Mom and I say our goodbyes then leave father and daughter alone for the first time.
“It’s just you and me, kid,” I say to my daughter, who’s sleeping soundly in my arms. She doesn’t have a care in the world. If I get my way, she never will. I want to give her the world. Instead of putting her in her room, I place her in what Kinley calls a pack-n-play. She said I would need it if I take Lexi places with me, so she has a safe place to sleep. She also mentioned I would probably want her close when I first brought her home. Once again, she nailed it. I owe her so much.
Once I have Lexi settled, I unpack the bag Kinley brought to the hospital for me and start a load of laundry. I busy myself unpacking the formula samples the hospital gave me and then call my foreman, letting him know Lexi came a few weeks early and I’m going to need him to handle the crew and, well . . . everything for a few days. He and I had already talked about this, so the only surprise is that it’s a few weeks sooner than we discussed.
I do a few more things around the house as quiet as I can and she’s still
sleeping. I’m glad I read all those books or I would be freaked out that something was wrong. Babies sleep a lot. Deciding I should try to catch a quick catnap, I stretch out on the couch and close my eyes. Just as I’m about to drift off, I feel my pocket vibrate.
Pulling out my phone, I see I have a text from Aaron.
Aaron: I’m at the door.
I pull my tired ass off the couch and go greet my best friend.
“Hey,” Aaron whispers when I open the door. “I didn’t wake her, did I? Kinley said she was probably sleeping.”
“Nah, she’s sleeping, but it’s all good. Come on in.” I step back to let him pass.
“I bet you’re glad to be home.”
“You have no idea,” I say, following him into the living room.
Aaron stops by the pack-n-play to peek in on my daughter. My daughter . . . it’s surreal she’s here.
“She’s a cutie, man. We’re going to have our hands full.” He softly chuckles.
That’s my best friend. Always there no matter what the situation. He automatically includes himself in the future of warding off horny boys from my baby girl. “I don’t even want to think about that yet.”
This causes Aaron to laugh and the sound startles Lexi. “Shit, man, I’m sorry,” he says before placing his hand over his mouth.
“Don’t be. I read that you need to not keep everything quiet so they will learn to sleep through everyday household noises. It didn’t wake her, so we’re all good.”
“Do you need anything?” he asks.
“Nah, I’m good.”
“Kinley told me she refused to let you bring her home in your truck. She said you were going to be getting a new one. Any ideas of what you might get?”
“Honestly, man, I don’t know. I haven’t thought much about it. I know I need something more reliable. I might check out Dodge. I really like Kinley’s Durango.”
“Yeah, it’s sweet. I looked at Dodge before I bought mine, but decided I needed to stay a Ford man.”
“Yeah, I need to get that taken care of soon. I can’t keep Kinley’s Durango forever.”
“She’s in no rush. She works at home most of the time and I already told her if something comes up she can take my truck. I spend most of my days in the stables anyway.”
“Yeah, but it’s something I’ve been planning on. It would have been easier to do it without taking a newborn with me, but it is what it is.”
“Yeah. Have you heard from her? From Misty?”
“No. I don’t really think I will. It’s all on me, and I don’t regret it. I love that little girl, I can’t even express what it felt like to hear her cry for the first time.”
“That’s heavy stuff, bro. I’m happy as hell for you. I know nothing about babies or how to raise them, but I’m in your corner. Anything you need, I’m there.”
“Thanks, man. I’m not sure how truck shopping is going to go with a newborn, but I’m about to find out.”
“I’m sure Mom or Kinley would be happy to keep her.”