The baby was not pleased with his head occupying her space and she started to kick. Liam didn't move. For him, the kicks of the baby felt like the tickles of feathers. Or more precisely, a sweet punishment for his transgressions. His sins are so great that this punishment is very little. And he would accept it a thousand times over.
He chucked as tears streamed his face. "That's right, sweetie… Kick your deadbeat dad some more… I never looked after your mother, I never looked after you… I left her alone when she needed me… I left you all alone…Kick me more…"
He cried.
-----
Rory clenched her chest with her hand hiding behind a pillar. Tears rolled down her face and she wiped them on her sleeves.
I knew… I knew he didn't mean it when he said it…
She took in a deep breath.
Only after leaving the waiting hall did she realize that she left the baby with Liam when he is mad because she hit Allison. Although he will not hurt the baby, he might opt to hurt her by hiding her baby.
So she ran back.
And she came across the scene of a grown man weeping at the little feet of a baby. And seeing that, she forgot about the hurt she endured till then. For almost a year, she went through everything alone and after hearing him deny their daughter as his, she was hurt so much.
But watching him now, she felt like the weight in her heart was lifted. She felt light. She never liked to see his hurt face. And she certainly didn't like him shaking in distress.
Rory wiped her eyes seeing the security guard walking up to her. This is what she loved about humanity. Just because that security guard noticed her struggling with Liam some time ago, he kept on watching over her. It might be his job or not, but she was thankful for these people who take care of others.
She's met a lot of people who do not like other people giving unsolicited advice and "gossiping aunts" type as they say. But she loved those people. Although they might come as arrogant or patronizing( and some of them truly are that way), some are doing it because they cannot help it. They do it out of love.
This is why she loved Liam's family. They are a big family and they would be loud and cheerful. Of course, there will be fights too, but they all loved each other. She loved staying there.
Maybe it was because she was raised by a literal village when she grew up in her homeland, she had a differing opinion on this issue.
"Are you okay, miss?" the security guard asked. His eyes end up at Liam. She understood that he is asking her about Liam and if he is a troublesome person for her or her baby.
"Yes Sir, thank you," she said, with a bright smile originating from her heart. "Can you help me with one thing, sir?" she asked. The security guard looked at her.
"Can you help him unlock the strap, please..? He doesn't know… For him to hold the baby…" she asked.
She wanted him to hold Ellie. She knew he would want to hold Ellie. And she knew he won't be able to figure out the mechanism of the straps in this life. Even seatbelts are tough for him.
The security guard whose name was Anthony nodded slightly. He might not get the whole story, but he understood a bit of their situation. But he didn't question her. Rory thanked him from the bottom of her heart.
He walked to Liam. Rory watched as Anthony struck up a conversation with Liam and Liam asked his help to unlock the straps.
With a smile that bloomed from her heart, Rory watched Liam carrying Ellie out of the carrycot. The first thing he did was hug her close to his chest and he kissed her little head.
With a content heart, Rory turned to go to the ticket counter. His request was a bit overbearing. He could have asked her politely or booked himself a ticket. Hell, he even could have booked a private jet for them all. He has the money.
But…
The image of him hugging their baby stayed in her mind and her lips couldn't stop curving up.
Eh, it's just a ticket! And Ellie would get to spend more time with her father.
-----
Liam oblivious to Rory's part in it, thanked Anthony. He didn't like the nosy security guard but he was thankful he helped him with the straps. He picked up Ellie. "You're so light..." he whispered. Talking to Anthony did calm his nerves and he could control his tears minding the others.
He expected a squeal from the baby since he is a stranger, but the baby looked at him with her eyes wide. Holding out her hands she tried to grab something. But for him, it appears as if she was calling him closer. Her little lips pouted cutely and Liam held her close to his chest and kissed her head.
With gentle rocking, he patted Ellie's back. "Ah, you smell so good…" he said, sniffing the baby hair. The baby didn't have much hair but she was warm and soft. And she loves cuddles as it appears. He felt her little squeeze.
Heaven!
He sat crossing his legs and placed the baby on his thighs to have a good look. His hands were still trembling out of excitement, and he feared if he might drop this wee little baby.
The baby looked at his face and waving her little stubby hands, she smiled once more. She babbled saying whatever that her little mouth could say and she kept on smiling.
I've never seen a baby as pretty as her!
"You look exactly like your mother," he said trying hard to stop himself from starting to cry. "Do you know me? Did your mama show pictures of me? Is that how you know me?" he asked, not knowing what else he would say to the baby.
He couldn't believe that this little, beautiful, living, and breathing thing came out of him. Well, Rory did all the work, but he still has a little part in it. This little one has half his DNA and still came out looking like an angel.
"It's your mama alright," he said rubbing his head softly on her chest only for the baby to laugh more. "Only she can turn nothing into something great like this… She is a wonder woman."
He kissed the baby's chubby cheeks to his heart's content. The baby was not pleased with his kisses anymore. Se pushed his face away. She appeared to be glaring at him.
"What happened? Who angered my little boo-boo princess?" he baby talked. "Tell me… Tell your dad. I'll destroy them all!"
As he was speaking, the baby twisted her body holding her breath, and then her reddened face got back to normal. She then smiled so sweetly.
Liam shook his head. "You did it, didn't you? You did the stinky poo-poo… What a good girl! Who's my good girl..? Yes, my perfect daughter is…"
As he talked he tried to smell to confirm his guess, he was given the stinky proof by his adorable daughter.