Page 130 of Family Bonds- Gabriela & Luca
“She’ll scream when she’s done. Or want to eat earlier. I guess it’s worse in the morning when she’s slept longer, even though she’s waking up to eat too.”
“I don’t see why you can’t try a few baby spoonfuls of cereal with her bottle at dinner. See how she does. Only a few. Even if she loves it. We want to make sure she doesn’t get a bellyache.”
“We can do that, right, Sadie? My wife wants to give her food to make her happy when I say to let it sit and see if she is fine in twenty minutes.”
“I agree with that method. She’s getting plenty enough and growing well, but she could require more. Some babies do. If she tolerates it well, then do the same in the morning for a few days.Work your way up to about two teaspoons worth for breakfast and dinner and then we’ll go from there.”
Sadie was typing it all into her phone. She loved when the parents were so on top of things and enthusiastic. It saved calls later on if they missed something.
When the young couple left, she walked out and left the door open. Her last patient of the day.
Glancing at her watch, she realized she was actually on time. A rare victory she wanted to celebrate—though with a cancellation this afternoon, the universe was clearly cutting her some slack.
“Heading to the hospital now?” Kate asked.
“In a few. I might grab something to eat first. I forgot dinner, and once I hit the floor, it’s a blur until the cafeteria closes.”
She swung her jacket on, tossed her purse into her bag, snapped her laptop shut, and locked the door. A wave to the team, then she was out the door.
Pulling out her phone, she called Luca. Their little check-ins were becoming a ritual. One she’d never done with anyone before. Not like this.
“Wow. You’re done early.”
“On time,” she said, letting her shoulders shimmy in triumph.
He laughed. “I’m marking the calendar. This is a first for you.”
“How do you know that? Someone spilling tea?” she teased.
“Maybe,” he said, a smirk in his voice. “Or maybe I just know you too well.”
“Scary thought.” Her grin widened. “I don’t have a reputation for being on time. Everyone knows that,” she said, opening the door to walk through the long hallway connecting the hospital to the offices. “I’m not sure why you’re celebrating.”
“Because it’s a miracle,” he teased.
She laughed, walking a little slower to enjoy these few minutes. “A miracle. Sure. I’ll take that.”
She couldn’t help it she enjoyed her patients so much that she wanted to play with them before and after their appointments.
“You better,” he said, his voice dropping just a little lower. “I might start expecting more miracles. Could get dangerous.”
“Dangerous, huh?” She smirked, pressing the phone between her shoulder and ear while juggling her bag and pulling her badge out to open the first door. “Are you saying that because you want me to be late next time?”
“Maybe,” he admitted with a soft chuckle. “Or maybe I’m just imagining you walking in, your hair messy, your feet moving fast, being out of breath. That sound you make when you’ve exhausted yourself.” His voice dropped a little husky. “And knowing I can’t do anything about it.”
Her cheeks warmed. She just loved this playful side of him. And saw exactly what he was doing. “You’re impossible.”
“Maybe,” he said, “but you keep calling me anyway. Sounds like a you problem.”
She shook her head, smiling despite herself. She was the one to call when it was her shift. When it was his, he did the calling.
“I have a lot of problems, but you’re not one,” she said, trying to sing it like the Jay-Z song. She failed miserably by the laughter on the other end.
And the looks of those watching her make a fool of herself.
“Okay then. I think it’s time for you to go before you start really rapping.”
She burst out laughing. “Oh, the horror for everyone around if I did that.”
