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.”

something pretty now. Cara will sleep for a few hours at least. Just be ready to go back into ‘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

“Sounds great. Actually, I did get some new clothes. Just give

the room. I make to follow but she flaps hands back

happy to humour her. From

up the stairs, heading straight for the nursery. As she

me some

brow. “And when is the rain of

“I’ll let you know.”

reappears, beaming. “Isn’t it

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 knot-work effect over the front. It smooths over her full bosom and narrowing waist, emphasising everything she has. She pauses, sucking at

My Jade-Eyes…

And

dimples. “I hoped you’d like

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.

pay a lot, so I’d like

forefinger. “The top should shrink a bit with you too, but right now it’s making a good show

blushes, hugging arms around herself.

ten seconds, her burbles turn to cries and Charlotte is already picking her up as they rise

“Shhh… it’s alright, Baby. Shhh…” … patting her on the

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

entire output has ended up over Charlotte. Her pink

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