Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“I know.” Eric arranged his arm around my shoulders. “I won’t tell if you doze off. The day was a lot. And this conversation as well.”
“But good.” I yawned again. My eyes fluttered, and I might have considered a small nap if not for the precious cargo in my arms. And if not for the sound of Rowan and Wren’s voices in the kitchen. “Kids are back.”
I stiffened, ready to pull away, but Eric kept his arm in place. “Don’t wake the baby.”
“You can’t tell them now.” I frowned, suddenly way less ready than yesterday. “They’ve had a day too.”
“Point taken.” He removed his arm. “Maybe a family meeting would be best.”
“A family meeting?” Wren wandered into the living room right as I slid over. “About what?”
“I bet I know.” Rowan cackled, catching my gaze. Oops. Maybe we weren’t as good at keeping secrets as I’d thought.
“Shush. We can talk tomorrow before my shift. Don’t wake the baby.” Eric frowned.
Rah. Rah. Too late. The baby made a series of little protests and started rooting around.
“She’s awake?” A very sleepy-looking Diesel strode up behind the couch. “Maren woke up with some sort of sense the baby’s ready to eat and sent me to fetch her for the next feeding.”
“Here.” I carefully slid the baby into my son’s arms. He seemed older overnight, with fewer traces of the boy who had been my whole world as he gazed down at the baby, who was likely already his whole world. Destiny’s eyes fluttered open, linking with Diesel’s, same shade of greenish blue, and I wasn’t sure my chest could contain the love bubbling up along with pride.
“What was that about a meeting?” Diesel asked with a yawn.
“It’ll keep,” I said thickly, hoping like hell Eric and I were making the right choice here. This thing was so much bigger than simply the two of us, and my abs quivered.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Eric
By Tuesday morning, the household was decidedly not back to normal, but I called a family meeting anyway. Even though Magnus had had an attack of doubts last night, I didn’t want to wait longer to go public as a couple. We’d had enough close calls already, and Rowan’s knowing chuckle yesterday warned that discovery was inevitable. Heading that off seemed kinder and less dramatic than rumors and secrets, but as everyone gathered in the living room, I second-guessed my determination.
“Please tell me you’re not calling a family meeting about diaper duty or noise curfew.” John flung himself onto the far end of the couch.
“No one is asking you to do diapers,” Maren said serenely. We’d installed her and Destiny in my recliner, along with several pillows and blankets. A large water bottle and the remnants of an omelet and toast Magnus made her earlier were on the table beside her.
“If this is about my charts, I could move them.” Wren narrowed their eyes. At some point before morning, a trio of color-coded charts had appeared on the refrigerator to track the baby’s eating, diapers, and sleep.
“The charts are fine on the fridge, but maybe let Maren decide if she wants to use them.” I spoke quickly before one of the others could put down Wren’s ideas.
“How else are we supposed to collect data?” Wren frowned deeply from their spot on a floor cushion next to the recliner.
“Only for you, Wren, only for you.” Maren groaned and chuckled at the same time. “I’ll try to remember to fill in the chart.”
“I’ve provided a selection of dry-erase markers.”
“Thank you.” Swiveling, Maren craned her neck as Rowan floated down the front stairs in an old T-shirt from his high school years and unicorn pajama pants. “And hey, nice of you to join us, Rowan.”
“I wasn’t sleeping in. I had a call with my agent.” Rowan squeezed in between Diesel and John on the couch. “I’d hoped to stay a few extra days, but I’ll need to fly out tomorrow.”
“Do you need a ride to the airport? I’m on duty, but—”
“The shuttle is fine. I’m not that much of a diva. Yet.” Rowan smiled, eyes twinkling. “And I wouldn’t dare miss this meeting.”
Rowan gave a wink in the direction of Magnus, who had pulled a chair in from the dining room. And hell, I better talk before Rowan beat me to sharing my news.
“Now that everyone’s here, I suppose I should start.” I took a deep breath. The meeting had been a horrible idea. Maybe a group text? A sign on the fridge? Letting the inevitable discovery happen? But here we were, and everyone was looking at me expectantly. “I guess there’s no easy way to say this—”
“Are you sick?” Wren demanded.
“Are you retiring?” John matched Wren’s suspicious tone.
“I’m fine. More than fine.” I gulped. I couldn’t continue to drag this out. “I’ve decided to start dating.”
I’d practiced in my head the night before. I want and I think statements seemed to invite more discussion and debate than I wanted. I wasn’t asking for permission or taking a vote, although I did intend to listen to their thoughts and feelings. I opened my mouth to continue with the who part only to be cut off by another round of interruptions.