"What if it's not enough?" The question comes out quieter than I intended. "What if she never lets me all the way back in?"
"Then you keep showing up anyway." He says it like it's simple. "That's what you do when you love someone. You show up and you wait and eventually they believe you're not going anywhere."
I want to argue that he doesn't understand, that he's never been in love so he can't possibly know what this feels like.But the truth is he's right. Zola needs time and consistency, needs proof that I'm serious about this. Needs to know I'm not just here because of Maeve or guilt or nostalgia, but because I genuinely want to build a life with her.
"I want to take her on a date." I set down my glass before I drain the whole thing. "Remind her that I love her for who she is, not just because she's an incredible mother. Get her with me outside of the bookstore."
Stellan raises an eyebrow. "You want to take her on a date."
"Yeah. Dinner, maybe. Something nice. Just the two of us." I lean forward, elbows on my knees. "We've never really done that before—the normal dating thing. Last time we were together she was burying herself in work and college, and now she's so focused on Maeve that we haven't had time alone to just... be."
"That's not a terrible idea." He picks up his glass again. "When were you thinking?"
"This weekend maybe. Saturday night." I pause. "Which is where you come in."
The whiskey stops halfway to his mouth. "Where I come in how?"
"I need you to watch Maeve."
"Absolutely not." He sets down the glass with enough force that liquid sloshes over the rim. "Are you out of your mind?"
"You're her uncle."
"I've never even been around kids." He stands, starts pacing. "I don't know what to do with them. What if something happens? What if she cries and I can't get her to stop? What if?—"
"Then you figure it out." I stay seated, keep my voice calm. "Same way you've figured out every other problem we've ever had."
"This is different." He whirls to face me. "This is ababy. A tiny human being who can't tell me what's wrong. What if I break her?"
"You're not going to break her." I allow myself a small smile. "She's tougher than she looks. And I'll teach you everything you need to know. Her schedule, what she likes, how to handle her when she gets fussy. You'll be fine."
"Why can't you hire someone?" He's still backing away like I suggested he juggle knives. "Get a babysitter. That's what normal people do."
"Because I don't want some stranger watching her." I stand now, close the distance between us. "I want family. Someone I trust completely. Someone who'll protect her if something goes wrong."
"Then get her friend that's always around?—"
"Stellan." I grab his shoulder, make him look at me. "You're my brother. You're Maeve's uncle whether you like it or not. And you should want to know her. Should want to be part of her life. Because if Zola and I make this work—and I'm going to make this work—then Maeve's going to be around for the long haul. She's family now."
Something shifts in his expression. Not quite acceptance but not complete refusal either.
"Besides." I let my voice drop, take on the edge I usually reserve for people who've crossed us. "If you don't want to meet her, don't want to protect her, then we're going to have a problem. Because anyone who doesn't care about keeping my family safe is someone I can't trust. And if I can't trust you..."
"Are you threatening me?" There's almost amusement in his tone.
"I'm telling you that this matters." I release his shoulder. "Maeve matters. Zola matters. They're everything to me. So yeah, I need you to step up and be an uncle. Learn how to take care of a baby for one night so I can take the woman I love on a proper date."
Stellan stares at me for a long moment, then lets out a breath that sounds almost like a laugh. "You're actually serious about this."
"Deadly serious."
"Fine." He runs a hand through his hair. "Fine. I'll watch the kid. But if she cries the entire time and ends up traumatized, that's on you."
"She won't be traumatized." Relief floods through me. "She's actually pretty chill once you get to know her."
"When do I start learning?" He sounds resigned now, like he's accepted his fate.
"Tomorrow."
