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Summer’s smile widens as she lovingly rubs her huge tummy. “I can’t wait.”
After stopping for takeout, we pull into the driveaway at the same time Dylan does.
I jump out with a big smile, ready to greet them both until I see him practically throwing Katie from his truck, albeit in a gentle way.
“What’s going on?” I ask, taking in his obvious panic.
“Summer’s in labor,” he rushes out. “I have to go!” He lifts Katie with one arm and grabs her bag with the other before running to my side. All while I stand shocked.
“What?” I breathe out, confused. That can’t be right. “We were just with her. It’s been less than an hour.”
That pulls him to a stop. “You were? Yes, you were! But she messaged to say she needs me at home asap and there were lots of exclamations and—”
Wes starts laughing as a small smile plays on my lips.
“What’s so funny?”
“Do you really think she’d text you to tell you she was in labor?”
Dylan’s face falls. “Ahh…nope.”
“Then is it possible she needs you forsomethingelse?” I ask, emphasizing the last two words as Wes adds, “Like the very thing that made the baby in the first place.”
Oh Jesus!I was trying to avoid saying that.
“What made the baby?” Katie asks, tugging on Wes’s tee, and I have to hold back my glare.
“We’ll talk about it soon, honey,” I say, taking her from Dylan. “We just need to help Uncle Dyl. Let me take that,” I say, reaching for Katie’s bag. “You go home. For whatever Summer needs.”
Wes grabs the bag from Dylan’s hand before I’ve had the chance and pats him on the back. “Have fun with that emergency.” He winks.
“Thanks, I plan to.” Dylan chuckles before saying goodbye.
Katie runs ahead to the front door when Dylan’s gone, and I take the opportunity to smack Wes in the stomach. Thankfully, he at least has the decency to look regretful.
“I’m still learning?” he says as an excuse and I love him for it, because he is learning, but aren’t we all.
“It’s fine.” I smile. “I’ll handle Katie’s talk, but you have the next one.”
What?!I jolt as soon as the words are out of my mouth and pick up my walking speed, hopeful he didn’t get my meaning.Shit. It’s only been three months. We haven’t spoken about kids yet, and—
“Deal,” he says, matching my speed, before jogging ahead and unlocking the front door.
“Who’s ready for pasta?” he asks as though we didn’t just decide we were going to have a child together one day.Another child.I never thought I’d want that, but now I do. I want that for Katie, for us.
Like always, Wes holds the door open for me as I approach, and when I step through the threshold, he pulls me close, his breath on my ear as he whispers, “I’m ready when you are.”
My eyes flash back to his to find him shrugging exaggeratedly, while my heart beats erratically in my chest.No big deal. Right?
When we’ve finished dinner and chatted about our days, Wes takes Katie off to run through her bedtime routine, while I settle on the couch. He doesn’t stay over every night, but when he does, it’s like a break for me, which is something I’m not at all used to. On top of putting Katie to bed, he gets up with her at the crack of dawn and makes her breakfast, allowing me time to wake up naturally.
This is what I’ve been missing. A teammate. Someone to share the load. My family and friends have always been amazing. But this is something else.
Wes drops onto the couch beside me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder just as my phone rings.
I almost laugh when I see it’s Dylan until a thought hits me and I stop. “Shit, it’s Dylan,” I say, waving the phone in the air.
“So, answer it,” Wes states matter-of-factly, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.Oh wait…
