Lucas bumps Oliver’s shoulder with his elbow and gives him an easy, knowing smile.
“She’s got a good heart,” Lucas says. “Great grandparents and a great dad. You’ll figure it out.”
I let out a tired huff that almost passes for a laugh. “Where is Stella, anyway?” I look at Liam. “Where areyourkids?”
We’ve been talking so deeply about Stella, I completely forgot there should be three extra children roaming around, other than baby Calla, but I don’t see anyone.
Before anyone can answer, the front door swings open. Moist summer air rushes in as tiny bodies tumble through in a flurry of giggles. One barrels straight toward Lucas. He scoops her up without missing a beat.
“Tio Lucas!” Stella shouts as Amelia rushes to Liam. Behind them, Joe, Liam’s dad, steps in with Elijah perched on his hip.
“Well, well,” he says with a grin as the door falls shut behind him. “The whole squad is here tonight.” He bounces the baby.“Stella and Amelia insisted they needed at least five minutes to show off their princess dresses.”
Stella slips free from Oliver and runs to me. She hugs my leg with all the fierceness in her little body.
“I’m growing strong,” she declares.
A real laugh escapes me this time. I scoop both girls up by their waists, and their delighted squeals burst into the warm, glowing room. I whirl them around like rockets, making whooshing sounds as they ‘fly’ above the carpet.
Their dresses flare out like tiny petals spinning in the lamplight, and for a moment, everything feels lighter. All worries disappear, and I’m Uncle Holden, dancing with my princesses.
“You’re not supposed to grow this much, girls,” I mutter under my breath.
“We’re so tall. Look!” Amelia raises her hands above her head, and Stella matches it.
“You sure are! Soon, you’re going to be as tall as me.”
“Where’s the love for me, huh?” Aspen shouts, and their little eyes grow bright with mischief.
“Is someone talking?” Stella says as she shrugs.
“I don’t hear a peep,” Amelia echoes.
“You little monsters. Come here!” Aspen runs to catch them, and they take off towards Stella’s room.
“Five minutes!” Liam shouts, grabbing Elijah from his dad’s hands.
“Where were you, and what are those?” he asks, looking at the bags Joe set on the ground.
“Goodies for my girls. I can take these kids back to my place if you wanna hang out with your friends longer,” his dad adds, but Liam shakes his head.
“What’s up with you, my guy? You’re smiling,” Joe says my way.
“Why is everyone acting like I’m the grumpy one here?”
“Because you are,” Aspen shouts, running back into the living room, out of breath. “It’s the girlfriend he won’t tell us about.”
“What I want to know is where did you get the idea I have a girlfriend?”
“I saw you with her. You were all lovey eyes at that bookstore in Baker. You blew me off to, what? Go to a bookstore? So after biking, I followed your Sim and found you.”
“What’s a Sim?” Joe asks. Tonight, apparently, is the night of everyone being confused.
“It’s what Aspen calls the little icon he uses when he tracks where we are.”
“Son, why are you tracking your friends?”
“Because shit happens, and I like to know where they are. We all track each other.”
