Page 14 of Mr. Cream

Devon kisses the top of my head. “I love you so much Ambrosia,” he whispers.

“I love you too,” I whisper, tipping my face up and offering him my lips. The kiss is soft and sweet, but it connects us.

He reaches out to cradle Madeline’s head in his giant hand and brushes his thumb lightly across the top. “She’s beautiful.” His face is beaming with pride and the new-found love of a father.

We sit like that for the longest time, enjoying the quiet moments of our new family. When the nurse comes in to help me feed Madeline, Devon watches with rapt attention. And when I start to argue with him about resting, he wraps me up in his comforting scent and strokes my hair until my eyes grow heavy and I fall into a deep sleep.

When I wake up, Devon is holding Madeline and gently swaying with her. My heart skips a beat watching him with our daughter, humming to her, talking to her in hushed tones.

“You have the most beautiful mommy,” he says quietly. “But we’re going to let her sleep for a while because you sure did take your time arriving.”

My hand covers my mouth, stifling the laugh that threatens to ruin their time together. Madeline mewls in response and raises her little fist in protest.

“We’re going to have to work on making you a big sister,” he says, a little louder which makes me suspect that Devon knows I’m awake. “Daddy wants a big family with lots of kids.”

“Then you can have the next one,” I finally say.

Devon sets Ambrosia down in the isolette next to my bed before he dares to look up at me with his mischievous eyes.

“The doctor said six weeks, Ambrosia. I’ll give you six weeks and then you’re mine.”

“Yes, sir.”