Touching the Heart of Ace novel Chapter 56

I knocked on the door like a lunatic, and stormed past the person who opened it, not caring if it was Robbie, Jason or that fucking bitch Janice herself. All of them could burn in hell including myself but my sweet baby...

She fell and...

I was shedding my jacket, shoes and belt waywardly all over the living room, storming to her room.

??She is in my bedroom, Angel.?? I felt a soft tug on my hand and it guided me to a dark and gloomy room.

The light I kept in this house was flickering with fever and it was not surprising to see everything dimmed.

Even the crashing waves sounded so worried.

My baby, where was she???

I choked back a sob looking at her.

Her tiny sweet body was looking so fragile and non-existent on Robbie??s California King bed.

??Oh.?? I small whimper of despair left my throat and I was shaking so bad. I swallowed my sobs and I gently brushed her tiny forehead and hissed, when I got burned.

She was burning up so bad.

??Daddy...?? I called for Robbie because I was so scared and I did not know what to do. She was shivering under the blanket but was sweating too.

I heard her tiny whimpers, and I felt I was dying.

??Daddy... Prin... cess...?? I sniffled and I truly was dying.

??She needs a cold bath.?? That was all he could say and I noticed how tired and lonely he looked.

I stretched out my arm and he cuddled closer to my body; he was also shaking. ??She is fine Angel. She is fine.??

I heard my baby whimpering again. ??I am gonna... I am gonna...?? I could not finish my sentence as I stripped myself to the underwear and removed Lia??s sweater and onesie.

I picked her up and I bit my sob again when I got burned by her fever again. She was shaking to her core. Robbie put his hand behind my back and I was doing everything to stop from screaming.

Robbie took my baby out of my hands as I lowered myself to the Jacuzzi filled with cold water. I looked around and noticed how cluttered everything was. How long had he been doing this?

Another whimper broke me off unnecessary irrelevant things. This time, I could not stop from crying when my baby sighed in relief, when lowered to the cold water.

It was not how it should be. She did not like cold baths. Her fevered body did not even wake up in water. She lied on my chest like a broken doll.

No, not broken.

I would not let her to break... I would kill anyone who dares to touch her again.

I cradled her close, slowly washing her body and the water was warming up fast because of her temperature.

??Stream, daddy.??

??Will it be too cold for you???

I did not reply and Robbie changed the settings and the water started flowing around us and soon steady stream of cold water flowed through my shoulder and gently caressed Lia??s back before flowing away.

She sighed again and her whimpers lowered and she fell asleep, again.

I sniffled at how much she had lost weight, toddlers like her should not lose weight. Her chubby arms were now thin as twigs, her stomach had crawled inwards, and her ribs were poking through.

??My baby.?? I sobbed harder and my chest shook with emotion but my sweet baby did not wake up.

I felt Robbie slowly rubbing my back. ??Nothing is wrong.??

I nodded.

Soon Lia??s teeth started chattering and I washed her before handing her back to Robbie before quickly washing myself.

I climbed back to her bed and pulled her to my chest, my hiccups not worrying her one bit.

??I will bring some soup Angel.??

I slowly dozed off, her tiny body warm and secure in my hands and she was going to stay that way as long as she needed it.

??Angel... Angel...??

??Hmm...??

??She has meds.?? I yawned tiredly and looked at my baby who was still sleeping. ??I brought some soup.??

Her hair was all over face, I had not wet them, afraid if the fever hiked. I asked Robbie to bring me a hairband and I stretched it on her head, not bothering about the knots.

??Doctor recommended cutting it off. It will help her to regulate the temperature.?? Robbie mumbled and I started crying again. ??Angel...??

Her beautiful curls. It was okay, it would grow back, like how my baby would laugh and giggle and run around after this stupid fever went down.

??She cried and fought me when I took her to the barber??s. Then I tried to use my trimmer at home, but she screamed for you and I could not...??

??I will sit with her, if she starts fussing shave mine first.?? I looked away from his troubled eyes.

Robbie handed me the soup, and I took a sip. It was bland, she would not eat it.

??That bad???

??You don??t know how to cook, daddy.??

??Brat.?? He affectionately called me and I smiled before crying again.

??I... I will make her some.??

I kissed her burning forehead. She took a cold bath, less than half an hour ago and she was burning up again. I sniffled and wet a cotton cloth and placed it on her forehead, before going down to the kitchen.

