A Father In The Making Read Online Free PDF

circumstances Mia had to smile. Jeff had had a crush on Angie from the moment he met her. Every book club meeting he would alternately tease or flirt with her and for the most part, she seemed oblivious.
    Guess it took rescuing her from a burning building to finally get her to notice him.
    Just then another one of the ED nurses came to the doorway asking for him, and Dr. Brouwer pushed away from the examining room table. “Bring Nico and Josh to the office next week for a follow-up. Hopefully Nico will be back to his usual, chatty four-year-old self by then.”
    â€œI hope so,” Mia replied. “Thanks again for all your help.”
    He laid a light hand on her shoulder. “You take care of yourself, as well, okay?”
    Her only reply was a quick nod and then she followed him out of the room and back to the cubicle where Nico now sat, buttoning up his shirt. He looked up at her, then back down, his face still showing no expression.
    â€œHe told me he wanted to do it himself,” Shannon said, giving Mia a quick smile.
    â€œHe talked to you?”
    Shannon looked over at Nate, her expression holding a tinge of sadness. “He got his point across.”
    Mia’s heart folded in on itself and she walked over to her boy, who looked so small on the large bed, and gave him a tight hug. “I love you, Nico,” she murmured, resting her chin on his head. He still smelled like smoke. He needed a bath.
    He leaned into her for the tiniest of moments, then pulled away, his fingers working at the stubborn buttons. Mia had to ball her hands into fists, so strong was the urge to help him.
    When he was done she helped him off the bed. He clung to her hand and she squeezed tightly, trying to convey through her fingers as well as her words that she was there for him.
    Then together, they walked down the hall toward the waiting room. The first person she saw was Nate, who got to his feet. He was still here, was the first thought that sang through her.
    You shouldn’t even be allowing him the tiniest space in your mind, was the one that followed on its heels.
    â€œHow is he?” Nate asked, holding her gaze for a heartbeat longer than he had to.
    â€œThe doctor said he’d be okay. We just need to come in next week for a follow-up, right, Nico?”
    But Nico didn’t acknowledge either by action or by word that he had heard what she said. He pulled free from her and ran directly to Nate and clung to him, burying his head against Nate’s arm.
    Nate looked from Nico to Mia and back to the little boy again, as if unsure of what to do.
    â€œNico, honey.” Mia tried to lift the little boy into her arms, but Nico pushed her away. His shoulders shook, like he was crying. But he didn’t make a sound.
    Nico’s hands scrabbled at Nate and finally Nate shifted himself around and hauled the little boy onto his lap. He patted him on the shoulder but Mia noticed that he was genuinely uncomfortable.
    â€œIt’s okay,” he muttered to the little boy, looking from him to Mia. “It will be okay.”
    Finally, after a long, uneasy moment, Nico’s shoulders stopped shaking and he lifted his head. He looked directly into Nate’s eyes, as if trying to find something there.
    Mia laid her hand on Nico’s shoulder but he still ignored her.
    â€œHey, buddy, you should go to your mom,” Nate said with an awkward laugh.
    Nico stared at him a moment longer, and this time he didn’t resist when Mia took his hand and drew him away. But then Nico tugged his hand free, walked over to Josh sleeping on the couch and dropped beside him. He drew his legs up to his chest then laid his head down. Retreating.
    â€œI don’t know what that was about,” Nate said, slowly getting to his feet. “I’m sorry.”
    Mia waved off his objections. “Nothing to be sorry about.” She was about to say more when Denny and Evangeline returned, each holding one of