Noelle (Babysitter’s Club 4)

“What is it sweet baby?” I lifted her from the cradle and moved to the changing table to check her. She was still dry, but she was warm to the touch.

“Aw poor baby, are you teething?” Ella did say she thought she might be. I walked into her bathroom and searched the medicine cabinet for the baby aspirin, before fetching her bottle.

I sat in the rocking chair in the corner, holding her close as she fussed and rooted around until she got comfortable. The dream was long gone by now, with only a remnant of that sweet feeling lingering behind.

I’m not sure how much time passed but I must’ve dozed off because I awoke to find Callan standing next to the chair looking down at us.

The look of longing fell easily from his face but it was too late, I’d seen it. He slowly reached out his hand and for a second it seemed like he was going to touch me.

But at the last second he cupped the back of his daughter’s head instead. I released the breath I wasn’t aware I’d been holding, my face growing flush as I recalled my dreams.

And then his finger did touch my cheek, fleetingly, but I felt it all the same. “You look beat, why don’t I sit with her?”

“No…” I cleared my throat and tried again. “No we’re fine. You have to be up early in the morning, why don’t you go back to bed and get some more rest?”

“Okay then.” I held my breath when he lowered his head, but again he was just kissing the baby. I felt searing disappointment when he straightened up again.

I looked up to find him watching me with a knowing look on his face. My lips fell open on a silent breath as his eyes fell on them and I felt that strange fire building inside just before he turned and walked away.

I exhaled loud enough to shake the baby who fussed before settling down again. What exactly has gotten into me? I’ve never behaved this way before in my life. I was all but panting after the poor man like a bitch in heat. Embarrassing!

But I can’t seem to help myself when I’m around him. I seem to become this whole other person and forget propriety and good sense. I also seem to forget that I’m not the kind of girl to jump into bed with anyone.

In fact, the reason I’d ran here with my tail tucked between my legs is because my boyfriend of two years had slept with someone else because I was deathly afraid of losing my virginity.

I quickly brushed away those hurtful thoughts and memories as I buried my nose in the baby’s hair. It had the usual calming effect and I drifted off again.

In the morning I was a tired mess. The baby had been cranky off and on all throughout the night. She’d come awake each time I tried putting her back in her cradle, so I’d had no choice but to sit with her until just before the sun came up.

Now I felt like death as I dragged my tired butt down the grand staircase. I was badly in need of some coffee. Maybe that would help wake me up.

“Oh no you don’t. Back to bed.” I turned sleep blurred eyes up at him as he ushered me back out of the kitchen towards the stairs. “But…”

“No arguments! You’ve been up all night with the baby. She’s still down and I’ve already called Ella to come in a little early to help out. You can grab at least a couple more hours rest. Now off with you.”

He didn’t have to tell me twice. I made my way back up the stairs much quicker this time and fell into bed exhausted. The next time I opened my eyes the sun was well up in the sky.

I took a quick shower to work the kinks out before heading downstairs apologetically. “Oh there you are. I hear you had a rough night.”

That was the greeting from Ella who was standing at the stove stirring something in the pot while Isabelle looked on from her highchair.

The baby greeted me with a happy babble, which meant she was at least feeling better, and her color did look a bit better than the last time I saw her.

“Thanks Ella I’m really sorry.” I walked over to the baby who was gnawing on a teething ring and drooling for all she’s worth. I realized as I stood there that I’d missed her.

“Don’t be silly.” Ella assured me that it was fine as I lifted the baby from her chair for a smell. Why does my heart feel like this whenever I pick her up?

“Hello sweet baby, did you miss me?” She gave me her toothless grin around the icy treat that seemed to be working wonders for her and I made a note to get it if we have another night like the one before.