Page 95 of Let Me Love You
“How far along are you?” Ash asks. “And why didn’t you tell me? This is amazing! Seriously. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks,” Kate murmurs. “It’s still pretty new. I’m almost out of my first trimester, but I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. With everything going on, I didn’t want to…” Her shoulders lift, and Ash nods her understanding.
“I get it,” Ash says. “But seriously. I’m so excited for you. You’re gonna be the best mom!”
“So are you,” Kate replies. “Jaxon’s lucky to have you.”
“P.S. When are we gonna meet him?” I interrupt.
Colt looks at me and smiles. “Soon.”
“Perfect.”
35
ASHLYN
Colt’s nose wrinkles as we pull into the parking spot outside our apartment. “I think he pooped.”
I look over my shoulder to find Jaxon kicking his little legs, the Tigger stuffie hanging precariously off the edge as if it might fall onto the leather seat any second. The sour stench hangs in the air, and I laugh, turning back to Colt. “Pretty sure you’re right.”
“How do I change a diaper?” Colt asks.
Surprised, I reply, “Wait. You’veneverchanged a diaper?”
He shakes his head, worry crinkling the corners of his eyes as he cuts off the engine. The guy looks so lost. So out of his element. I kind of want to kiss him for it.
With another laugh, I urge, “Come on. I’ll show you.”
We head inside the apartment. The car seat swings next to Colt’s legs as he carries Jaxon with us. After Ali confirmed to everyone Colt is indeed his father, we sat down for dinner with Eleanor and discussed custody, which was surreal on an entirely different level.
Thanks to Colt’s career choice and lack of involvement in Jaxon’s first year of life, we decided to take things slowly, only watching him on the weekends when Colt’s in town. I exchanged numbers with Eleanor in case she ever needs someone to keep an eye on Jax while Colt’s out of town. As for child support, Ali walked us through the traditional breakdown, and Colt agreed without batting an eye.
And now. Here we are. Having our first night together.
Colt. Me. And Jaxon.
“Do you think he’ll like the crib?” Colt asks.
“Yeah, I think he’ll like it just fine.”
“And the toys? They aren’t too young for him or anything, right?”
“I think he’ll love them,” I reply.
Colt sets the car seat inside the front door after opening it and fumbles with the straps, helplessly turning to me.
“Here.” I click the massive red button between Jaxon’s thighs, and the buckles unlatch.
Colt nods, soaking up my demonstration like a dry sponge.
“There you go,” I offer.
I step back and give Colt some space as he slowly picks Jax up. Colt’s watery eyes meet mine, and his expression sours. “Holy shit, that stinks.”
With a laugh, I reach for the diaper bag, rummaging through everything, pulling out the wipes and a clean nappy. “Here.”
It’s kind of adorable. Watching him dry heave while wiping the poop from Jaxon’s bum. Once he’s finished, I teach Colt how to change Jaxon’s clothes, then run the soiled diaper to the outside garbage can because there’s no way we’re keeping it inside our house.