Loren’s eyes narrow on Imry, but his attention moves to Axl. It’s rare that there’s an identifiable reaction in Loren for anything, so I’m a little surprised that I see unease. Which makes it even more surprising when he crosses the room to stand over us.
“See? Not scary, right?” I ask.
He stares at Axl for a minute. He sits on the hassock so he’s on more level ground. As if he can look Axl in the eye now, though my baby is still asleep.
“He looks like me,” Loren says, frowning. “I’ve never touched that woman.”
“Yes!” Myro says as he leans over Loren. “Oh my god, he looks just like you. Look, even the way his hair falls over his forehead.”
“That’s weird,” Loren says. “How did you do that?”
I laugh. “Read up on biology, Loren. Specifically, how genetics work. There’s nothing magical going on.”
“He’s perfect,” Myro says, gently rubbing Axl’s back. “Congrats, bro.”
I press my lips to the top of Axl’s head and close my eyes. This moment is almost perfect. I really wish Brek were here, sitting with Axl and me. How is he going to like being around a baby? Will he want to be?
Ellory sighs. “I want one.”
I’m not the only one who looks up. He’s leaning against Avory, a dreamy look on his face as he watches my boy sleep.
“Like, right now?” Avory asks.
Ellory blinks and looks at Avory. His smile turns somewhat indulgent. “No. Just… I want one. I’m excited to be parents, but no, not right now.”
“Are you sure? You keep saying that same thing.”
“It’s a general statement. I want to be a daddy. Stop overthinking. I’ll tell you when I want onenow,Ave.”
Avory nods and kisses him. “Good.”
Another knock and we all look around as if taking attendance. Hmm. All brothers present. Dad present. Maybe a nurse?
Once more, Dad opens the door. My heart sinks in disappointment when it’s not Brek. Not that I was expecting him, but I guess I subconsciously hoped it’d be him.
It’s Mallory, one of the staff. She smiles. “I brought his second meal,” she says quietly and holds up the little bottle and a burp cloth.
“Thanks, Mallory. Come in and meet the newest Van Doren,” I invite.
She beams as she crosses the room. “I won eighteen rounds of rock, paper, scissors to be able to catch a first glimpse,” she says as she stands beside Loren on the hassock. Mallory sighs. “He’s perfect, Voss. I can’t wait to hear him running around the house, laughing.”
“Don’t rush him,” I say as I sit up a little to feed him. “Let him be a newborn for at least a week or two.”
Mallory beams at me. As I adjust Axl and accept his bottle, it hits me how incredibly fortunate I am to be surrounded by people who love me.
12
BREK
“Such a perfect little family,”Jalon says. He’s crouching in front of Voss, who has Axl in his arms. Beside him is Lorissa with a cloth. The way Jalon smiles at them makes my chest hurt.
I turn away and let my feet take me where they want to go. Axl is a little more than a week old now, and I’ve barely seen Voss. Not that I’m upset about that.
Okay, I am a little. But it’s not because I don’t understand or disagree with the reason. He has a newborn. That’s a really good reason to be completely preoccupied. He’s being a good dad and giving all his attention to his son.
As he should. More parents should take notes from Voss.
That doesn’t mean that his absence in my life isn’t felt. I feel…
