Mercy was laying on Kid's lap. He took off his hat and held it on top of her head. The hat engulfed her. In fact, she probably could have used it for a bed.
"A little big, I think," Ruth said with a chuckle.
"She'll grow into it."
"Don't say that. I don't want to think about my little baby getting any bigger. I want her to stay this size forever."
"Good luck with that, Momma," he said with a grin. "She's already growing. Used to be I could about hold her with one arm."
"Let me live happily in my dream world, please."
Mercy was fighting sleep. Her eyes would start to droop and then snap wide open as if she was afraid she was going to miss something if she went to sleep. He put her in her crib, otherwise known as a guitar case, and picked up his guitar instead. After strumming a few chords to make sure it was still in tune, he played her a lullaby.
"Sleep my child and peace attend thee,
All through the night
Guardian angels God will send thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping
Hill and vale in slumber sleeping,
I my loving vigil keeping
All through the night."
Ruth melted at the song. There was just something so becoming about him singing to their baby. Not a part of the "Kid Cole" image but it was a part of the gentle, loving side of her husband that she was one of the few privileged to know, and it was there now in full, unbridled glory in a new and beautiful way and her love for him felt as if it would overflow.
Mercy was sound asleep by the time he finished his song. It was still early yet, but they'd learned they'd better sleep when their baby slept, so they always went to bed too.
Ruth smiled a slow smile to signal that she wanted more than just sleep. He caught her smile and must have recognized the familiar look as he tiptoed over but his eyes only darted elsewhere as if he hadn't seen it or was afraid of that look.
She stole a quick glimpse of herself in the mirror. She had been feeling rather unattractive lately. She hadn't lost the weight immediately like she thought she would. She often got spit up on. Her hair at this moment wasn't at its tidiest; it seemed a little thicker than usual, making it harder to tame. And on top of that, Kid hadn't tried to initiate anything even once since the baby was born.
There was only one way to put her fears to rest and make what she wanted perfectly clear to him. She laid a kiss on his stubbly jaw. His eyes fluttered shut as if he enjoyed it but was conflicted over it.
She slipped her hand inside his shirt to further entice him and put her head against his shoulder. "What is it?" she asked.
"Nothing. I'm just worried about you. You're not too tired, are you?"
Her hand returned to her lap. That sounded like an excuse to her ears, so she asked right out, "Do you still find me attractive?"
"Attractive? Are you kidding?" he said. "You're even more beautiful and amazing to me now. It's just that the midwife told me I shouldn't try anything until you were ready and I want to be absolutely sure you are."
She sighed with relief. "That's probably true. I wouldn't have felt like it right after, but I feel like it now," she told him as she laid an affectionate kiss on his lips.
He was excited by her words and actions. He didn't have to be told twice and he intended on showing her just how attractive he still found her. He turned her around and turned himself, so he could better reach her, but he noticed when she suddenly became stiff in his arms.
"What's the matter?" Kid asked full of concern. "Did you change your mind? I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"No, it's just I only happened to think that Mercy's in the room. That makes it feel a little strange."
"She can't see from where she's at and she's so little anyway. We'll have to get more creative in the future, but we're fine for now."
"I guess you're right." Her arms wrapped around him as she pulled him on top of her determined to express her love for him.
Just as things were starting to heat up, there was a little whimper. Ruth couldn't ignore it; the mother in her wouldn't let her. It was the equivalent of some babies' cry. "I'm sorry, honey. I have to check on her."
He was disappointed as he knew they likely wouldn't be able to recapture the mood tonight. "So close and yet so far." He smiled though and went and got Mercy himself.