Everything was a mess and I could not care less.

I added some salt and pepper to the soup Robbie made before storing it away. I would have it later. I started dicing the veggies and put the chicken in the sink to defrost.

I knew I was trying very hard to stay strong but when I felt his touch on my shoulder I broke down completely. Thick noisy sobs left my throat as I leaned on his sleep deprived tired body.

??Shhh... just a fever, baby. Just a fever.??

It was not just a fever. We both knew it. My baby got scared, we failed to protect her. It was not the first time she got a fever but this is the first time... and the last time; I would die before it happens again.

??Accidently, pushed.??

I knew nobody would believe me, not even Robbie with his love-hate relationship with Janice, that she would purposely push her down but... I was feeling queasy... Was it because she never truly showed any affection to her daughter? Or, was it because she called my baby horrible names that day at the hospital?

I could not put my finger on it but...

My baby was too precious for me to play with what if??s. She was the wonder of my life, the light of my day, the dream of my being and everything in between. From the moment, I held her in my lap and felt her touch in my heart, to this moment clutching on Robbie??s shoulders and sobbing, I could tell anyone without a doubt that Lia owned my very soul.

??I need to make the soup, Robbie.??

I washed my face and got back to the cooking, adding all her favourite spices and ingredients being mindful that her tummy could not handle a lot.

I simmered the stove and waited for it to thicken, before sitting down to have the soup Robbie made.

??You don??t have to, Angel.??

I shrugged. ??I like your soup.??

??No, you don??t. You eat stuff I make, just not to hurt my feelings. Don??t worry, Angel, our kid has stomped on my ego real hard, you can??t do much damage.??

I chuckled before having another spoonful.

God, he looked so tired and stressed out. He looked very old, like he aged a decade. He looked famished too.

I frequently checked my soup so it would not thicken too much.

??It is done, Robbie, do you want a bowl now???

??Yes, please.??

I was about to pour him a big bowl when I heard a scream from my child??s room and my heart dropped along with the bowl. I ran to her, in panic... ??BABY...??

Never in my life had I heard her so afraid, not even nightmares made her cry like this.

She was kicking on the bed, her body taut and stretched and I tried to pick her up but she was not having it...

??DAVEYYYYY.... DAVEEEEEYYYYYYY....??

??Baby... Princess... I am here... Davey is here... Open your eyes... sweet heart... It is me, Davey...??

She fought me while screaming for me and I was panicking really bad.

??Daddy...?? She sobbed... ??Daddy... Davey... DAVEYYY?? She was not awake, she was still dreaming, her eyes rolling behind her eyelids and I was crying and begging her to open her eyes.

Robbie picked her up, not a bit bothered about her kicks on his stomach. He gently wrapped her tiny legs around his stomach and started patting her back; pacing.

??Oooohhh... ohhh... Baby Angel... oooh... Daddy got you, baby... daddy is here... and guess who came home, your Davey.?? He was so calm and collected and strong, and I could almost see it seeping to his daughter as her screams, slowly dwindling down. He peppered her head with strong and deep kisses.

She was still dreaming, not even properly hearing what Robbie was saying but his voice was giving her the rope to climb off the nightmare.

And I fell in love with him even more.

I noticed I was also pacing with them, as I hung to Robbie??s elbow, waiting for my baby to open her eyes and look at me and see me and love me and call me ??Davey??.

??Remember daddy telling you, if you be a good girl and have your soup, our Angel will come home???

He waited but she was breathing hard on his shoulders. ??Angel is home.??

??Davey???

??Yeah, baby, Davey is home.??

Then her crusted eyes slowly opened and I waited for her to jump to my hands but she did not.

She popped her thumb in her mouth and kept on staring at me; breaking my heart, mind and soul. I felt like an eternity had passed before she stretched her too skinny arms to me, and I plucked her from her daddy.

Her stares were similar to her daddy??s. So unnerving and challenging, it was like both of them could look into your soul and judge you. And I let her, to go through my whole existence, she had the right, she had my permission.

She started sniffling and chewing on her thumb.

??Little Baby, my sweetheart.?? Whatever dam she had in her mind, broken down and she started crying, calling me ??Davey?? and it was raining in my desert of a mind. I could feel her healing, her light slowly flickering back to brightness and the pain of love piercing my heart again. I cried with her, rocking her to calm myself down as much as to calm her.

