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Finally, I open the door slowly and unlatch the glass storm door. He pulls it open and looks me over as I step back. His brother Aiden looms behind him as big as Falcon's Head lighthouse.
“Hi,” I say breathlessly. “I didn’t mean for you to come. I just—”
A happy little screech from the kitchen causes all of our heads to turn. I reach out to grab Liam’s sleeve, but it pulls out of my fingers before I can get a good grasp.
He stalks to the kitchen with me trailing after him.
“Wait. Liam, wait a minute.”
He ignores me and walks straight to the plastic activity center. He lifts Brady out of it, and my breath freezes in my lungs.
Brady’s blue eyes widen as he stares at Liam’s face. Brady is wearing a blue onesie with baby bears on it and a matching hat with fluffy ears. He looks adorable.
“So, here you are.” Liam’s voice is low. “A bear cub, is it?”
“Okay,” I whisper, holding out my arms. “Give him to me.”
Liam turns, and as soon as Brady spots me, his arms reach out, too. Liam doesn’t hand him over.
“What’s his name?” he asks.
I swallow. “Can I please have him?”
“That depends.”
It’s as though someone punched me in the stomach. I shiver, inching closer. Brady starts to fuss, squirming and lurching in my direction.
“You’re scaring him. Please give him to me,” I say, beckoning with hands that grasp at empty air.
“Come closer,” he says.
The danger rolls off Liam in tsunami-sized waves, but when tears fill Brady’s eyes, I can’t stand it any longer. I move forward and put my hands on Brady’s chest, pushing fingers under his little arms, so I have a hold on him, too.
“It’s okay, honey. You’re okay.”
Liam finally releases him into my grasp, but as I start to move back, he catches my arm. “Not a chance. Sit.” He inclines his head toward the seats at the kitchen table.
I want to run. Glancing over my shoulder, I find there’s no retreat possible. Aiden Callahan’s massive presence completely fills the kitchen doorway.
I lower myself onto a chair, hugging Brady to my chest and inhaling the lingering sweet almond scent of his baby shampoo.
Liam reaches over and tugs the bear hat from his head, exposing his pale blond hair. Brady looks suspiciously at Liam and then nuzzles my neck like he wants to burrow inside me. I wish he could, too.
“How old?”
“Ten months.”
“Born early then.”
I start to shake my head, but his scowl causes me to stop.
“Don’t even try to lie. He looks exactly like me.”
After licking my parched lips a couple of times, I nod. “He was a month early, but he’s all caught up.”
“Caught up?”
“On the growth charts.” My voice is barely audible. “He’s exactly average for his age.” I exhale and nod, trying to pull myself together. “He’s completely healthy.”
