I’m pretty sure he saw how freaked out I was and wanted to be the steady one for me to lean on. Over the years, we’ve learned to lean on one another, even if it isn’t in either of our natures to do so.
Mav and I walk hand-in-hand down the hallway to the room number Cole texted me thirty minutes ago.
That was the fastest I have ever seen Mav get ready in his life. I’ll have to use his baby sister as an excuse more often if it will get him to put some pep in his step while getting ready.
I knock softly on the door, not wanting to wake anyone if they’re sleeping, baby or mama. Cole pries the door open, grinning like a damn fool—a tired fool, but still a fool.
“Hey,” he says.
I lean down, kissing Mav on the forehead. “Go meet your little sister.”
He hugs me back, then grabs Cole’s hand.
I turn around, intending to return to the waiting room so they can have some privacy with their whole family together for the first time.
“Where are you going?” Cole asks, grabbing my hand with his free one.
“Waiting room?”
“Get in here,” he says, tugging me behind him as he walks into the room.
Riley’s sitting up in bed with a yellow blanket snuggled to her chest. Her eyes light up when she sees Mav, and my heart swells a little more for the love she holds in her heart for my son.
Mav’s eyes dart between Cole and Riley. “Can I go see her?” he asks Cole.
Cole gives my hand a gentle squeeze before letting go and leading Mav to the bed. Riley pats the bed beside her. Mav slowly climbs up.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” he tells Riley.
Her tired eyes soften even more. She holds out her arms. “Come here. You aren’t going to hurt me.”
He hesitates for a second but snuggles into her side. His eyes light up when she shifts her other arm closer to him.
“She’s so little,” Mav says, staring at his sister for the first time. There’s so much love in his eyes. It makes my heart ache in a good way.
“Do you want to hold her?” Riley asks.
“Can I?” Mav’s worried eyes roam around the room among all the adults.
“We trust you,” Theo tells him. “We know you’ll take care of her.”
“Always,” Mav says. The tears I have been trying to fight back threaten to make another appearance.
Finn tucks a pillow under Mav’s arm. Cole gives his daughter a kiss on the forehead before setting her in Mav’s arms.
He stares down at her like his world has just changed forever, but he doesn’t mind one bit. His heart willingly grew bigger to let her in.
“What’s her name?” Mav asks.
“Macie,” Riley says.
Maverick and Macie.
“That’s a good name,” Mav says with a nod.
We all start laughing, Finn the loudest. “I’m glad you approve, my man,” he says.
Cole ruffles Mav’s hair, then walks over to me. There are tears in both our eyes when he wraps his arms around me.
