Page 5 of Romancing Melanie
Shaking her head, Mel walked in to see Noah gingerly picking up the baby who was now full-on crying in his arms. Noah looked so panicked, and so desperate to make it stop, she had to smile.
“You know, I’m not a baby expert, and you’re the one who always wanted to be a dad. So, be a dad!” she teased.
“But how? I don’t know what he needs!”
“Well, he’s a baby and they really only need like four things: Food, clean diapers, sleep, and love. He just woke up, so doesn’t need sleep. You’re giving him a cuddle and that isn’t helping, so try food or diaper.”
“Okay. Food, diaper.”
Mel stood back and watched as Noah attempted to open one of the bottles of pre-mixed formula that the hospital had given them. He fumbled for a moment with the baby screaming in his arms, before he turned to her, his panic clearly mounting.
“A little help, please?”
She chuckled, then took the bottle, screwed on the nipple and handed it back to Noah. As soon as the baby began to drink, he settled, and Mel watched the tension seep from Noah’s body.
He turned his gaze to her and looked at her bashfully. “Guess I need to get used to the crying.”
Mel nodded in response. “Sure do, after all, how else can he communicate?”
“Well, I was kind of hoping he could be slightly more reasonable. I mean, is it too much to expect some patience at this age?”
At that, Melanie couldn’t contain her laughter anymore. She sat down on the couch beside Noah and let herself relax against the back, still chuckling at his comment.
“Oh, Noah. Patience is something YOU need to have, because he certainly won’t for many years to come.”
Noah shook his head ruefully. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. See, Mel? What would I do without you here to impart these pearls of wisdom?”
Mel was silent for a minute. This did all feel so very comfortable, even as the situation screamed of a level of intimacy and commitment she had sworn never to reach for again.
“You’d survive, Noah, give yourself more credit.”
“But it’s going to be a hell of a lot easier with you around.”
* * *
Noah knew in his heart that he meant every word and maybe even more. Having Mel’s help would make adjusting to the baby a lot easier. And, if he were being honest, he had a shard of hope that maybe this insane situation would help Mel warm up to the idea of taking their friendship to the next level.
He had been telling her the truth when he said a family was his life’s dream and ambition. After spending the day with her, buying things for the baby and catching glimpses of longing when she would look at the little one, Noah had started to allow himself to admit that he wanted Melanie Haynes to be a part of that family. Now he just had the uphill battle of convincing her to give them a shot.
The baby finished his bottle and let out a small cry. Without thinking, Noah lifted him up onto his shoulder and began to pat his back.
“How did you know to do that?” Mel sounded amused.
“Movies, I guess.” He shrugged. Seconds later, a burp that sounded way too loud to come from such a tiny human came out, followed by a grunt, and then a noise from the other end of the bundle of joy in his arms. That second noise came with an accompanying aroma that made Noah retch.
“Holy mother of god, what the fuck is that?”
Mel stood up swiftly and backed away from the couch. “That, my friend, is your first poopy diaper. Have fun, Daddy, I’m not getting near it.”
Noah laid the baby down on the couch and stood up as well. He shook out his shoulders and cracked his neck from side to side.
“Okay. I can do this. If I don’t survive, tell my family I love them.”
He grabbed the package of diapers and wipes and knelt down on the floor in front of the baby, who was now starting to protest his stinky situation.
“Hang on, little man, Daddy’s trying to figure this out,” Noah murmured, hoping he could get the job done before the full-on crying started up again.
Several long moments and way too many wipes later, Noah stood up triumphantly.
