“I’d like to hit the gym and take a shower.”
“Okay. Sounds good.”
I stayed in my seat and continued to watch them together, mother and daughter. It was hard to believe I’d created something so beautiful and innocent, but I was sure Martina had inherited those qualities from her mother. She had my eyes, and hopefully, she would have my strength and fierceness. I wouldn’t raise her to believe in fairy tales or Prince Charming. I would raise her to be her own warrior, to never settle for anything less than what she deserved. One day, a man would come to me asking for her hand, and I wouldn’t give her away unless that man was twice the man I was.
Siena studied me. “What are you thinking about?”
The question broke my concentration. “Father stuff…stuff I shouldn’t have to worry about for a long time.”
By the fourth day, I understood Martina’s needs a lot better. Her cries always sounded the same to me, but the time of day gave clues to what she needed. Changing diapers was easy, feeding her from the bottle was even easier. Once she got comfortable in the house, she started to sleep a lot more.
Those were my favorite moments.
I went into my office and sat in the leather armchair behind my desk. My laptop was open in front of me, but the liquor cabinet was closed tight. I would normally be drinking or smoking in here, but now that I had a daughter, the things I loved were put on the back burner—because I loved her more.
I leaned back in the chair so my chest was flat, and Martina slept on her stomach right against me. The position wasn’t that comfortable for me, but that was how she liked to take her midday naps. I typed on my computer and responded to a few emails.
Bates called me.
I answered with a soft voice. “Yes?”
“What do you mean yes? I see that you’re working. Ready to come back to the office?”
Siena had nearly recovered from labor, but I was giving her as much time as she needed to get back on her feet. Taking care of Martina for most of the day allowed her to relax. So far, she hadn’t changed a diaper once. “Not for a few more days.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m taking care of Martina right now. Siena is still resting.”
“Cato, that’s what nannies are for. And they’re dirt cheap.”
Thankfully, Martina stayed asleep for the entire conversation. Perhaps she liked listening to the sound of my voice. “I don’t want a nanny, Bates. I want to be the one to take care of her.”
“You want to change diapers?” he said incredulously. “Wipe butts?”
“Yes. And yes.”
He scoffed into the phone. “I don’t get you, man. You’re this powerful banker, but you’re at home with a brat drooling all over you.”
“Don’t call her that,” I warned. “You’ll need facial reconstruction if you do.”
“Then when are you coming back?”
“You know, paternity leave is at least three months.”
“No, asshole. You aren’t skipping out for three months.”
“I know,” I said. “But I’m just reminding you what the rest of the country does. Besides, you can handle it on your own, Bates. You really don’t need me. When your time comes, I won’t need you.”
“When my time comes?” he blurted. “No, I always wear a condom.”
“When you fall in love, you’ll stop wearing a condom.”
He turned dead silent.
It took me several seconds to understand the source of his silence, how my poorly chosen words were misinterpreted. “I’m just saying…”
Bates didn’t revisit the comment, but it was awkward for the rest of the conversation. “Why are you doing all the work?”
“Because she was pregnant for nine months and pushed a human out of her. She deserves a week off.”
“She’s the mother,” he argued. “She should be taking care of her kid.”
“Stop being a sexist bitch.”
“Sexist?” he asked. “See, this is why I don’t like Siena. She puts these stupid thoughts in your head.”
“It’s not because of her. I have a daughter now—and I see the world differently because of it. By the way, you haven’t asked to see her once.”
“You know I’m not a baby person.”
“But this is your niece. Your family. She might be the closest thing to a daughter you ever have.”
“God, I hope so,” he said with a sigh. “I’ll talk to Mother, and we’ll stop by. I know she’s eager to see you guys. She calls me every day, trying to figure out when it’s appropriate to nag you.”
“She’s never cared about an appropriate time to nag me before.”
“I think she’s thinking of Siena.”
Of course. My mother didn’t have any boundaries with me. “Siena has been feeling a lot better, so I’m sure she’ll be ready for visitors tomorrow.”
“Alright. By the way, are you going to do that thing we talked about?”
Drag Siena outside and put her on her knees to be executed. To scare her so senseless it’d be the best punishment for the two crimes she’d committed. She’d never paid for what she did, other than the time my brother bloodied her. Just a few days after that, I fetched her father’s body from my enemies and called a truce just to have him. Siena never suffered for what she did. Right off the bat, she softened my anger, and I took care of her. “I haven’t decided yet.”