??Davey...?? She hiccupped... ??Lilil Baby sickee...??

??Aww... is my Little baby sick???

??Uhh huhh...?? She pouted and I kissed her dry lips, then her cheeks.

I adjusted her to my hip and she wiped her runny nose on my shoulder. Robbie handed me a wet tissue. ??Blow, sweetie.?? And she did and I wiped her clean.

??Go with daddy and...??

??NOOOOO!!! DAVEY... No go!!! No gooo baby...?? She wailed throwing her head back and screaming.

??I am not going anywhere.?? I panicked and pulled her head back to my body. ??Sweet Baby I am not going anywhere.?? I just wanted to change my soiled shirt.

She was not calming down and Robbie made me sit on the bed. It took her sometime to calm down and she was hiccupping so bad and I got worried if she was breathing.

She was clutching on me like a monkey and slowly lied down on my side, patting her back. She was still sniffling though and my heart was breaking, but I stayed strong.

??Did my Little baby sleep well???

??Naw... hic... nawww...?? She nodded her for effect and I chuckled.

??Aww... why not, sweetheart???

She mumbled something to my chest and cried again and I hugged her tighter.

??Ah, look at that, sweetie, daddy is bringing us something... what is it? Daddy, what is it???

??Davey made this just for you, Baby Angel.?? Robbie told her and handed me the soup bowl when I sat up. I faked a surprised gasp.

??Ah! Daddy found our soup, it smells so good.?? Lia peeked at the bowl and blinked up to me. ??Daddy, it is just for Little Baby... you can??t have it. It is for my sweet little baby... I give my baby soup-soup.??

??For baby??? She pointed to herself and I blinked back my tears.

??Yes, for baby.?? She sniffled and leaned back to my chest. I adjusted her on my lap, and took a spoonful before taking a small sip. ??It tastes yummy... I give my baby yummy soup.?? She was not hungry clearly but she had to eat. She was mostly pushing her tongue and lapping at it, like a kitten. But I was persistent, I waited until half of the small bowl was inside her tummy.

Robbie looked at me and I knew what it meant. She needed medicines and she was going to fight him. He came back with an array of bottles and spoons; too many.

We nodded, before I tipped her head back to my chest, with a firm hand under her chin and Robbie pushed the nasty syrups one by one inside her mouth. She was kicking but we had done this several times to know how to manoeuver her and the spoon filled with medicine.

I had to cover her mouth after each spoon because my little daredevil would spit right out if I did not.

??We had to go for injections for a few times, because I can??t do this without you.??

I could do this without Robbie, but I preferred not to, because she would glare at me and would stop talking to me for at least fifteen minutes, before she could start loving me again. This way she would only stop loving Robbie.

What?

I never claimed to be a good person.

Pfft!

One time she turned around, and stuck her bum up when I tried to kiss her after giving her a yucky medicine.

??Oh, stop it daddy, we no need yucky yucky stuffs anymore.?? I gently pushed Robbie ??away?? after the last medicine for the time was done and turned her around, ??hiding?? her mouth in my chest.

??But, my Baby Angel is sick, she needs this.??

??Huh! Did you hear that baby? Daddy is sad too... Let us make him drink that, right baby? If it is good, daddy drink it.??

She peeked to see if Robbie was really doing it and we chuckled. Robbie tipped the bottle of to his mouth without taking off the cap and showed how strong he was feeling by flexing his biceps and the baby frowned for two seconds before turning back around to my chest with a huff.

??She is too smart for our own good.??

We waited for a few minutes for her to stop being angry at her daddy. ??Daddy looks so hungry; will you share your soup with him???

??Nooooo.??

??Aww... why not???

??Daddy... yucky yucky baby.??

??Daddy gave my baby yucky yucky???

??Uh huh huh.??

??Then let us make him drink yucky soup...??

She waited and I thought she would ignore me. ??Nooo...??

??No? You don??t want daddy to drink yucky soup???

She nodded.

??Why not??? I pecked her forehead.

??Me daddy...?? She hugged herself looking up shyly at me.

Awww!!! She was truly an angel; she did not want Robbie to drink anything yucky because daddy was hers; she could not make him drink anything yucky though she was angry at him for making her drink some.

Robbie plucked her off my lap and peppered her whole face with millions of kisses making her squeal and scream ??Daddy??.

