A Baby Changes Everything

A Month Later

Presley was now a month old. Greer had refused to leave her side. Clara came in and said, "We are going shopping. You are leaving Presley here with Hudson. We are going to give you a mom break. Lets get you dressed and pass of the sweet girl to her daddy."

"But I can't."

"Yes you can. You need some time for you."

"I guess, but I'm breastfeeding."

"You have pumped and there is milk in the fridge. It's all covered. Hudson knows what to do and he has been dying to give you a break, but you wouldn't let him. Give him a chance to step up. He'll be fine. She will be fine."

"Okay. Fine."

"Good. Get dressed. I'm going to take this sweet little girl to her daddy."

After much prodding, Clara got Greer to go to the mall with her. As they were walking someone bumped into Greer. She looked over and said, "I'm so sorry. I should watch where I am going."

The guy smiled and said, "No. I'm sorry. I'm Grant."

"Greer. Nice to meet you."

"You too. This may be forward, but would you like to go out some time."

Greer blushed. "Oh, umm... You wouldn't want to go out with me."

"Why not?"

"I have a one month old daughter at home."

"Oh. I'm so sorry. I'm sure your boyfriend would not appreciate me hitting on you."

"No boyfriend. Just co-parenting with my best friend. It's a long story."

"Then I definitely want to take you out if you don't have a boyfriend. I don't care if you have a baby."

Greer chuckled. "I guess I could go out with you some time."

"This weekend?"

"Sure." The two of them traded numbers. Greer looked at Clara after Grant walked away. She said, "I cannot believe that just happened. I have a date."

Clara cleared her throat and said, "That's nice."

Greer got nervous, "We just started being friends again. Please tell me if this is wrong."

"It's all about what makes you happy. I just want you to be happy."

"Is Hudson going to be upset? Oh no. I should have asked him first. I messed up."

"You don't know until you talk to him. I'm sure it will be fine. If you are going to co-parent you have to communicate."

"He's just told me over and over about how we are friends."

"I just want you both happy. You both are doing so well with Presley. It's only been a month and you are already like a well oiled machine."

"I know. I'll talk to him when I get home. I'm so glad we are talking again. I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too. Now lets get back to shopping. I saw some cute stuff I want to buy for Presley at the baby boutique."

"Stop it. You've already bought her way too much."

The two of them continued to shop. Before heading back home.

Greer practically ran into the house. She asked, "How is my baby?"

Hudson laughed and said, "She is fine. She is ready for the real food. I fed her a bottle and she was not so happy about it. I think she just missed her mommy."

Greer took her in her arms and said, "Hey baby girl. Mommy missed you, too. Lets go fill your belly. Hud, want to come with us? I need to talk to you about something?"

"Okay. I'll go get you a bottle of water and then I'll be there."

Greer sat down in the recliner in her room. She started feeding Presley. Hudson came in and sat on the bed. He asked, "What's going on? Are you okay?"

Greer said, "I'm fine. Thanks. I wanted to ask you if it would be okay if I went out on a date next weekend."

"A date?"

"Yeah. We were at the mall and a guy asked me out. With co-parenting I wanted to make sure that it was okay with you."

"G, I care about you and I want you to be happy. That means doing what you think is best and making yourself happy."

"I just don't want to mess up anything that we have been working to do."

"We will always make things work. I just want you to be happy."

"I am happy. Presley makes me more than happy on her own. I just don't want you to feel like I don't want to be a mom."

"Anyone that looks at you can tell that you were made to be a mom. You have to get out and have some fun, too. That's just as important as taking care of her."

"Thank you."

"There is no need to thank me. We are a team. That is how it is always going to be no matter what."

"Hudson, you are the best. Presley and I are so lucky to have you in our lives."

"Always and forever. There is no getting rid of me this time. I need to go get a few things done. I'll be in the living room if you need anything."

"Are you sure everything is okay?"

"Yes. Everything is fine." He kissed both girls on the head and went out the living room.

Hudson sat down on the couch. Clara sat next to him and asked, "Are you okay?"

"She has a date."

"She does."

"I don't know if I am going to be able to handle this."

"Hud, you have to tell her how you feel."

"I can't. I can't do it."

"Why not?

"I've already done enough to her. I've messed up her life. She doesn't want to be with me. It's all about Presley now. I'm not going to do anything else that could potentially keep my from my daughter. I want to be a good dad and that means putting my daughter before everything else."

"You have to be happy, too."

"To know that Presley and Greer are happy will make me happy."

"You really have grown up. You are a kick butt dad, bro. I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, sis."

"No matter what happens, everything will work out the way it is supposed to." Clara wrapped her arm around him shoulders. She sat on the couch with him for a while and she hated to see how upset he was. He always had a big heart and now it was even bigger because of the new little person in their lives.