Grumpy Orc Daddy: A Surprise Baby Orc Romance by Zora Black

Author:Zora Black [Black, Zora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-08-08T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

Janta

Every morning, my resolve to demonstrate my commitment to Rayna and our daughter Lily strengthens. Despite Rayna's distant manner, I am more determined than ever to prove myself as the partner and father they need.

Each day, I look for new ways to deepen my involvement in the day-to-day tasks of parenting and maintaining our home—responsibilities I might have once overlooked. I load the dishwasher more often, pick up Lily’s toys that are strewn around the living room. Today, I even washed an entire load of Lily’s laundry and did not mess anything up or turn it a shade it’s not supposed to be.

I hear Lily waking up from the monitor on the counter. Hurriedly, I’m there to gently lift her from her crib, her tiny hands reaching out with a trust that reinforces my purpose.

“Good morning my girl,” I say as I kiss her dark hair. “Are you hungry?”

She makes a cooing sound of approval, and we make our way downstairs.

Rayna enters the kitchen not moments behind us, while I’m warming Lily’s oatmeal. Despite how hard I try to let her sleep in, it’s like she has an internal mother clock that lets her know exactly when Lily is up.

She strolls over to Lily, and kisses her on the nose. Lily’s eyes look up to her fondly.

“Good morning, would you like some breakfast?” I ask, trying to crack her icy demeanor.

“I’m okay, but thanks.” She says as she goes to the fridge, grabs a protein shake and sits down beside Lily’s highchair.

I try to connect by sharing updates about Lily’s day so far, from her new sound this morning to how she giggled when I dropped the milk earlier. Rayna just responds with a nod and a fleeting smile. I wrack my brain trying to figure out what I can do to get her to lower her walls she’s built back.

Tonight I decide to surprise her with a gesture that I hope will bridge the distance between us, even if just for the evening.

I sent Rayna out on a late-night errand for something Lily needed. I made sure to wear Lily out today when we played, so she would be willing to go to bed a little earlier. She fell asleep with ease, while I rocked her in her nursery humming theme songs to television shows I remember as a child. I’m still working on learning nursery rhymes, but Rome wasn’t built in a day you know.

I look out the window as the sun begins to set, casting a warm glow through the kitchen. I tie the apron around my waist and set out to prepare a special dinner just for the two of us.

I’m cooking Rayna’s favorite dish: rosemary chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus. I remember the first time we had it—she made me watch her dutifully while she made it, saying I needed to practice on my cooking skills, because children can’t live off grilled cheese and macaroni; two things that I am excellent at making, might I add.

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