“Such pretty eyes,” Rachel says.
“Yeah,” Trick says with a smile. “I was hoping they’d be exactly like Laurelyn’s. Hers are that perfect clear green, but I think maybe his are aqua…some green from her and some blue from me. That’s pretty cool.”
Without warning, Irina bends forward from ‘Vil’s arms and touches the baby’s cheek. It’s not quite a poke, but it’s close.
The baby’s face scrunches unhappily, and he cries out.
“Careful,” Rachel says, immediately enclosing the little girl’s hands in hers. “See how little the baby is? We have to be careful with him because he just got here.”
Whether the little girl understands or not isn’t clear, but she goes with the flow as Anvil steps back so her hands can’t reach the baby’s face again.
“We’ve got gifts,” I say.
“You’d better,” Trick says with a wink.
The baby starts to fuss, and Trick smiles down at him. “I have to take him back to her. I promised.”
“Go. We’ll see you later.”
“Thanks for coming,” Trick says.
“Like we’d miss this,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“Course not. Never hear the end of it if we did,” ‘Vil deadpans.
Trick’s smile is wide and genuine. “You’re right about that, ‘Vil. I’ll see ya later.” Then he disappears back into the room.
Irina babbles something to ‘Vil.
“Yeah, that’s Dada’s friend and his son. You like that baby?”
She makes a sound that’s unintelligible.
“Yeah, he’s good so far,” ‘Vil says and thens adds something in Russian. I’m not sure she actually understands what he’s saying or vice versa, but they definitely have a rapport.
Irina waves at us.
“Aw, so pretty,” Zoe coos. “Can I have a kiss?” she asks, leaning in and puckering her lips.
The little girl mimics her, and they kiss.
“You’re her favorite, Zoe,” Rachel says with a smile.
“Well, not her favorite, but her favorite aunt.” Zoe slides an arm through mine and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Rach, Sasha, wanna come to the house for breakfast? I feel like cooking.”
Rachel looks at ‘Vil who nods.
“We’ll stay the day,” Anvil says as we start toward the elevator bank. “And then we’ll see how things look about which house for tomorrow. Trick still thinks they're gonna make it for Christmas.”
Rachel tilts her head. “Well, whatever they want to do…”
Anvil’s standard scowl is in place. It’s surprising his little girl isn’t troubled by it. Apparently she takes after Rachel.
“Even if they let him take Laurelyn and the baby home tonight, do you really think she’s gonna want to go out tomorrow?” Anvil says.
“Well, let’s see. Maybe he’ll want us to go there for a little bit.”
“Do I care what he wants?” Anvil shakes his head. “It’s his wife that should decide, not him.”
