Chapter 22
Parker awoke and rolled over on her side. The other side of her bed was empty. She wondered if she had dreamed Kelly coming over. She got out of bed and found Kelly's tee shirt on the floor. She slipped into it and made her way to the nursery. She stood in the doorway as she spied Kelly changing Philip's diaper. She smiled. He really was a good father. She hated to admit it, but Mary Alice was right as usual. She was the one who was wrong.
Kelly looked up and noticed her in the doorway. "Hey," he said softly.
"Hey."
"I just changed him."
"You could have woken me up. I would have changed him."
"You needed a break. I decided to let you sleep."
Kelly picked Philip up off the changing table and rocked him gently. "Thank you for letting me come over. I really needed to spend time with him."
She nodded. "I told you I wouldn't keep you from him."
"I appreciate that. Especially after yesterday."
"I'm sorry you had a rough shift. He's always here for you. Except of course, when he's with his Great Grandmother."
Kelly smiled. He had an in with Parker's Grandmother. She would definitely let him see the baby whenever she had him. He noticed she was wearing his tee shirt. He glanced down at Philip so she couldn't see his smile. Maybe he was wearing her down.
"Are you hungry? I can make you some breakfast."
"I could eat."
He tucked Philip into his carrier and followed her out to the kitchen.
In the kitchen, Parker whipped up pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast. She set the plate in front of Kelly. She nibbled toast and drank a cup of coffee.
"Plans for today?" he asked.
"Fixing a boat."
"Need some help?"
"If you want to help, you're welcome."
"You haven't had any more fireboats have you?"
"I haven't. "
"Damn shame the City has their own mechanics."
"The way life goes."
"So what time are you going to fix it?"
"About 2. I need to take Grandma shopping for groceries."
"And, of course, you have to have lunch."
"Of course. She gets insulted if you don't have lunch."
Kelly smiled. He remembered his many visits to Mary Alice's apartment. He never left hungry. She always fed him well.
"Tell her hello for me."
"I will." She looked at the clock. "I'd better get dressed and get him dressed."
Kelly stood up from the table. "I'll dress him."
"You would?"
"Yeah. No worries. Go get dressed."
She rose from the table. "Thank you, Kelly."
He watched her walk toward her bedroom, and sighed. No mention of making love with him. He wasn't sure if she was angry or embarrassed. He stood up and took Philip and the carrier to the nursery. He dressed him in a Cubs tee shirt and denim shorts. Parker came out a few minutes later dressed in a U of C tee shirt and jeans.
She looked at him. "I'll wash your tee shirt and get it back to you next time."
"Thanks." He handed her the baby. "Our little Cubs fan is ready to go see his Great Grandma."