But she’s grinning, her eyes beyond soft.
And I’m mush too.
Not just because of the love in Aiden’s face, the careful way he’s holding Reese, but because of the way that Leo softens when they make a careful exchange.
“Kills, right?” Luna says softly.
“What?”
“How they melt for babies.”
My mind flashes back to Leo sitting on the floor, building that tower with Ollie.
“With kids too,” I murmur.
Her fingers squeeze mine. “With kids too,” she agrees then she raises her voice slightly. “Okay, boys, quit hogging my baby. Harper needs a turn.”
“Oh,” I say quickly. “That’s ok?—”
But I don’t finish protesting because suddenly Leo is beside me.
“I don’t know how?—”
“It’s okay,” he says, “just support her head.”
“I—” But then he’s setting her in my arms and…
The world stands still.
She’s tiny, so tiny it seems impossible that a human can be this small. And she’s beautiful, her deep blue eyes open as though she’s taking me in as intensely as I’m studying at her. A button nose, a perfect rosebud mouth, and long, long lashes.
“Luns,” I whisper, looking up at my friend.
Her eyes are glassy too. “I know,” she whispers back.
I soak in my time with little Reese, but eventually, I reluctantly hand her back. There are still a few visitors waiting for their chance to see her, and Luna and company need their rest.
“I’ll check in tomorrow,” I say. “Maybe bring you some mini quiches?”
She grins. “Now we’re talking.”
Then we’re walking out with Aiden.
We head for the exit as he grabs Sawyer and Ryan to have their turn.
“You want me to bring the car around?” Leo asks as we take the elevator down to the ground floor.
We’d had to park a fair distance away from the hospital’s entrance.
“I’m good to walk. It’ll be nice to stretch my legs.”
He nods and we step out into the fresh, morning air. The sun is coming up in the distance, turning the navy and deep blues of the sky into hints of orange and yellow.
As we walk, I try to think of something to say.
Should I apologize for yesterday?
Tell him thanks for sending Luna to check in on me?
