Chapter 157
Lake:
Besides the fact that I had half of the toy population of “Baby and me” store in the back seat of my car, something else excited me to my bones; I was going to be seeing baby Lucian and Jojo and I would be spending time with them.
I mean, there no need for me to be jealous of Kenji, right? All I had to do was rise from my bed, stop sulking, man up, hold my head high and chase the woman I had come here for. I was not just going after Jojo because of our child, she had assured me that I could see him no matter what.
I was going after Jojo because she was the person I wanted and needed most in the world. Like I told Kenji, I had never desired to be with anyone the way I desired to be with her. I had never been so certain of wanting to hold and be held by someone.
I stepped out of the car, carrying the three heavy plastic bags filled with toys, baby diapers, toiletries and cute white vests that I found – I wasn’t sure it’ll be his size yet, but he would certainly grow into them.
I took the bags to the front door and tried to ring the door bell, but I soon figured that I might not be answered by anyone since it was obvious that the house was almost empty. My eyes wandered down to the lock. When I saw the door was not locked, I dropped the bags in my right hand and slid the glass door open, just enough for me to step in.
When I entered into the living room, the smell of baby powder and antiseptic hit my nostrils so hard, I almost sneezed. I guess I had to get used to the fancy and beautiful scent after all.
I was barely three steps into the house when I heard the loud and shrill cry of a baby, coming from a room upstairs. Without second thought, I dropped the plastic bags on the ground and dashed further into the house. I climbed up the stairs as fast as my muscular legs could carry me. It was easy for me to locate the door Jojo had led me to when I first came. So, I found the door and pushed it open immediately.
With my heart pounding against my chest, I found Jojo kneeling on the ground. Baby Lucian lay in a small bed, his chest and the rest of his body were bare, except for the white powder she was rubbing all over him. The scent of primrose and blueberries filled my nostrils. I almost closed my eyes to sniff it all in and savor the scent until I heard my name.
“Alpha Lake?”
For a moment, I ignored the faint sting I felt on my chest when she addressed me by the formal title; alpha.
I rushed to her side, watching as she stood on her feet. My eyes rested on the now giggling child, before it traveled back to her beautiful oval face.
She looked at me with confused eyes, as if asking; “when did you come in here? How did you get in?”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
I paid no mind to her silent questions and bombarded her with my audible ones.
“I heard him cry from the living room, I had to rush over here. What’s going on, Jojo? Is he okay? The cry was so loud and I was so worried that he…”
“It’s fine. He’s fine.” She cut in, folding her arms underneath her chest as she stared at me. When Lucian giggled once more, she reached out to touch his right cheek gently.
“He is always like that after he comes out from a bath. I need to get him cleaned, dressed and ready for the day.”
She lowered herself to his small bed and placed a soft kiss on his right cheek. His lips spread out in a broad smile, I could see his toothless gum on full display.
My heart turned warm, he was such a beautiful baby.
“Uhmm, okay. But, was the water cold? Too hot? Warm?” Shit. I felt like I was just spewing out words because I needed to talk, but had no idea what to say.
When she turned to look at me with amusement sparkling in her emerald green eyes, I could tell she thought the same thing.
“No. The water was just fine, I can assure you.” She turned back to Lucian. It felt as though she would not look at me one more second than she should.
“Okay, if you say so.” I replied, even my tone was clumsy. I could hear myself speak.
I lowered myself, squatting to look at the baby. Soon, his smile disappeared and he looked like he was going to start crying. I was concerned, but Jojo did not seem to be worried about it. She seemed to have everything under control, which made me envious.
I wanted to be as easy with children affairs as she was.
“He looks like he is going to cry. Is he hungry, Jojo? Does he need his formula? I could help…”
“Nope.” She interrupted again. She picked up a pair of blue shorts from underneath the baby’s head and gently placed his head on the soft mattress.
“He is still very little, so he relies on breast milk. I can’t give him anything else for now.”
Hold on a second. I blinked twice as I stared at her. Motherhood really isn’t easy. I could not imagine having a child suck on my nipple and my nutrient for what? Eight to ten times a day?!
I was starting to get really worried about her.
“You do that all the time?”
She nodded. Jojo busied herself with putting on his diaper, she did not bother to spare me a glance.
“Isn’t it tiring? Don’t you get weary? You need something to replenish your strength. I should go get you some milk, soya milk to be exact. The nutrients and everything will…”
“I am fine.”
If I did not know better – which I wasn’t sure I did – I would have thought she snapped out of irritation. But when I examined her the side of her face, there was no hint of a frown. I heaved a silent sigh and continued.
“No, it’s not. Lucian can’t be taking all your strength like that. I need to help you get something.” I pressed on. The earlier she realized I was not going to back down, the quicker she would get used to having me around.
She dropped her hands beside Lucian and swiftly turned to me.
“You know what? If you really want to help us, you’ll sit quietly in the living room and wait for us to come down.” She turned to the baby.
“Don’t you think so, Lucian?”
He chuckled in agreement and I found myself smiling.
Wait a minute. I looked around.
I suddenly remembered I had brought something for them.
“Oh! I brought something!” I called out.
Jojo’s eyes narrowed at me. But before she could speak, I sprang up to my feet and turned on my heels, heading to the living room. I picked up the bags from the ground and hurried back up into the baby’s room.
When I opened the door, Jojo must have heard the sound of the polyethene bags, because she turned to me in that instant. I saw her jaw drop as she stared at me.
A wry smile creeped up to my face.
That was the exact reaction I had planned to receive, I was glad I got just what I wanted.
I dropped the bags by the wall and stood straight, slipping my hands into my pocket.
Jojo laughed. And even if it was for a short while, I was more than happy to see her smile like that. Lucian must have heard the sound of his mother’s laughter, because his loud giggles followed shortly after. The sight of mother and child was so beautiful, I wanted to stand and look at them for the rest of my life.
I wanted to have them by my side for as long as life allowed me to.
“I believe you were heading somewhere.” Jojo taunted. I saw the small smile on her face as she corked her left brow at me.
Yes. I was supposed to be in the living room, waiting for her to be done dressing Lucian before she brings him downstairs to meet me.
“How long do I have to wait?” I did not want to believe it, but I could almost feel myself pouting.
She returned her gaze to Lucian and held his small right hand with two of her fingers.
“How long does daddy have to wait until you’re ready, Lu?”
Lucian made some baby sounds I could not quite understand, but Jojo nodded her head as though she could hear and understand him.
She looked back at me with bright green eyes, as beautiful and refreshing as the leaves of flowers after an early morning rain.
“You heard him.” She started.
“As long as it takes. He needs his privacy.” She continued.