“What? She’s cheating on me?” Ryder looks around, then his eyes land on Declan. “Oh, hey. Declan Winters, right?”
“Yup.” They shake hands.
“My wife’s a big fan of your show,” Ryder says. “She re-watches it all the time with our kid. Says it’s more wholesome than the action flicks I made, although our daughter loves the explosions. She laughs every time.”
Nate stares at Ryder, his jaw slack. “Did you watch them wit
h her behind Paige’s back?”
“Obviously. I can’t have my child not know how awesome I am. Don’t worry, they were PG-13.”
“She’s four!” Tony points out.
“But I was with her, so our average age works out to be about nineteen.”
I roll my eyes at Ryder’s ridiculous logic. But no matter how egotistical he can get, he’s crazy about his wife and child, and you just can’t hate a guy who’s that devoted to his family.
“You are never babysitting our kids,” Tony says to Ryder. Then he turns to us. “Let’s go in. Ivy’s dying to show off the twins.”
Yes! Finally!
Excitement and anticipation spark through me. I just know Sebastian and Katherine are going to be the cutest and most precious angels ever!
Tony leads us into the recovery room where Ivy’s resting in bed. Her hair’s still a little damp and sticking to the edges of her face and neck, and she looks a little pale except for her cheeks, which are flushed with pleasure.
Declan was right when he said the doctors would make sure she’s okay.
The room’s already full of flowers and fruit baskets. Tony must’ve arranged for them when he reserved the suite for her. Now I’m slightly ashamed that I forgot to get something. I’m so used to having Ms. Kim take care of that sort of thing that it escaped my notice. I add “buy flowers, chocolates and balloons” to my to-do list. Ivy and the twins deserve all that and more.
Ivy smiles at us, cradling a tiny human in each arm. She’s glowing like the moon.
We wash our hands in the en suite bathroom. I get to be the first and rush to Ivy as soon as I’m done.
“How are you feeling?” I ask. Although she looks okay, I want to hear her say it.
“I’m fine. Want to hold the twins?”
“Yes.” I reach out and take the closest one. There’s a blue hat on his small skull, leaving Ivy with the one with a purple hat. “Sebastian, right?”
“Yep.”
“He’s perfect.” I dip my head and inhale the newborn scent. “And smells so good too. And super cuddly.”
Ivy smiles.
“I’m going to spoil him and Katherine until they don’t know what hit them,” I say.
Ivy laughs a little, and I sense Declan moving toward us. Time to shock and delight her!
Grinning mischievously, I tilt my head in Declan’s direction. “Guess who’s here?”
Ivy’s eyes follow the direction of my head jerk, then widen. “Oh my God. Is that…?”
“Yup. Declan Winters, in the flesh. Declan, this is my soul sister Ivy.”
Declan smiles. “Nice to meet you. And congratulations.”
Ivy squeals a little, her cheeks red. “Thank you.”