Page 32 of Body Check

Family is more than flesh and blood; it’s the people we choose to keep in our lives, the people who lift us up rather than drag us down.

The baby monitor squeals as Ainsley squawks in the other room.

“I’ve got her,” I tell my brothers when they both start to rise. “It’s my turn.”

“Thanks, Meels,” Ty says, and then shoves a giant piece of bagel into his mouth.

Slipping from the table, I head to the nursery, the baby’s cries increasing in volume as she wakes up. I lift her from the crib, her entire body scrunched, and snuggle her, inhaling her fresh scent for a second before she gets angry.

After a quick diaper change, I pad down the hallway to the main room, the now-quiet baby content in my arms.

“How’s my perfect girl?” Ty asks from the kitchen, where he’s preparing a bottle.

“I’m well, thank you,” I retort.

To my surprise, Sven laughs. It’s the most emotion he’s shown today.

“Don’t be a smart ass,” my brother teases, handing me the bottle. “Want me to handle it?”

“I’ve got it. We need some girl time.”

Settling back at the table, I adjust Ainsley into a better position, and then slip the bottle between her puckering lips.

McKittrick’s stare is like a brand. My skin prickles with goosebumps at the intensity of his gaze. His body radiates heat, warmth rolling off him in waves.

I don’t want kids of my own, but I can’t deny it’s intimate when his eyes are on me while I feed the baby I birthed. Even though Ainsley isn’t my child, even though there’s nothing between me and McKittrick… I still feel it. It’s palpable, the air so thick with tension I can hardly breathe for fear it will crush me.

“She’s beautiful,” Patrice says, drawing my attention away from the man beside me. “You did a good job.”

“It’s all Brando’s genes,” I deflect.

“Still. You did the hard work,” my brother-in-law says. “Now give me my baby.”

He approaches and I slide her into his arms, sending the bottle with him. Bringing her close, he snuggles her and kisses her forehead. She doesn’t like the interruption from her meal, making a mewl of protest before he situates the bottle again and she settles back in.

Joaquin, Robby, and Patrice coo over the baby, but McKittrick’s attention is on me. His eyes are hazy as he stares at me, clearly lost in thought.

I wonder what he’s thinking about. I don’t think he had kids with his ex-wife. Is he wishing he did?

“You’re good with her,” Vanessa says, almost wistfully. “How did you learn?”

“Trial and error.” Laughing, I add, “and error, and error, and error.”

Sven slides his arm around her shoulders, and she leans into him. “I hope I’m as good with our baby,” she says, and her fiancé kisses her temple.

Beside me, McKittrick freezes. “You’re having a baby?” he repeats slowly, his eyes wide.

Sven nods. “Due in March.”

And then the hockey captain grins, his entire body relaxing. “Congratulations, Van, Larsson. You’ll be excellent parents.”

Larsson nods. “We have much to learn.” He looks terrified.

“It gets easier,” Brandon tells him. “Certain things get more difficult, but learning as you go is part of the job.”

“I like to know. I like to study.” The Swede shakes his head. “I do not like to go with the flow.”

Vanessa laughs. “We know, babe.” She pats his leg. “But we have some time before we need to worry about that. At least five more months.”