“I love you,” I whisper to Magnolia again.
She tips her head back and smiles at me. “I love you, Nash. I’m so happy to be having a family with you.”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than at your side,” I assure her.
She presses a kiss to my lips, and I kiss her back gently.
The sound of the room door opening has both of us pulling back. Expecting it to be the nurse, we’re surprised to see Charlie, Piper, and Bliss hurrying in.
“Oh gross, get a room,” Piper mutters.
“Why are you the naked one?” Bliss asks.
I glance down at my shirtless self. “I didn’t have timeto change out of my work gear. I wasn’t going to hold the baby against cow manure,” I reply dryly. “And we’reina room.”
Charlie is leaning over both of us, though she’s part of the immediate family unit. I guess she is in a way. “You did such a good job!” She tells Magnolia as she awkwardly hugs both of us—and the baby. “Look how gorgeous she is!”
She slaps my shoulder. “It’s a good thing you finally made it home. I thought I was going to have to be the father in the delivery room.” Piper and Bliss crowd in, smiling down at Laurel.
“Is it safe to come in?” A deep voice calls from the doorway.
Max stands there grinning at me. I nod and smile back.
“Oh wow, you brought the whole gang…” Magnolia says with a laugh.
“Well, when your wife tells you to be somewhere, then you listen to her.”
Max walks into the room, followed by Zane, and Piper’s husband, Grey.
Charlie rolls her eyes. “When have you ever listened to me?”
Max presses a kiss against Charlie’s cheek. “I did today, didn’t I?”
“Well, it’s a first.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t get used to it if I were you.”
Charlie pokes him in the ribs, and he moves away from her. “Oh my word, that baby is tiny.”
That earns another poke from Charlie. “The baby is perfectly healthy.”
Understanding flashes across Max’s face, and he nods rapidly. “Of course it is. Look at her. Perfectly healthy.”
Magnolia just laughs. “It’s all right. She was nine pounds. She’s got a good, healthy start.”
“Perfect. When are you letting her come to work with her Uncle Max?” Max asks as he leans over to smile at Laurel.
“Never,” Magnolia and I respond simultaneously.
“What? How rude. We would have so much fun.”
“We’ll revisit this when she’s older,” Magnolia promises to appease him.
Zane leans forward, a giant strawberry lemonade in his hand. “I thought you might be thirsty.”
I could just roll my eyes. He’s always so thoughtful, and sometimes it irks me.
Magnolia, of course, gushes over his sweetness. Zane sets the drink on the side table, then goes to stand next to Bliss.