??That yucky medicine will help you to stop being sick, Baby Angel. Daddy has to give it to you.??

I did not think she still understood why daddy was making her drink yucky but she loved him enough to let her silly daddy be.

She jumped back to me, cuddling close, when Robbie stopped kissing her.

Still mad at silly daddy though.

??Come on my precious baby, let us feed our daddy.?? Robbie helped me climb down the stairs with Princess on my hip. She felt so weightless in my arms.

Not the time, Ace. She is fine and she is going to spring back up in no time at all.

I poured Robbie a big bowl of soup. ??Where is the one I dropped???

??There. It has cracked.??

??Davey...??

??Yes, sweetheart.?? I looked down to her but she just kept on blinking at me. She leaned closer when I kissed her forehead. ??Awww... did my baby fall sick? It is okay sweetheart. Davey is here... Baby and Davey is going to play together, dance together... read stories together and... we are going to make daddy sing us songs. Now, let us watch him eat, yeah???

I slid Robbie a piece of garlic bread and some butter too. He had not been eating properly and my heart ached.

??Need some more???

He nodded a ??no?? before tipping the bowl on his mouth and drank the rest. ??It was delicious, Angel.??

I looked down and saw my baby sleeping clutching to me for dear life. ??How did she fall, Robbie???

He shrugged. ??It was an accident; Janice was asking her to move away but Lia slipped.??

??Where were you???

??Was on the way to home from office. Came just in time to see her crying on the floor. I rushed her to the hospital; had a bit of a shock but nothing really wrong.??

??Was it just Janice and Lia???

??Baby, it is fine, everything is fine. She needed you, now you are here, she is going to be alright.?? He stood up and I collected the bowl and plates.

??I am not going back to college, Robbie.?? I said without leaving room for discussion. He smiled and hugged me with our baby sandwiched between us.

??You only got here, take some rest. She has trouble sleeping at night.?? Robbie picked up his baby from my hands and lowered her to the sofa.

??You rest for some time, I will clean.??

??Angel.??

??I am okay, daddy, you look like you will faint.??

Robbie yanked me to his chest and I gasped at his strength. ??I fucking missed you like crazy.??

His kiss was brutal and I swooned at the emotions behind it. ??Robbie...??

??You are my undoing, love. Do you have any idea how hopelessly addicted I am to you???

I felt the wall behind my back and he was searching my whole body for comfort. ??I am here, now.??

??Thank God for that.??

He put his head on my shoulder and took deep calming breaths.

??Go to sleep.?? I missed him so so much.

He nodded and kissed me once more before staggering to his bedroom. I was never leaving them, ever again. I was preparing myself to fight whatever the life was going to throw at me, but I was never leaving them.

I took a deep breath and started cleaning the kitchen. I had taken the trash out, when I heard my baby scream again.

??Sweetheart, sweetheart... what is wrong? Baby...??

She was wailing and I pulled her to my lap. ??Davey...??

??Aw... it is okay baby... you know what Davey was doing? I scrubbed the sink clean... ahh... ah... ah... okay okay, we will talk about pretty flowers. Remember our baby pink rose? She has a new flower now... She is so happy... I told her that you were sleeping and will come to see her when you are awake. Wanna go now???

Lia was still crying but we went to the greenhouse anyways. I tried to show her the plants and flowers but she was not having it. ??I love you so much, Lia. You know how much I missed you? I love you a lot.??

??Davey lub baby???

??Of course, Davey loves baby.?? I frowned at her doubt. How could she ask me that! I kissed her wet cheeks. I carried to the wash basin, and gently washed her face and neck. ??Everyone loves you so much.??

??Daddy???

??Yes, Lia.?? I was surprised at her question. ??Daddy loves you the most.??

??Weally??? She popped her thumb in her mouth and her expression broke my heart.

??Really really. Daddy and Davey love you. We love you like sun and moon love their star baby.?? It was her favourite bed time story ever.

??No.?? She started to cry again and hid her face in my chest.

??Baby Lia, Daddy loves you. I promise. Daddy cannot stop loving you.??

??No.??

??Baby Angel daddy started loving you before you came down from heaven.?? She frowned, I did not think she would understand what I was saying but she could not have any doubt on Robbie??s love for her.

??Daddy calls us Angels.?? She nodded still confused and adorable. I pecked her nose. ??Why???

??Hen.??

