“You’re good with her,” Maddie said. “Do you have babies in your life?”
“Just my brother Owen’s kids. I was the youngest in my family. They all like to tell me how they changed my diapers.”
Maddie and Kelsey laughed.
“To hear the oldest three tell it, all they did was change the diapers of the rest of us.”
“Your mom had seven children,” Maddie said. “She needed all the help she could get. I can’t conceive of two more than what I have now.”
“I can’t conceive of one, let alone five or seven,” Jeff said.
“We all say that until the time comes, and it makes perfect sense,” Maddie said, “although we didn’t plan on five.” She held up baby Evie and made her chortle with baby laughter. “These girls were a big surprise. The best kind.”
The slider opened to admit Mac McCarthy, drawing a shriek from baby Mac, who ran to his dad on unsteady legs.
“See how it goes?” Maddie asked. “It’s Mommy, Mommy, Mommy until Daddy gets home.”
Mac picked up his baby son and gave him a hug and kiss. “That’s because Daddy is the coolest.”
Maddie rolled her eyes. “Tell them that when they’re hungry.”
“Mommy is never more popular than she is at mealtime.”
“Are they talking about breastfeeding?” Jeff asked Kelsey.
She giggled at the face he made. “I believe they are.”
“Should I wait in the car?”
Maddie laughed. “You’re off duty, Kels. Thanks for everything today. You kids go have some fun.”
“You’re welcome.” Kelsey transferred the other baby girl to her mother. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“We’ll be here, and happy birthday again.”
“Thank you for the gifts. I have no idea how you pulled that off—along with cupcakes.”
“I had help.”
“It’s appreciated.”
“Have a great night.”
“Happy birthday, Kelsey,” Mac said.
“Thanks!”
Jeff waited for her to get her things together. They said their goodbyes and walked down the stairs to the car. “Happy birthday to you,” he sang.
“Thank you. Maddie got me the most awesome beach bag, coverup and a new towel. I love them.”
“Glad you had a fun day. We’re going to the Lobster Pot for dinner.”
“Yum. I just need to run home and change first. Emma puked on me earlier.”
“You say that so casually, as if it’s no big deal that you got puked on at work.”
“It is no big deal,” she said, laughing. “She’s a baby. That’s what they do.”