Best of Both Worlds

Chapter Thirty-five

Three months later

It was six-thirty in the morning. The morning of my birthday. I had just returned from a night shift at the hospital, in need of a hot, muscle-relaxing shower. The plan was to fall into bed and snooze off till midafternoon, afterwards join Whitney at a spa, all-expense paid treatment – her treat to me, then go out to have dinner with Nicholas.

I trudged up the stairs, kneading the base of my neck with the pad of my fingers. I peeked into the nursery, en route to my room. Kosiso was still asleep. I ventured into the room, placing my bag down on the floor, next to the door frame.

I stood, hovering over the baby bed. My eyes swept over my baby's sleeping form, taking account of the steady rise and fall of his chest. I missed him terribly. I ran a finger over his sleepwear and gently tugged his shirt over this exposed tummy. He looked bigger. Every time I got back from the hospital and laid eyes on him, he seemed bigger than the last. It was probably all in my head, although he did look bigger than most seven-month-olds.

Firm hands wrapped around my torso and pulled me back into an equally strong chest wall. Nicholas's signature scent wafted through the air, indicating he had already showered.

"Happy Birthday, Tesoro" he whispered against the crook of my neck.

I smiled and reared my head back for a chaste kiss. "Thank you," I whispered back, gazing into his eyes.

Kosiso whimpered as he stirred in his bed. Then, his beautiful eyes fluttered open as he let out a big yawn. A smile appeared on his face as soon as he recognized me.

"Finally," I muttered as I lifted him up from the bed and placed a big sloppy kiss on his cheek. He giggled, revealing the two lower front teeth that were beginning to come in. "Good morning, baby"

Nicholas chuckled and placed a kiss on my cheek before exiting the room. I grabbed Kosiso's teething ring and a napkin to wipe his slobber before heading to my room. I placed him down on the bed and surrounded him with pillows, to avoid rolling over. I placed his teething ring in his hand and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. I needed to get rid of the hospital smell from my body.

By the time I returned to the room, Kosiso was no longer on the bed. I headed to the kitchen where Nicholas sat on a high stool, feeding the baby pumped-out breastmilk. He had on a white dress shirt and black trousers. His tie and jacket were draped over another high stool.

"Let me take over," I walked over to them and lifted Kosiso from his arm. Kosiso released a little cry of protest but settled down when I placed the bottle back into his mouth.

Nicholas gobbled down a few pieces of toasted bread and coffee. He didn't bother to sit down, just perched up against the counter.

"Slow down," I chuckled and lowered my eyes to my happy, suckling baby.

"Mm – "Nicholas mumbled with a mouthful and crossed the distance to the sink. He rinsed out his mug and plate. Then, he rushed back to the high stool to put on his tie and draped his jacket over his arm.

"See you in a bit," he placed a kiss on my cheek and atop the baby's head before dashing out.

Right after I'd bathed and dressed Kosiso in an adorable little blue top and white shorts, the nanny showed up at the house. A middle-aged Italian woman recommended by Evelyn. She had been in the family for quite a while and proved to be trustworthy. She took over watching the baby while I dragged myself to bed.

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"Are you sure you don't want acrylic nails in?" Whitney piped in from the next nail station.