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“I think we’re lucky,” she says with a soft smile.

“I think so too.”

I know we’re not talking about Noah’s sleep schedule anymore. I’ve felt lucky since that first night on my boat when she had more courage than me to kiss me first. If it weren’t for that night, my life would be on a completely different path right now, the wrong path. I internally shudder considering I could have lived a life without ever truly loving. A life without Bambi or Noah. A half-life always missing the most important piece.

“Get some more sleep, love. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll watch over you both.”

She nods, already slipping back into sleep. I tuck the blanket up around her neck and press another kiss to her forehead, Noah still fast asleep in my arms. My perfect little family.

Chapter 30: Raelyn

I don’t know how he’s going to top this one

It’s been two weeks since Noah was born, and every single minute has been amazing. Except the sleepless nights. We thought because of how well he was sleeping the first few days after he was born that meant he would be a good sleeper once we got home. Sadly, that was not the case. Just like every other infant, he wakes every couple of hours.

Even so it’s been perfect. We take turns although I am usually needed when he’s hungry since Warren can’t very well breastfeed him. Wouldn’t that be awesome though if he could? I carry for nine months and give birth, but he has to breastfeed. Seems like a fair trade to me.

Last night was Warren’s turn, and I feel somewhat rested today. Which doesn’t explain why Warren also seems alert and energized. I would have expected him to be dead on his feet this morning like other mornings after a late night up with Noah. But no, he’s smiling with bright eyes and a strange bounce to his step as he exits our room fresh from the shower. I eye him suspiciously.

“What’s got you in such a good mood?”

“Oh nothing. Just a surprise.”

“A surprise? What kind of surprise?”

“Now if I told you then it wouldn’t be a surprise now would it?”

Warren crosses the living room and unbuckles Noah from his baby bouncer on the floor. With practiced motions he scoops him up, supporting his neck, and cradles him to his chest and shoulder. It’s a sight I never grow tired of seeing.

When we first got home Warren handled Noah like a live grenade, gentle and cautious and a little frightened. It’s nice to see he’s grown comfortable with holding him, no longer afraid of dropping him.

“Come on. Let’s go,” he says, crossing to gather Noah’s diaper bag.

“Go? Go where?”

I stand from the couch where I was reading and follow him.

“To your surprise.”

I do love a good surprise, but where could he be taking us that would be a surprise in this town? I’ve lived here my whole life and have seen and been everywhere.

“Okay,” I giggle. “Are we going to be gone long?”

“I don’t know. Depends on how much you love my surprise. Which will be a lot. So maybe.”

I laugh more. He’s such a goober sometimes. But I don’t question him. His surprises are usually amazing, so I’ll go with it.

We strap Noah into his carrier and head for his truck. My car still doesn’t meet Warren’s standards of safety to drive around a baby in. I don’t think it ever will. We’ll probably need to sell it soon and buy something more reliable and maybe a decade newer.

“Here,” Warren holds out a bandana to me and I stare at it. “Put this on. I don’t want you to see where we’re going till we get there.”

“Ooh big surprise huh? Okay.”

I take the bandana and tie it around my eyes. Warren double checks it’s in place before I hear the truck engine turn over and feel the movement of the truck pulling out of the parking space behind the store.

While he drives, I try to figure out where we’re going based on turns but I’m horrible at estimating distance, so when we do turn I have no idea what street we’re on.

It only takes ten minutes to get where we’re going, and I can tell we’re on a gravel road and am now completely confused as to where we are.