I laughed and he stepped aside to let me in.
“Charmed to see you, Jack,” I said. “And congratulations again.”
“Thanks a million,” he replied, taking the bag of food out of my hands before I had a chance to react. “And thankyou– you’re the one that brought them into the world, after all.”
“Just doing my job.”
He led me through the house. The front door opened into a small living room, an entrance on the right leading to the master bedroom on one side of the hallway, another bedroom on the other, and a small bathroom at the very end. The dining room was small as well, and the rest of the group, sans Sadie and the twins, was packed into the kitchen.
“Dad!” Camilla said, breaking away from her conversation with Annette that the two of them were having over tea. She rushed over and gave me a quick hug, as Jack began setting out the food. “Glad you could make it.”
“You didn’t leave work early on our account?” Annette asked, concern in her eyes. “Did you?”
“Was actually finishing up for the day,” I said, ducking down to step into the kitchen. “No trouble at all to come by.”
“Well, thanks again,” Annette said. “You’ve really made a huge difference.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
The mood was kind and warm, but all I could think about was what they would do if they knew the truth. Everyone in that room, her parents, and my daughter alike, were still being friendly to me because they didn’t know I was the father.
I pushed it aside for the moment.
“Speaking of the twins,” I asked, as Jack finished unpacking the food and Annette set out the dishes, “where are the little ones?”
“They’re with Sadie in the apartment,” Jack said. “Mind going to let her know the food’s here?”
“I’d love to.”
Annette nodded toward the door leading out through the kitchen. “Just out there, it’s the first door you’ll see on the garage.”
“Cheers.”
I headed out, barely containing my excitement as I hurried along the worn path in the grass that cut across the small backyard and to the garage. I knocked on the door, then opened it, noticing a set of stairs on the other side.
“Sadie?”
“Noah? Is that you?”
“Yep! Mind if I come up?”
Silence followed, and I could almost feel her trying to decide if it was a good idea for us to be alone.
“Sure.”
I wasted no time going in, shutting the door behind me, and bounding up the stairs like a kid, so eager to see my twins that I could hardly keep the smile off my face.
When I reached the top of the stairs, I was greeted with a sight that just about took my breath away.
Sadie was there, looking effortlessly beautiful in gray sweats, a loose, black T-shirt, her hair up in a messy bun. Emmy was at her breast, Andy asleep in his part of the double crib.
“Good to see you,” she said. Then she glanced over my shoulder to make sure no one had come up with me. Once she realized I was alone, she added one more word with a smile. “Dad.”