Invisible String

28

We were just floating lazily in the pool when it happened. Travis had Mira cradled in his arms, her little head resting against his bare chest. She looked so peaceful, her eyes half-closed like the water had lulled her into a daze.

Then, out of nowhere, she turned her head and latched her mouth right onto his nipple.

I froze mid-paddle, staring at them with wide eyes. My jaw dropped before the laugh even made it out of me.

“Travis!” I finally gasped, nearly choking on my own laughter. “Is she—oh my God, is she trying to nurse from you?!”

He looked down, completely horrified. “What the—Mira! That’s not where your food comes from!”

That only made me laugh harder. I had to grip the side of the pool to keep from sinking.

“She’s confused!” I said between laughs. “You’re warm, you’re cuddly, and apparently, you look like me shirtless.”

Travis groaned, gently pulling her away as she made a little frustrated grunt.

“I’m sorry, kiddo,” he said, holding her up. “Wrong equipment.”

Lily, floating nearby, pointed at her sister. “Mira’s silly.”

“You have no idea,” Travis muttered, shaking his head as I swam over, still grinning.

“I mean… she’s not totally wrong,” I teased, giving him a playful nudge. “Your chest is pretty soft these days.”

“Okay, rude,” he said, but the corner of his mouth twitched like he was holding back a laugh.

Mira was pouting now, clearly unimpressed by the decoy. I scooped her into my arms, and she immediately started pawing at my swimsuit like, finally, the good stuff.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” I said, settling her against me. “Mom’s got you.”

Travis sighed, dragging a hand down his face. “I need a shirt next time.”

I was still laughing. “Nah, this is way more fun.”

I propped Mira up on my hip, her little legs dangling against my side as she latched on, perfectly content. She had a good grip, both with her mouth and her tiny hands clinging to my swimsuit strap. Sitting up like that while nursing had become one of her favorite things lately—like she wanted to be part of the conversation, not just a passive baby.

I leaned back against the pool wall, comfortably settled with Mira eating and Travis floating lazily nearby, arms stretched along the edge.

“She’s got serious FOMO,” I said, nodding toward her as I adjusted her a little. “Even while eating, she’s making sure she’s front and center.”

Travis grinned. “She gets it from you.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Please. I can multitask, but I don’t try to socialize mid-bite.”

He gave me a look. “You literally gave a thank-you speech with half a granola bar in your mouth last week.”

“…Okay, fair.”

Mira made a soft humming noise and kicked her foot, like she agreed with him. I gave her a look. “Don’t take his side.”

Travis leaned closer, water gently lapping around us. “She’s just smart. Knows who the fun parent is.”

I raised an eyebrow. “You mean the one with the boobs.”

He smirked. “Exactly.”

I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway, brushing Mira’s damp hair back from her forehead. “Just wait. One day, she’s gonna realize you’re the softie and I’m the strict one.”