Or else she likes the idea of the tough guy being in love with her mom. He thinks that's probably more like it: she might not know the words, but he bets she can sure as hell sense the emotion. Kids are like that, he thinks -- not that he has a shit's worth of expertise in this -- but they have to be able to sense things. It's what they know. He knew he could always tell when his parents were getting along or not getting along, no matter what words they ever said or didn't.

"Those are real smiles, aren't they." He works one finger out of her grip just so he can use it to cradle her, because he has to lift the baby up and give her tiny forehead a kiss. Then it's right back against his thighs for her so they can keep doing whatever it is they were doing that made her smile in the first place. Just holding her, he thinks, and just mumbling little things to Beth. "You know, Slim, I never ever thought I'd be such a damn sucker for a baby. Never in a million years but check us out. We're such tough guys, hanging out in bed with the baby. I feel like I should tell her stories or something."

Beth Junior kind of burbles a little and he thinks she might be about to smile again, but instead she directs his finger into her mouth. He might think hey, I need that one but he doesn't say anything; little Beth needs it too and whatever she wants, she can have. He'll spoil her fucking rotten.

"You want to go see your mom?" Turning his head again, he gives Beth another kiss. While he's doing that, he feels the baby stop sucking on his finger and when he looks back, she's smiling again.

"Oh, I get it. It's all about the romance, huh? Smart girl."