Evan (Novella): 3.5 (A Carter Brother Series) (4 page)

“Here. You need to lie down. I’ll go get you some Ibuprofen.’’

“No, I should be awake for when Imogen wakes up,’’ she argues, but I notice her hands still shaking.

“Go run yourself a bath. I have one right down the hall. Please, just go have a bath. When you come back out I’ll have a look at those bruises your shirt’s been hiding.’’

“How...’’

“I can tell by the way you’re walking. Let me just check you don’t need to go to the hospital, then you can take some painkillers and go to sleep for a bit. You’ll feel much better for it.’’

“Imogen needs a bottle in half an hour, though.’’

“Just go,’’ I tell her, giving her a gentle push in the direction of the bathroom. I quickly tell her where the spare towels are then head back down to the kitchen and begin unpacking the bags I know have all of Imogen’s bottles and stuff in. I put the car seat, with Imogen still in it, down by the door and get to work before one of the boys brings the files over.

Placing everything I can on the kitchen worktop, I’m stunned to silence at everything in front of me. There’s this round machine thingy that has these nipple things in them. A bunch of different size bottles, lids, and more nipple thingies.

A plastic tub of baby formula sits to the edge and I smile.

I can do this.

How hard can making a bottle really be?

Ten minutes later Kennedy emerges from the bathroom looking hot. Literally hot. She looks like she’s been sitting in a sauna for the past hour instead of taking a bath for the past ten.

“You okay?’’ I ask, but end up choking on my words when she walks around the counter wearing a baggy t-shirt that barely covers her ass. She’s wearing boxers underneath but it does nothing to keep my mind from wandering.

Fuck, for a small person she has pretty amazing legs and I can’t help but imagine what they’d feel like wrapped around me.

“Are you okay?’’ she asks quizzically, then starts to chuckle. “You have baby milk down your shirt.’’

I look down to find she’s right. Damn. “Yeah, I’m just trying to figure this shit out,’’ I tell her, nodding to the powered milk.

“Here, I’ll show you,’’ she tells me, her face scrunching up in pain when she moves towards me. Knowing I need to learn, I ignore her pain for a second and watch as she puts together the bottle, starts to boil some water, and then assembles the machine with the nipples in it.

“This is the steriliser. The bottles need to be sterilised after each use to keep them clean. I only make more than one bottle up during the night. I just leave the boiled water in the bottle until she wakes up. Then I add the milk like so,’’ she starts, and shows me how to put the right amount of powder into the bottle. I’m so amazed by everything that I can’t take my eyes off her.

When I notice she’s not moving any more I turn to look at her, finding her staring back at me with a pink blush to her cheeks.

“What?’’ I ask confused.

“I said: Where do you keep the jug?’’

“Oh, here,’’ I tell her, pointing over her head. I reach up to the cabinet and grab the plastic jug down for her. She fills it with cold water then plops the bottle inside it.

“All done,’’ she smiles. “Just let that cool down to lukewarm so it doesn’t burn Imogen’s mouth and you’re good to go.’’

“I can do that.’’

She gives me a blinding smile and we both stand there staring at each other awkwardly. When Imogen breaks the silence by waking up we shake our heads. We both move at the same time, both of us pausing before going for her again.

“Go on, you go. I’ll just go...um...lie down. Do you have those painkillers?’’ she asks timidly, looking shy as hell.

“Yeah, here,’’ I tell her and walk over to the tablets I’d gotten ready in the mix of making myself look like the milk powder monster.

She takes them from me and swallows them dry. I watch as her throat bobs up and down and I end up swallowing a gulp myself. My brain thinks of what her throat would look like swallowing something else but I clear it straight away.

Fuck, this is going to kill me. I quickly grab Imogen out of the car seat and smile down at her. She’s so freaking cute. She even has my eyes.

My heart warms and for once in my life I feel like I’m right where I needed to be. I know for a fact I’m never going to let her down, ever.

In the short amount of time I’ve known I was a dad, I’ve managed to move her in and make a bottle by myself. Okay, not by myself, but the thought was there.

“She’ll need changing and the bottle’s ready. Just make sure when you check the temp, do it on the inside of your wrist,’’ Kennedy tells me before slowly walking out of the room. I look to Imogen with wide eyes.

A part of me is hoping she meant change as in a change of clothes. But then I shift my face closer and take a big sniff and I know she’s on about her nappy.

I groan and grab the bag I noticed Kennedy filling with nappies and a changing mat and walk into the front room, making sure to grab the bottle.

“Come on, little one. Help a man out, okay?’’ I ask Imogen who is now stripped down to just her nappy. Whoever the fuck made those vests were
not
thinking of kids when they designed them. I thought at one point I was going to break her arm getting it out of the thing.

To the left I have baby wipes, nappy bags, and a peg. Check. To the right I have the nappy and clean baby grow. It’s amazing what you pick up being around your sister. Thank fuck she had a child at eighteen or I’d be fucked right now.

