My business is growing stronger, and I’m gaining more clients. Charlie is excelling at work with Jackson, and the best part is that his office is near my studio, so we get to have lunch together every single day. Poor Toby has walked in on us a couple of times, as has Sienna. Which is karma for her for the times I walked in on her and Evan. Charlie is still living with his sister Everly, and it works because I see him at lunch, and most nights of the week he comes home with me. Everly has a secret boyfriend, so she is occupied most nights now, too.
The brothers’ group chat is still going off, and it makes me laugh every day. I fall in love with those fools more and more. I promised that I would be in Scotland for New Year’s this year with them as they had been bugging me. I’ll be spending Christmas with Charlie this year. Everly has chosen to go to Europe with her parents instead of staying in LA, and Charlie has chosen to stay with me and the Dirty Texas crew. I’ve invited my brothers, but only Rowan can make it before heading to Scotland for New Year’s with us, in his private jet.
I haven’t run into Chance since that night at Sienna and Evan’s, it’s kind of like he is avoiding me or something, and I still haven’t mentioned anything to Arran, not when his socials are filled with images of him on yachts with beautiful women.
But today is even more exciting, because Axel and Olivia just had their twins—two little girls called Poppy and Daisy. The sweetest names. Another two little Taylor girls. Just like Vanessa and Christian. Those four are going to get up to so much mischief when they’re older, and Uncle Derrick is going to love every second.
Charlie and I walk quickly through the hospital toward the private maternity wing hand in hand, and it feels different this time because of the man beside me. Sometime soon, this will be us rushing down the corridor toward our baby or babies.
Axel is standing outside the suite when we turn the corner. His hair is a mess, his eyes are red, and he’s smiling like someone handed him the entire world as he stares at his phone.
“Derrick,” he calls out to me, looking up, and I rush over and give him a hug.
“Congrats, man,” I tell him.
“They’re perfect. So fricken perfect, and Livvy …” He sighs contentedly. “Fuck she was a warrior. I thought I was going to pass out there at some point, but she just kept going. I don’t know how she did it.”
“Your woman is pretty amazing.”
“I don’t think I could have fallen any more in love with her, but I have.” He grins.
“Can we go in?” I ask gently.
He nods and pushes open the door for us.
The room is calm, warm, and softly lit. Olivia is propped up in the bed, hair messy in a way that somehow suits her, cheeks pink, eyes heavy but glowing. She’s holding one of the girlsagainst her chest, while the other is in the bassinet beside her, swaddled like a tiny burrito.
I stop just inside the door.
Nothing prepares you for the sight of a brand-new baby. It hits me right in the chest every time, this rush of tenderness and awe, and oh my god, life is happening right in front of me.
“Hey,” Olivia whispers. “Come meet your nieces.”
Charlie follows with the bouquet of flowers. “These are for you.” he says, placing them with all the others.
“Thank you, they look beautiful.” Olivia smiles.
“Liv, they look beautiful,” I tell her.
“This is Daisy,” she points to the one on her chest, “and that is Poppy.” She points to the one in the bassinet.
“Two perfect little girls,” I gush, stepping closer, careful not to bump anything. Daisy is tiny, with soft pink cheeks, a little button nose, and a face that already looks like Olivia.
“Want to hold her?” Olivia asks.
“Of course.”
“Daisy, this is your Uncle Derrick,” Olivia says, handing her off to me.
“Hey, baby, I’m your Uncle Derrick. I’m the one you call when you’re in trouble.” I suck in that new baby smell.
“I can’t believe they are here,” Axel says, taking a seat beside Olivia on the bed.
“Being a DILF suits you.” I smirk at Axel, who chuckles.
“That’s what I said.” Olivia chuckles.
“I can imagine Derrick being a DILF,” Axel teases.
