The Baby Clause 2.0 (The Contract 1.75)

Samantha was waiting when I returned, a bottle ready, but as soon as I tried to hand Gracie off, she began to cry and kick her legs.

“She’ll be fine once I start feeding her. They’re waiting for you,” she assured me, taking Gracie from my arms.

I swallowed my retort, and turned to leave. I only made it to the door when the sobs got to me. Turning, I looked at my daughter. Her cheeks were wet with tears as she fought against Samantha. Her pathetic expression was fucking killing me, and then she said it.

“Dada,” she whimpered out. I was certain I heard it, although Samantha didn’t react. But it was clear—she didn’t want her damn bottle. She wanted me.

There was no choice to be made.

“Fuck it,” I muttered.I was sure Graham’s eyebrows hit his hairline when I walked back into the boardroom, complete with Gracie strapped to my chest, a soother stuffed in her mouth, and a bottle ready in case. Jenna glanced away, trying not to laugh.

Mr. Cunningham looked shocked.

“I apologize. My wife is ill at home, and my daughter won’t settle for anyone but me. I know this seems unorthodox, but let me finish.”

I sighed in relief when he nodded. I would take whatever shit Graham gave me later, but right now, I had to make sure Gracie was okay, and please the client.

I could do both.

Forty minutes later, Gracie was asleep, my voice and the constant movement as I paced the boardroom pacifying her. Mr. Cunningham shook my hand, and for the first time ever, smiled. “Brilliant,” he praised.

“Thank you. Sorry about the interruption.”

He shook his head. “Do you know how often I had to stop meetings or be interrupted when my children were small? My wife worked with me, and we had an office for the kids, but invariably they would find me when they wanted something. I wouldn’t change those memories for anything.” He eyed me for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. “I want to do business where family is first, and the people share my values. You proved to me it is here. The contract is yours.”

I didn’t know how to respond—those were words I never thought anyone would ever utter to me.

Graham chuckled. “Looks like Gracie was our ringer, Richard.”

Bending my head, I pressed a kiss to her fuzzy curls. She woke up as soon as I stopped walking, but was happy as long as she was close.

“I guess she is.”

Mr. Cunningham laughed, and patted Gracie’s head. She grabbed at his fingers, pulling on them and making him laugh. “I hope to see more of her.” He turned to Graham. “Shall we discuss the logistics?”

Graham extended his arm. “Jenna, show Mr. Cunningham to my office.” Then he turned to me. “Go home. You look a fright, and I’m sure your wife needs you.” He leaned forward, trying to hide his amusement. “A piece of fatherly advice. You should always look down, Richard.”

I glanced down at my feet and cringed. I hadn’t noticed the splatter on my shoe.

I had to join in his laughter. He was right. In addition to my shoe, my suit was ruined, my shoulder a mess, and Gracie, before falling asleep, had drooled all over my hand and arm, so the sleeve was soaked. I knew my hair was sticking up everywhere from my anxious tugging, and the front of me felt far too damp and warm. I had a feeling I didn’t have the diaper on as snugly as I should. I needed to go home, get cleaned up, and look after my wife.

I shook his hand. “Will do.”

He shook his head as he left the boardroom. “It’s never dull with you, Richard. Ever.”

Laughing, I made my way to my office, and gathered up all the baby things scattered around. It surprised me still how many items it took to keep a human this small alive and happy while you were out of the house.

Still, I wouldn’t change a thing.I settled into the chair on the deck with a relieved groan. Gracie was asleep, I was clean, and Katy was resting. I had tried repeatedly to get Gracie to say “Dada” again so Katy could hear it, but she chose to remain silent.

“Honestly, Katy. She said it.”

She patted my cheek. “I believe you.”

I knew without a doubt, she was lying. But Gracie had said it while she was reaching for me. Or it may have been duh, but I was certain it was Dada.

The house was quiet, the sun beginning to set, and I was enjoying a hard-earned beer and sandwich. The water in the pool shimmered in the evening light, and I decided I’d have a dip once I finished eating.

I had spoken to Graham, and he told me the contract had been signed. I laughed at his description of me striding back into the boardroom with Gracie strapped to my chest, and a bottle in my hand, determined to finish my presentation. “Not a sight I ever thought I’d see when it came to you, Richard. I almost fell off my chair.”