Eames rolled over in her hospital bed, woken by little noises she didn't yet recognize. They'd brought the baby in to her room in a clear plastic bassinette so she could begin taking care of her. But it wasn't entirely baby noises that woke her. Forcing her weary eyes open, she was surprised to see her partner, pacing near the bed. He had the baby in his arms, and he was quietly talking to her.
"Bobby?"
He looked up from the little person in his arms and smiled at her. "She was fussing, and I didn't want to wake you yet."
"It's probably time for her to eat."
He brought the baby over to her. She took her from him and positioned her to feed her. He turned away. She laughed softly. "You were here for her birth, Goren. I'm not shy about feeding her in front of you."
He sat down in the chair next to the bed, but he still wouldn't look at her…until he heard the baby eating. Turning his head, he watched, fascinated. There it was again, she smiled. His little boy fascination with the world.
When she was done feeding the baby, she handed her back to him. "Burp her."
"What?"
"Burp her."
"How do I do that?"
"Just put her on your shoulder and pat her back. She'll do the rest."
He did as she directed, smiling when he heard a little burp in his ear. She was enjoying watching him with the baby. He was much more at ease than she ever expected him to be. He brought the baby from his shoulder into the crook of his arm and gently traced one finger along the smooth skin of her little face, talking softly. She just watched him. "A lot of people have no idea how to interact with a baby. You don't seem to be having a problem."
He shrugged. "Babies like to hear voices."
"How do you know that?"
"I…read about it."
"You read about babies?"
"Some. You were having one. I wanted to know what to expect."
He never ceased to surprise her, no matter what he did. Just when she thought she knew him well enough to predict, well, anything, he would unintentionally throw her another curve. But there was one thing she did know…she always wanted him to be there to keep her guessing. "Would you do something for me?"
"Of course."
"Never go anywhere."
"Where would I go?"
She motioned him closer. When he leaned forward, she pressed her forehead to his. "Listen to me, Goren. I don't think Ricky is going to be much for interacting with this baby. I don't want her to suffer for my lack of judgment. Okay?"
He closed his eyes, opening them in surprise when she kissed him. "I'm not going anywhere," he said softly. And he meant that.
The next day, she and the baby were both discharged from the hospital. And still Ricky had not made an appearance. So Goren brought them home. She was surprised to see a car seat in the back seat of his car. "Did you go to my house to get that?"
"Do I look stupid? I knew she needed a car seat to go home, so I picked one up."
She studied him, letting him take the baby from her arms and put her in her car seat for her first car ride. She shouldn't be surprised by his thoughtfulness. She should be used to it by now.
He pulled into the driveway, frowning at the patrol car sitting there. She smiled at him and said, "Well, I must admit, that was the least terrifying car ride I have ever taken with you." He smiled, but she could tell he was unsettled. "You should come in."
He shook his head. "I better not."
"Are you sure? It's my house, too, you know."
"I don't want to make things any more difficult for you than they already are."
"I appreciate that, but I also like having you around."
"You're welcome at my place any time."
She just smiled, opening the back door to take the baby and her diaper bag out of the car. "I'll get the rest of it later, ok?"
"You sure you have everything you need?"
"Positive."
"Call me later."
"I will. Thanks, Bobby." She blew him a kiss. "Drive carefully."
She watched him pull out of the driveway and drive off down the street. Turning toward the house, she saw Ricky standing in the doorway. "Well, baby girl, here we go."
She headed up the porch steps and into the house. He had retreated to the living room. "Hi, Ricky. It was so nice of you to come to the hospital to see us."
"You didn't need me there."
"Did you even call to see how we were doing?"
"I figured if something was wrong, someone would call me."
"That's a nice attitude." She sat down on the couch and unwrapped the receiving blanket from around the baby. He watched. When she pulled off the baby's hat, he frowned. "That's a lot of hair. Where'd she get that from?"
"I'm not sure. Does it matter?"
"I guess not."
"Do you want to hold her?"
"No, thanks. I have to get back to work." He hesitated at the door. "I hope you're happy now. You got what you wanted."
The front door closed. No, she didn't have what she wanted, she mused. Yes, she had her baby, and that did make her happy. But the other part of her life, the one that could make her happy, had driven off after she and the baby got out of the car.