His |Paul Lahote|

Chapter 3

~Jaylyn's POV~

The ride to the reservation was silent. Jared and I occasionally spoke, but my mind wandered to Blake abandoning myself and Katerina. I rubbed my daughter's cheek as she slept against my chest. I shook my head, sighing.

I'm a mother to an eleven month old and I don't have a damn car seat, stroller or possibly enough things packed for her. Even if I do I can't ask my brother to help raise his niece. That feels wrong to me. It doesn't feel right...

"Jay, is everything okay," Jared asked me, putting his right hand on my knee and squeezing it, "is there anything I can do for you and Kat?".

I glance up at Jared, my eyes feeling watery. I softly gulped, but didn't answer. Jared frowned softly and somehow knew what I wanted to ask him.

"I'll head into Seattle tomorrow morning. Just text me a list of nursery items you need," he said, voice firm.

Seems like he isn't taking no for an answer...

"A crib, changing table, car seat and stroller. Extra diapers, bibs, bottles, formula milk and outfits," I muttered softly.

"What about for you," he asked.

"For me," I asked confusedly.

"Do you want anything? A favorite snack? Favorite soda? Adult coloring books and coloring pencils? Hoodies? Leggings," Jared rattled off, soon driving again.

"I'm fine," I mumble, resting my forehead against the glass window.

"I want you to be happy, Jay. I want you to feel safe again," Jared said softly.

I shook my head, barely noticing the vehicle had stopped moving. When I finally noticed Jared squeezed my hands, then took my bags inside. I followed, feeling nervous and shy; not a good combination in my book.

Jared lead me to a room and smiled gently, "I hope you like it... Mom kinda sent some stuff for you from your apartment.".

"Say what now," I asked incredulously, a brow raised.

"Mom sent most of the stuff you listed a week or so ago. She thought you'd want it so you and Kat wouldn't feel scared of your new surroundings," Jared said.

I hugged my brother, being careful of my sleeping daughter. He hugged back and kissed my forehead in a brotherly fashion. I blushed a little and walked into the room. I smiled when I saw my desk, Kat's crib and everything else I had set up.

Kat's changing table was neatly pushed against a wall, there was a highchair beside Kat's crib. The chipped aqua paint dresser I used for Kat's clothes was right next to my chipped lilac painted dresser.

"You and mom did this," I asked Jared, shocked and in awe.

"Yes, but I had some help setting it up. The guys who helped are throwing a barbecue on the beach soon. Do you and Kat want to come," Jared said.

"Let me get changed, then we can go," I hum, already changing Katerina's diaper and onesie. I tickled my daughter's sides, making her squeal softly.

What can go wrong at a barbecue?