??Yeah, we came from heaven for Daddy, so we are his Angels.??

??One day Davey and Daddy was... looking at the stars.?? She blinked. ??Then Daddy said he was going to get an Angel, the prettiest of pretty Angel out there and she was going to come down and make our daddy happy... Davey thought, it was nice, to see daddy happy. Daddy wanted to welcome the new Baby Angel and make her a heaven like sky, here.??

She was so keenly listening and I smiled.

??One day passed, Baby Angel did not come... two days passed, Baby Angel did not come... three days passed, Baby Angel did not come... and daddy waited and waited... every day telling Davey that this day Baby Angel would come but she did not... Daddy became sad... and cried. Baby Angel did not come.??

Her tiny chin wobbled on hearing her daddy was sad.

??Why na??? I laughed at her ??why not???. God she was good at imitating me.

??So Daddy told Davey. ??Davey, you are an Angel... Go to heaven and look for my Baby Angel.?? And Davey said. ??Daddy, I cannot go. I will not find Daddy??s Baby Angel, because only daddy knows how Baby Angel looked like. She was Daddy??s Angel, not Davey??s.?? Daddy became sad again. Because only Angels can go to heaven. But Davey does not like seeing Daddy sad, so Davey asked... ??How does Baby Angel looked like? I will go look for her.????

Her eyes popped out of her sockets in wonder and she squirmed in my lap. ??Baby Anje... Baby Anjee...??

??Yeah... you know what daddy said???

??Nooo...??

??Well daddy said, his Baby Angel was the most beautiful and precious Angel in the heaven! Huh!!!?? I faked a surprised gasp and she mimicked me.

??So, Davey went up to the sky... to the heaven... to the place where Baby Angels were... dancing...??

God! I am so bad at this!

??An an an an...?? She was jumping on my lap now...

??Davey picked up an Angel and showed to Daddy on earth... ??Daddy daddy... is this your baby Angel??? No... she is not pretty enough... daddy shouted. So Davey picked another one up... ??Is this your pretty Angel???... No... Every Angel Davey picked up Daddy was not happy because they were not as precious and beautiful as his baby angel.??

??Oh.?? She was sad that her daddy did not get his Angel.

??Then Davey saw her. I did not even have to ask Daddy if it was his Angel... Because she was so shiny and beautiful and... so glowing... It was Daddy??s Angel... Davey picked her up and ran back to the earth... because the Baby Angel was so pretty everyone loved her and wanted her as theirs.??

??Daddy baby Anje, Davey???

??I did, sweetheart.?? Robbie standing there, looking so handsome and strong and... my heart jumped at his eyes so filled with love for his daughter.

??My Angel, your Davey, brought you to me. And you both made me the happiest Daddy in the world... because only lucky men get an Angel... but Daddy got two... And now Daddy, his Angel and Baby Angel lived happily ever after. That Baby Angel is you, my baby girl.??

He leaned down and kissed his baby??s head on my chest.

??So, you see, Lia. Daddy loves you the most. He waited for you every day and night until Davey could bring her home.?? Her tired and fevered body could barely hold the excitement of a story and she fell back asleep, making my heart hurt again.

??When is her next hospital visit, Daddy???

??We can go tomorrow.??

I nodded.

??That was beautiful story.??

??I made one up.??

??No, your story was true. If you had not hack into their database we would have lost our child, Ace.??

I shrugged. ??We don??t know that yet.??

??Jason told me everything.?? I had figured. ??They have F.B.I on their ass.??

??Robbie...??

??Sorry, butt. On their butt.??

I shook my head. Robbie was an ass man, both literally and figuratively. His hand was already on its way down to mine. ??Really, Robbie? With her sleeping on me???

????Sleeping?? on you. It is not my fault. You have the juiciest... delicious... bu...??

??Juus... Dav... juus...?? Lia mumbled in her sleep and I glared at her daddy.

I stood up, getting far away from that sheepishly smiling pervert. ??I am going to take a nap with her. Oh, and fix the appointment with her doctor, mom said she has a new one now. Is he good???

??The best there is...??

??Why did you change the previous ones???

??Will you be mad???

??Robbie... what did you do???

??They could not get over the factor that she needed you not her mother. So, I kinda took her away in the midst of them checking on her. No, I don??t care, if they thought she needs her mother more than her best friend. So don??t fight me on this, Angel. You are important to her and they needed to get that in their head. When they suggested waiting for the mother to come before starting the treatment, I might have caused a very small scene... Sorry... Hey, now we have a new doctor, who can??t wait to see Lia??s best friend.??

