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“His name is Milo Patrick Mathews. After his uncle. His father’s best friend.”
Then the most shocking sight I have ever seen happens. My giant, burly brother breaks down into tears. He comes over and wraps his big oaf arms around the three of us then quickly decides to come back in for another, hugging me and bro-hug Soren. It’s a longlet’s never fight againhug that needs no words. After we finally dry all our tear-stained faces, we coo over baby Milo and talk about nicknames.
“Junior,” Milo suggests.
“Not a chance,” Soren says, shutting it down. The light tone finally sets my anxiety at ease. My heart so full it could burst if anything else were to happen. We get about thirty minutes before my mom and dad join us. Milo finally shed his anger, and as the grandparents and friends pile in, I’m happy the two most important men in my life sneak out. They said it was to go get food, and I couldn’t push them out fast enough. There’s no way they won’t talk today, and it’s overdue.
Thinking of them in the cab of Milo’s truck, finally hashing out the macho bullshit my brother had up his ass, puts a smile on my face, and I lie back against the five pillows I have behind my back and under my arms.
Baby Milo pulls at me as he eats, and I wince at the pain. I hope breast feeding gets easier because I can already feel myself chapping, and we’re still technically on day one.
The room quiets as peanut, nickname still a work in progress, falls asleep. Our guests are asked to leave but promise to come back tomorrow. The nurse comes in to check on our feeding schedule and diaper count and then finally says goodnight, promising to wake me several times tonight. We laugh good-naturedly, but I’m already dreading her return.
The room finally quiets, and it’s just me and my son, having a moment alone. I fight sleep to watch him and listen to him breathe. It’s become my new favorite thing. I’m so entrance by the miracle I’m blessed with I don’t notice Soren standing in the doorway.
“Oh my gosh, you scared me.”
“Sorry. Just wanted to take your picture. You’re absolutely beautiful.”
“I just had a baby and haven’t showered. You’re crazy. You need sleep,” I joke but swoon at his expression. The intense way he’s locked eyes on mine pulls me like a moth to a flame. Soren comes to sit on the bed beside us.
“There’s something I really want to tell you, but I also don’t want you to freak out, so I keep biting my tongue.”
“I have no idea what to say to that,” I say honestly confused.
“It’s ok I’ll get it out eventually. Is there anything I can do for you two?” Soren asks, his eyes begging me to change the subject.
“Want to hold your son, and I’ll take your picture?” Then just to lighten the mood, I purr, “Daddy.”
He groans. “Don’t say it like that.”
“What do you mean?” Batting my lashes playfully, I bite my lip as he comes closer until he’s towering above me. Then with so meaning swirling in his dark eyes he fills my heart with his words.
“Robin, I will never be able to find the words to tell you how fucking incredible I think you are. I am so proud you’re the mother of my child.”
Emotion seems to choke him, and with that, he leans down to kiss me, never knowing how much those words mean to me.
CHAPTERTEN
Soren
Something’s beeping. Or buzzing. What is that? Peeling open my tired eyes, I realize I’m on the floor of the living room. Baby Milo is in his basinet while Robin lies across the couch. The buzzing sounds again, and my brain finally registers the doorbell.
Running my hands over my face and beard, I try to wake up while I jog to answer the door then swiftly shut it in the intruder’s face. There’s a giant sign in the window that says,Newborn baby sleeping. Please do not disturb. This better be good.
Swinging the door open, I crumble inside. “Mom.”
“Oh, honey.”
My mom’s small arms wrap around my waist as I hug her, resting my head on hers. The familiar smell of her floral perfume is so comforting, and emotion swirls in my throat. I want to cry but also not be a fucking pansy. Instead, I hold my little mama for a few extra minutes. So long my dad chuckles and wraps his big arms around the both of us. We family hug it out for a long while.
“I’m so happy for you, son.” The old man mutters.
“I’m so overjoyed. And Robin, of all people. It’s like an answered prayer I forgot to ask for. If anyone were to already be my daughter, it’s that angel,” Mom cries. I hug her tighter, loving how close our family is. I never wondered what it would be like to bring home a girl to meet my parents because I never wanted to. Robin’s already a permanent fixture, loved by my parents as one of their own.
“Hey, you guys,” Robin says when my parents come inside.
Closing the door, I decide to put on another pot of coffee. With baby Milo waking every hour to feed, we’re not getting any sleep and barely functioning.
