Chapter 169
Nolan’s expression instantly tightens with worry. “Are you okay p>
“I’m fine, It’s nothing big” I assure him quickly. “Just checkup to make sure my hand is healing well, and the baby is doing fine p>
His shoulders relax. “Really? Did you get to see your baby? I asked Mrs. Roberts at school and she told me a mommy can see her baby before it’s born p>
Nolan’s curiosity is honestly unmatched. It’s like his little brain is always working. Always inquiring. You have no idea how many times he’s caught me off guard with the questions he asks.
“Yes, I got to see the baby, but he’s really tiny.” I answer.
“Can we go with you next time?” Nova asks, widening her eyes in that cute way that makes you give in. “We want to see the baby too p>
I don’t answer right away because, well there is Noah, so instead I tell her, “We’ll ask your dad if it’s alright first p>
“Yeey p>
I laugh, pulling them both to the bed with me. “Alright, show me what you’re working on p>
They exchange excited glances before sliding their notebooks toward me. Math problems. We spend the next half hour working through them together. Me explaining, them pretending to listen until one of them (usually Nova) gives the wrong answer and starts giggling.
When they finally finish, I close their books and clap my hands. “Alright, time for baths p>
Nolan groans. “Already p>
“Yes, mister,” I tease. “You smell like crayons and sweat p>
He wrinkles his nose but dashes out of my door, probably rushing to their bedroom so he can be the first one to have his bath.
Nova stays seated beside me, fiddling with the corner of her notebook.
“Can I… can you help me take mine?” she asks shyly. “Please p>
I hesitate. I don’t want to cross boundaries, especially where Noah is involved, but then Nova looks up, her big eyes wide and hopeful, and my resolve cracks.
“Alright,” I sigh softly. “Come on then p>
Her face lights up instantly, and she grabs my hand, leading me toward their room. It’s the first time I’ve stepped inside, and I can’t help the little smile that spreads across my face.
Half of the room looks like a page torn from a fairy tale. Soft pinks, flowing curtains, stuffed animals, a purple bed and princess drawings on the wall. The other half is a battlefield of action figures, posters, and miniature cars. It’s chaos, but somehow it all fits Nolan’s personality so well.
“You have a beautiful room,” I tell her, taking it all in.
“Daddy helped us decorate,” she says proudly.
Something tugs at my chest. For a moment, I wonder what my child will be like. Will he like cars or stories? Will his laughter sound like mine or his? I know I don’t even have to ask if Noah will be a present dad like he is to the twins, but I still can’t help but wonder.
He is a good dad, not gonna lie, but I’m slowly starting to accept that he just won’t be a good dad to my kid, and that’s okay.
Nova grabs her pajamas, then glances at the closed bathroom door. “Nolan’s still there, so we can go to your room
..plus your bathroom is bigger. He’s going to be so jealous”
Her giggle at the end is so infectious. If only she knew men/boys don’t really care about such things. We head back to mine and she hops into the bathtub while I roll up my sleeves and start helping her wash her hair. She talks the whole time, but I don’t mind.
Blackie appears halfway through, hopping onto the edge of the tub, tail twitching as she peers into the water.
Nova giggles. “She’s not scared? I thought cats hate water p>
I shake my head, smiling. “Blackie’s the weirdest cat I know. She loves water p>
There are a couple of times I had to literally yank her out of the tub after her bath. She always tried fighting her way back even after I drained the water. She’s weirdly fascinated by water, so I have to make sure I close my bathroom door while showering or soaking in the tub.