“Wren went out with the girls. We told her we would watch Madeline.”
“I’ve got you,” I tell her when she whines. Placing her on my shoulder, I rub up and down her back. “Why was she crying?”
“We don’t know. We were debating on who to call, Mom or Wren,” Conrad confesses, running his hands through his hair. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Of course you can,” I tell him. My voice is calm, careful not to set Madeline off on another meltdown. “I didn’t know she was here or that Wren was going.”
Grant shrugs. “Aurora was upset that Wren wasn’t going to make it because she didn’t have a sitter. I knew Owen and Royce were coming, and they’ve got this dad thing down, so I thought we would be fine. It was Con and me against one tiny little girl. I thought we had it covered.”
“You should have called me.” I give all four of my brothers a pointed look. Jase, too, for good measure.
“I did,” Grant reminds me.
“I mean to tell me Madeline was going to be here.”
“Why?”
“I would have come sooner.”
“I called you thirty minutes ago.”
“Exactly. I could have had pizza delivered or had one of you pick it up.”
“She literally just started to cry maybe five minutes before you walked in,” Conrad defends.
“When was the last time she ate?” I ask as I go through my mental checklist of what I know about babies. Sure, my only experience is my nephews, but I’m rolling with it.
“About an hour ago.”
“Does she need changing?” I lift her from my chest and smell her diaper.
“Uh, Marsh, did you just smell her ass?” Conrad asks.
“It’s a thing,” Owen tells him.
“He’s right,” Royce agrees. “It’s a hell of a lot easier than undressing all the wiggly arms and legs to check. The smell test is a must.”
“You should probably be taking notes.” Owen points at Grant and then Conrad.
They both have looks of sheer panic on their faces.
“How you feeling, Maddie?” I place her back against my chest. She snuggles in close and exhales loudly. I know she can’t answer me, but my voice seems to calm her so I’m going with it.
“Damn,” Grant mutters. “She really does like you better,” he grumbles.
“We’re never going to hear the end of this,” Conrad adds.
“Wait until you have to tell Wren that you made her daughter cry and needed your baby brother to help you calm her down.”
“He’s cast some kind of baby voodoo on her. Look at her, all calm and shit.” Grant begins pacing, his hands locked behind his head.
“Language,” I chastise him.
“Pizza!” Carter cheers when he finally spies the five large boxes on the table.
“That’s right, little man. Uncle Marsh brought you pizza,” I tell him. “Who’s your favorite uncle?” I ask. Naturally, he points at me, which has all four of my brothers and even Jase protesting.
“No pizza for you, Maddie. You’re still too little,” I tell the baby. I take a seat on the couch and seek out Royce. “Bring me Roan,” I tell him.
“You’ve got your hands full, bro.” He chuckles.
“Nope. I’ve got this. Carter and Aria can eat pizza, and it’s going to take all five of you to make that happen. Bring me my nephew.” I’m feeling smug as hell that Madeline stopped crying as soon as I had her in my arms. Add Carter's declaration of me being his favorite uncle, and I’m on cloud nine.
Reluctantly, Royce brings Roan over to where I’m sitting and places him in my arms. Madeline grips my shirt as Roan reaches over to grab her hand. She releases her hold, and they settle, staring at one another.
“Hey, Royce,” I call out. “Grab your camera and take a picture of this.” He does as I ask and then taps out what I assume is a message to Sawyer. “Send it to me too,” I tell him. He nods, and my phone vibrates in my back pocket.
I know what you’re thinking. I’m a single guy, unattached. Do I really want to be hanging out on my brother's couch snuggling two adorable babies? The answer is a resounding yes. I love my family, and the new generation of little Riggins is no exception. As for Madeline, this little girl has me tied around her little finger already. She’s cute as hell, just like her momma. I don’t know if it’s because I know their story or if maybe it’s my heart breaking for her and that need for a father's love. Whatever it is, she’s got me hooked. I’ll take Madeline snuggles any day.
Once Royce is done eating, he takes Roan, and Conrad offers to take Madeline. “Nah, I’m good,” I tell him. I make my plate with one hand and eat the same way. Instantly my mind goes to Wren. This is her life. She’s a single mom, and I can imagine that she eats every meal when she’s with her daughter this way. If she even eats. She’s a tiny thing, so my guess is that she’s often too exhausted to do so.