Attainment (The Temptation Series) by K.M. Golland

tired and exhausted, but other than
that she’s fine.”
    “So, it was a quick labour?”
    “God, Luce! It was the longest and fastest two hours and
fourteen minutes of my life. Alexis though...well...she was just simply perfect
the whole time. She just...” I shake my head in veneration as I glance over at
her sleeping. “...she just amazes me.”
    Lucy gently trails her finger down the side of Brayden’s
face. “What did the doctor say about him being four weeks premature?”
    “Dr. Rainer did a thorough examination after Alexis bonded
with him. She was happy with his vitals, and when he attached to feed without a
problem, she was even more pleased, saying there was no reason why he couldn’t
remain in the ward with us.”
    “He’s a tough little cookie then, isn’t he? Determined and
strong-willed already. Hmmm, I wonder why that is?” Lucy mocks. “So, does my
gorgeous nephew have a name?”
    “Yes, of course he does. It’s Brayden...Brayden Lauchie
Clark.”
    Lucy is silent for a moment, staring intently at Brayden,
her expression appearing full of emotion. She sucks in a deep breath, squeezes
my arm then nods and smiles. “Perfect, Bryce. He’s just perfect.”
    “I know.”
    “So, have you had anything to eat today? Gone to the loo,
that sort of thing?”
    “No, not yet,” I answer with contentment, the thought of
eating or pissing or anything else not even crossing my mind.
    She holds out her arms. “Okay, pass him over and go and see
to yourself.”
    As I assess Lucy’s outstretched arms, a moment of panic
washes over me at the thought of letting Brayden go.
    Returning my gaze back to my beautiful little boy, I
politely decline. “No, really, I’m fine.”
    “Hey,” she says softly while placing her finger on my jaw to
turn my face in her direction. “It’s alright, this is me; your sister. I
promise I won’t let anything happen to him while you’re gone. Just go, take a
quick breather, get something to eat then come back.”
    Debating whether or not I should leave him, I reluctantly
pass Brayden over to her, and almost instantly a sensation of loss fills me.
Not only are my arms now cold, but I experience a reaction of incompleteness,
feeling somewhat unsettled and powerless. Fuck! Is this what fatherhood
feels like? Helpless and vulnerable?
    I lean down and kiss Brayden on the forehead then check to
see that Alexis is still sleeping soundly. “Okay, but I’m only going for some
coffee and the loo. I’ll be right back.”
    “I’ll have a skinny latte, no sugar.”
    ‘Skinny latte’, I mumble to myself as I jog out the door and
toward the cafeteria on the ground level.
    ***
    After what seems like the longest fifteen minutes of my
life, I quietly open the door to Alexis’ room. Carrying two coffees and a hot
white chocolate on a tray, I walk in to find Alexis wide awake and Brayden
happily breastfeeding. Lucy is sat by her bed, pushing buttons on her phone and
looks to be typing what Alexis is saying.
    “Six pound two and 47cm long. Born at 11:14 a.m.,” she
finishes.
    “Thanks,” Lucy offers. “Nic likes details.”
    Alexis looks up as I walk swiftly toward her and Brayden.
“Hey, Daddy, where have you been?”
    Worried that she might be disappointed in me for leaving
them, I quickly place the drinks on the bench-top by the window and make my way
to her side, kissing her forehead and gently stroking Brayden’s temple. “I’m
sorry. I didn’t mean to leave. I needed—“
    “Bryce, it’s alright. You can take a few moments to get a
drink. We are fine, see? Look, he’s such a good feeder.”
    I watch him contentedly suckling away and it’s one of the
single most beautiful sights I’ve witnessed. Guilt briefly sweeps through me at
the thought of telling him to give up his food source after only six months.
Alexis’ breasts now belong to him and he can have them for as long as he needs.
    “I hope you are not planning a reduced leasing term where
your agreement with