Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

M atteo

On the way to work, all I want is to turn around and go home to them. When Amy said it felt like we were in a cocoon of just us, I didn't quite understand what she meant. Yet the further away from her I get, I do, and long for it back.

This morning felt like a dream. Amy made me breakfast and had coffee ready—like something out of a sitcom. Then, when I went into Layla's room the joy on her face at seeing me had me wondering if my heart could be contained in my chest. Her big smile as she said ‘Dada' had me feeling ten feet tall and bulletproof.

Despite it being the excuse to keep Amy close, I hated leaving her home to clean. It felt wrong. I take care of her and Layla in everything. Her cleaning up after me and preparing dinner, even if she only sticks something in the toaster oven, aggravates the hell out of me.

My day is busy, as usual. Yet I find myself constantly thinking of Amy. How is she doing? Did she rest? Did Layla get a long enough nap? Is Nancy good to Layla? Was Layla afraid of Nancy? It drives me to such distraction I break down and call Amy to check on her.

"Hello, Amy's phone. This is Nancy." A woman answers.

"Where is Amy? Is she all right?" I demand. What is she doing answering Amy's phone?

"She's sleeping, sir. I only answered because I saw it was you and didn't want you to worry or anything. Both Layla and Amy are taking naps."

Relief hits me so strongly I'm glad I'm sitting at my desk. "How did they do today? Was Layla teething? Did Amy work too hard?"

"Layla did love the frozen baby washcloth, which is a very good trick. She didn't seem to be in real pain or anything. We did some walking, with me holding her hands. Amy was cleaning a bedroom, I believe. I gave Layla a bottle when she got a little cranky, and I could tell she needed a nap. She sucked it down. After a burp session, she was out like a light. I put her down in her crib. I'm not sure if Amy worked too hard, but she clearly needed a nap as well. I urged her to take one after we ate a late lunch." Nancy summarizes.

"Good, thank you. I'm still planning on leaving at three. The dealership delivered my vehicle already. I was able to make an appointment online for the tax office. Hopefully, it will all go smoothly, and we'll be home no later than five."

"No worries, sir. I'm in no rush to get home."

A brief knock on my open office door brings my eyes up to find Cleo in the doorway. "Thank you. I need to go."

The issue is a delay of delivery for the antibiotics that still haven't arrived. We're now running low on the penicillin shot. Damn it.

Matteo

After placing a new order with a competitor of the antibiotic supplier, we'll receive the shipment in two days—in a bid to become our new supplier. I give the okay for our team to write for a different antibiotic that's stronger than what we're running low on since we have a good stock of it in our pharmacy.

I stuff the remaining time-sensitive paperwork into my briefcase to work on at home. I scan the remaining paperwork and calculate it will take another two or three days at least. All this paperwork means I can't see patients. I need more staff.

It doesn't matter how well-paid my people are. I was the one who was content to work fifty hours a week—not them. Even with hiring someone on call, after me being out of the office for less than a week, everyone is nearing their stress point. As the person running this, it is unacceptable for me to let them get stressed out.

With that thought in mind, the last thing I do before leaving is hire another doctor to ease the workload. Bonita Gutierrez is new to Dallas from Houston after a divorce and is looking for a more balanced day than joining a practice. She needs a few days to establish care for her children and can start Monday.

Before I leave for the day, I send an email to let the other staff know. Cleo, I inform in person.

"Do me a favor and close my door. Have a seat."

Her eyebrows go up as she does. "What's up?"

"I hired another doctor who will take my place seeing patients. She starts on Monday. I'm going to be a backup only. The on-call I hired will need to be scheduled until then."

Cleo's smile is knowing. "Thank goodness. You had me worried about you. The miracles a good woman can perform. Who is she? Did your mother finally get her way?"

I shake my head. It still bothers me that I met her because she was a patient.

Head tilting to the side, she studies me. "It's the pretty woman with the baby."

My chest twists, wondering if she'll report my ass to the board—the way she should.

"Hey, I'm not going to say a word. You are one of the straightest arrows I've ever met. We can't control love. It's going to happen—or not—and we either deal with it or hurt ourselves trying to fight it."

The words flow out of me. "I didn't intend for it to happen. I'm aware it's wrong. But I couldn't…." I shake my head. "There are some issues, though. So, I'm taking it slow. For now, Amy is my housekeeper. Once she's stronger, I will let her know how I feel."

"Well, I'm happy for you both. It wasn't healthy the way you were working. You have done amazing things with this clinic. The community is grateful as hell. There's nothing wrong with leaving the patients to others and focusing on the running of the place. It's just as important as seeing patients." She assures me.

Hearing her say it allows me to exhale. Even though I told myself that there was nothing wrong with stepping back on seeing patients, a small part of me wondered if it was just me rationalizing things to allow me not to feel guilty. Cleo is a straight shooter who says exactly what she thinks without pulling punches.

I stand. "Thanks, and on that note, I need to leave to get home."

"You have a good night."

Opening the door, I find Amy and Layla on the floor, playing on the blanket spread out. Nancy is making a cup of tea.

Layla cries out happily, "Dada."

The same way it did this morning—it absolutely wrecks me in the best fucking way possible. I don't miss the way Amy's beautiful face lights up when she sees me, then falls when Layla says it and reaches for me.

"Hi, how are you feeling?" I swing Layla into my arms. She's happy and hugs me tight.

"Good…um, I'm sorry she's calling you that?—"

I shake my head. "I'm honored by it. It also makes sense with me being the only man in her young life who takes care of her."

Sighing, she pushes up off the floor to sit on the couch. "It feels wrong. I mean…"

"Hey, everything is going to work out. Trust me. Now, how are you feeling?"

