“Did I forget to tell you how pissy she gets with pain meds?” I side mumble Colin’s way, and his expression says it all. I can no longer hold back the chuckle as I walk over to my partner-in-crime, pick up her hand, and sit softly on the edge of the bed. “Hey, lady, it’s damn good to see you haven’t lost your ability to make people wither where they stand.” That earns me a crack of a smile. I’ll take it.
“Wrenley,” Sydney croaks out as she reaches for her water jug. “And Carter.”
Colin stands and sets the little pink bundle in my arms before picking Carter up and sitting back down in the sun.
“Hey, Wren. I missed you,” I whisper with a soft smile as I picture her snuggled up on my chest only hours earlier. Sydney reaches out and rubs a chunky cheek, a tender expression only mothers have.
“Thank you for what you did for me, Holly–” Sydney croaks, eyes filling with tears as she squeezes my arm. “For us.”
“You needed me.”
Sydney nods, trying to find words.
“And you were there.”
“You bet.”
“I love you.”
“Ditto, bestie. Ditto.”
???
By weekend’s end, Wrenley and Carter are so spoiled with all the things, blue and pink, between self-proclaimed aunts and uncles. Add in the grandparents, and these two will have nothing to want for. All the future littles of our group are covered with a plethora of hand-me-downs as well. The thought that another little will be here in seven or eight months is wild. I look down at my little secret and chew on my lip as I half-ass attempt to read my latest romantic suspense. I’ve had to restart this page like three times now. A heavy sigh escapes me.
Realistically, I know two other gals who will likely follow right behind me. The new bestie squad is going to be a thing. Jane had it pegged. I’m thrilled to bring all the girls in on the news, but in light of Sydney’s emergency and Ava and Brynleigh both supposedly working toward conceiving, I’m a bit nervous that the surprise might not be received so well. I know, in reality, that it’s bullshit, but that little niggling voice in the back of my head has me squirming.
Jaxon did indeed load me up with only the best prenatals he could find and has been waiting on me hand and foot the past few days. I had to tell him to tamp it down at Sydney’s yesterday when we helped haul all the gifts they received at the hospital inside. Sydney’s mom and stepdad took care of Amy and Bitsy when they got in Friday afternoon so Colin wouldn’t have to leave the hospital. On Sunday, Sydney sent the cutest video of Amy sniffing the carseats with joy like they brought home multiple puppies or something. She laid down at the bases of the seats and is sure to be the best guard doggy there ever was. Bitsy is indifferent, unless one of the babies cries, then she runs for the hills.
“You sure Sydney’s up for all of us bringing food Tuesday night to their place?” Jaxon asks later that night as he puts on his glasses and crawls under the comforter beside me. He grabshis thriller off the nightstand, that I have noticed he’s silently claimed.
“It was her idea. I think she’s nervous to be alone and wants everyone around to keep up her sense of normalcy. I told her–if it’s too much, we’ll help get food in everyone’s bellies and get everyone out the door as soon as she gives the word.”
Jaxon rolls onto his side, slapping his book onto the covers, then pulls my book down.
“You think she’s okay?” he asks in all seriousness, knowing I’ve known her the longest.
“No. I think she’s struggling to find a way to cope with all of it, on top of the new-mom-of-twins role. I know I wouldn’t be okay for a good stretch of time if it were me.”
“Watch her closely with Colin. Promise?”
“Like a hawk.”
Jaxon’s hand slips under the covers and tugs up on my shirt before rubbing my lower belly.
“Ahhh, belly rubs. Do I get a bone now too?”
The minute it comes out, I know I’ve done it. I flop my head back on the pillow in exasperation as I bite my lip.
“I–”
“Would you like a bone?” he quirks his brows, the timbre of his voice dropping and scattering a horde of butterflies in my belly. Definitely not the baby. His fingertips walk slowly across the top of my panty line, teasing me as much as the tilt of his smirk.I love him.
“You’re adorable.”
He shakes his head, lowering it slowly toward my skin.
“Uh-uh. That’s not what I’m going for.”
