“I know how to hold a baby.”
“Penn,” Aria says softly, and when I look at her, she’s smiling. “Just let him have this.”
I let out a breath. “Fine.”
Zach carefully takes Grace from Skyler and turns toward me. His whole face changes when he looks down at his daughter, and then he places her in my arms. It’s obvious Zach doesn’t want to let her go.
She’s so tiny.
Her face is scrunched up, her lips pursed like she’s irritated, and one little hand is tucked beneath her chin.
My chest tightens so fast I almost can’t breathe. “Hey, Grace. I’m going to be your favorite uncle,” I whisper.
Skyler laughs. “Ozzy, Miller, Logan, and Guy all said the same thing.”
“Competition. I like it,” I mutter.
Zach leans over me. “Don’t breathe on her.”
I look up at him. “How exactly do you want me to hold her and not breathe?”
“Carefully.”
Skyler laughs from the bed. “He’s been like this since they put her in my arms.”
“I’m her father,” Zach says.
Skyler points at me. “And Penn is her uncle.”
Zach looks at me, then down at Grace. “Exactly. That’s why I’m watching him.”
I should make a joke, and normally I would, but I can’t stop looking at the baby in my arms.
I’m so damn happy for Skyler and Zach. But underneath there is an ache that I’ve been feeling for a year and a half.
My eyes lift to Aria. She’s standing beside me, watching Grace with tears in her eyes and the softest smile on her face. I can see it plainly on her face. She wants this.
I’m not sure if it’s the right thing to do, but I ask her, “Do you want to hold her?”
Aria’s eyes go to Zach and Skyler. “Can I?”
Skyler smiles. “Of course you can.”
Zach points at Aria’s hands. “You sanitized twice?”
Aria lifts both hands. “I promise.”
He hesitates.
Skyler gives him a look. “Zach.”
He sighs. “Fine.”
I stand slowly, careful with Grace, and Aria sits down in the chair. When I place the baby in her arms, my hands brush over Aria’s, and her fingers are shaking a little. I don’t know if anyone else notices, but I do.
Aria looks down at that baby like she’s holding something precious.
“Oh,” Aria whispers, her voice breaking. “Hi, sweet girl.”
