“But...will they still be excited when they find out that you’re not...” Not the father. But somehow I can’t bring myself to say that.
“Kitten, you don’t have to be blood to be part of my family, and neither do these babies. They’re mine now, and my family is going to accept that. Fair warning, though—they’re going to smother you in love. Now, come on.” Connor zips my jacket up to just under my chin and pulls my beanie down around my ears. “I’ll even hold your hand the entire time.”
I swat at him in laughter but let him drag me out of the truck and through the grass to the porch steps. All the butterflies aren’t completely gone, but I feel much better. Expecting him to knock when we reach the door, my eyebrows hike up in surprise when he just turns the unlocked handle. “They know we’re coming,” he says with a shrug. “Dad doesn’t keep the doors locked.” He mutters something under his breath that sounds likeAmos.Something about his brother and locked doors?
How odd. I’m not sure what one has to do with the other.
A warm, empty house greets us as we step through the entryway out of the cold. It’s an absolutely gorgeous house and kinda similar to Connor’s with its open floor plan. Cool gray walls and bold accent colors emit a welcoming tone, inviting me to relax a bit more.
“Come on,” he urges, leading us all the way through to the french doors. At the sound of music and a child screaming, I inch even closer to him. “Are you going to stay under my armpit, or is holding your hand still good enough? Ouch!” A strangled laugh covers his hiss as I snake my fingers underneath his jacket and pinch his side. “Woman, you—”
The door suddenly swings open, and a little whirlwind of a child screeches out her excitement. “Unka Connor! You here!” Her last sentence is muffled since her face is currently planted into his jeans.
“Leila! My little banshee!” Silently asking for forgiveness, he releases my hand so he can pick her up. “I’ve missed your face. Can I get a hug?” Her adorably chubby arms wrap around his neck and almost choke him with the force of her embrace.
At the sight of this insanely attractive man holding this tiny girl who so obviously adores him, something deep inside me just...clicks into place. Reassurance, maybe, that I’m doing the right thing in marrying him? I lightly touch my belly that’s been growing more and more every day, and I imagine my babies running up to this man, calling himDaddyand throwing their little arms up for hugs and kisses.
“Can’t...breathe,” he wheezes through a gasp.
Suddenly, neither can I.
Leila giggles in reply, breaking my internal epiphany, and it’s almost disturbing how maniacal it sounds. I’ll bet she’s a handful and a half for her parents. With her deep brown curls and brilliantly blue eyes, she’s a beautiful child with a vibrant personality to match. Popping her head up, she notices me, but then snuggles deeper into her uncle’s neck to hide her face.
“Leilani Shay, are you being shy?” Connor pats her back over her shirt. “Wait a second. Where’s your jacket, little girl?”
A muffled snicker sounds against his neck, and I have to hold back my laugh. This kid is a trip.
Connor tries to pull back to see her, but she matches his every move. “Is that why you were running inside? It is, isn’t it? I bet you took your jacket off and ran away when you were told to put it back on. Am I right?”
Her snicker turns into a belly laugh. This time, I lose the fight and snort a laugh out. Connor’s eyes flick over to me. “You, too? Women.” Those dark eyes roll in mock frustration. “C’mon, babycakes. You’ve got to wear your jacket, and that’s that.”
Shifting her to one arm, he unzips his hoodie and sticks her inside to keep her warm. When she’s all situated, he shakes his head in amusement and takes my hand again. “Will you catch the door, kitten?”
“Mommy?” Leila perks up, looking around.
“Uhhh...” It’s not often I see Connor at a loss for words, but he is now. “No, Mommy’s probably still outside. I...I was talking tomykitten. Her name’s Rosanna.” Catching my eyes, he explains further as we walk through the door. “That’s what her dad calls her mom, too.”
Oh.
Oh.
This could be very interesting.
A huge, contained fire is the first thing I see and smell after I close the door and we walk down the steps. And then I feel the warmth of it with every step that brings us closer. I’m not usually shy in meeting new people, but I’m so nervous now because I want them to like me.
Me, just a girl from the wrong side of the tracks.
“Conman, you’re here,” a voice booms out as a man appears from the outskirts of the fire. Ohmigod, this guy is a giant. Taller than Connor, but not quite as wide. “And this must be your lovely lady.”
“Me, Daddy?” Leila’s head appears from where she was tucked away. “I a lovely lady?”
Her dad chuckles. “You sure are, baby. How’d you get inside Uncle Connor’s jacket?”
“Because she took hers off and ran inside when I tried to put it on her.” This comes from a teenaged boy jogging up to us with a small jacket in hand.
“No, ’Saya,” Leila pouts, clinging like a leech to Connor’s waist as he struggles to pull her away from his chest so the boy can put her jacket on her.
“Come here, little bit,” her dad cajoles, “You’ve got to wear it, baby. It’s too cold out here, even with the fire.” Leila doesn’t like it, but she doesn’t fuss as her dad holds her so her brother can thread her arms through the sleeves.
