For the first time in a year, he was proud. And that was enough.
Chapter Forty-Two
Amber looked disgustinglygorgeous for someone who’d just given birth in the front seat of a Subaru. Hours later, she was still glowing, propped up in her hospital bed like a queen holding court while everyone circled around her bed to admire her and the precious babies.
And they were so gorgeous.
Lily couldn’t stop staring. More than staring—she was head over heels in love. Something had shifted tectonically inside her watching them being born, and she was still reeling. Amber’s strength awed her, Theo’s devotion left her aching, and the babies—God, those perfect faces. Lily could have watched them breathe forever.
“Everyone, meet Theodore Clairmont, Jr.,” Amber announced, angling the swaddled bundle in her right arm so the family could coo appropriately. “Though if anyone calls him that, they’re cut off. Teddy only. And this”— she lifted the pink-hatted baby in her left arm with a tender smile —“is Mirabella. Mira for short.”
“Mira and Teddy.” Evie sighed dreamily. “I love them already.”
Amber’s gaze softened as she looked at Theo. “He picked them. Been holding out on me with the fancy names.”
Theo stood beaming by her side, though still a little pale from the ordeal. He’d been frantic, half ready to carry Amber to the hospital himself, but true to form, Amber hadn’t waited. The EMTs had taken over, and she’d pushed with everything she had. Their daughter had arrived screaming with fury at her early ignominious entrance, a fiery contrast to her calm, drowsy brother.
“You’re going to have the best time with these two,” Allie said, leaning over to adjust Teddy’s hat. “Savvie and Tessa are dying to meet their cousins.”
Amber’s eyes fluttered closed, exhaustion seeping in now that the adrenaline had drained away. “I wasn’t ready for this. I needed those extra weeks of pregnancy to psych myself up. Shame they didn’t take me seriously and decided to show up three weeks early anyway.”
“They’re perfect,” Annette said firmly. “And you’ll manage just fine with all of us here to help.” She bent to smooth Amber’s hair back from her damp forehead. “But you have to take care of yourself and rest when you can.”
Amber’s mouth curved faintly, her eyes still closed. “Oh, like I’m sure you did when you had twins?”
The sisters laughed softly, but Lily’s throat ached. She was too full—of pride, of love, of longing. Watching her family expand, her sister glow, those babies take their first breaths—it cracked her right open.
After a little more chatter, Annette left with Allie, and Evie shortly after. Lily couldn’t bring herself to leave just yet. She’d patiently waited her turn to hold Mira, and she didn’t want to put her down just yet. Mira was warm and impossibly tiny in her arms as she rocked her. She nuzzled her pretty head, and Mira’s tiny fist curled tight around Lily’s finger.
Lily couldn’t let go. Her whole body ached with it—with wanting. With love so fierce it hollowed her out.
The door opened again, and Lily glanced up to see Theo’s older brother, Grant Clairmont. Grant might have shared Theo’s dark hair and broad shoulders, but where Theo was polished charm, his brother carried himself like a man who spent more time on the street than in an office, which made sense because he was a detective in Boston. His suit jacket hung open, tie loosened, the worn strap of his shoulder holster visible, along with a badge clipped to his belt.
“Grant!” Theo said warmly, stepping forward to pull him into a hug. “Glad you made it.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Grant replied easily. His gaze swept the room, landing on Lily with a grin of recognition. “Lily, right? We met at the wedding.”
“How could I forget the stampede when you caught the bouquet?” Lily said, smiling.
Grant shrugged, looking faintly abashed, though the curve of his mouth suggested he hadn’t minded all that much.
Amber leaned back against her pillows, exhaustion etched onto her features now, along with radiance. “God, I love them. Makes me wish I hadn’t waited.” She shook her head, eyes dreamy. “You’re going to love this, Lily. You won’t believe how much.”
Lily kissed Mira’s downy head, inhaling that newborn sweetness until her chest hurt. “I can’t wait for my turn.”
“Then don’t,” Amber said simply, as if it were that easy.
Before Lily could respond, a knock rapped on the door.
Rush stood in the doorway, uniform still on, Stetson in hand. For a heartbeat, her world tilted. He looked every inch the sheriff—the way he held himself, the energy coming off him—but the weariness at the edges of his face, the sadness in his eyes, tethered her heart so tightly to his she could hardly breathe.
Theo was already striding toward him, gripping Rush’s hand and pulling him in for one of those man hugs that involved back pounding, which Rush returned with a surprised smile. “Man, I can’t thank you enough. You delivered my son.”
Grant greeted him next. Lily caught the flicker of surprise on Rush’s face. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Didn’t expect to be here before you left for Boston,” Grant replied easily. “But my niece and nephew had other plans.”
The words sliced through her. Somehow, she’d managed to forget. Pretend. But hearing it out loud made the floor shift beneath her for the second time that day. So she rocked and thought and nuzzled her niece.
