Page 144 of I Wish You Were Mine

I’m wiping tears away as I lift Katie back onto my hip so she can get a better look. “Babies do sleep a lot. But not forever. She’ll be playing with you before you know it.”

“Isn’t she sweet?” Riley asks.

Katie rests her head on my shoulder. “She is very sweet. Can I hold her?”

I look at Maren, who nods. “You have to be very careful,” she says.

“I be careful,” Katie replies. “Please please please!”

I set Katie on a vinyl couch on the other side of the room. Riley sits beside her, positioning her arms in a little cradle. “You hold the baby just like that. Ready?”

“I ready!” She kicks her little legs.

Lifting Reese out of her bassinet, I still can’t get over how light she feels compared to Katie. Everything about her is tiny: nose, ears, feet.

She’s so fucking beautiful it takes my breath away.

Can’t help but think she looks a lot like Katie when she was born. They have the same squished-up face that got Katie her nickname. Fat cheeks and all. I kiss one of those cheeks, the baby’s skin silky smooth.

I look up and see Maren watching me, eyes brimming with tears.

“What?” I ask.

“You’re a handsome guy, Tuck. But you’ve never beenmore handsome than you are when you’re holding a baby. Our baby.”

Riley glances at Lu. “Please say they’re giving you ideas.”

“Oh, they’re giving me ideas.” Lu smiles at him. “Lots and lots of them.”

Riley is dying to start a family. Appears Lu might be on board too.

I gingerly lay the baby in Katie’s arms. My eldest daughter—wild I have two now—squeals. “Hi, baby! I love you.”

Maren is snapping pictures from the bed while I make sure Katie doesn’t drop Reese. “Can you give your sissy a kiss?”

I help Katie lift the baby’s head to her lips. She gives her a gentle kiss on the forehead that has the entire room sayingaww.

The baby starts to cry. When I try to take her out of Katie’s arms, Katie grabs her right back. “No, Daddy, I hold her!”

“She might be hungry, Katie bear,” Maren says. “You can hold her again later.”

Katie starts to cry. “But Iloveher. I love her so much.”

We all laugh. I scoop Katie into my arms. “You’re the best big sister in the world, Squish. But it’s time for the baby to eat, and it’s time for you to head out.”

“I don’t want to go home,” Katie wails.

“How about some ice cream?” Lu asks.

Katie immediately goes quiet. “What kind of ice cream?”

Lu pretends to think on this. “Well, do you like vanilla?”

“Yes.”

“What about chocolate?”

“Yes!”

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