“I’m the happiest man in the world.”
And I’m pretty close to tears now, too.
2
Nick
One by one, we quietly file into Riley’s room. We weren’t all supposed to come in together at this time of night, but luckily we have friends in high places in this hospital – something Ryan is not at all happy about.
Martin, Evan’s dad and Chris’ ex, is warning us not to make any noise, to behave like mature adults.
Seriously?He’s saying that tous?
He clearly hasn’t spent enough time with our family yet.
“Just for five minutes, okay? Don’t make me regret this,” he threatens, with a stare that saysI’m a fucking doctor and this is my hospital, so don’t make me look like a dick.
Poor Dr. Dick.
When Riley sees us, she smiles, tired but happy. “You’re all here.”
“Fuck, yeah,” Ryan says, raising his voice. Chris shoots him a glare.
At least he’ll be kicked out first. One less to deal with.
Ian sits down next to Riley and kisses her forehead. Then she turns to us, showing us the tiny little bean wrapped in a pink blanket – I’d be scared to even brush against her with my enormous, clumsy hands. Hopefully Ian’s are more delicate than mine.
“Look, Jamie: this is your family.”
“J-Jamie?” Riley’s brother asks, appearing in the doorway.
“Where the hell were you?”
“I went for a walk and got lost.”
“Lost underneath someone, I imagine…” Ryan taunts.
“Did this really seem like an appropriate time, Jamie?” I chime in, teasing him.
“Mind your own business, O’Connor. We’re talking about something important here,” He turns back to his sister. “So…Jamie?”
She smiles at him. It’s clear to everyone now who her favourite uncle will be.
Fuck him.
“But isn’t Jamie a boy’s name?” Evan asks, making me love him even more. I really need to revaluate his role in this family.
“No, it’s unisex,” Riley explains. “And we couldn’t have chosen a better name for our little girl. The name of the person who made all of this happen.”
“Fuck, are you trying to make me cry?” Jamie whinges.
“Please,” Ryan interjects. “It was bad enough when it was Ian,” he says, gesturing towards his brother.
Ian, sitting next to Riley, is inconsolable. He can’t stop crying, stroking her, looking at his baby daughter as if she were the most precious gift life could give him.
Here he is: my brother, once a hard-arse, and now a snivelling shell of a man. Ryan seems to have joined him now, too, after meeting Chris. I think I’m the only Alpha-male left in this ridiculous story. I just hope it doesn’t turn into a series – keeping up this role for much longer will be draining.
I’m not like them. I don’t pretend to be a bastard, and then melt like an ice lolly as soon as the sun hits. Jesus, no. I’m an adult. I’m mature, tough, good-looking – at leastthatwill never go away – emotionless, a bit of a dickhead. Not even the best of therapists would be able to analyse me.
