After receiving the good news that JJ and the babies were doing well, they’d lingered at the hospital, waiting for a moment to slip in and see her.As soon as Brantley laid eyes on his best friend, he knew she was eager for some rest.Still, she managed to smile, reassuring him that everything was good.After a quick hug, they slipped out with everyone else who was heading home to get sleep, what little there was to be had.When they left, Wes, Jules, and Baz were the only ones still there and upright.He figured they would faceplant in a bed at some point, but probably not until some of the elation of the day wore off.
As for faceplanting into bed, it sounded like the best idea in the world, and Brantley intended to get right on that just as soon as they had breakfast.Afterward, they could catch a few hours of sleep and hopefully not lose an entire day.
“What’re your thoughts on havin’ kids now?”Brantley asked, taking a sip of his coffee.
“I’m good with the four-legged variety,” Reese answered, sipping coffee.“They sure were cute, though.”
Yes, they were.As cute as something that had spent the past eight or so months cramped in a tiny space full of fluid could be.
“Is it all the cryin’ that puts you off?”Brantley probed.“Because I’m sure fathers and grandfathers don’t do that all the time.”
Reese huffed a laugh.“They were tears of relief.”
“That’s what Baz claims, but I have to wonder.”
Brantley didn’t feel guilty about picking on Wes or Baz, but that was likely because he’d shed a tear or two as well.The babies were as close to perfect as premature twins could be.At least, that was what the scuttlebutt was.Since the babies had been moved to the NICU, as Dr.Tinder had warned might happen, Brantley questioned the validity of the rumors.Something about Apgar scores not being where they would like them to be.According to Wes, the doctors and nurses were doing everything they could to ensure the babies got what they needed.
Since they were the ones with the training and know-how, he had to believe that was the truth.So they were taking it all as good until someone told them otherwise.
Which he hoped didn’t happen.
“They are kind of adorable, huh?”Brantley asked Reese, watching his face.
“Considerin’ who their parents are, they’ve hit the gene-pool lottery.”
Brantley smiled.“True.”
Reese lifted a hand and waved the server over.
“More coffee?”she asked.
“No, thank you,” Reese told her while Brantley covered his cup to signal he didn’t want any.“Can we get the check?”
“Sure thing.”She pulled out her notepad and ripped off the top sheet.Reese didn’t even look at it before passing her his credit card.
Brantley leaned back and fought the urge to rub his eyes.He felt like his eyeballs had been sandblasted, and he knew if he didn’t get horizontal soon, that headache he’d managed to avoid was going to come on with a vengeance.
The server returned with the card and the receipt for Reese to sign.Before he even picked up the pen, Brantley was on his feet.Tesha followed suit, lumbering out from under the table where she’d been sleeping.
“It’s naptime, girl,” Brantley told her as they waited for Reese.
As they walked out of the diner, Brantley was already daydreaming about his pillow.But as soon as he stepped into the brilliant Texas sunshine, he got the feeling that faceplanting in his bed wasn’t going to happen as soon as he would like.
“Is that—” Reese nodded in the direction of the woman strolling their way.
“Slade’s mother?Yeah.”
“She’s up early, huh?”
“Real early,” Brantley agreed.
“Do you think we’re in trouble?”Reese whispered, a smile plastered on his face.
Since she was making a beeline for them, he had to think there was a good possibility.
“Heel,” Reese said to Tesha, his way of keeping her close and letting her know everything was all right.
Rose Jameson-Elliott started speaking as she approached.“Oh, good.I’m glad I ran into you boys.I need a favor.”