Another sigh. "I feel better, nearly one hundred percent. Which is why it surprised me when I slept through the alarm I set for my nap."

"Because you pushed yourself too hard today. Your body will remind you it needs rest, whether you want to give it or not." Layla kisses me open mouth on my cheek. "Thank you for your kisses. I missed you today, too. How was your day, my sweet girl?" I sit down on the chair beside the couch with her on my lap. She babbles at me and does a lot of pointing to her basket full of toys.

"You want one of your toys?" I ask, taking her to the basket. She points at the ball activity one. I give it to her, and she's happy when I sit down again.

"I'm going to change real quick. Do we have time?"

"Of course. It looks nice outside, but it's cold. So dress warm. My mom did get you both a jacket and a coat. If you wear long sleeves, you should be able to wear the jacket. If not, then you'll want the coat." I warn her.

Her face falls. "I was hoping it was warmer with the sun out. I'll be right back."

Nancy waves at me. "Hello, would you like a cup of tea?"

"No, thank you. How are you? You're good to stay?"

"Oh yeah, Layla is a sweetie. I'm going to take her into her room, though, so she doesn't see you guys leave. It will cut down on her getting upset." She holds out her hands to Layla.

Layla shakes her head and buries her face in my neck.

Damn. There's that clenching in my chest again. "I'm sorry, baby girl. I missed you too. How about we go change your diaper?"

I motion for Nancy to follow me. She understands and is only a few feet behind me.

Settling Layla down on her changing table. I give her kisses on her neck. She's giggling as she clutches at my face. I step back, and Nancy steps forward. Layla looks for me until Nancy takes off her diaper and talks to her. And Layla's attention is on her.

I exit the room as quietly as I can.

"She's going to cry when we're gone, isn't she?" Amy murmurs. "Maybe we should wait…"

"I'm trying hard not to think of her crying while we're gone. However, we won't be gone long. It's not a bad thing to get used to you not being with her twenty-four-seven. She didn't cry when I took care of her, except for when she woke up hungry once." I'm not sure if I'm trying to reassure her or myself.

Amy sighs. "Okay, you're right. Let's get this over with."

Matteo

I offer her the keys down in the garage. "This is going to be your vehicle. Do you want to drive us to the office?"

"This?" Her eyes are big. "A BMW…it's just—what if I scratch it or wreck it or something?"

"Then I buy you another one."

She shakes her head. "I can't believe?—"

"Did we not already discuss how much money I have? It's fine. The only thing I'll be worried about is if you're all right or not. It's metal, wood, and leather. You're more important than all of that."

I open the passenger door for her after she shakes her head when I offer her the keys again. Once she's inside, I close it gently.

During the short drive to the office, she's quiet. I don't press her.

It's not until she answers the questions of the woman at the office that she says anything. When I pay the taxes, the woman raises her eyebrows. However, neither woman says a word.

Back in the garage, I hand her the keys. She takes them and stares down at them. I'm not sure if she's upset or not. She blinks, and tears fall.

"Amy, sweetheart, do you want to talk to me?" I loathe when her eyes are filled with tears—it seriously stresses me the fuck out.

Sniffling, she wipes her tears away. "Thank you. Really, it's such a huge gift. I keep wondering if I'm still asleep in the clinic and never woke up. Because since I met you, every day has been better than the day before it."

I can tell she's embarrassed by her tears. "I'm glad. How about we order in for dinner? I don't want you cooking."

Upstairs, Layla lets loose a squeal at the sight of us, then promptly bursts into tears. Amy takes her and attempts to soothe her.

"How did she do?" I brace myself for the worst.

Nancy shrugs. "She was fine. I will admit to bribing her with a teething biscuit."

Amy is walking her around the room as I give Nancy some cash. I insist when she tries to wave it away, telling me my mother already paid her.

I'm on the couch looking through the delivery app. Amy gets close, and Layla reaches for me. I take her. Her tears mess with me as much as Amy's. Finally, she begins to settle.

We pick a seafood place and wait for delivery.

Amy picks up my briefcase from beside the chair and sets it on the dinner table. We only sit on the inside of it, where the island ends from the kitchen, so the other side is kind of a catchall spot. "Where's your lunch box cooler?"

"I forgot it. I'm sorry. I'll bring it home tomorrow." I'm giving Layla her bottle before bed.

"Did you like the sandwich?"

Shit. I go still. "It wasn't bad."

Her eyes narrow on me. "Really, another turkey sandwich for tomorrow is okay?"

"Sounds good."

"You big fat fucking liar. I sent you with a ham and cheese sandwich." She's annoyed.

"I'm sorry. I got busy." I'm sincere in my apology. I feel bad for not eating what she took time to make.

Exasperated, she shakes her head. "You weren't lying—you forget to eat."

I nod. "I get busy, and it never crosses my mind."

"Do you not get a scheduled lunch or something?" Her arms are crossed over her chest.

"I do, but I usually end up working through it."

"Should I call you to remind you? What time is it?" She takes out her phone and types something.

"It's at one. You don't need to call me. I'll set an alarm."

Her eyes tell me she doesn't believe me. "Whatever. I'm going to the restroom before our food gets here."

After Layla burps, I put her down in her crib. She waves as I tell her goodnight. I swear she's so fucking cute my heart aches in a way I never thought was possible.

When the delivery arrives, I go down to get it from the front desk. Back upstairs, Amy is waiting with drinks ready.

During dinner she asks me questions about the clinic and my plans for it. I give her the number for my therapist, at her request and tell her to let me know if she needs me to arrange a sitter for Layla. Since I'm full on talking about work, I ask how she and Layla liked Nancy.

It's barely nine, and she's yawning, so I tell her to go to bed. I'll clean up after us. With a smile she thanks me and goes.