Nodding, Brogan replied, “Of course.”
Marlow turned and knelt down. “Let him loose, Pixie.”
Andy cheered and raced into the yard, chanting, “Lo! Lo!” as his short legs pumped, propelling him at Mach speed.
“Lo” was his version of “Marlow.”
Arms open, Marlow scooped him up and kissed his face a dozen times, making Andy laugh.
Cort stood smiling beside her, his hand on Marlow’s back.
Pixie’s gaze met Brogan’s, and she smiled to help soothe his confusion as she walked out and handed him Shayna. “I’m going to park Marlow’s car, and then I’ll join you all.”
Cort said, “Thanks, hon.” He took Andy from Marlow and got his own share of hugs and little-boy kisses on his jaw.
Clearly, though she’d told Brogan how these two amazing people had accepted her and Andy, he hadn’t quite realized just how close they’d all become.
Very soon, he would find out.
Seated with Marlow on the couch, Pixie couldn’t stop smiling. Shayna was now asleep on the floor, and Andy was dozing off in Marlow’s arms. She rocked him, petting him often, and repeatedly kissing his head.
At first, there had been pandemonium with Andy so excited and Shayna ready for a bottle. She knew Brogan would have liked to escape, but no one gave him that option.
Explanations had been put off while he’d fed Shayna, cleanedher face and hands, put on a fresh diaper, and then changed her into a gown. Shortly after, she’d fallen asleep with Cort holding her.
Marlow had gone with Pixie to the bedroom, where she’d given Andy a super-quick bath, cleaned his teeth, and dressed him in his favorite pajamas. Afterward, with a blanket and a soft toy, he, too, had wound down in Marlow’s arms.
“I should probably get him into bed now.” There was still so much for them all to discuss, and it was getting late.
“I missed him so much,” Marlow whispered. Her gaze lifted to Pixie’s. “And you. My day felt very incomplete without seeing you.”
“We’ve gotten into that habit, haven’t we?” A day never went by without them at least speaking, and usually visiting each other.
“Do you mind?”
Pixie reached out to put her hand on Marlow’s shoulder. “I’m sure I missed you even more.” Having Brogan around had brought home several realizations. She was a little choked up when she said, “You and Cort are the only family Andy and I have. We both love you so much.”
Marlow swallowed heavily, blinked fast, and said, “Blast. If I start getting weepy, your guy will think it’s his fault, and Cort will come loom over me.” Her mouth tilted in a smile. “He does that, you know. Looms. Especially if he’s worried. Even if I cry over a silly movie, it worries him.”
“Because he loves you.”
They shared a smile, but Pixie couldn’t keep her attention away from Brogan. He stood in the kitchen with Cort, looking like a soldier cloaked in pride and determination. “He’s been through so much.”
“You’re in love with him,” Marlow whispered.
Never would she lie to her friend, so she admitted, “If I’m not, I’m well on my way. How could I not be? When you get toknow him, you’ll see what I mean. He’s … remarkable. In so many ways. He’s gentle with Shayna, and natural with Andy.” She told her about Benny and how she’d felt seeing Brogan in rescue mode. “It was awe-inspiring. Everywhere he goes, he makes an impression.”
“He certainly did with Renee,” Marlow quipped with a grin. “After all she said, I wasn’t sure what to expect.”
“Renee is outrageous,” Pixie said with a grin. “You know that.”
“I think she’s half in love with him, too.”
“Unfortunately, that’s not what he wants, at least not from me.”
Marlow gave her a long look; then she got to her feet with Andy slumbering in her arms. “Let’s put him into bed, and then we can get into the nitty-gritty of this fascinating story.”
“There’s a lot I have to tell you, actually, and I’m not sure you’ll like it.”