He gave me a smile full of teeth, trying to take my mind away from the ??very small scene?? he caused.

How could he make me fall in love with him again and again? I had been in love this man, for a very long time, but each day, it was like getting an epiphany.

I wanted to kiss his thin lips, whisper to him that he was my demon and I yearned for him every second of my life, but... I could not.

??We are going to take a nap, Daddy.??

??Bye Angels...?? He waved; quite surprised that I did not chew him out for the hospital scene. I waved back and took our kid to my bedroom.

Lia slept through the evening and night making me cry again. I could not wake her up properly for dinner. But Robbie promised to take us to the hospital the first thing in the morning, so I calmed down enough not to have a panic attack.

She did not even open her eyes fully when I made her eat her soup, she falling asleep every few minutes, and did not kick her daddy when he poured medicinal syrups in her mouth.

She just lied on my chest like a withering sunflower, and I could not bear it.

??Please, Angel, sleep with me... I... have to see both of you...??

Robbie and I took precautions all the time, to keep our... relationship? away from our baby girl. We never slept together, Robbie always slipped out of my bedroom after our intimate time together, or if he did not, I would wake him and push him out.

But I needed all the strength I could get, and who else could help me through this storm other than him?

All our beds in this house were pushed to the walls according to my demand. Princess wore herself out when playing and I could not sit well with both of the sides open and dangerous for her fall when she napped on our beds.

It was not the bed but the stairs that... and someone pushed her... her own mother...

??Hey... hey...?? I felt warm soothing hand on my back.

I had curled around her, gently rubbing her chest because her breaths were laboured. We had given her hot compress and nasal drops; but she still struggled to breath properly.

I felt the bed dipping and Robbie curled around me, his warm breath on my neck.

??She... is... she is... Robbie...?? I whimpered.

??Shh... look she is only sleeping. We will take her to hospital tomorrow.??

I had leaned on him and let him sooth my doubts and panic away.

The journey to the hospital was difficult for me, Lia fighting us because she was tired and feverish and cranky but we had to. I was this close to crying my heart out but Robbie was here, he would manage everything.

We were in his car, Lia safely secured in her baby seat, Robbie and I were cuddled together; occasionally looking at our baby with worried eyes. His bodyguard Nick was driving the car; the man barely talked but Robbie trusted him and he was a good friend.

Robbie made me cook Salmon and Asparagus for Nick to take out. He was obsessed with it; he even got my recipe but told me that it did not work out well.

??Davey...?? She whined clearly distressed with all the travelling.

??Soon, baby girl, soon.?? I patted her arms which she had stretched towards me. I could not put her on my lap like she wanted to; it was risky, she was too small and a sudden brake would be fatal.

I hated hospitals, but this one was not that bad I guessed, there was greenery surrounding the building and it was calming. I plucked her off the car seat and she sniffled.

??I no no go.?? She whined on the verge of crying.

??Baby girl. Daddy will cry; he has to see this man, okay? Aren??t you my sweetie pie? Let us go with daddy, yeah???

??An go hwom???

??Yes, then we will go home.??

We did not have to wait for long as Robbie had perfectly arranged the appointment. But the wait was enough for Lia to fall asleep.

The doctor was young, maybe a couple of years older than me. Was he really the best out there?

??Wow... When I heard about Davey, I was expecting a two-feet tall little human with a few missing teeth.??

I blinked in confusion.

??I was expecting a child.?? The doctor explained.

??Oh!??

??She told me her best friend Davey was bigger than her so I thought may be around five or six. I did not know you were...??

I laughed.

??Wow.??

??Is that a problem, doctor???

??No, no... no. Just my initial analysis got a bit wrong, that is all. Happens all the time, with little kids. We, adults, are too stupid for their young marvellous minds.??

I whole-heartedly agreed.

The good doctor asked us all the questions related to her fever and I told him all of her medical history, making him go all ??wow?? again.

??Doctor, please... Please be forthcoming with me... I cannot...??

??In simpler words, she needs your presence.??

That I had figured out; I was not that stupid. I knew she was craving my attention. She needed to be physically in contact with me. She needed my eyes on her all the time and she sometimes worried if Daddy and Davey loved her enough.

