Enzo (Jinx Tattoos 1)

She wrapped her jacket around it and watched as Enzo took the keys from her pocket, unlocked the car, and began to safely arrange the car seat. It was far too easy to pretend this was their tiny family. The thought of the baby being thrust into a situation like Enzo’s made her blood run cold. No matter what, they had a duty to stand by this little one, and see it was placed in a proper home with a chance for the future.

Chapter Eight

Enzo

Name Pronunciation Aoife – EE-fa

“Do you think we have enough, love?” Aibhlinn asked.

He ignored her teasing tone and cupped the little girl’s head. “Hey, babies need a lot of things.”

“Yes, but this is only temporary,” she said softly.

“Still, she deserved the best,” Enzo replied, careful to keep his tone soft and low as he lowered the brand new carrier. The pink hearts, butterflies, and pastel green background did funny things to him. He never knew he could feel so much for someone in such a small span of time. The baby breathed evenly. The trust she exuded humbled him.

Despite all she’d experienced in her short span of life, she’d yet to be tainted or marred. I have to make sure she stays that way. He cuddled her, patting her back as she nuzzled his neck. After two bottles of formula and a fresh change of diapers and clothes, she had the baby smell he couldn’t get enough of.

“Okay,” Aibhlinn began, ticking her fingers off as she spoke, “we’ve got her a new carrier, a playpen with a mini bassinet for her to sleep in, enough clothes for a few weeks, a baby tub, diapers, formula, and wet wipes.”

“We need to get her a few toys at least,” he said.

Smiling, she peered up at him. “Right. What was I thinking?”

She was humoring him; he could live with that. “We need a name.”

“Enz, I don’t want you to get too attached. You know you’ll have to give her over to the authorities, right?”

“I’m already invested, might as well enjoy every moment of it I can. I know I can’t just keep her, but I will not leave her to the wolves with no one to make sure she lands somewhere safe.”

“She has parents out there, Enz.”

“Yeah, who left her in the forest.”

“What if she was kidnapped and a family is out there searching desperately for her?” Aibhlinn asked.

“Then when we hand her over tomorrow, I’ll know she’s going to be okay.”

“So stubborn,” she growled, pushing the cart to the baby toy section.

“Tell me you’re so anxious to hand her over to a situation that might be detrimental. Look at her, Ave, she’s everything that’s right in the world. So innocent, she doesn’t know anger, disappointment, fear, or hurt. Not like us. She has a chance to have a happy, healthy life. I want to make sure that happens. At least, as much as I can. If I’d had someone like us in my life, I wouldn’t have gone through everything that I—”

“Hey, we can’t change our pasts,” she said.

“No, but I can do something about her future.”

She held up her hands. “I’m not the bad guy here, Enz. I want to help her just as much as you do. But I know there’s going to be a lot of red tape, and I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“I’m willing to take the risk on this one,” he said honestly.

She nodded her head. “Okay. What do you think she’ll like?” she asked.

“That one.” Grinning, he pointed to a multi-colored ball with finger holds and balls that would jingle when she shook it.

“Excellent choice,” she replied, tossing it into the cart.

“Back to her name. I want something Irish.”

“You do?”