Anything for Her - Complete

Chapter 16

As soon as Eddie described himself as Daddy, Dimitri's heart plummeted. Losing Lara would destroy Rose. If he were honest, it would devastate him, too. In only a fortnight the girl had managed to wrap him around her little finger, and he considered her his little princess in every way imaginable.

"Is she a good baby? Is she doing all the things she's supposed to?" Eddie asked looking across at Rose.

"She's perfect," Rose said with a sad look on her face. "I'd just got her into a routine at Court, and then I went back to work and all that changed when she started at crèche. Then I was demoted, we left Court, and we started the drive here. Despite all that, she's been great and sorta goes with the flow. She has a four-ounce bottle every three or four hours, and she usually has a few long naps during the day and will sleep up to five hours at night."

Eddie nodded looking back down at Lara.

"Were you there when she was born?"

Rose nodded, giving Eddie the date and time of birth as well as Lara's birth statistics.

"It was magical. Lissa didn't enjoy her pregnancy. She only spoke about Lara to complain. The labor was relatively short as these things go, and afterward, she didn't even want to hold Lara. But seeing Lara take her first breathes was incredible! By that stage, I'd agreed to take her, so after breastfeeding once, Lissa refused to even look at Lara again. I've taken care of her since then."

"I can't believe her Majesty would reject something so precious," Eddie said staring back down at Lara. "Don't worry, Lara. Daddy is not going to reject you."

Rose shot Dimitri a nervous look. Not wanting to prolong the agony any longer Dimitri stepped in.

"So. Now you know about Lara I guess we should discuss what role you see yourself playing in her life." Dimitri tried to keep his voice calm and dispassionate, not giving away the fact he too was hugely emotionally invested in the answer.

"She's my daughter. I'm going to be here for her, of course," Eddie said as though that should be obvious. "I need to step up and take responsibility."

Dimitri could see panic in Rose's eyes. This could turn ugly very quickly.

"Ok. Just so you know, there are other options. Roza and I already love Lara and are willing to raise her."

"I appreciate that, and I appreciate all you've given up, but she is my daughter. My responsibility! I can't just hand her off for someone else to raise!" Eddie said, surprisingly forcefully. His vehement statement woke Lara who started wailing. Eddie tried to soothe her, but when it became evident he was clueless, he passed her across to Rose. Within seconds Lara calmed, large hazel green eyes meeting Rose's with trust.

All Rose wanted to do was take Lara and run away. Her worst fears were coming to fruition; Eddie wanted to take Lara as his own. But the thing is, she was his. Reluctantly Rose admitted that Eddie's claim over Lara was superior to her own – no matter how much that hurt.

"You just startled her," Rose said, gazing at Lara as her heart broke. "Just give it a minute for her to calm down."

Eddie stood up and came to sit next to Rose, staring at Lara now she was awake.

"I can see me in her," he said in surprise.

"Yeah. Dimitri and I can, too."

"So, who knows?"

"You, me, Dimitri and Lissa know you're her father. Alberta knows she is Lissa's child, but not who her father is."

Eddie gazed at Lara while Rose fought to contain her tears.