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Tia was waiting for us when we got out of the car. Rose was still asleep, so I carried her in her car seat into the house. Tia squealed when she saw Celine, and I had to hiss at her to be quiet.
“Rosie’s still asleep,” I whispered.
Tia gave me a pointed look that I ignored. I was just doing what any smart person would do. Everyone knew you shouldn’t wake a sleeping baby.
“Good, so you can hold her until she wakes up, while Celine and I catch up over some tea.”
“I want to hold the baby, too,” exclaimed Maddie, running down the stairs.
I held the car seat out of her reach.
“Not now, sweetie. You can hold her after she wakes up,” I replied softly.
Why was my family so loud, I wondered.
“Look, she’s awake,” said Maddie, pointing upwards.
Sure enough, Rose was leaning over the edge of the car seat, looking around in delight.
I lowered the car seat and Celine took her out of it so Rose could say hi to everyone.
Tia grabbed her from her mother and hugged her tightly, while Maddie danced around her, impatient for her turn.
“Let me just get her changed and fed, then she can spend some time visiting with Maddie,” said Celine.
At long last, Rose was sitting on the rug in the playroom, with Maddie’s toys all around her. She didn’t even blink while her mother went off with Tia for a bit. I pulled out my laptop and worked at the big desk in the room, keeping an eye on them while they played.
Maddie was very gentle with Rose, who couldn’t take her adoring eyes off her new friend. Leo and Luke came in while I worked.
“Is that Celine’s daughter? She’s gorgeous,” said Leo warmly.
“She is,” I agreed.
“So, you and Celine?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“No. We’re just friends,” I replied.
“Are you blind?” asked Luke, pulling up a chair next to me and rocking on its back legs like he always did.
“No. I just think we’re better off as friends,” I said stubbornly.
“Hmm,” he replied, and I shot him a sharp look. What did he mean by that?
“What?”
“Nothing! I’m just wondering if I’m allowed to ask her out, in that case.”
I wanted to slam my laptop into the back of his head, but I restrained myself.
“Please yourself,” I said tightly, getting up and walking away.
But not before I kicked the leg of his chair backward, making him topple head over heels.
“Bastard,” he muttered, as he dusted himself off.
“Language,” said both, Leo and I, sharply.
“Lord save me from daddies,” said Luke, rolling his eyes at us.
