babies actively try to self-destruct and days of that can have you going bonkers.
Now that I think about it, that might be what drove Millie round the bend, and then she tried to drive me round it too with those god-awful ringtones…
“Well, Jacob,” I say, patting him on the shoulder in silent solidarity. “When you do need me, call. I’ll do my best.”
“Thanks Allie.”
“And I’ll be by tomorrow either way.”
His brows pop up, surprise evident, but he decides not to argue when he sees my expression. Good. He’s learning.
