James

I watch from the doorway: my Jade-Eyes, in the nursery with the daughter she gave me, rocking her, cooing over her, talking to her.

She doesn’t see me, engrossed with Cara. Our baby goos and gurgles at her mother, a tiny hand reaching for a long copper lock of Charlotte’s hair, swinging loose draping over Cara’s creamy wrap.

So beautiful…

Both so beautiful…

I think Charlotte must have just given Cara her feed. She still has the towel over her shoulder she uses when she’s burping her. Even from here, the towelling looks damp. The top she’s wearing, not quite buttoned up, is stained too.

As I watch, Charlotte rises from the rocking chair her mother painted so beautifully for her, lays Cara in her cot and brushes herself down. As she turns to drop the shoulder towel into a laundry basket, she sees me.

“Oh!” And then she laughs. “Sorry, Master. I didn’t see you there.”

“I was enjoying watching you.”

She looks towards the cot, eyes alight. “I know I’m her mother, but I don’t think there’s ever been anything so wonderful ever.”

I pull her into my arms. “You’re wrong there. Cara’s mother takes first place on that one. But Cara runs a close second.”

She yields into my embrace, then making a face, pulls away. “Um… better let me change. Or you’ll smell of cheese all day too.” Still smiling, she strips off her soiled blouse, tossing it at the basket. The heavy-grade maternity bra follows. She lets out air. “It’s wonderful doing this. But I’ll be happier when I can put on clean clothes and stay that way. It would be nice to feel sexy again.”

‘Mom mode’ when she wakes. Meanwhile, we can have a glass of wine down by the fire. You, me and Michael. We’ll leave the baby monitor switched on. It’ll be just like

get some new

I make to follow but she flaps hands back at me.

about clothes is an event rare enough to rate headlines. I’m happy to humour her. From the bedroom next door, drawers and wardrobe doors bang and

up the stairs, heading straight for the nursery. As

show me some

brow. “And when is the rain

“I’ll let you know.”

beaming. “Isn’t

at first, but as Charlotte moves, the knit is of some

My Jade-Eyes…

is lovely. And

“I hoped you’d like

pullover, then arching the brow again as she reads the label. “First time I’ve seen you pay for designer wear…” She stands back, appraising her daughter. “… But it was money well spent. As your figure shrinks, I’ll be able to alter the skirt, so it shrinks with

great. I did pay a lot, so I’d like to get some

yarn between thumb and forefinger. “The top should shrink a bit with you too, but right now it’s making

hugging arms around

Over ten seconds, her burbles turn to cries and Charlotte is already picking

alright, Baby. Shhh…” … patting her on

But Cara abruptly flushes bright red, opens her mouth and spews. Milky vomit fountains over Charlotte, splurging over her shoulder and down her back. Another geyser-like burp, and a second shower

falls asleep in Grandma’s arms. Her entire output has ended up over Charlotte. Her pink onesie is still fluffy and clean. Mitch wipes

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