“How come you don’t buy a new crib?”
“We did,” he says. “Peyton ordered it but it’s on backorder for six months. She wants their cribs to match.”
I nod and figure it’s a twin thing since Juniper’s crib doesn’t match the boys’.
“How did this one break?”
“Uh . . .”
I hold the screwdriver to the screw and look at my son. He smiles sheepishly. I shake my head and go back to work. I don’t really need to know what my son was doing while putting his son’s crib together. At least he was there to do it.
“Mom says the show’s getting bigger.” Noah changes the subject quickly.
“You haven’t been listening?” I glance at him again. He looks down at the floor as his cheeks turn red.
“By the time it comes on, it’s bath time, bedtime, Peyton time,” he says.
I put the screwdriver down and pat him on the shoulder. “As it should be. I don’t care if you listen. What I do care about is you taking care of your family and being there for Peyton.”
Noah beams, his grin spreading from ear-to-ear. He’s doing the right thing by putting the kids and Peyton first.
“Yes, the show took off faster than I ever thought. Bex knew what she was talking about when she pitched the idea.”
“Mom’s really proud of you.” Noah holds another bracket up. “If she hasn’t told you, it’s because she doesn’t want it to go to your head.”
“It’s already gone to my head. The callers saw to that.” I never expected to get one call, let alone have my board fill up for the duration of my show.
Peyton comes in with Jace and Juniper. She sets them in Maverick’s crib and goes into the bathroom. Water starts running. Along with the water are the cries of my grandchildren. I stop what I’m doing and scoop them both up and bring them to where Noah and I are working.
“I know that wasn’t fair was it,” I say to Jace as I wipe his tears. “Mav’s with us but you were in your cage.”
“It’s for his own good,” Peyton yells from the adjoining bathroom.
“Are you giving mama a hard time?”
Junie sniffles and then uses me to stand. She starts bouncing and babbling—like she’s telling me all her woes—just like the people who call-in. I nod, take it all in, and then hug her tightly.
“Whatever you’re doing to my granddaughter, knock it off.”
Noah tsks and shakes his head. “I fear she will never lift a finger to do anything on her own.”
While I agree, I know this won’t be the case. “Juniper is going to grow up surrounded by strong, independent women. She’ll want to forge her own path, regardless of every man in her in life laying down the proverbial red carpet for her. You and Peyton are doing a stand-up job raising her and the boys. Give yourself some credit.”
“Thank you, Liam,” Peyton says as she comes in, arms outstretched for Juniper. She goes to her mama and squeals when they get into the bathroom. Noah takes both boys in and stays in there to help with bathtime.
I finish with the crib and help put the babies to bed, rocking Junie until she’s asleep. I remember doing this with Paige and thought it was hard with one baby. I can’t imagine how Noah and Peyton do this with three.
After putting Juniper in her bed, I creep downstairs and find Noah sitting on the couch. He turns the television off as I sit across from him.
“Half the coaching staff started asking me about you. The show. Some of these kids don’t even know you ever sang, they just know the radio guy. That’s new.”
“That bother you?”
He shakes his head and then shrugs. “I don’t know. It did in high school, but in college no one really cared except for the few moms in the stands. I never paid attention when I was playing pro, but now there’s this new wave of fans, and so much on the internet about you . . .”
“I can stop if you want me to.”
“You’d do that?”