It’s not like it’s going to be hard, but, just in case something does go wrong, I have a spare nappy on standby.

I take in one deep breath before beginning what will now be my life.

The bed even smelled like him. I couldn’t escape his intoxicating scent and it was nearly driving me crazy. I toss and turn for a second, not able to get comfy, when I start to hear Imogen fussing.

I still can’t believe he’s already so hands on. He hasn’t even questioned himself and has taken it all in his stride. I really admire him for that. Most men would use the excuse they don’t know what they’re doing to get out of anything and everything, but not Evan. He seems to actually know what he’s doing or at least tries to.

I’m still in shock he’s offered for us to move in. I know I’m only extended in that invitation because of Imogen, but either way I’m thankful. I know for a fact I wouldn’t feel safe sleeping in that flat after everything that’s happened.

Just remembering the pressure from his kicks and the force of his punches has tears slipping free. I can’t believe someone could be cruel enough to do what he did to me today. It just doesn’t seem real. None of it does. The threats, the beating, and the moving in, it all feels too much. Even Evan being so understanding about everything is all too much. He has every right to hate me right now. I’ve put his daughter at risk. My sister put her at risk. But he seems to be dealing with everything okay.

I hear Imogen fussing again and knowing I won’t be able to sleep with everything going on, no matter how exhausted I feel, I get up and slowly creep out the bedroom door. I walk the short distance down the hall and look into the living room. There on the floor of the living room, is Evan, with an irritated Imogen wiggling.

I cover my mouth to muffle my giggle when I take him in. He’s got a peg pinned to his nose, washing-up gloves on, and is currently dry heaving as he wipes the remains of poop from Imogen’s bum.

“Nooooo,’’ he whisper yells and I take step forward; worried. Ignoring the pain in my side I bend forward a little to look closer and burst out laughing. His head snaps to me and his shoulders slump with defeat. “She just pissed on me.’’

“She’s marking her territory,’’ I giggle. “Trust me, it’s when she poops in the bath you have to worry,’’ I tell him, hoping to make him feel better.

“She doesn’t?’’ he gasps, horrified.

“Oh, she does,’’ I giggle.

“How do I get this on?’’ he grumbles.

Instead of doing it I sit down next to him and point to the sticky labels at the end of the nappy. “That end always goes under the bum.’’

He follows my instructions and in no time has her nappy on and, for some reason, her bed clothes. “You do know you’ll need to dress her again after she has a bath.’’

“You said to get her changed. I didn’t know if you meant nappy or clothes and,                                                                                                                  because she pooped I thought I’d do both.’’ He shrugs like it’s no big deal. I go to tell him how thankful I am when a loud banging noise startles me and I immediately move closer to Evan. Does the bloke know I moved and that I’ve got help? Is he going to take Imogen? A squeaking noise escapes the back of my throat.

Scared out of my mind, I don’t notice Evan moving until he’s kneeling in front of me, holding a wiggly Imogen.

“Hey, it’s okay. It’s a friend from work. He’s brought me everything to do with the case involving your sister. Okay?’’

My tensed shoulders relax and I give him a nod. I know all about the case he worked on. Vicky called him a rat and did nothing but scream about him after she got arrested. I’m surprised he didn’t have her down for a rape charge. That’s what it was in my eyes. Rape. I’m about to ask what that case has to do with it when he moves, getting up to answer the door.

Feeling self-conscious, I get up and sit down on the chair. It’s as comfy as I imagined the first time I saw it. Feeling bold I kick my feet up, tucking them underneath me, and lean my head back against the back pillow.

Hearing voices at the door I close my eyes and try to relax, but tiredness overrides me and I fall into a deep sleep.

Sometime later I wake up in a bed and not on the sofa where I was the last time I remember being awake.

What the sugar?

Getting up I notice I’m back in Evan’s room and begin to blush. We don’t even know each other and he’s let me take over his space. I groan when I find I’m half naked wearing a large t-shirt I’ve never seen before. Sniffing the t-shirt I feel lightheaded. It smells of masculinity, sex and of Evan.

Only just realising that he must have undressed me, I get up from the bed noticing it’s turned dark outside. I can’t see a clock in the room, but it feels late. Stepping out of bed I grab a loose pair of pyjama bottoms and head out to find Evan. When he’s not in the kitchen or living area I begin to panic.

Rushing back towards the bedroom I notice a soft glow coming from another room. Walking closer I hear a hum of a voice.

“We may not have known each other long, but I promise you there will nothing you don’t know about me. You’ve got me now,’’ I hear Evan whisper in a soft voice I’ve not heard him use yet.

I step quietly towards the door and peeping through the gap, I gasp. The room is beautiful. A cot lays in one corner with a pink princess canopy. He has a new rocking chair which he’s sitting in currently, holding a bottle to Imogen’s mouth. Looking closer I’d say he’s been in here awhile. He has a mug of something hot on the table next to him along with a pile of folders and papers.

