I took in my haggard appearance in the mirror as I washed my hands. It wasn’t like I could do anything about it after everything. A shower would be good though… after I ate something.
I exited the bathroom and stiffly limped down the hallway. Danny was right where I had left him. His eyes met mine, and he stood, blocking my path to the sofa.
“Turn around.”
I studied him. “Why? I’m hungry, remember?”
“I do. I want to show you where everything is, put Dante in his new bed, then I’ll feed you, wash you, and put you to bed.”
Warmth pooled in my belly. Wash me?
“Um, I’m not used to being without him.” I laid my hand on Dante’s little head. My little guy had been my whole world. It was weird not having him in my arms or attached to me in the baby sling.
“You’re both safe here, Em.” Danny’s thumb caressed my cheek. “Just come take a look.” He led me to a room at the end of the hallway.
I smiled at him. “The crib is in our bedroom?”
“Yes, baby. Maddy told me to set it up in here. Birdie sleeps in Storm and Maddy’s room too.”
I went to the crib and sniggered. “Pink sheets.”
Danny kissed my head. “He won’t know the difference. We’ll buy him his own stuff so he doesn’t have to use Birdie’s.”
“Her nickname is adorable.” I couldn’t wait to meet her and introduce Dante to her.
“It’s short for a songbird. Storm is sure she’ll have a voice like Maddy’s.”
“I bet she will too.” I exhaled, looking around the rest of the room. It had a queen-size bed, a dresser, two nightstands, and a closet. “This is nice.”
Danny kissed Dante’s head and placed him in the crib, tucking the blanket around him and wedging another under his back.
“Did Maddy show you how to do that?” I swallowed down the sadness creeping into my throat. I should’ve been the one to teach him about baby stuff.
“Yes, but there’s a lot I don’t know about our son. You’ll have to teach me.”
It was like he could hear my thoughts.
He wrapped his arm around me and hugged me. This was what I had needed at the airport.
“I missed you so much.” He squeezed me tighter. “It killed me to be away from you. Not a day, hour, minute, or second went by that I didn’t think of you.”
I melted in this body, inhaling his natural scent. He smelled like I remembered, but his body was different, with a lot more muscles.
“Same. Especially when our Little D arrived.” That was a precious moment my dad stole from Danny and me. I would never forgive him for it.
“I like that, Little D. It’d make a good road name.”
I stiffened and pulled back. “I don’t know about him being a biker.”
“Let’s not worry about it now. He can’t even wipe his own ass.” Danny winked, tugging me away from the crib.
“I guess you’re right.”
“I am.” He went to the dresser, opened the second drawer, and removed a T-shirt. He put it in my hand. “Tomorrow, Tina and a prospect can pick up some clothes for you and whatever else you want.”
“Okay.” I sniffed his shirt. He still used the same laundry soap.
“Come on. Do you want to eat first or shower?”