Tempting Perfection

I turned my eyes back to the window as a seagull dipped into the ocean. Dylan’s room was close to ours and overlooked the water. It was peaceful up here. “I love our new house. It already feels like home.”

“It does.”

Once I recovered, I’d work on getting things exactly how I liked them. But Monica and the movers had followed my color-coded specs to a T.

Kurt’s phone vibrated. “The guys texted me and asked if they could bring supper tonight. They got George something, as well.”

I loved those guys. Nina, too. “I’d like that.”

“You sure?”

“Surrounding ourselves with people who mean a lot to us is important right now. And Cameron mentioned coming over tomorrow, if you’re okay with it.”

Squatting, Kurt touched Dylan’s cheek. “Of course. He’s welcome to come tonight.”

“I think he’s going to need some time alone after we visit Adriane today.”

The doorbell rang, and Kurt rose. “I’ll go get it.”

“I’ll need help putting him down once he’s done.”

“I’ll be right back.”

Knoah and Garrick were going to watch Dylan while we were gone. This morning, we were going to the police station to see Adriane. My stress level was contributing to Dylan’s frustration when we attempted to nurse. It was hard leaving him so young, but I needed to get this behind us so we could move forward. Part of me hoped there was a shred of innocence still within Adriane. It repulsed me to think she planned to take Dylan from us as some twisted kind of retribution.

After this meeting, I planned to walk away and never look back. I hoped Cameron did, too. Why is this harder on Cameron than me? I wasn’t sure. Maybe because I had lived with all the abuse directed at me for most of my life. You became numb to people hurting you after a while. No apologies could undo what had been done.

Dylan’s mouth grew slack as he dozed off with a full tummy. I turned him over and patted his back with minimal pain. So far, that seemed to be the best way to burp him since I still couldn’t maneuver him over my injured shoulder.

A few minutes later, Kurt walked in. “You decent?”

Thanks to Knoah, decent was achieved with a quick adjustment of my top. One of my surprises from her had been some new clothes I could nurse in and easily change with my injury. Oh, how I loved my best friend. I couldn’t wait to be there for her in whatever capacity she needed.

“Yes. They can come in.”

Knoah was glowing as she came in and smiled adoringly. “He’s gotten so big in the last twenty-four hours. Auntie Knoah missed her nephew.”

“He missed you, too. He’s in a milk coma.”

I could hear Kurt and Garrick talking out in the hallway. Holding her blond hair back, Knoah leaned down and kissed the little angel. “How’s the nursing going?”

“Much better, still rough, but Kurt keeps encouraging me. This last time went smooth.”

“Good. I’m so glad.”

For a second, Knoah stood and looked at the wall to the left of Dylan’s crib. The guitar she’d given the baby hung there securely as a focal point. Around the room, the words to the first song Dylan and Kurt had written together had been hand-painted to form a border.

“It’s gorgeous.” She sniffed. “Dylan is smiling down on his namesake, humbled by this gesture. Thank you.”

“I wish I could have met him.”

Knoah turned to me with tears in her eyes. “He would have liked you.”

That meant a lot. Of course, Knoah was completely in love with Garrick, but Dylan would always hold a special place in her heart.

Touching my shoulder, Kurt asked, “You ready?”

“Yeah.” Leaving Dylan had me a little nervous, but it was safer for him here, considering the situation. “Thanks for watching him. I’ve put a bottle of breast milk in the fridge if, for some reason, we’re later than expected.”