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“You should get your husband’s life insurance without any problem.”
“I hope so, Tim. It would help so much.” A shriek filled the line. “Oh no, Ethan woke up. I hope he doesn’t awake his twin. Just a second.”
“Put him on video. I’ll make him laugh.”
Holding her baby in her arms, Erin shifted the call to video chat.
Tim blinked at the sight of the lovely young mother in her night shorts and top, her naked legs crossed with the baby fretting against her.
“Timi-tim-tim,” Ethan screamed.
Tim laughed as the baby raised both arms toward his picture on the screen. “Ethan, buddy, big laugh.”
Wide-awake now, the baby giggled.
“I have a bottle for him. I just hope Nathan keeps on sleeping.” The other twin screamed his response. “Oh no, now they’re going to wake up the whole household.”
Amused and quite delighted, Tim chuckled. “I can come over and help if you don’t mind. The temperature is mild outside, and I miss those rascals. We’ll sit on the patio with them, until they fall asleep again.” He missed her even more than her kids and hoped she wouldn’t decline his offer.
“I don’t want to bother you,” she answered after a short hesitation.
“No bother at all. I’ll be at your place in no time.”
He immediately slipped on his sweatpants and rushed to his garage with his wallet and keys in hand. Less than ten minutes later, he parked at the curb to avoid disturbing the household with his tires grating on the driveway. Eager to see the adorable toddlers, he walked around the house to the backyard.
Erin had settled the babies in their swings and was cooing to them. “Tim’s coming soon, and you can play with him.”
“Well, Tim is here. Hugs, buddies.” He lifted Ethan and then Nathan, hugged them, and kissed their chubby cheeks. “Tim missed you big time, buddies.”
The smart babies understood and responded with wet smooches on his cheeks.
He lowered himself into a chair with both babies in his arms and glanced at their mother. Unfortunately, she’d added a long robe over her cute pjs.
“How are you doing, Erin? You sounded so tired on the phone.”
“I’m better now. I mean, as soon as these little scamps fall asleep, I’ll be able to relax again.”
“We’ll play a bit, and then I’ll give them a bottle.”
Their little hands all over his face, they pulled at his hair, jumped on his lap, wriggled like worms, and didn’t stop giggling until they almost fell from his arms. Laughing with the adorable babies helped him forget every bit of stress, but soon they dropped their heads against his chest.
“They must have spent their energy. If you bring bottles—”
“Here, they’re ready.” Erin handed him two bottles.
He stuck one nipple into Ethan’s mouth and another in Nathan’s.
“They look comfortable against your chest.”
Tim couldn’t help a sidewise smile. Damn it, he wouldn’t mind Erin becoming comfortable in his arms or on his lap. When the nipples fell out of the toddlers’ mouths, Tim slowly stood. “They’re sound asleep now. I’ll take them to their cribs.”
“Follow me.”
He did, wishing she would invite him to stay.
In her room, he lowered each baby into his crib and turned toward her, his gaze encompassing the big bed in the middle of the room with a night table on each side, a chest of drawers, and a dark desk in a corner—her husband’s desk that she’d moved into her room. The sight of that somber piece of furniture dimmed his playful mood.
“Goodnight, Erin. No need to come downstairs. I know the way.”
