Violet melts completely. “Ellie Kendrick,” she says. “You are going to be ridiculously loved by everyone.”
Maggie wipes at her eyes. “I knew this family needed more chaos.”
I laugh. “No, we don’t. But she’s worth it.”
Jack grins at me. “You look terrified.”
“I am,” I say honestly. “But I’m also really happy.”
Cami nods. “I’m so happy we get her.”
Ellie makes a soft sound, as if she’s contributing to the conversation. Owen beams. “She agrees.”
Poppy slides her hand into mine without thinking, and I don’t pull away. I lace my fingers through hers likeit’s the most natural thing in the world. Like whatever line we were pretending to stand on before quietly disappeared.
I look around at the people filling the room. The noise. The laughter. The way no one questioned this for even a second.
I’m freaked out, exhausted, and overwhelmed. I’m also so in love it’s terrifying.
This is my family.
Chapter 27
Poppy
Life With You by Kelsey Hart
Iwake up to an empty, cold bed beside me. My hand slides across the sheets and finds nothing but cool cotton. My heart gives a slight, stupid lurch when I hear the soft crying down the hall.
I sit up and pad into the living room, blinking against the low light of the table lamp. Ollie’s standing there in yesterday’s clothes, hair a mess, eyes glassy and looking overwhelmed. Ellie’s tucked against his chest, wiggling and fussing.
“I can’t get her to settle,” he whispers frantically. “I fed her, checked her diaper, and walked her around. I think I broke her.”
I smile gently and step closer. “You didn’t break her.”
I take Ellie from him. The second she’s in my arms, she quiets, blinking up at me like she’s reassessing the situation. Ollie exhales hard, his shoulders sagging with relief. I look at the clock, and it’s two am.
“You’re on shift tomorrow,” I say softly. “Or today. Go back to bed. I got her.”
He hesitates. “I don’t want to leave you.”
I guide him down the hall and toward the bed. “You’re not leaving us. You’re right here. And I’m off tomorrow. There’s no school.”
He sits, then immediately tips sideways and rests his head against the pillow like his body finally gave up pretending it could stay upright. I rub my hand along his arm, slow and steady.
“You take care of us,” I murmur. “Let us take care of you, Ollie.”
His eyes flutter. “Okay,” he whispers.
He’s asleep in seconds.
I gently tuck a blanket around his shoulders and press a quiet kiss to his hair. Then I carry Ellie into the living room and sink into the couch, pulling a blanket around us.
She studies me seriously, tiny brow furrowed like she’s trying to figure me out. I brush my thumb along her cheek, and she relaxes, warm and trusting in my arms.
“I love you, sweet girl,” I whisper. “I know you already have a momma out there somewhere. But I hope it’s okay that I love you, too.”
I kiss the top of her head, breathing her in, and rock us both as the house settles into quiet.
