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Good God, could I not just be normal and like kids like everyone else did? Why did I have this compulsive need to touch them, hold them, kiss them?
Kendra and Liz were behind them, each carrying plates.
"We're already setting the table? Need me to get stuff from inside?" I offered. I hadn’t even paid attention to the table.
"No, we've got it covered. Most everything's already set,” Lexi said.
The girls smiled at Drake, and I realized I’d forgotten to introduce them.
“Drake, Lexi is Tate’s wife. Kendra and Tyler are engaged. And so are Liz and Declan.”
“But no pressure,” Liz said with a laugh.
“Yeah, don’t let the guys intimidate you,” Kendra added.
“I’m not easily intimidated,” Drake said smoothly.
Lexi winked at me.
"Where's Reese, by the way?" Kendra asked me.
"She's going to arrive in a couple of minutes," I informed them. She was on a date, and I couldn't wait for my sister to spill the beans. Although, family gatherings weren't the place for that.
I had to organize some sort of outing with the girls only so Reese could get the word out.
"Lexi," I said as innocently as possible, "if you want, I can hold Sophie for a while."
She laughed, kissing her daughter's forehead. "I knew you’d ask. Here you go."
"Thanks."
"Be aware, she might get grumpy, and then I'll have to go upstairs and put her to sleep. She woke up extra early today." Lexi yawned.
"I can get her to bed if she gets too fussy," I said, holding her close and kissing her head. She didn't have that small baby smell anymore, but she was still addictive.
"What can I do? Put me to work," Drake said.
Lexi gave him a smile. "Honestly, if you survive the family, that's work enough."
"I don't know why they’re so on edge. It's not as if no one’s shown up with a significant other over the past few years," I said as we moved to the table.
"Drake, can you...?" Turning around, I realized he wasn't with me anymore. He was with the guys at the grill. "Oh my God, when did they steal him away?" I asked as I carried Sophie on one arm. She could sustain her weight well enough that she didn't need another hand on her back and head.
"I did warn them, you know. After Travis spoke to them,” Kendra said.
“Out of curiosity, do you know what Travis told them?" I asked.
Liz averted her gaze and laughed nervously.
"No, but I think the gist of it was that they all want to look out for you," Lexi replied.
My heart felt huge, like it was about to explode. Growing up, I'd acutely felt the absence of parents to stand up for me, especially at school. The teachers often complained that I was a rebel.
Lena and Emmett did their best, but they had six boys on their hands who were determined to give them headaches, and Gran did all she could. Then, as we grew up, my cousins had rallied around Reese and me. I'd forgotten what that felt like while I was away.
“I can look out for myself,” I said half-heartedly. It was 100 percent true, but I still loved my cousins to bits.
“Oh, they know that, but I think they also need to show off a bit. I honestly can’t wait to see what they do when Paisley starts dating.” Lexi cleared her throat, lowering her voice. “She has a boyfriend.”
