AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Later that night,while Scarlet lays naked and sated, draped over my chest after having reached for each other yet again, I internally debate whether now is a good time to bring up the elephant in the house. But really, if not now... when?
My fingers dance along her spine as they trail up and down the soft skin of her back. “Duchess...”
Her lips graze my skin. “Hmm?”
“I want to tell Brynlee about the baby.”
The fingers that had been tracing circles on my chest freeze, and Scarlet sits up, not bothering to bring the sheet with her.
And God, my mouth waters at the sight before me. Her tits are fucking magnificent.
“Cade.” She smacks me with one of the pillows. “Eyes up here, buddy.” Unfortunately, she hugs that same pillow to her chest, wrecking my view. “Okay, so you want to tell Brynlee. I think that makes sense. It gives her time to get used to the idea of having to share you with a baby sister. She’s had you to herself for years. She might resent sharing you with the baby at first.”
I sit up and lean against the headboard. “I’m more concerned with the immediate questions she’s going to throw our way.”
“Our way? Oh, no. This is all on you, mister.” She cracks a smile and starts laughing as I grab for her leg and tickle the soft spot behind her knee. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. I guess it makes sense for me to be there with you when you tell her. But seriously, she might be smarter than us, so we need to be careful.”
She bites down on her thumbnail, mulling the idea around. “I mean, she’s definitely smarter than you.”
I slide my hand up her leg. “Oh, you are so going to pay for that.”
In hindsight, we probably should have discussed this more in-depth instead of going for round three, considering the questions my extremely excited daughter is throwing our way over breakfast the following morning. She squealed when we told her she was going to be a big sister. And while it was ear piercingly loud, it was the only easy thing that’s come out of her mouth since.
“And Scarlet’s the mommy?” She looks hopefully between Scarlet and me. “Is she going to move in here with us? Oh, oh, oh, can Scarlet take turns sleeping in my room too? My bed fits me and you, Daddy. And Scarlet’s smaller than you. Maybe not as small as me. But way smaller than you. Where’s my baby sister going to sleep? Wait... Wait. Wait. Wait. Do I have to share a room with her? I don’t know if I want to share my room with her.”
I dip my napkin in my glass of water and wipe the syrup from her sticky face. I can handle her being a messy eater, but I draw the line when her hair starts sticking to the syrup already plastered on her face. “Slow your roll, baby girl. One question at a time.”
I glance Scarlet’s way and realize she looks about ready to bolt.
Okay.
Time to calm my girls down.
I take Scarlet’s hand in mine and squeeze, then place them on the table so Brynlee can see it. “Yes, baby. Scarlet is the mommy. Your sister is inside her belly. She has to get big and strong before she can come out and meet you. But once she does, she’s going to love you so much. You know how much Aunt Rylie loves Aunt Immie and me? Well, Aunt Rylie is our big sister. It takes a really special person to be a big sister. Do you think you can handle it?”
She tilts her head, thinking about it.
And I swear to God, she looks thirteen instead of three.
Please let time slow down.
“I think I can do it, Daddy. Now on to the room situation.”
Scarlet snorts out a laugh, then quickly covers her mouth.
Brynn whips her head to Scarlet and points her chubby little finger in her face. “It’s not funny. I like my toys a certain way, and a baby won’t know how to do that.” Brynn’s blonde head turns my way. “I really think she needs a name and her own room, Daddy. Scarlet can stay with me because I know she’ll clean up after herself like you make me do. But baby needs her own room.”
I look over at Scarlet and watch her try with all her strength not to laugh at my three-year-old, who thinks she’s negotiating a UN peace treaty at our kitchen table. “I agree. Baby needs a name, and she will absolutely get her own room. But you know our rule about Daddy sleeping in your bed or you sleeping in my bed?” She nods her head. “Well, it’s going to be the same thing with Scarlet, honey. When she spends the night, you still have to sleep in your own bed. By yourself.”
Little hands fly to little hips. “That’s not fair.”
“You’ve got to learn to sleep alone, Brynlee. It’s a rule for a reason.”
“But...” When I give her what Imogen calls ‘the look,’ Brynn closes her mouth with a huff. “Fine. But you’re no fun.”
“I know.” I stand from the table and get a washcloth out of one of the drawers in the kitchen. “Come here, sweetheart.”
She runs over, and I lift her to sit on the counter next to the sink and wash her face and hands. “What do you want to do today?”
