Page 25 of Forever King

So my brother is in the same boat as I am. Interesting. I don’t wish him misery, but it’s nice to know I’m not the only father struggling.

“Well, it sounds like all of us need a nice adult night. Whatever night it is, we’ll be there.”

Even as I say that, I know we may have to meet with Duck’s family about the wedding, but I’m hoping that won’t be that night. In fact, I don’t think we need to meet with them again. It’s not like anything has changed since the last time we all talked about it.

Then again, her mother could talk about wedding plans until the end of time.

“I’ll call Eden and give her the good news. I was supposed to call her at lunch, so I’ll kill two birds with one stone.”

“Sounds good. Thanks for everything, Ava.”

“No need to thank me. Don’t worry, Marius. You’re doing just fine. You’ll get the hang of things.”

God, I hope so.

The soundof heels tapping on the hardwood floor tells me Duck has come home, so I jump up off the sofa and head toward the front door. I meet her halfway through the living room, thrilled to see her after a long day.

Before she can say a word, I press my fingertip to her lips and smile. “Lily just had dinner and is relaxing in her playpen. I don’t know if she’s asleep, but she’s quiet, so I’m hoping to keep her happy and not crying,” I whisper.

My wife’s beautiful green eyes fill with some emotion I can’t place. Is it pity? I’m not sure.

“Baby, did you have a bad day?” she asks slightly loudly, and I instantly crane my neck to listen for Lily’s cries.

Thankfully, I hear nothing.

“Not really. Just my usual. How was your day?”

Duck gives me a big smile. “It was great! My boss gave me a huge compliment on the report I gave him the other day.”

She forgets to whisper, and that’s all it takes. Lily lets out a sob that makes my heart sink. Without saying another word, I turn around and head for the playpen on the other side of the living room. By the time I reach the baby, she’s red-faced and looks like she might morph into a demon at any moment.

Behind me, Duck says, “Marius, I’ll take care of this. Go take a shower. You look like you need one.”

I glance back at her as I lift Lily out of the playpen and she stops crying. “I’m fine. We have a system now. She doesn’t cry when I pick her up, so I hold her all the time.”

Rolling her eyes, Duck takes our daughter out of my arms. “Honey, you can let a baby cry. Sometimes they just feel like crying. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with her. As long as she’s dry, fed, and burped so she doesn’t have one of those painful gas bubbles, she’s fine. Let her cry a little.”

I notice Lily isn’t crying now that her mother has her. In fact, she’s all smiles and giggles with Duck. Must be nice.

“She cries all the time,” I say, feeling more than a little defensive from her critique of my parenting. “Maybe we should get her checked out by the doctor again.”

Duck smiles and kisses Lily’s pudgy cheek. “We just saw the doctor last week, and he’s thrilled with her progress. She’s growing and meeting all the benchmarks. I told him all about the spitting up, and it’s fine. Babies spit up, Marius.”

“Spit up? I don’t think what she’s doing is spitting up. I was covered at one point today.”

“Really? Covered? Was it really that much?” Duck asks, raising her eyebrows to show she’s clearly skeptical of my claims.

I may be exaggerating, but only a little. “Well, maybe not entirely covered. She never seems to keep things down, though. And she cries constantly.”

“Honey, she’s fine.” Turning to face the baby, she coos, “Aren’t you, my favorite little lady? Yes, you are. You’re doing great. Daddy’s just a big worrier, isn’t he? Yes, he is. He’s one big worry.”

Like she can’t wait to betray me, Lily turns her head and stares in my direction, as if to say, “Yes, you are one big worrier, Dad. Chill the hell out, and maybe I won’t cry so much. Ever think of that?”

“See?” Duck says. “She’s fine. I’ve got her. Go shower or watch something on TV. Or do whatever you want to relax. We don’t have to be at my parents’ until six, so we’ve got like two hours before we have to go.”

My heart sinks as the memory of her telling me about meeting with her parents this morning comes rushing back to me. It’s not later this week like I thought before. It’s tonight. Damn.

“About that. What if you go and Lily and I stay here? She goes to bed by seven, so we don’t want to keep her out past her bedtime.”