Instantly, my sister’s eyes go to Izzy, who is currently sitting cozy in the baby carrier around my chest.
Technically, she’s a little young by her age to be front-facing, but by weight and with her pediatrician’s approval after seeing how much neck strength she has, we’ve graduated her to being able to see the world in front of us, instead of stuck staring at our shirts.
“Well, hello there, my little honeybee. I’ve missed your cute face.”
Izzy squeals and kicks her legs a bit, and Winnie smiles like she’s smitten. Lex joins in on the fun, and it doesn’t take long before she wins a few belly laughs from the baby on my chest.
“I swear, that is the best sound in the world,” Winnie muses and turns her attention back to me. “Everything go okay last night?”
“Of course it did. Lex is the best. And word on the street is that I’m also the best uncle.”
“The game that will never end.” Winnie snorts and looks at Lexi. “Did you have fun? Did Uncle Remy behave himself too?”
“Tons of fun. We watched a movie last night, and Maria gave me this,” Lexi announces, showing off the Chanel necklace I still can’t believe Maria gave to her.
My sister’s eyes grow big as she reaches out to touch the letters that read C-H-A-N-E-L. “Maria gave you this necklace?”
“Yep.” Lex nods proudly. “Isn’t it pretty? It was Maria’s sister’s necklace.”
That catches both Winnie’s and my attention.
“This was Isabella’s?” I ask, and Lexi nods like it’s no big thing.
“Yep.”
But to me, it is a big thing. It’s huge. Both Winnie and I can feel it; I can tell by the gentle sheen I see in her eyes and the sting I feel in mine.
I can’t even begin to imagine how big of a deal—the depth of what Maria must feel for Lexi—this had to be.
“I’m going to put my stuff upstairs in Grandma’s guest room,” Lexi announces and wraps her arms around my waist to give me a quick hug. “Thanks for the sleepover and brunch, Uncle Rem. I had fun.”
“I had fun with you too, kiddo.”
“Uncle Rem, kiddo isn’t really a good nickname for me anymore,” she says matter-of-factly. “Just Lex or Lexi is best.”
“Oh, that’s right, you’re basically a full-fledged woman now who wears Chanel and has a boyfriend named Connor.” I eye my sister pointedly. “How could I forget?”
But Lex is already done with the small talk in the foyer. Her overnight bag in her hand, she runs up the stairs without another word.
“I take it she told you about the boyfriend?”
“Yep,” I answer and tilt my head to the side. “Which means you have some explaining to do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Why is she allowed to have a boyfriend?”
Winnie bursts into laughter. “Oh, c’mon, Rem. I’m not going to ban Lexi from having a boyfriend. You’re being overprotective.”
“I’m realistic.”
“You realize all they do is say they’re boyfriend and girlfriend and send each other text messages about astrophysical engineering, right? It’s harmless.”
“What the fuck? They’re texting each other?”
Winnie laughs. “Man. Men are so hilarious.” Without anything more, she smiles as she pulls Izzy out of her baby carrier, not even bothering to ask for permission. I unstrap it from my chest and lay it down in case she needs it.
“I’m serious, Win. This is too much.”
“Oh, I know you’re serious. But you’re also nuts.”
“I’m not nuts—”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” she questions, cutting me off at the knees. “Pretty sure you have a big trip to get ready for…”
I sigh and point one index finger toward her. “This conversation isn’t over.”
“Oh, I realize that.” She grins and kisses the top of Izzy’s head. “But if you don’t mind, I’m going to spend some time with Lex and this little sweetie right here before Grandma gets back and becomes a baby hog. So, you can go ahead and move your ass out the door.”
“You’re kicking me out?”
“It’s for your own good, Rem. Time is a-ticking, and even though Wes set up the private flight for you, pilots like to leave on time.”
I hate when my smartass baby sister is right, but…she’s right. I still have to get Maria and myself packed before she gets home from her last showing. Truthfully, we’ll only have about an hour to get to the airport once her workday is done.
“Go enjoy yourself,” she adds over her shoulder. “Enjoy tropical bliss with Maria. You both deserve it. I know from experience that the Bahamas are gorgeous this time of year. Perfect for photos by the beach and telling the woman you love that you love her and want to mar—”
“Oh shit, look at the time. I better get going, sis.”
“Uh-huh. Of course you do.” She just sticks her tongue out at me and turns to take Izzy into my mom’s living room. “Love you, big bro! Have fun!”