Page 82 of Trying Not to Need You

“I’m fine.” She waves me off. “You know if you keep holding them both like that, you’re going to spoil them.”

“They’re new to this world, Bay. They need to know that Mommy and Daddy love them more than anything, and that we’re glad they’re finally here.”

“How can I argue with that?” she says with a smile, tears welling in her eyes.

“You can’t.” I flash her a grin.

She chuckles, then grimaces at the pain.

“Can I get you anything?”

“No. But, I should call my sisters and tell them they can come meet them.”

“They’re still here. The guys, my parents, Sophia, even Kinzie, Kelly, and Lorna are here. Hank and Brad are heading this way. They’ll be here later tonight.”

“They’re here?”

“They are.”

“Give me those babies and go get them.”

“I think we’re only allowed two visitors at a time.”

“Well, we’re just going to have to break the rules.”

“You trying to get us kicked out before we’re ready?”

“No, but I want our family to meet our kids all at once. I can’t choose, and I don’t want to. Bring them all.”

“Fine, but don’t be surprised if the nurses kick up a fit about it.”

Baylor waves her hand in the air. “Let them. They’re not going to kick us out, just our guests, but at least they’ll all meet them at the same time.”

“Whatever my wife wants.” I wink at her before transferring both babies to her arms. I kiss all three of them before leaving for the waiting room.

As soon as I step into the room, several sets of tired eyes meet mine. “She’s awake, and she wants all of you to come back at once.”

“They’re never going to let that slide,” Ellison says.

I shrug. “I’m not going to tell my wife no. She wants everyone to meet the babies at the same time, and we can take turns after that.” I wave for them to follow me, and I don’t look back. I know that they will.

Back in the room, it’s a tight fit, but everyone squeezes in. I take our boy from his momma and sit on the bed next to them.

“Thank you all for being here for us. I know I need to talk fast before the nurses catch on.” She laughs. “This little angel was born first. Her name is Hadley.”

“And this little man, born three minutes later, is Waylon,” I tell them.

Everyone congratulates us, and before we can let the first person hold them, the nurse comes in. She’s smiling but trying to be stern. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t see this. Just keep it down so you don’t disrupt the other patients. Mom, you doing okay?”

“I’ve never been better,” Baylor tells her.

She nods. “I’ll be back to check on you in a bit. Press the Call button if you need me. Don’t stay too long, at least not this large a group,” she says, before backing out of the room and closing the door behind her.

“Well, I think the grandparents should have first dibs,” Leighton says, making my mom smile.

“Janie? Rick? Are you ready to hold your grandkids?” Baylor asks them.

“I was born ready,” my mom says, moving toward Baylor and taking Hadley from her arms.