“Don’t worry,” Rory says with a smile. “You’ll soon have your own little ankle biter. You will be their hero then.”
“How is Maria doing?” I ask.
“A bit tired,” Griffin says, his expression suddenly much more worried. “But she is also happy, I think. At least that’s what she says. But she is incredibly sleepy. Do you think she is okay? She says she is, but—”
“She is due in two weeks,” I say. “Trust her when she says she is okay. It’s normal that she is more tired now.”
“Take as much time off as you need,” Forest tells him. “Martin already said he has you covered.”
“Just don’t let him overwork himself,” Griffin says. “He has a tendency to do that.”
“Let that be my problem,” Rory says. “Forest is right. You just be with your mate and child for as long as you need. I will make sure Martin doesn’t take on too much work.”
It’s funny how Rory and Martin are still very subtle about their relationship despite having marked each other. They are just not the type for displays of affection in front of others, but it’s in the small things, in the way Martin smiles when he watches Rory, or how Rory immediately looks for him whenever he is out of his sight.
I leave my fearless daughter in the capable hands of her uncles before joining Forest and Connor. Connor is a bit small for his age and a tad fussy, but Forest doesn’t mind. Just like he doesn’t mind that his daughter is a whirlwind of chaos.
I think becoming a dad healed something in him.
He has the chance now to be the father he never had. I know he will grasp it and be everything, for them and for me.
