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That was why, on Saturday, we all met at Spencer’s house. His yard wasn't as big as the one at our grandparents', but he assured us that he had plenty of space for us all. He lived in a great neighborhood. He’d bought this house right after finding out he was a father, insisting he wanted his son to have a yard and a place to play outside. Before this, he'd lived in a bachelor pad much like mine.
We'd agreed to tell our grandparents today. They had a right to know if we decided to buy Father out. Grandfather had founded the company in the first place, so the two of them had to agree to it.
“He likes you so much,” Penny exclaimed.
I’d been carrying Ben for the better part of the last half hour. Everyone in the family had been clamoring to hold him, but he'd cried when Jake and Natalie tried, then Meredith, then Gabe. He only seemed to like me.
And I was feeling fucking smug about that.
“He’s so relaxed with you.” Penny touched his small hand, and Ben smiled at her.
I was extremely happy that my brother had met Penny. He'd had the shock of his life when he found out his ex had had his child. He hadn't even known she was pregnant. She’d thought the baby belonged to the man she cheated on my brother with. But Spencer had done well by his son. That was my brother to a T—he could maintain calm even in a difficult situation.
Then he met Penny, and she cared about Ben a lot, basically considered him her son.
She and I came inside when Ben started fussing. I didn't know how to prepare his bottle. I watched Penny intently, memorizing all the steps. It seemed easy enough. Until now, the only ones in the family who’d had him for longer than an hour, and even overnight, were my grandparents. Before, he'd seemed small and fragile. I'd been afraid to even hold him for too long for fear that I might break him. But now he was bigger and sturdier. He was eating solids as well. I was looking forward to spending more time with my nephew.
Zoey came up to us. "Hey, you need any help?"
She cooed at Ben.
Penny chuckled. "You’re trying to see if you can get Ben, huh?”
“You know it. I didn’t want to insist before because everyone was already waiting in line.”
"So you waited until there was no one around. Smart," Penny said.
I liked the ease between Zoey and my brothers' women. They’d only met today, but they seemed to get along.
Zoey stepped closer, looking at me eagerly.
I was planning to move Ben around anyway so he could take the bottle, but I transferred him to Zoey's arms. I watched him carefully, ready to take him back at the slightest sign that he wasn't comfortable. But the little guy immediately laughed at her.
"Hey, he didn't laugh at me," I said.
"Oh, and now you’re jealous." Penny chuckled. “You know, I think the guys are too hard on you. You're not such a grump."
"Yeah, he is. Trust me," Zoey replied, smiling at Ben.
Something tugged inside me. I loved the sight of her with the baby.
“All right. Here's the bottle," Penny exclaimed, capping it and testing the temperature. "That's okay. Oh, Spencer is gesturing that he needs me outside. Do you want to try to feed him?"
"Sure." I took the bottle from her. I usually asked for instructions about everything regarding Ben, but this seemed straightforward. I tipped it, and the little guy began to drink.
Penny grinned. "That's it. Oh, you two are cute."
After Penny went outside, I kept a close eye on him, trying to gauge from his expressions if he was feeling okay.
"You can relax, Colton," Zoey said. "He's happy in my arms."
"You're really good at this. How are you enjoying the day?" I asked.
We'd been here for about two hours. Spencer and Penny had ordered pizza for everyone. They always liked to keep things simple. Everyone enjoyed pizza, and they didn't have to clean or cook. It was a win-win.
“Jeannie looks so much better.”
I couldn't believe she cared so much about my grandmother. She even brought her the water bottle she talked about at the hospital. Grandmother accepted it reluctantly. I was certain that if my brothers or half brothers suggested it, she would have bitten our heads off.
