just the way it is

The baby was crying. Halie passed him off to Dustin, who was usually the calming factor.

"He's such a nutter." She snarled and in the next breath she broke down. Her hands covering her eyes as if she could not let Dustin see her this way.

"It couldn't be that bad, could it?" He did a little shuffle with the baby and Alec was soon his sleepy self, sucking an invisible nipple.

Dustin could only imagine what Gage looked like by watching Alec. Honestly, there was nothing about the baby that reminded Dustin of Halie. He hoped she would not cast Alec off one day just because of his eyes, nose and mouth reminded her of his father.

"Jesus, he might as well have told me they were sending him away. He sounded like there might be two people in his head. Two people!" She paced about as if she wanted to put an end to all of this.

"Calm down." Dustin winced. "How about a brew?" He suggested. They were alone. Her mom was off in the kitchen with Rufus. They were too wrapped up in their own stuff. But the electric kettle was plugged in. There was hot water to suffice.

"No." She pushed the palm of her hand to her forehead as a tendril of her honey hair escaped.

"Maybe..maybe next time..I should meet him."

"What?" She looked as if that was a horrible idea.

"You know, you're not alone in this. I want to be there for you." What more could he say? That he loved her. That he loved the baby too?

"There won't be a next time." She was grim as she shook her head.

"Yes, there will be a next time. He sends you money. You, have to let him see Alec." Dustin watched her as she hugged herself tight. "We'll get to the bottom of this. I doubt he's a real nutjob. He..he might need some time, too. But he's Alec's father and I think in the long run you'll regret it..if you don't let him have some time with him."