“Um, sure,” I reply, holding out my arms. She places the swaddled infant into my arms, and I pull him close to my chest. It’s been a long time since I’ve held a baby, but it all comes right back to me.
Cooper makes little noises, and I can’t help but stare at him. Thomas rests his head on my shoulder, staring at his nephew. He’s the perfect mix of Andrew and Josie, but I can see little hints of all the brothers in him. He has Thomas’s nose, Beau’s brow line, and Jason’s ears. It’s fascinating to see how genetics come into play.
“He’s so cute,” I whisper.
“Isn’t he?” Thomas answers, kissing the side of my neck.
A new voice distracts me from staring at Cooper. “Are you going to be my new Auntie?”
Lennie. She’s about six, if I remember correctly.
“Umm,” I pause, unsure of what to say.
“Someday, Lennie,” Thomas answers for me, but his reply only makes my heart stutter. He’s said that he wants marriage and life with me, but hearing him say so casually that I’m going to be an aunt to his niece someday, really brings it all into focus, makes it real.
“Soon?” she questions.
Presley joins her at her side. She’s a bit taller than Lennie, and her dirty blonde hair is wavier. They aren’t sisters by blood, but they are in all the ways that count. “Hannah, you’re really pretty,” Presley announces, garnering the attention of the entire room.
I swallow thickly. “Thanks, Presley. So are you, sweetie.”
“My mom said you were really pretty, but I didn’t believe her until you were here. She was right.”
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she,” Thomas adds, kissing my cheek.
I wish I could hide away from the sudden attention, but I’m holding Cooper, so I can’t even fidget with my hands.
I smile awkwardly, and Presley sits down at my right side. Her fingers twirl around the soft red hair on Cooper’s head.
Arlo, one of Marley and Beau’s twins, walks unsteadily toward us. He flops down into Thomas’s lap, leaning over to place one of his tubby hands on Cooper’s stomach.
“Baby,” he says in his own baby talk.
“You’re right,” Thomas replies. “Baby Cooper.”
Arlo scoots closer to me, and I think he’s trying to get a better look at the baby, so I adjust him so he can see better, but instead, he tries to push Cooper from my arms. “My,” he says, pushing at Cooper.
“Arlo, gentle hands,” Marley says, scooting over to us.
“My,” he repeats, this time, landing in my lap and settling in. I shift Cooper to one side, wrapping my arm around Arlo with my free arm. Arlo nuzzles his head into my chest. Did he wantme?
I look up to Marley, who has a camera in her hands. “Can I?” she asks, and I nod, smiling. She takes a few pictures of us, all wrapped in Thomas’s big arms. Arlo curls into me, repeating “my” every few minutes when someone tries to bring his attention elsewhere. Not even his sister can get him away from me. Marley takes Cooper, and I figure that Arlo will go with her, following whereverthe baby goes, but instead, he curls further into me, his little fingers clasping at my shirt.
“I think I might have to fight my nephew for you,” Thomas jokes.
“I thought he wanted the baby,” I say.
“Nope. He wanted you. I knew he did. Like I said, you’re easy to love. Everyone can see it.”
52
THOMAS
The last few weeks have been bliss. Hannah and I are both back to work and we have created some sort of a routine. On the days we both are off, we are together, going on dates, or spending time with her siblings or mine. When we both work a day shift, we go to her house or mine after work and have dinner together. Nine times out of ten we end up spending the night at one or the other’s house, and every time, I wake up with her by my side. It can’t get any better than this.
I’ve learned that Hannah is a bear on the days she has to flip to a night shift schedule. She gets crabbier than I ever could have expected, but it’s nothing a few orgasms can’t fix.
She’s gone to a few more Sunday brunches as well, and has gotten more comfortable with my family. Arlo is still obsessed with her, calling her “My” every chance he can, since words aren’t his strong suit yet.
