Having the blessing of one Sheppard was hardly a majority, but John’s approval outweighed her brothers’ collective disapproval.
I wonder what Mary thinks.
“We’re back, so let’s hear it.”
“Jay’s being dramatic,” Madi said. Worry flashed in her eyes, but she blinked it away. “Emily’s contractions are closer, but she’s still a long way off.”
“That’s it?” Jay asked.
“Son.” It was impressive how John could wrangle his kids with nothing more than their name. Or in this instance, his title.
“Sorry, I’m excited to meet my new niece and nephew.”
“Says the guy who doesn’t want kids,” Meg joked. “Here, hold your ‘old’ niece, that’ll cheer you up.”
“Gimme.” The look in Cate’s eyes as she watched Jay with Natalie was in complete opposition to her I don’t want kids statements.
The look in Jay’s eyes as Cate played with Natalie, who squirmed in his arms, was the same.
I should start a pool on how long it’ll be before Cate announces she’s pregnant. They’d set their wedding date for March, so if I had to guess, it’d be a late summer announcement.
Then I thought about how Jay’d act if Cate was pregnant. The image of Cate surrounded by bubble wrap and under twenty-four-seven surveillance while assigned to desk duty was a little too accurate to laugh at.
I understood, I’d be the same way when Madi got pregnant.
What the actual fuck? I went from wanting to take her on a real date to knocking her up real fucking fast.
I had feelings for Madi. Lots of them. But I wasn’t ready for wedding bells or fatherhood.
Neither is she.
“Uncle John!” a little voice behind me called out.
“Chase, what did we tell you?” Beth gently corrected his behavior.
“I’m supposed to use my inside voice.”
“Thank you,” Beth dismissed him so he could greet one of his favorite people.
“Robinson,” Doug greeted me. “Did John tell you about the delays?”
This time, I stopped the smile before it reached my lips.
“He did.”
“If I get the parts as expected and I have enough help, I can install the system before next weekend.”
“No rush,” I dismissed his concern. Then realizing I sounded flippant, I added, “I’ll be there, so they’ll be protected.”
Doug nodded, and didn’t I just hate the knowing look he was shooting my way. “Good to hear.”
He walked away and talked to John and Jay before returning to Beth’s side. She was almost a decade older than Doug, but it didn’t matter. There was nothing but love and adoration in his eyes when he looked at Beth, and he’d embraced his role as Chase’s father with pride and passion.
He wasn’t Chase’s biological father, who’d died in a car accident before Chase was born, but no one ever referred to him as Chase’s stepfather.
“Mom, Dad, can I have a baby sister?” Chase asked, the picture of hopeful innocence as he let Natalie play with his finger.
Beth blanched. Doug’s jaw tightened.Interesting. Given her age, Beth was past childbearing years, but that didn’t explain Doug’s reaction.