What on earth is all that? And why is he reading them at this time?

“Hey, you’re awake.’’

I jump hearing his husky, deep voice. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I can’t believe I slept through all of this,’’ I whisper ashamedly.

“Are you hungry? I ordered a takeout. It’s in the microwave. I’m sorry I didn’t wake you, but you seemed like you needed the sleep. Plus, when I did try to wake you up you didn’t move an inch,’’ he tells me and I feel blush rise on my cheeks.

Sugar puffs!

How embarrassing. “I guess I didn’t stir when you got me changed either.’’

“About that,’’ he says sheepishly. “I’m sorry. It’s just my sister hates sleeping in her clothes. We went away once on holiday and she forgot her pyjamas. We spent the whole night trying to find somewhere that was open because she refused to sleep in her t-shirts.’’

“Oh, it’s okay,’’ I smile and look down at Imogen who’s soundly sucking on her bottle and looking up at Evan with big doe eyes. “How has she been?’’

“She’s been really good. She was a little groggy earlier but I picked her up and she calmed down,’’ he whispers looking down at her. He looks freaking cute holding her. Imogen is a tiny baby, but looking at her in Evan’s arms makes her look even smaller. And, if I’m being honest, he looks hot as hell holding her.

“I’m going to take her back to the doctors,’’ I sigh, wondering if it’s more than teething. She’s been getting a temperature on and off. It’s times like this I wish my mom were here to get advice from, but she’s not.

“What? Why? Did I do something wrong?’’ he asks panicked, his eyes scanning Imogen from head to toe.

“No! No. She’s been like this for a week now. She’s been so off. She’s usually a happy, peaceful baby, but lately she’s been so upset, like she’s in pain. I took her last Tuesday and they said it’s teething but I don’t know,’’ I shrug, stroking my finger down her cheek. Her eyes focus on me and she starts flapping her arms excitedly. I laugh along with Evan.

“I think someone’s excited to see you,’’ he laughs.

I take her from him and smile widely at her. She’s everything to me. She’s my world and on the days that everything gets to me, she is my reason to keep going. I love her like my own. In fact, the older she gets, the more I’ve wanted to call myself her mum. A few times it’s slipped out and every time I’ve felt guilty in a way. She deserves to have that in her life, though, to call someone mum. But now with Evan in the picture, and him being the biological father, I need to find out what he’ll think about it first.

“Let me know when you want to go the doctors. I’ll come with you,’’ he smiles, picking up a large file.

“What’s all that?’’ I ask and realise how rude I’m being. We don’t even know each other. “I’m sorry, that was rude. You don’t have to tell me anything.’’

I look down to find Imogen sleeping soundly on my shoulder, a loud burp escaping her mouth. I chuckle quietly as Evan answers.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s fine. If you want to pop Immy in the cot, we can talk in the front room.’’ He gets up, picking up the stack of files with him, and walks the two steps over to me, kissing Immy on the head. His scent overwhelms my senses and my knees begin to shake. “I’m so glad you found me and told me.’’

“Why wouldn’t I have?’’

“Not to speak ill of the dead, but considering your sister’s reputation, I’m surprised you weren’t concerned I’d be just like her.’’

“Honestly?’’

“Of course,’’ he smiles.

I look dead into his eyes so he can see I’m telling the truth. I swallow deeply, getting captivated by his eyes. God they’re beautiful. Shaking my head of my thoughts I begin. “At first I didn’t want to find you. I wondered about everything going on in your life and if you were still doing the job that you do. I didn’t want Imogen getting caught up in that. I’ve seen Die Hard and other movies when their kids get used for revenge. But I realised I was just making excuses. I guess in the end I just wanted what was best for her. I imagined what my life would be like without her and it killed me. Then I wondered what it would be like for you. I know you didn’t know her, but she’s special, she’s a fighter, and she deserves the best of everything. You deserved to know her.’’

“WOW! Didn’t expect you to be that honest.’’

“I just don’t want hidden secrets. We’ve got to get along for Imogen. We need to talk about everything. I know nothing about you, vice versa.’’

“We’ll get there, I promise, but first, let’s get Immy to bed and talk about what happened this morning, okay?’’ he says bumping my chin with his fist. I look into his eyes, giving him a watery smile. I’ve never had anyone give me what he’s giving me right now. What happened this morning has honestly scared me the loving poop out of me. I don’t want to be one of those scared women, but I know if it hadn’t been for Evan taking us in, I would still be at home scared at my wits end.

“Okay,’’ I nod and take care of Imogen. I lay her down in the new comfy cot and wrap her up snugly, but not too snug that she’ll overheat. The nights are getting colder as of late but, thankfully, Evan can afford to have his heating on, unlike me. It’s not a luxury I was used to having.

It’s another reason it’s going to kill me when it’s time for me to finally leave here. I don’t want to leave Imogen, she’s my life, but looking at what Evan could give her in a day has me wondering if she’s better off without me.