“Hold on. I want to go back to that baby being a little Dr. Strange on his way to becoming John Wick. Is that what you’re telling me?” Pam says incredulously.
I can’t help but laugh as the others snicker with me. I will forever be grateful for Pam and her ability to read a room and shift the atmosphere. Her words cut through the tension in the air and lighten the mood instantly.
“There she is,” Ronan croons to his son in his arms.
I swear Dean had nothing to do with that boy. He looks like Ronan spit him out and asked her to be his mother after. If not for the tan to his skin, you wouldn’t think Dean had anything to do with him other than that red hair that he could have gotten from his father as much as his mother.
He definitely got some of both their tempers. That little boy knows how to throw a fit when he’s pissed. That is as long as his parents aren’t around. If Ronan or Dean are in the room, he would never.
I love the little snicker though. Danny is adorable with the cutest smile ever. I can’t blame the two for trying for another. They make gorgeous babies, and Ronan loves Dean and Danny something fierce.
Touch that woman or his son and he turns into a straight demon. Cass has a soft spot for her little nephew too. If he can’t get his way, Auntie Cass is the first person he goes running to.
“What’s up? You two okay?” Dean asks as she turns to find her husband and son looking for her.
“I’m trying to figure out where all these kids came from.Ach, I feel like I run into at least two every time I turn around. I don’t trust this one to stay out of trouble if I don’t have my eyes on him.
“I need to go to the jacks. Can you take him for a minute?” Ronan says.
“Give me my little man,” I coo and round the kitchen island to take Danny from his hold. “Hey, handsome. I’ve missed you. They sent you to Ireland, away from me. How could they?”
I pout as I give him a squeeze. He cups my face with his little hands and kisses my nose. See, a sweetheart when he wants to be.
I know Laoise spoiled the mess out of him while she had him in Ireland. He spent a month and a half with his grandma and grandpa. It only took a week before Dean and Ronan followed to be there with him.
“Mo-mo,” he squeals and nuzzles my cheek with his cute little nose.
Okay, he did get Dean’s nose, but it pretty much ends there. I don’t miss that his mother disappears at his father’s side as I hold him in my arms. I shake my head, knowing I’m not going to see my girl for a bit.
We all do it. If there’s a moment we can steal, we take it. We all trust each other and understand.
The girls and I get lost in talk about the kids and our plans for the week. Some of our out-of-town guests will be around for a few extra days, so we make plans to have a couple of outings with them before they’re gone. I stand rocking and swaying with Danny in my arms the entire time.
My heart pings as it’s not lost on me that Lucia would be a little younger than him. Quickly, I change my line of thinking, not wanting to bring the mood down. It’s just that the ache is never ending.
It’s like sending your child off to school and not getting to say goodbye or have a nice day. Then you sit for the whole day waiting for them to come through the door so you can hold themand make it right. However, I will never get that opportunity with her.
Shaking my thoughts off, a smile comes to my lips as the adults outside release a loud cheer as the music playing changes to R&B. The girls and I look at each other curiously. With Danny on my hip and his head on my shoulder, I head out back to see what’s going on.
Val and Pam are right beside me. “New Flame” by Chris Brown and Usher is blaring from the speakers. Dancing in the center of our huge deck is Joe Black, holding Cass close while Noah and Bean are a few paces away.
“Oww, get it, Joe,” Pam sings as Joe starts to sway and snake his body as he guides Cass to move with him while he two-steps.
Not to be outdone by his parents, Noah spins a pregnant Bean out and pulls her back in with her back to his front, doing a two-step of his own.
I can’t help smiling from ear to ear. I look around and smile wider. These are my people.
I couldn’t ask for better friends and family. With Danny still in my arms, I find my husband holding our two-year-old and dance over to him.
Placing the kids on their feet, we join in on the fun. LaSalle pulls me to him and starts his own two-step. I lift a brow and bite my lip.
That’s my man.
Dean
“Has LaSalle mentioned anything about Sammy?”I ask as Ronan steps back out of the bathroom after relieving himself.
“Aye, the lads are discussing his gift and how to help him. The lad is something else.”
