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“And that’s why you’re amazing.” I flash her a wink. “If you need to rest, I can kick out all my cousins and tell ’em to come back tomorrow.”
She shakes her head. “It’s okay. I know how big of a deal this is to the family, so I’m fine for now. I’ll catch up on sleep when I’m forty.”
“I’ve been offerin’ her the same thing.” Knox sits on the edge of the bed. “But I’m lettin’ her call the shots.”
“As you should.” Hadleigh snickers, then focuses on me. “Can’t wait for you to meet him.”
Turning, I move across the room to see Kaitlyn getting emotional and shedding happy tears.
“Your turn, Uncle Kane,” Kaitlyn softly tells me.
I hold out my arms and take the tiny human burrito. A smile covers my face, and I’m in awe at how precious he looks.
“Hey, baby boy. I’m the better half of your dad. The cooler one who will buy you beer and give you chick advice.”
Knox chuckles from a few feet away, shaking his head at me.
“He looks just like we did when we were babies.”
“Go figure, I carry him for nearly ten months, and he comes out lookin’ like you two.” Hadleigh scoffs, and we all laugh.
I’m so damn happy for them. As I look down at their precious baby, there are zero doubts in my mind that this was all meant to be. I can’t explain the love I feel for all of them. Everything worked out exactly the way it was always supposed to, and I have faith that I’ll eventually have a family of my own too.
“We’re gonna teach you all the things, Hendrix Jackson. Show you all the tricks to the trade. I know you’re gonna make your mama and daddy proud.”
Knox chuckles. “I already promised Hads that I wouldn’t let him be a little me.”
I bellow out a laugh. “That’s doubtful. He’s only a few months younger than Kenzie and Grayson’s twins. They’ll probably all get into trouble together,” I remind him.
“Twins.” Hadleigh shakes her head. “One was hard enough. Not sure how Kenzie survived delivering two.”
My sister snorts behind me as I sit carefully in a chair with Hendrix in my arms.
“I can’t believe you two are parents,” I say, and Kaitlyn agrees.
“Especially before me,” Kaitlyn adds.
“Shit, me either,” Knox confirms, and we all laugh.
Hadleigh smiles just as a knock softly taps on the door. Kaitlyn opens it, and Ivy enters. As soon as my eyes land on her, it’s like all the air in the room escapes. She walks in with her curly auburn hair pulled up, and when her almond-colored eyes capture mine, I’m immediately captivated by how gorgeous she looks.
“Hi,” she mutters sweetly, glancing around the room and smiling. “Sorry, I’m late.”
“You’re just on time,” Hadleigh says as Ivy sits in the chair next to me. She’s ten years younger than me, and I’ve known her since she was little, but it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other. She only works with Harper on the weekends now that she’s taking classes at the community college since she graduated high school last year.
Our gazes lock for a moment, then she leans in closer to get a better look at our nephew. When her arm brushes against mine, an electric current shoots through me, and it confuses the shit outta me.
“You wanna hold him?” I ask, then notice how she studies my mouth before meeting my eyes.
“Yes, please.”
I stand and Ivy inches so close, I can feel her body heat pressed against me as I carefully hand him over. After the exchange is made, we sit as Kaitlyn and Hadleigh chat.
Something is streaming between us while we both gaze down at the baby, and I can hear Knox speaking to me, but I can’t break my attention away from Ivy.
“He’s so perfect,” she whispers, playing with his tiny fingers.
I fight the urge to tell her that she is too.
She looks up at me and grins, and I’d be goddamned if I didn’t say my heart fluttered. Something that has never happened before, not even when I thought I was in love with Hadleigh.
“Did you hear me?” Knox repeats.
I finally snap out of it and clear my throat. “Sorry, what?”
“We should probably let some others in,” he tells me.
“They can wait their turn,” I say matter-of-factly.
“That’s right!” Kaitlyn confirms, coming over to admire the baby again.
“There will be plenty of time, y’all. I promise. You can come over and visit whenever you want. No invite needed,” Hadleigh tells us.
“Excuse me, invites are needed. We might be busy.” Knox waggles his brows with a smirk, and I shake my head.
“We have to wait at least six weeks before we can do that again,” Hadleigh reminds him for probably the millionth time.
“Not if I’m gonna keep you knocked up, sweetheart.” He winks at her, and Kaitlyn groans.
