Can't Fall in Love Without You (Christian Yelich)

7

Christian woke up to the gentle cries of his daughter and immediately went to soothe her. "Good morning, princess. You slept so well last night," he whispered and changed her diaper. "We need to go out and get you a gentler formula, huh? And we have to thank our neighbor."

Ivy's bright eyes looked up at her daddy, eyebrows furrowed as she tried to focus on him. That little furrow was Christian's all the way.

"My beautiful girl," Christian grinned and dressed her in a floral onesie, warm khaki green leggings, an adorable cream bow that stuck out against her dark hair, and some pale pink socks. "We have to make sure to bundle you up, huh? Don't want my beautiful girl to catch a chill," he whispered and gave her the most gentle of kisses.

He grabbed everything they'd need and went to grab a coffee when he saw the note and smiled, thinking about how much the stranger down the hall... Elizabeth, his mind corrected, helped. He got out his phone and sent her a brief thank you. Just the kindness of a stranger calmed him and his girl down.

Thank you so much for helping last night, Elizabeth. -Christian

He was happy to have someone to help. Someone who didn't know Sloane. Someone who didn't know Sloane was gone. Just someone to help.

He didn't have to pretend to be strong. He didn't have to act like he knew how to do any of this.

***

Christian got to Target and was immediately overwhelmed by the options for baby formula. Good god. How the hell was he supposed to figure this out? Ivy needed to eat and he didn't want her in pain. He wished he was better at this... he loved her so much. Sloane would've known what to do. The only thing that kept him going was Ivy.

Ivy was wrapped close to his chest in one of the baby wraps that Sloane thought were tacky, but Christian adored the idea of them. He loved looking down to see his daughter's beautiful face. Feeling her breathe against his chest.

That was the most important thing... feeling that beautiful girl breathing.

He looked at the formula options again and got out his phone. He needed help, and he didn't have time to think about his pride.

I have a question, but please tell me if I'm bothering you. -Christian

Christian texted Elizabeth, gently rubbing Ivy's back. He really hoped that she would answer.

My coworkers are talking about the Brewers, so I'm just kind of zoning out. So ask away, Christian.

Christian's eyes widened a bit, terrified that this would change it all.

There are so many formula options... Which do you think is best for Ivy?

Also - not a baseball fan?

He waited impatiently for a reply, grabbing some boxes of diapers to pass the time. He was hoping that she didn't know who he was, and now it sounded like she probably did. What if she was only being this nice because she wanted in his pants?

It depends on if cost is an issue at all. I'd say that Earth's Best Organic or the Honest Co. are the best options. But Gerber Good Start Gentle and Similac Pro-Sensitive are good if you need it to be more cost effective. And baseball isn't my thing. Couldn't tell you one guy on the Brewers, honestly.

Christian let out a sigh of relief and grabbed a can of all four, along with some distilled water and another package of bottles.

He didn't know he'd be this relieved that someone had no clue who he was.

***

The Earth's Best formula was definitely the one that his sweet Ivy liked the most, but now she had a rash on her bum. It was like he never got a break. Never got a chance to breathe with a happy baby before something happened.

Elizabeth? Do you know anything about baby butt rashes?

He'd texted her with small questions throughout the last week, and this was no different. Somehow she always knew.

Red, scaly, and looks really painful?

The response was immediate.

Yes. She's crying and I don't know how to help her.

Christian was near tears, trying to soothe a pained Ivy. He felt like he did something to hurt his beautiful girl. He couldn't handle the weight of that failure. He needed her to be okay.

It's probably diaper rash. I can bring something to help on my way home from work. You did nothing wrong, okay? It's very normal.

Somehow she always said something that made him calm down. She could sense how much pain he was in and she always calmed him.

Thank you so much. You've helped me so much. Tell me how much whatever it is costs and I'll pay you back. Cost isn't an issue at all.

It wasn't. He'd pay his entire salary to make sure his baby girl was comfortable. He'd do it in a heartbeat.