??Lia??s father told me that you and she are quite attached. How do you describe your relationship? I had inferred you were a child, which was clearly wrong.??

I knew where this was going. The doctor was going to suggest to back off a little and let the mother in. He was going to chastise me for enabling mother to forget her motherly duties. Apparently I was not supposed to run to Lia every time, making her mother so aloof on her child. I had to let them bond by absenting myself. The mother needed to know, no one was going to help her child if she did not.

I wanted to tell him that I was her father.

But this was my kid??s health, her future, her happiness and I told the doctor everything from the start; how we became ??best friends??, how her mother did not prioritize her enough, my absence and Robbie??s almost single parenthood.

??So, Mr. Truscott...??

??Davidson is fine, doctor.??

He nodded, lost in thought and threw his pen on the desk, and sighed. ??So basically you are her primary care-giver.??

I gulped but I nodded.

??And you have been frequently ??disappearing?? from Amelia.??

I nodded. I looked down to the sleeping baby in my lap. She was sweating profusely and I blew air on her neck.

He sighed. ??I am going to be brutally honest with you.??

??Thank you.??

??I know your education is important to you. I have done so many sacrifices for my M.D and other diplomas and I knew how it would feel if someone had to suggest me to drop out. So I am not going to ask you to do that. Davidson, she sees you are her primary support, she is both emotionally and mentally attached to you. I know you are not biologically related to her, though her father is...??

I nodded again.

??She is feeling a bit ??abandoned?? which is quite normal for kids of working parents, and of course, in cases like yourself. Especially when they go through mild fear or mild injuries that could shock them, they need comfort from their primary care giver which is actually a kind of survival instinct, that she knows if you are there, she is safe.??

I looked down at my baby and sniffled. I loved her so much and she was right I would protect her by sacrificing my own life without a doubt.

??From a scholar??s point of you, I am against what I am going to say, but... could you please focus mainly on Amelia for some time? Maybe for...??

??Oh! That is not a problem, doctor, I am not going back to college. I do not care what Robbie says. I am not leaving her.??

??Robbie... is???

??Robert Brantley. Amelia??s father.??

??Davidson, you can completely choose not to answer my question but... are you two romantically involved???

I thought of lying, but if the doctor asked, there might be a strong reason for that, right?

??Yes.??

??Partners if you have to put a name on it? The relationship???

I blinked because we were fuck buddies. Partners were people who proudly said they were together.

The doctor smiled at my confusion.

??Does your opinion would affect Robert??s decision on something... or his way of living and vice versa? In this specific case of your child, do you jointly take decisions on behalf of her? Are your lives intertwined enough, for one person??s actions would directly affect the other???

??Yes.??

??Then it is safe to assume that you two are partners. At least from a paediatrician??s point of view.??

There was a knock on the door and Robbie came in holding some papers and handed it over to Dr. Adam.

??Doctor was saying we need to put a bit more of focus on Lia, especially mine. He said it would be better if I took a break from studying, this far from her.??

??Angel...??

??Doctor, talk to him.??

??Yes, Robert, I have suggested that, though I know where your reluctance is coming from, but I really do not care much about what their parents does, as long as the child is healthy. It is difficult, especially if the kids are this young, because they heavily depend on their parents and... it would affect their overall wellbeing.??

??His finals are in a month. He is that close.??

I gritted my teeth. I was not going.

??Then, it must be easier, to manage both. Maybe just stay somewhere close to your university, for the finals and make it a family vacation trip or...??

??No, doctor, I am not going.??

??Angel...??

??We will discuss it at home...??

??As the doctor suggested...??

??We.will.discuss.it.at.home.?? I pulled on the hair on Robbie??s arm, hard.

??Maybe enrolling Amelia to a preschool might be a good idea.?? Doctor tried to steer the topic away from the possible fight.

I stared at my tiny baby who was still fast asleep. ??She is too young for school, doctor.??

??Not right away and not necessarily a school; somewhere she can mingle with other kids and take a break from you, so she will not get so much emotional stress of leaving you. Please do not look so sad, Davidson.?? The doctor laughed. ??Andrew, my son is quite attached to me. He is biologically my partner??s nephew. But he used to exhibit similar separation ??insecurities??, when being parted with me. He still has but we have managed to help ourselves, when I enrolled him to activities he loved. It was a gradual process, but he is growing up to a strong independent man.??

