I rush over and grab a baby wipe from the table and dab Kai’s mouth and chin. He giggles and blows raspberries again, causing more drool to fall.
“I think it’s a lost cause,” Garrett says and places his hand over mine, taking the wipe away. Kai continues to giggle and drool, and it’s beautiful. He reaches his arms out in front of him and leans toward me. “Oh, Sam’s back and suddenly you want her, not me?” he teases Kai and passes him into my arms. Kai opens his mouth and places it on my cheek. It’s his idea of a sloppy kiss. And I love it.
Garrett reaches out with the baby wipe and dabs it on the wet spot on my cheek.
“Has he had a nap yet?” I ask.
Our rhythm feels so much like a family right now. It’s wonderful, but I know it isn’t real or permanent.
“No, I was just getting ready to put him down.” Garrett turns on the lullaby music and walks through the room, closing the blinds. Last week, we started putting him down in the crib awake so he can put himself to sleep. We’re slowly weaning him off of his dependence on us being physically present in order to sleep. He’s doing great, and it’s a strong sign that his recovery is progressing positively. His fits of screaming have almost all but stopped, as his body and mind heals.
I walk over to the crib and place Kai down. He grabs his stuffed Dalmatian and puts it in his mouth immediately. I turn on the mobile above him so he can watch the instruments spin. I bend down and kiss him on his forehead. “Sweet dreams, little dude.” He coos and laughs, kicking his legs in the air. He starts conversing with his stuffed animal, and Garrett and I quietly leave the room.
“You lost your boot,” he observes, turning on the baby monitor and sliding it into his back pocket. We can hear Kai’s baby sounds as we walk down the stairs.
“Yes, finally,” I say and hop off the bottom step. Garrett winces, and I trot into the kitchen.
“Don’t you think you should take it easy?” he says, following me.
“It feels great!” I look out to the backyard to the pool house. I can’t wait to finally swim again.
I look over at my bag on the counter. Knowing there’s a note in there from Olivia is rattling me to the core. What could she possibly have to say to me?
“What’s wrong?” Garrett asks.
I sigh. “I have a decision to make, and I need you to help me make it.”
“Oh?” He walks toward me and places his hands on my shoulders. “The answer is yes. Always yes,” he says and softly squeezes.
“Jim is calling in the big guns. He sent Cassie to convince me to come back to work. Now that my foot is healed and Kai is perfect, I don’t think I have any excuses not to return.”
His hands fall from my shoulders. “I guess not,” he says reluctantly.
“It’s time, right?” I say and sit down at the counter. I rifle through my bag and find Olivia’s letter. I grab it and stand up. “I’m going for a swim.”
Garrett nods and walks toward the basement. “We have a recording session tonight. I’ll be downstairs if you need me.” He places his hand over his back pocket, confirming the baby monitor is there. “I’ll get Kai if he wakes up. Enjoy your swim.” He lowers his head and descends into the basement.
I know it’s going to be hard on all of us when I leave, but it’s really time. Kai is healthy. Garrett is able to care for him and Peggy is here if needed. I also have a list of nannies that I’ve been interviewing ‘just in case.’
Everything’s going to be just fine.
I enter the enclosed pool house and go right to the dressing room. I always keep at least one or two bathing suits and a change of clothes down here. I’m the only one who uses the pool anyway, so it’s like I have my own closet here.