The Girl With the Pink Bat
Copyright© 2025 by DB86
Chapter 28
During the next few weeks, it seemed like half of Middletown visited us to meet the baby. I finally got to meet my father-in-law.
The most asked question was, “Have you decided on a name yet?”
“Yes,” Ray and I said at the same time. “Little One’s name is Hazel.”
Her hair was an odd color, but it was completely unique to her personality. It was dark, but with natural hazel highlights, hence her name. She was a combination of Ray and me. Hopefully, the best parts of us.
Hazel was rolling over on her cradle. She thought it was fun until she got stuck and couldn’t get back to where she was. The minute her little yelp was out of her mouth, I was there to help her.
I had taken a long maternity leave to take care of our daughter. Maybe, one day, I’d go back to work, but for now, I wanted to enjoy time with my family.
The front door opened. The sound of keys being thrown onto the kitchen top echoed through the house.
“Daddy’s home,” I said to Hazel.
Ray gave me a quick kiss, “Hi, love.”
“Hi, how was work?”
“Long. I just wanted to be back home with my two ladies.”
He placed a big envelope on the coffee table, then took Hazel out, and cuddled our little girl close.
“Feeding time?” he asked.
“Burping time,” I corrected. “Feeding time ended fifteen minutes ago, but she hasn’t burped and won’t settle.”
He nodded and started gently patting our baby’s back.
Ray loved our daughter and she used to get most of his attention these days, but I was okay with it. It happened the other way around, too. We were all adjusting to our new reality.
“What’s that?” I nodded to the paper.
“A letter from my parents’ lawyer.”
“What does it say?”
“I haven’t read it yet. I thought we might read it together.”
I nodded and we sat together on the couch.