The St Patrick Series Book #1: The St Patrick Bride

Chapter Sixty One: Baby Powder

Courtney's POV
When someone is asked to choose between two things, one of those options tends to be more appealing and more beneficial than the other.

I have a decision to make.

When Chris wins custody, I welcome his daughter here to live with us.

Allowing Chris to raise Aubrey separately with his ex girlfriend who happens to have vicious hidden intentions.

Two options.

I choose the first one. I choose to bear the sting of raising another woman's child in my house. I have asked the maids to clear up a room for Aubrey. I'll get someone to come in and set up a nursery. It will be across my son's room. But as much as I'm agreeing to this, I will not touch the girl. If she cries or she's hungry and her father is not around, the maids will take care of it.

"Is Chris home?"

"No Mrs St Patrick." One of the maids clearing the room answered.

My mom left a few days ago. She's been of great help but her leave from work is over and duty calls. I miss her.

"Is it just me or he consistently comes home an three hours late?" The maids looked at each other. "For goodness sake speak freely! I won't bite you!"

"He does come home between 9PM and 10PM." One of them spoke up. "And he used to be home by 6PM."

"Thank you. See? I don't bite. Take a break for the night. Turn in. I'll wait up for Christopher." I dismissed them.

Bruce is already asleep.

Keeping him awake for Chris is impossible. We had timed it perfectly. He has his bath at exactly 6PM. He spends about an hour playing with his dad even though his dad does all the work. At exactly 8PM, he feeds and he falls asleep. Chris tucks him in. Team work. Simple.

It's not so anymore. For a whole week, he hasn't spent any time with Bruce. He's too tired to take care of nightly feedings and he's gone before the sun comes up. He comes back in the dead of darkness. Press repeat. It sucks but I guess it's better than him being deployed.

At exactly 9PM when I glanced at my watch, he opened the front door.

I waited for him upstairs. He is taking too long to come up. I decided to go downstairs and found him eating a sandwich. "Good evening." He smiled at me. "Do you want one?"

"Why not?" I shrugged. We ate silently sitting next to each other. He's still in uniform. "How was work?"

"Busy."

"Are you working late? For a whole week you've been coming home late."

He stopped chewing his sandwich. "Work is busy."

"I see. Anyway, I have news. I have decided that I'm alright with Aubrey living with us after you win custody."

"What?"

"I prefer it if she's here. I don't like the idea of you going to her. Allegra will be there. It's not alright."

"Even if that is the case in only visiting my daughter."

"And I'm not opposed to you raising your daughter,just not with her so close." I tried to reason with him.

He dropped the sandwich on the plate. He pushed the plate away. "Courtney, thank you for your generosity. I know this isn't easy for you but I need you to trust our love. I'm not doing anything with Allegra. I am with you. I am faithful to you. You're the one I love." He cupped my face and kissed me. It was brief but deep with meaning. I caught a whiff of baby powder.