“Do you mind if I hold him?”
I hesitate a moment. It’s not that I think Benjamin will drop him. He obviously knows how to handle a baby because he’s had one. I’m just selective on who I let hold him.
After a brief pause, I nod. “Sure.”
He meets me at the side of the desk, and I carefully hand Elijah over. I’m pleased when he takes care to stabilize his head against his arm. He looks like a pro.
“He has your eyes,” Benjamin states, looking up from Elijah to me then back down.
I sigh. “I just hope they stay that color.”
Benjamin’s head pops up. “You don’t want him to have his father’s eyes?”
“No.” My answer comes out hard, and I silently reprimand myself and hope he doesn’t question me on my curt reply.
He looks like he wants to, but thankfully he refrains and looks back down at Elijah.
“It’s amazing when they’re this small. So helpless and fragile, but they’re able to provoke such strong feelings in people. I remember when Leddy was born. I felt like I was on top of the world.”
I lay my hand on Elijah’s head and rub it over his fine brown hair. He’s lost some since he was born, especially on the back of his head from friction from lying on it.
“Yeah. I know what you mean. When Elijah was born, I was so overwhelmed with how much I loved him already.”
A throat clearing has both of our heads popping up. I twist around and find Trouble standing behind me, his tense arms crossed over his chest. I can tell they’re tense because his biceps are bulging. His eyes are on Benjamin, and from the look on his face, he’s not pleased. I’ve noticed he never looks pleased when Benjamin is in the vicinity, or at least when I’m around.
“Trouble.” Benjamin offers a smile, in which Trouble doesn’t reciprocate. If anything, his look becomes a scowl.
“Dr. Trayce,” Trouble barks.
I wince at his harsh tone. What in the hell is wrong with him?
Benjamin’s smile fades and his expression turns flat. “Dr. Trayce.”
“Why don’t you hand Elijah back to Remi so we can get on with the appointment?”
Benjamin’s eyes move back to me as he hands Elijah over. He calls for Leddy next and she skips over.
“Room two. I’ll be there in a minute,” Trouble instructs, and Benjamin and Leddy walk away.
I lay Elijah back in his car seat. As soon as Benjamin and Leddy are out of hearing range, I spin to Trouble.
“What was that about?” I demand, lifting a brow.
He looks down at his shoes and his shoulders rise and fall a couple of times before lifting his head back up and pinning me with his intense gaze.
“I don’t like him holding Elijah,” he grunts.
I tilt my head to the side and regard him curiously. “Why?”
His brows pinch and his mouth tightens. Unfolding his arms from his chest, his back straightens, and he takes the last couple of steps separating us.
“Because I don’t like seeing another man holding what’s mine.”
His answer surprises me, and I can’t help the shocked gasp that leaves my lips. My tongue gets stuck in the roof of my mouth. Which is good, because I don’t know how to respond anyway. Trouble claiming Elijah as his is… big.
Trouble’s hand cups my cheek as he waits for my reaction. I’ve still got nothing, so all I can do is stand there and stare back at him.
“Does that bother you?” he asks. He doesn’t give me a chance to reply. “Because it’s true. Elijah is mine. Wanna know what else I didn’t like?”