The Carrero Heart - Beginning (Friends to Lovers)

Settled in the bed of my private room with our baby asleep in his arm, Arrick sits beside me on the bed with his free arm around my shoulder as we watch her. My head nestled on his chest and my finger in her little tiny grip. We have sat like this for the last hour, enamored with the little miracle that we created. Perfect in every little miniature detail and I cannot stop inspecting the sheer amazingness of her. I finally get why Jake keeps wanting more. Nothing compares to how it feels right now, sitting here together like this. How much I love her already.

She’s clean now, dressed in a little pink sleepsuit that’s adorned with tiny unicorns and wrapped up snug in a fluffy pink blanket. Arrick did the fatherly duties and got her trussed up in her little outfit for me. He was a total pro, from years of helping with Emma’s kids and looked totally at home maneuvering a frowny faced little lady around to get her cozy in her new clothes. She regarded him with that Arrick look of cool complacency and I think I died a little bit more.

She is definitely a Carrero, through and through.

I’m exhausted and had a little nap when they moved me here, while Arry held our daughter and didn’t want to hand her back. I think he found his new favorite pastime and I might have to wrestle her from him when I want a cuddle too.

“Maybe it’s time we actually finally agree on a name… Seeing as she’s now here.” He smiles down at her and kisses me again on the temple; he’s been doing it every five minutes since I gave birth to her and I can tell he’s ecstatically happy if not also exhausted. It may not have been him pushing out a tiny human, but it’s taken a toll on his emotions just the same. He looks ready to sleep. We’re enjoying this quiet time to relax in my room, and everything feels perfect right now.

“I still like Maisie, or Marie.” I look up at him adoringly with a hushed voice in case I disturb her. Feeding her the first time was awkward and uncomfortable but she fed well enough to drift to sleep and I am savoring these moments of watching how content she is. I’m not sure I like the whole breast-feeding thing yet, but I will see how I go. I know Arrick won’t pressure me if bottles are more my thing.

She really is the picture of Arrick now I can see her with a clear mind and free of gunk and god knows what that mess all over her was. It was kind of disgusting in hindsight and I’m glad Arry’s germaphobe side didn’t actually freak out at that point. It’s like he didn’t see it really and wanted to kiss his new baby.

She looks like him, so scarily, yet has fairer hair, like mine. Her eyes seem dark almost grey, but they told me her eye color takes a little time to develop and they think she may follow him with hazel eyes. Secretly I’m proud that she looks like him, because to me Arrick is the most gorgeous person in the world and I’m happy our little girl takes after his gene pool. The Carreros have so much beauty and kindness. She will never have to suffer from the flawed genes on my side. She will have his strength, his heart and hopefully his sensitive nature. I cannot imagine anyone I would rather she take after, than him, he’s my perfection.

tight. So at home with being besotted. Never afraid to show his affections. I always knew he would be a gentle caring

I point out critically. Frowning at him with a serious face of ‘not

He smiles defensively, turning my way

too many C’s either. Jake Carrero is almost as bad to pronounce.” I nudge him in the ribs and see him instantly start sounding out the names in his head as

clearly never recited full names

me and I giggle at him and curl up closer

I can almost feel the sane returning through the haze of exhaustion.

suggest, and he shakes his head

smiles and I frown at him, a vague familiarity about the name that I can’t remember. It’s pretty, I like it, I guess. I want to know

think I want him to produce

that look that says he knows I am having a little green-eyed moment. He

I know the feeling.

it, so it was worth it. I think if we are keeping things sentimental, then Ella, from Ella Enchanted, is a good name for

in love with this guy in the first place. I swear he has a memory like an elephant, and I