Page 27 of The Unseen (Echoes from the Past #5)

TWENTY-TWO

The next morning dawned bright and sunny, but bitterly cold.

Frost sparkled on the windowpanes and a stealthy wind moved through the trees.

Gabe was already up, getting ready for work.

He scooped Alex out of his cot and handed him to Quinn, who took him into bed with her.

The baby looked at her with wide-eyed recognition and smacked his lips meaningfully.

“Are you feeling better today, little man?” Quinn cooed to him. Alex tried to smile, baring his toothless gums at her instead. “Hungry?”

Quinn watched him carefully as he nursed, but the discomfort of last night seemed to have been forgotten.

He sucked greedily, eager to fill his little belly.

“What do you say we go for a walk today? I know, it’s cold outside, but I’ll bundle you up.

We can go visit Daddy at work and talk to a nice man called Monty. How does that sound?”

Alex gurgled happily in response.

“Is he eating again?” Emma asked as she came into the room, dressed for school. “Doesn’t he ever do anything else?”

“He’s a baby, Emma. What do you expect him to do?” Quinn asked.

“I want to play with him. I thought he’d be more fun. I still want a puppy, you know.”

“I certainly do. You’ll see Buster in less than a fortnight. He’ll be so happy to have someone to chase, besides Grandma Phoebe.”

“He doesn’t chase Grandma Phoebe. He sits at her feet as she reads her romance novels. It’s no fun for him. ”

“No, I don’t imagine it is. Make sure you wear your hat and scarf,” Quinn called after Emma as she retreated to the kitchen to have her breakfast.

“I know. I know,” she called back.

“How’s he this morning?” Gabe asked when he returned to the bedroom, having given Emma her breakfast.

“He’s better. He ate well and now he’s turning all shades of crimson, and you know what that means.”

“I’d better make a run for it then. You’re on nappy duty this morning. Quinn, perhaps you should take him to the clinic. He seemed to be really suffering last night.”

Quinn nodded. “I’ll go this morning. I wish my mum were here. It’d be nice to have someone to talk to about these things.”

“Why don’t you ring Brenda? She’s been helpful in the past.”

“I don’t want to keep bothering her every time I have a question. She’s busy with her own life, and it’s been ages since her boys were little.”

“Then why not join some sort of a mum-and-baby group?” Gabe asked carefully.

“I rang Alison several times—that’s the woman I met at the antenatal yoga class—but her husband’s been offered a job in Glasgow and they’re moving right after the New Year. Shame, I really like her. I’ll look into joining a group after the holidays.”

“Okay. Ring me after the clinic.”

“I will. Gabe, what would you say to buying Emma one more Christmas gift?”

“I thought you’ve already shopped for her. ”

“I have, but I want to do something special to make her happy. She’s feeling displaced by the new baby.”

“I’m listening.”

Quinn quickly outlined her plan. “What do you think?”

“I think it sounds like a lovely idea. I’ll take care of it,” Gabe promised.

“You are a very good daddy.”

“It’s your idea. I can’t take credit for it.”

“No, you can’t, but you’re still a good daddy,” Quinn replied, blowing him a kiss.

After Gabe and Emma left, Quinn changed Alex’s nappy, deposited him on his activity blanket, and made herself some breakfast. She’d put off the walk for another day, as it was too cold anyway, and take Alex to the clinic instead before stopping by the institute to talk to Monty.

And if she timed her visit right, Gabe might take her out to lunch.

She wasn’t the type of person who needed round-the-clock company, but she did get lonely, spending nearly every day by herself.

Alex was amazing, but not a very skilled conversationalist just yet.

She missed the bustle of the city and the comforting din of conversation as people enjoyed a good meal and a drink before returning to the business of the day.

The clinic was busy when Quinn came in, but luckily, there weren’t too many people in front of her to see the pediatrician.

Dr. Rankin was in his forties. He reminded Quinn of a large, cuddly teddy bear.

His soft brown eyes, dark hair, and thick neat beard only served to reinforce the comparison.

He had a gentle manner with both babies and mothers.

Quinn waited patiently while the doctor examined Alex.

The baby didn’t like having his stomach palpated and kicked his legs in outrage, his face warning Quinn that he was preparing to howl for help.

Dr. Rankin finished his examination and tickled him, getting a happy snort instead.

He allowed Alex to grab the stethoscope and study the shiny surface before carefully removing it from his hands and turning to Quinn.

“Is he all right, Dr. Rankin? He often cries and seems uncomfortable in the evenings.”

Dr. Rankin gave her a reassuring smile. “I don’t see anything wrong, Mrs. Russell. Alex is thriving and developing normally. What did you have for dinner last night?”

“Me?”

“Yes, you.”

“I made pasta primavera. It’s the easiest way to get vegetables into a five-year-old,” Quinn replied proudly, having figured out how to outsmart Emma.

“What type of vegetables did you add to the pasta?”

“Broccoli, carrots, peas, and red and green peppers.”

“Garlic?”

“Yes, I added some to the sauce.”

Dr. Rankin nodded as if Quinn had just confirmed his suspicions.

“Some babies can handle anything, but others have a more sensitive digestive system. Perhaps the garlic, broccoli, and peppers were too much for him. He doesn’t ingest them directly, but everything you eat is in your breast milk.

If you plan to continue nursing, you might want to try eating things that are easier for Alex to process. ”

Quinn shook her head in dismay. “I didn’t realize the vegetables might upset his stomach. I’ve been avoiding harsh spices and processed foods. I thought I was giving him nutrients by eating more vegetables.”

“And you thought correctly, but certain vegetables can be hard on his system, and garlic in particular. ”

“Thank you, Doctor. I will certainly keep that in mind.”

“You can begin to wean him if you’d rather not continue nursing. Are you returning to work?”

“Yes, but my hours are flexible for the time being. I’d like to nurse him until he’s six months old. I will do whatever is necessary.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I’ll see you next month for Alex’s checkup.”

Quinn dressed Alex and settled him in his pram.

She was immensely relieved there was nothing wrong with him, but guilt gnawed at her gut.

She’d been thoughtless and had caused her baby pain.

And the worst of it was that she was desperately craving things she couldn’t have, like curry and kebobs, and wine.

It seemed even salad had to be avoided for fear of causing Alex suffering.

Quinn sighed and rolled the pram out of the clinic.

Being a mother was a lot different than she’d expected.