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“Congrats,” Ian says, smacking an obnoxious kiss on my cheek. “Is it cool that she calls me Uncle Ian? Like, when she can talk. How long does that take? I want her to say my name first.” Zane is behind him, trying to shove him through the threshold of the door.

“Move, you idiot. I want to see the baby.” Zane bops me in the face with an elephant stuffed animal that’s bigger than Penelope.

I can’t help but laugh, my chest tight. Not for the first time, I’m thankful as shit for the Bennets.

Ian and Zane pass, and I grab the door to close it but pause, all the air in my lungs leaving in a rush when I see the man standing just outside the door. Big, black sunglasses on. Dark hair in waves over his shoulders, longer than it was last time I saw him. He’s got on denim overalls, no smile in sight.

My lips wobble, but I hold my smirk. “Hey, Emerson. Been a while.”

I can’t prove it, but I just know he rolls his eyes behind those shades. “Has it?” he says, stepping inside slowly. My fingers tighten on the edge of the door when I look down at him. “This wasn’t my idea. I was blackmailed; I thought we were going shopping.”

I chuckle and catch a hint of amber and vanilla in the air when he moves around and walks towards the living room. I close the door and press my forehead against the cool wood, waiting for my heart to relocate itself to my chest where it’s supposed to be.

I never should have let so much time pass. I’m once again reminded that I’m a fucking asshole.

I’ve barely slept since Sabrina woke me up in the middle of the night with contractions. The last four days have been a blur of the happiest, most terrifying moments of my life, diapers and trying to talk my nervous system off the ledge every time Penny cries and I have no idea what for. We brought her home last night, and I don’t think either of us slept.

Having a small human who is dependent on you is a wild fucking time, and it’s only been a few days.

The last person I expected to show up was him.

By the time I get to the living room, Warren, Ian and Zane are hovering over Sabrina where she’s sitting on the couch with Penny snuggled on her chest.

“Remember when I asked Mom if she could make chocolate boob milk when Emery was born?” Zane asks, peeking over Ian to my daughter.

Sabrina laughs softly, gathering Penny and her blanket. Warren squirts hand sanitizer on his hands and aggressively rubs them together before sitting next to my girlfriend and taking Penny from her.

“So damn cute, man,” he says, gazing down with a smirk.

“You could have your own, you know.” Zane crouches down next to Warren.

I swallow, listening to them talk, and let my eyes swing over to Emery where he’s perched himself on the rocking chair that his mom got for us in the corner. Sunglasses still on, he’s chewing gum and rocking back and forth fast, like he’s agitated.

The last conversation we had in here wasn’t a pretty one. I should have apologized then, or in the days after. But then I let weeks pass, then months. Too long. I’m sure he doesn’t give a shit about it. While I’ve been reading parenting books and fetching late night snacks for Sabrina, going to doctor appointments and putting together a nursery, he’s been living his life.

Even if he’s made a point for me not to be a part of that life anymore. I deserve that. I crossed a line and expected him to go back to how it was the very next day.

So he’s entitled to his silence. Even if I fucking hate it.

I want him to take the sunglasses off so I can see his big brown eyes and try to read what’s going on in his head.

Penny fusses, and Warren stands up, rocking her slowly.

“Would you mind grabbing the bottle I set on the counter in the kitchen?” Sabrina asks, looking at me. I step back to go get it, but Ian and Zane both scatter in that direction. I huff a laugh, rubbing the back of my neck, and lean my shoulder on the wall.

Penny whines again, and my heart lurches straight back into my throat when he walks my daughter over to the rocking man in the corner.

“Wanna meet Unc Em, Pen? He’s a cranky bitch, but he’ll love you.”

Emery presses back in the rocking chair, white knuckling the armrests as Warren gets close. “Oh, no, Warren, I don’t think—”

“Hold your arms right and watch her head.”

“What the fu..dge? Is it going to fall off or something?” His voice is high pitched, but he does as he was told.

The most precious pink bundle is placed in his arms, and Emery audibly exhales, stopping his rocking. Warren guides his arms so he holds her closer to his chest, and then he snatches the sunglasses off his brother’s face. “Don’t drop these on her.”

Emery flutters his eyes at the sudden light but looks down at Penny. I hold my breath, waiting for him to say something, but he just…