My baby was so small and I was not ready for her to be independent yet. I loved being her everything. I took her to toilet, I bathed her, fed her, rocked her to sleep, woke her up with kisses... I wanted to do that for a very long time.

I was her Davey and she was my baby.

I was not ready.

??She is not trying to move away, Davidson.??

Robbie rolled my chair closer to his and put his arms around me.

There was a challenge in his gaze but the doctor nodded understandingly. ??Drew is still my boy. I am his first preference in everything and it drives, Liam, my partner, C.R.A.Z.Y.?? He peeked to my sleeping baby and sighed in relief. ??But I did not want him to cry himself to sleep if he could not see me for a night and he would get along with his Dad just fine, without going all angry and frustrated.??

??What do you think, Robbie???

??You are better at knowing what she wants. Maybe we can look into some toddler programmes when we go home.?? I nodded leaning to his side embrace.

??You don??t have to decide right away. And she needs to come down from the fever too. A couple of hours for three to four days a week would be more than enough. If it is somewhere Davidson can personally take part in, for the first few days, it is highly advisable.??

I was at peace after leaving that good doctor??s hospital. He did not judge us, did not ask me to step away and he said Robbie and I were partners. He knew Lia had a mother but he said we were her parents. He did not ask us to push Janice into the equation.

He called us a family.

He told I was necessary in Lia??s initial stages of development as a healthy human being.

He talked to us about ??imprinting??. Said, it was natural and normal for me to love Lia as much as she did to me. He said, as long as Lia was growing up healthy, the labels we put on ourselves was not what defined us as parents.

Dr. Adam??s parent was his grandmother and no one could debate to him on that.

He gave me hope.

He asked me to take Robbie??s suggestions in consideration in the upbringing of ??our?? kid.

??Our.?? Doctor had waved at both of us when he talked about parents.

But one of the parent was leaving to his office and I was nagging.

??Robbie...?? I was worried. ??What if she wakes up and cry for you? I cannot do this alone, Robbie... Please Daddy... don??t leave.??

He kissed my forehead and I felt myself melting into his body. ??You are more than enough for her. I will be back in a couple of hours.??

??Please... Daddy... she cries when she wakes up.??

??Give me a video call, right after she is awake... Oh, I had given Natalia to Jason. I have a new secretary now, please call her, if my phone is not reachable. Take that pout away, Angel.?? He pecked my lips and I might have puckered a bit and Robbie was surprised.

I needed him and I was slipping. ??Angel... come on... give me a smile.??

??Come back faster and I will.??

He smiled and kissed me again before leaving.

I lied down next to my girl thinking of everything the doctor had said.

I wanted a family, this family.

I wanted what Dr. Adam had. I wanted Robbie as my partner, Lia as my child because in every sense that counted she was mine.

I had called his secretary when his phone was not reachable and Lia asked for her daddy. She said she would inform Robbie but it had been an hour and Lia had fallen back asleep without hearing from her daddy.

Robbie called as soon as the thought of him not calling crossed my mind.

??Where were you? Your baby asked for you before falling back asleep. I had called.?? I pouted. I missed him already.

Stupid Robbie and his stupid office.

??You did???

??Yeah, your secretary said she would inform you. Did she not???

??Wait a second. I have someone to fire.?? He hung up the call before I could say anything.

He came back angrier than he went; soft cries were heard before it completely went away.

??Davey...?? A tiny voice called me from bed and I smiled happily.

??Sweetheart! Daddy... our baby is awake... See...??

??Hi Sleepy Pumpkin.?? Robbie waved and Lia leaned on me before waving back. ??Daddy is in office now. What do you want me to bring when I come back???

??Ahree.??

??Oh, sweetheart, daddy can??t eat ice cream now... remember? Daddy will bring popcorn. How about that???

She nodded and kissed the screen of my phone when daddy blew her a kiss, before dozing off.

??Did you fire her???

??Yes.??

I sighed.

He and his temper!

??Is there anything you need me to bring???

??Just you. Please come back, Daddy. I... miss you.??

Robbie froze. ??Really???

I nodded blushing and feeling all kind of shy because I was breaking.

??Sweet Baby Jesus. I am coming now.??

I barely managed to add, ??don??t forget the popcorn?? before he started to run.

I told Robbie that I had missed him, and I did not what to make of that.