Motorcycle Girl: Book Two

Chapter 42: Not Tired

This is the last chapter and then I'm starting book 3

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"Is he down?" Adelaide asks from the couch. I glance down at Odette, who's passed out with the fuzzy gray blanket over her. It's falling slightly, so I pull it back up and tuck it into her.

"Yeah. Finally, I'm so tired." I rub my face.

"Why don't you let Odette watch her for a night?" Julian asks. I look at him.

"She just pushed a living breathing human being out of her body. I get to do the dirty work, she's done enough."

"Well he's sleeping. You should get some rest." Adelaide says. "It's not often you get to sleep when you have an infant."

It's December 23rd. Raylen is already two weeks and one day old.

I know she's right. I look down at my sleeping wife.

"I'll take her up to bed."

I lean down to scoop her into my arms.

And then the doorbell rings.

There's a pause, and then I hear Raylen screaming on the baby monitor.

I throw my head back and groan.

"We need to put a sign on that door." I groan. Raylen is screaming loud he's being murdered, and Odette is already sitting up.

"I'll go get him." She mumbles.

She looks so sleepy and I just want to let her sleep.

"No amour, you lay back down. I'll get him."

"Nathan, I can do it."

I put my hand on her shoulder.

"I'll do it." I insist. "Go back to sleep baby."

I kiss her forehead. Whoever is at the door rings the bell again. I keep the monitor in my hand and jog past the front door, up the stairs and into Raylen's room. He's screaming loudly in his crib, his tiny arms flailing. I pick him up and put the monitor on his dresser. He's wearing light gray pajamas. The bottom is like a dress sewn shut. He has a light gray hat on, and little gray mittens on his hands so he won't scratch himself. I pick him up and grab his blue baby blanket. I cradle him carefully in my hands and drape the blanket over him.

The doorbell rings again and Raylen starts screaming louder.

Sighing, I pat his butt and make my way downstairs, covering him with the blanket to open the front door.

My Dad. I haven't seen or spoken to him since we left the hospital.

The moment the cold air hits Raylen's face, he starts screaming louder. I step aside and Dad comes in. Quickly, I close the door, shifting him.

His diaper doesn't need changed and I don't think he needs burped. I sigh, walking away from my Dad. He follows me.

When I get into the living room, Odeletta is already standing up.

"I'm sorry, amour." I say. "I wish I could do it myself."

"It's okay." She's half awake when she sits back down on the couch and throws the blanket I used to cover him over her. She lazily pulls her shirt down and guides him to her. He latches on and his cries fall silent.

I look at my wife.

"Do you need anything? A snack? A drink?"

"Nathan, you need to take a break baby, you've been overworking your body."