“Yes, we are. I didn’t think this through. We need more security and safety. The city is full of crazies, including our families. Did you see my dad last night? He waltzed in here looking like a street bum, dirty as hell, and reeked of stench.”
“You’re exaggerating again. He came from work, looked perfectly acceptable, and smelled fine.”
“His fingernails were filthy!” I spit out.
She stops folding and points to the door. “Out. Now.”
I refuse to move, my eyes glued to my daughter sleeping, swaddled securely in her bassinet. If I could, I’d stay this way twenty-four hours a day.
“Oooowwwww!” I hiss when Greer pinches the skin below my ribcage and twists painfully. She takes no mercy, using her advantage and yanking me out of the room.
She stomps us into the living room before releasing me. “What was that for?” I clutch my side.
“You’re hovering, smothering, suffocating, and every other word in the English language! You have to lay off.”
“Not a chance.”
“This is ridiculous. I thought it was sweet at first, but she’s nearly twelve weeks old.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“I thought I was the one that was supposed to be neurotic after childbirth.”
“I’m not neurotic. I’m protective, and to be honest, it bothers me you aren’t a little more concerned about the riffraff that invade our home on a daily basis.”
Her face heats up and eyes narrow in warning. “Riffraff? Did you just refer to our family and friends as worthless human beings?”
I step out of her reach before answering. “Yes.”
Laser beams shoot straight at me until my skin actually starts to tingle.
She drops her head back and looks at the ceiling, taking a few deep breaths. When she looks back to me, her eyes have cleared but her cheeks are still flushed.
“Lawson, you have to stop this. It’s exhausting taking care of a newborn and a psycho.”
“That’s another problem. You’re overextending yourself. You need to take care of Jade and I’ll take care of you. That’s how this circle is supposed to work. Instead, you’re taking care of everything and everyone. Having guests all the time is wearing you out.”
“Correction, YOU are wearing me out.”
A tinge of guilt rolls in my gut as her words sink in. I step back into her space, pulling her to me. “Baby, I’m not going to apologize for loving you beyond reason.”
“No, I didn’t think you would. But think maybe you can lighten up?”
“Probably not,” I tell her honestly.
She lifts her face to mine, and like always, my heart skips a beat at her radiance. Even fatigued, weary, and functioning on little sleep, she’s the most gorgeous woman in the world. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her, and she knows it. I stare into her eyes and sigh in defeat, giving in. “I’ll try to lighten up.”
She nestles into my embrace, wrapping her arms around my waist. “That’s all I can ask for.”
“After I speak to your dad about additional security to the building.” I amend my statement.
“Of course, because that’s all we need is Dad involved,” she grumbles, aware that her dad is almost as overbearing as me when it comes to her and Jade.
I hold her tight, kissing the top of her head an inhaling deep. The scent of all things baby fills my senses and instantly calm my overactive nerves.
“Are you sniffing me again?”
“You smell like Jade.”