At the dinner table, Madelyn was feeding Dalton some chicken puree. When Dalton tried to grab the spoon, Zach reacted faster, holding Dalton's hand back. "Stop squirming and eat." Dalton let out a protesting whimper at Zach and suddenly dunked his hand into the bowl. Madelyn steadied the bowl immediately.
"Acting up, are we?" Zach's tone was stern.
Madelyn wiped Dalton's hands with some napkins. "He's just a kid. Why're you being so hard on him? He doesn't understand.” "Maybe the maid should feed him." Madelyn had wished Zach could be more understanding toward Dalton. Watching Dalton, with his bottom lip quivering and tears forming in his closed eyes, was heart-wrenching for her. The emotion she felt was all too familiar; she could not bear to see Dalton cry. Without finishing her meal, Madelyn took Dalton into her arms and moved to the couch. As she did, Margaret approached with a bottle of baby formula, saying, "Ms. Jent, giving Dal this might soothe him." "Thanks for all your help recently. If you ever need a day off, just let me know." Margaret waved her hand dismissively. "I'm not tired. | just cook and look after Dal. It's more relaxed here than at my own home." When Dalton got hurt under her watch, she had been too afraid to face Madelyn. However, realizing that Madelyn did not blame her brought relief.
Zach sat down next to Madelyn with a bowl of oatmeal. When she looked up from Dalton, he offered her a spoonful. "Finish the oatmeal first. The baby can wait a moment." Madelyn said, "I've had enough.” "Just a few more bites?" "| can't eat any more." As Madelyn tried to move away with Dalton, Zach followed closely. She knew even if she went to the room, he would persuade her to finish the oatmeal. When she paused, he asked, "Are you sure you won't finish this?" "Do you realize you're being a bit much?" Dalton clutched his bottle in Madelyn's arms. His big eyes, still shiny from crying, looked as if he was watching an exciting movie.
Zach said, "Whether you find me annoying or not, you have to eat." Without waiting, he fed Madelyn another spoonful.
She joked, "At this rate, I'll gain weight.” With a smile, Zach wiped her mouth and replied, "A few extra pounds? You'd rock them." Madelyn felt Zach's intense gaze, different from his usual looks. She finished her food and turned her attention elsewhere. "I'm done. You can leave." "Alright." Zach put the spoon away and playfully ruffled her hair. "Take a little break. I'll be in the office, working on some stuff.” Madelyn lay on the bed, feeling sleepy and not really paying attention to Zach. Dalton, cradled in her arms, hiccupped softly, looking content after his meal. Gently tapping his nose, she asked, "Dal, can you say ‘mama’ again for me?" Dalton squinted, resting his hand on her chest, and called out, "Mama."