Page 18 of Baby Daddy
Tyson’s room was at the very end of the long corridor. I felt bad there were so many sick children in this world. I didn’t know how parents coped with that awful fate. A normal kid was a big enough responsibility. But a sick one? A disquieting thought hit me. I hoped that none of the women I’d impregnated had to go through that. Yet another good reason not to have kids.
As we stepped into Tyson’s small sterile room, Dee let out a gasp and ran to her side. The little girl was sound asleep, but hooked up to IVs and had a breathing tube in her nose.
“Oh my God. What are all these machines and tubes?” Dee asked as she caressed the child’s angelic face.
“They’re just intravenous fluids to regulate her heartbeat and circulatory system. The breathing tube is just an extra precautionary measure.”
“My poor baby.”
“Don’t worry, Mrs. McDermott—”
Dee stopped her short. “I go by my maiden name, Walker. So does my daughter.”
Unfazed, Nurse Mary continued. “Most likely by this evening, all the tubes will be removed. We’d like to keep her here overnight for observation.”
“Of course,” Dee said softly, still caressing her little one.
“I’ll be back shortly to check on her,” said Nurse Mary as she headed to the door and then disappeared.
My eyes stayed on Dee and her daughter. Despite my macho façade, the scene tugged at my heartstrings. There was something about her maternal love for this child that toyed with my emotions and made my bones weaken. I found myself inching closer to the two of them until I was standing beside Dee.
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she, my little mighty girl?” Dee whispered, never taking her eyes off her daughter.
“Yeah,” I swallowed. Up close, the child was indeed a little beauty with ivory skin, an upturned button nose, and two long, thick dark pigtails. And despite the breathing tube, her full ruby-red lips curled into a little smile. The rise and fall of her chest and her soft breathing mesmerized me.
“How old is she?” I asked, keeping my voice down. “Five?”
“She’ll be six at the end of the week. This Sunday.”
“Well, you definitely have a reason to celebrate.”
“That’s for sure.” Dee’s voice grew watery and before long she was sniffling again.
“What’s the matter? She’s going to be okay.”
Dee brushed away her tears with a hand. On the nightstand, I eyed a box of Kleenex and handed her one.
“Thanks,” she choked out after blowing her nose. “I’m just overwhelmed. If something ever happened to her, I don’t know what I’d do. She’s everything to me. My universe. If she died, I would die too.”
Her words left me speechless. What was I going to say? I understand. No, self-centered single forever me didn’t really understand this intense level of love and loss even though my parents had many years ago experienced an unexpected life or death tragedy that tested their mettle. And their love for one another.
“I should get back to the office,” I said, floundering for words.
“Do you mind if I stay here until she wakes up?”
“Take the day off.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. I don’t have a lot going on. I’ll be fine.”
I wasn’t prepared for Dee’s reaction. She turned around and flung her arms around me, giving me a big hug.
“Drake, I don’t know how to thank you.”
Oh, I could think of a couple ways as I felt the beginnings of an erection beneath my jeans. She felt delicious, so soft, and feminine, and her vulnerability made her even more appealing. I’d never been so attracted to a woman. Not even to stunning supermodel-like Krizia. There was just something about her.