?
Whether it was feeding, changing diapers, holding the baby, or dealing with any number of unexpected situations that came with having an infant, Elodie realized she still had a mountain to learn.
The prospect left her feeling like she was preparing for battle. She scrolled through countless parenting guides with the utmost seriousness.
"They say newborns need to be fed several times a night. The water temperature, the amount of form, the mixing method, even the way you hold the baby while feeding—all of it matters," Elodie said, her tone methodical. She''d always been the rational, detail-oriented type, a natural in the sciences, and she approached this the same way: careful, patient, determined to get it right.
Jarrod sat beside her, watching as she flicked through pages on herptop.
Leaning his head on one hand, a slight smile tugged at his lips. "Yeah, newborn form digests fast. You''ll need to feed every two to three hours, so that''s eight to twelve times a day-even more at night. The water should be about 104°F, and you need around an ounce each time. Best to feed her sitting up, so she doesn''t choke."
He patiently answered every question, one by one, with rity and calm.
Elodie nced back at him in surprise.
"You did your homework ahead of time?"
So thorough?
Jarrod''s dark eyes flickered to the article she was about to open. "Why bother asking the inte when you have me? I know more than theputer does."
He''d nned from the start to care for their child himself.
He had no intention of leaving the baby to a nanny-he''d never be at ease with that.
So, he''d hired professionals to give himprehensive training. Everything from holding positions to how to handle choking-he''d made sure he was ready.
He wanted his daughter to be the happiest little girl in the world, and there wasn''t much he wouldn''t do himself to make that happen.
Elodie could see the hint of pride behind Jarrod''s calm expression.
"You''re more of a pro than I am—and I''m supposed to be the mother. Makes me look a little unqualified, doesn''t it?"
Jarrod raised an eyebrow, his voice slow and just a little smug. "You''ll have to admit it—I really am better than you at this."
He never let her win, not even a little.
It was infuriating, but he wasn''t wrong.
Elodie yanked her hand free from his grasp. "That''s only because you found out about the baby before I did and had a head start. You just got there first, that''s all."
"Doesn''t matter who started first
now. I simply know how to take care
of Nadia better. Until she turns one
I''ll be the one handling more of her care. I''m more reliable, so you can. Watch and fearn even teach you for free." s
Jarrod pulled her back into his arms, his teasing tone making it clear he didn''t want her interfering too much.
Elodie smacked his hand in protest. "Mr. Silverstein, don''t you think you''re a little too confident?"
And just like that, the two of themunched into a new round of debate about who was the better parent.
Jarrod, as always, refused to give an inch.
Elodie, realizing she was losing ground, finally gave up and went to check on Nadia.
They nned to fly home the next day.
It was time to introduce their daughter to the family and share the good news. Jarrod watched as Elodie leaned over Nadia''s crib, unwilling to leave her side. He stood quietly in the doorway, unable to take his eyes off the scene.<fn0> This text is hosted at FindN0vel</fn0>
He knew Elodie excelled at anything she put her mind to-she''d give her all to motherhood, too. But she was stiff recovering, and raising a baby was no easy feat. It meant sleepless nights, endless patience. s
He understood her stubbornness. Nadia was a child they''d once believed lost. Like him, Elodie would never hand her care off to somed else if she could help it. She''d want to do everything herself, even if it wore her out. s
But he couldn''t let that happen.
If anything, he should be the one shouldering the bigger share.