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.”

for a few hours at least. Just be ready to go back into ‘Mom mode’ when she wakes. Meanwhile,

some new clothes. Just give me

darts out of the room. I make to follow but she flaps hands

getting enthusiastic about clothes is an event rare enough to rate headlines. I’m happy to humour her. From the bedroom

straight for the

me some

arches a brow. “And when is

“I’ll let you know.”

reappears, beaming. “Isn’t it

is heavy: winter-weight but cut to flare, swishing around her legs in an elegant swirl. The pullover seems plain at first, but as Charlotte moves, the knit is of some complicated pattern giving a subtle

My Jade-Eyes…

lovely. And it suits

dimples. “I hoped you’d like

label. “First time I’ve seen you pay for designer wear…” She stands back,

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

top should shrink a bit with you too, but right now it’s making a good show of

arms around

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

“Shhh… it’s alright, Baby. Shhh…” …

Charlotte, splurging over her shoulder and down her back. Another geyser-like burp, and a

then promptly falls asleep in Grandma’s arms. Her entire output has ended up

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