Later that night, the shop is dark and quiet. Ollie’s doing one last check of the doors. Ellie’s already down, snuggled into her bassinet, arms tucked in tight, breathing slow and even.
I poke my head into Owen’s room and nearly jump when Bandit’s head pops up from the bed. His tail thumps hard against the frame.
“Oh,” I whisper. I forgot you were here now.I crouch and scratch behind his ears, his whole body leaning into my hand.
“Take good care of my brother,” I murmur, kissing his head.
He licks my hand as if he understands the assignment.
Gifts come in many forms. This one was meant for Owen. They were inseparable all night. Bandit followed him everywhere, even lying outside the bathroom while Owen showered, waiting like it was his job.
When I finally crawl into bed, Ollie pulls me close, his arm solid around my waist.
“Maybe the bikers aren’t that bad,” I murmur, half asleep. “They bring presents. Like fairy godmothers on motorcycles.”
Ollie exhales slowly. “I’m just afraid of what they’ll want in return. And how it’ll look if they’re hanging around with CPS watching.”
All valid concerns. I sigh and drift off to sleep in Ollie’s arms.
Chapter 30
Ollie
Run Your Mouth by Gavin Adcock
Ihaven’t been to work in five days, and it’s the longest stretch I’ve taken off since I joined the department. I love my job and didn’t really take much vacation. But now I love every moment just soaking up time with Ellie and our new little family.Every single guy at the station made a big deal out of me getting Ellie. And the support, encouragement, and love I’ve received have blown me away.
They covered my shifts without complaint. High fives and back slaps. A couple of jokes about me having a baby now. Someone taped a handwritten sign to my locker that says “CONGRATS” in red marker, and I left it there because I love it.
They dropped off a tiny firefighter onesie that looks like turnout gear and a baby fire helmet that’s so small it makes my chest ache. I stare at it for a minute longer than I should. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
I tuck it into the bag and grin. Can’t wait to show Poppy. This is everything I never knew I wanted at the most inconvenient but most perfect moment in my life. But isn’t that how life works? It happens, and you roll with it. Celebrate the good and survive the bad. This time it’s feeling pretty good.
Poppy laughs when I pull the little firefighter outfit out later. Ellie’s on the bed between us, freshly changed and blinking up at the ceiling like she’s trying to figure out how all of this happened.Me, too, kid. Me too.
“Oh my God,” Poppy says. “That’s ridiculously cute. I need a picture of you wearing your gear, holding her in that.”
“I know,” I say. “She’s wearing it.”
Ellie’s a good baby. It’s like she’s already decided we’re her people and this is just what life looks like now.
We take her to her well-baby appointment together. I hold the diaper bag and Ellie. Poppy handles the paperwork. Ellie sleeps through most of it, only fussing when the doctor checks her reflexes.
“She’s perfect,” the doctor says. “Good job, Mom and Dad.”
Poppy looks at me and softens, and neither of us corrects her. Because we’re both loving this even though it’s been exhausting and hard.
After the doctor’s appointment, we meet Weston at Harvest and Honey for lunch and to catch up. The place smells like espresso and pastries and something sweet baking in the back. Weston stands up the second he sees Ellie, eyes softening in a way I’ve never seen before.
“Hey,” he says quietly, like he doesn’t want to spook her.
“Do you want to hold her?” Poppy asks. “She won’t break.”
Weston grins. “Sure, I don’t think I’ve ever held a baby, but okay.”
Weston takes her, and I show him how to hold her neck, and he holds her, softening. “She’s perfect,” he tells us.
He peers at her. “She’s smaller than I expected.”
