Mom
You think one of our sons impregnated Ashton Carmichael’s mother? Aiden...
Dad
I wouldn’t put anything past these two, my love.
Finn
Oh, don’t start.
Jamie
I’m out.
Mom
Stop acting like children. We’ll be back from DC later this week. Love you, boys.
ASHTON
My ducks are not in a row. Pretty sure a few ran away. One is on freaking fire.
And I think one might actually be a baby chicken.
Can someone please tell me how the hell to get them in a row?
I’d really appreciate the cheat sheet.
If that doesn’t sum up my life in a nutshell, I’m not sure anything ever will.
—Ashton’s Secret Thoughts
“Come on, sweet girl. It’s been five days. You’re going to have to sleep more than two whole hours in a row at some point,” I whisper as I pace around the living room at the back of Jamie’s house. The sun beats in from the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Blue Bell Lake behind it. For someone who doesn’t know the first thing about taking care of babies, I’ve learned a few things this week.
One—Kyrie’s in charge, not me. Not even a little bit. Once I accepted that... I was going to say things got better, but they didn’t. And... now, I’m talking to myself.
Oh well, not the first time this week, and probably won’t be the last.
My little sister—who I may start referring to as the general for the way she’s managed to whip us all into shape and get us to do exactly what she wants—seems to love the sun. She always calms down when I’m in this room. She doesn’t seem to care whether I’m standing in front of this bank of windows or sitting on the couch in front of the other one, if the sun is warming her face, she’s a happy camper.
Except for right now. Right now, she’s pissed because I’m trying to get her to sleep.
She fucking hates sleep.
She especially hates it when I fall asleep.
“You’ve had a bottle, you’ve got a clean diaper, and warm pajamas... What else do you want, sweets?” I murmur as I press my lips to her forehead and keep pacing, adding a little sway and bounce to my steps.
Twenty-three years of ballet training, and I’m dancing with a baby in front of a window.
A really cute one, but man, this is not where I thought I’d be at this point in my life.
Thank you, Mother.
“Hey, Ash, how’s the princess doing today?” Finn asks as he walks into the room, dressed for the hospital, and takes her out of my arms. The little traitor quiets immediately and blinks up at him. “Well hello there, Kyrie. Are you being good for your big sister?”
I’m half expecting her to answer him.
