He smiled, hoping either Ro or Ollie would speak. “So, here’s the deal, little bro,” Ronin said. “We were hoping you’d like to babysit your niece and nephew tonight.” He looked hopeful as River’s let out the breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.
“Is that it?” he asked.
“Well, that wasn’t the reaction we were expecting,” Ronin chuckled.
Ollie nodded laughing. “Yup, I didn’t think you’d be too up for it either; this was totally Ronin’s idea.”
Ronin tossed a look over at Ollie, and he playfully nibbled him on the shoulder. “You’ll pay for that,” his brother teased and Ollie giggled.
Ronin looked back at River, and he gave a half shrug. “He isn’t wrong. It was sort of my idea, but I thought this could be a good thing for you and, of course, us too.” He smiled at River and pulled his mate to him. “Everyone wins.”
“Do share, brother of mine,” River smirked and crossed his arms.
Ronin gave him a cajoling smile and went on to explain. “Ollie and I are exhausted, and we could use a night out—just the two of us. You are going to have a child of your own soon enough, and this will help you to get some practice in. Besides …” He looked around the foyer of the house and then turned back to River. “If I had to guess, you’re probably climbing up the walls without Nix here.”
“And a couple of babies is going to entertain me?” River asked, chuckling.
“Trust me, you’ll be quite surprised by how entertaining they can be,” Ronin said. He looked down at his children with infinite love in his eyes, which made River smile. Then Ronin looked back up. “The twins want to bond with their favorite uncle.” His brother knew what buttons to push, and he was a total sucker because it was working.
Still, he had to tease, so he folded his arms. “I’m their favorite, and they told you that?” Ronin shrugged and River looked down at the carriers. Amelia looked up at him, and he swore she even smiled. Matthew was squeezing the little wolf in his hands while sucking on his binky like he was being paid to, but they both brought a smile to his lips. “Okay, fine. I have nothing better to do anyway,” he said.
Ronin leaned in and wrapped an arm around River, pulling him into a hug. “You are the best brother.”
River rolled his eyes. “One day in the near future, Nix and I will do the same thing to the two of you. No questions asked.”
“But of course,” Ronin agreed and Ollie nodded along with him.
“And how long do I have my babies for?” He looked between them. “When will you two be back?”
“Tomorrow morning?” His brother looked hopeful.
“You want me to watch them overnight?” River asked in disbelief. Could he take care of the twins by himself? Maybe if his mate was here. “You sure you want to leave them with me? I’m sure Papa and Dad wouldn’t mind watching them.
Ronin took a step towards him and put both hands on his shoulder. “You’ll be fine.” He laughed and leaned over to whisper in River’s ear. “Plus, we need some alone time. I’m sure you know what I mean. And they’ll take your mind off things.”
River didn’t need any further clarification. He shoved his brother away. “Fine. Fine. I get it. I will watch them overnight, and I’m assuming everything I need is in the bag, right?”
Ollie glanced at River. “Thank you so much. This means a lot to us.”
“I’ll just run this to the kitchen and put the bottles away,” Ronin grabbed the bag and disappeared.
“Everything is all mixed up, and we packed the warmer,” Ollie told him.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of them,” he reassured his brother-in-law. At least River knew worst case he could call his Papa, or even Devon to come help out.
“I know you will.” Ollie pulled him in for a hug and stepped back quickly.
When Ronin returned, he smiled, “Like I said, you’re the best,” Ronin pulled him in for a hug too. When he stepped back, he saw Ollie was kissing the twins. His brother went over and put the bag down next to Amelia’s carrier and kissed his kids too. When he straightened, he said, “You guys will have a great time.”
Here’s hoping.River walked them to the door, just two steps away. “You guys have fun tonight!”They might as well since I clearly am not going to.
“Oh, we sure will.” Ronin’s arms were around Ollie’s waist. “If it’s too much, you can call us, okay?”
“No problem. Enjoy!” At least one of us should.
River watched as they walked down the front sidewalk and headed to their car. Ollie turned back around and waved, and River returned the gesture. As they backed out and drove away, River stepped back into the house and closed the door. The door had only been closed a minute when Amelia started to wail out her displeasure. River drew in a deep breath as he hurried over to her seat.
“It’s alright, Amelia,” he cooed. He opened the buckle strapping her in the carrier, and then lifted her out of the seat, but her sobbing continued. He tried to remember how he’d seen Ronin and Ollie holding the babies, and even Nix, for that matter. He held her close, attempting to soothe her. “It’s okay. Don’t cry, sweet girl,” he cooed. As he rocked her, Matthew started to cry too, and River looked down to unbuckle him as well.This outta be fun.With Amelia in his left arm against his shoulder, he scooped up Matthew into his other arm.
