“I wish I could get a puppy,” Anthony says. “I’ve never had one before.”
“You can come and play with Maverick anytime you want!” Owen offers. “Right, Mom?”
“Yes, of course. As long as you don’t track mud in the house.”
“We can take him for walks and teach him how to play fetch!” Owen’s face lights up, and it brings me tons of joy to see him so happy. Noah also got a dog crate, bed, and tons of chew toys. I’m just crossing my fingers he doesn’t chew on the new furniture.
Once the party’s over and Owen’s tucked in for the night with Maverick asleep next to him under the covers, I finally make my way to bed. Noah rubs my shoulders, back, and feet. Though I’m exhausted after the long day, I’m still waiting for an update on Gemma’s progress. I’m dying to find out what the baby is. An hour ago, she was at eight centimeters and high on an epidural.
“Want me to run you a bath?” Noah offers. “I could soap you up real nice…” His taunting voice makes me smile.
“You’re sure takin’ advantage of my hormones, aren’t you?”
“Excuse me, you’re the one who nearly jumped me in the shower this mornin’.”
“Pfft…I can barely walk. I came in to brush my teeth, and you all but caveman carried me in there.”
“Can’t help it if my baby mama is too damn sexy for her own good, and…” He feathers his lips on my neck, shooting a shiver down my spine.
His hands roam my body, and soon, I’m moaning his name as he touches me.
Just as I’m about to scream into a pillow, my phone goes off.
“Ignore it,” he begs.
“I can’t. It’s probably Gemma!” I reach over and see Tyler’s calling on FaceTime. “Oh my God, it’s them.”
Pulling the covers over my chest, I click the screen and smile widely at the precious baby sleeping on Gemma’s chest.
“Oh my goodness,” I whisper-squeal. Gemma looks exhausted but so damn happy.
“It’s a girl,” she announces, and this time, I can’t hold back my excitement.
“Ahhh, I can’t believe it! She’s precious! When can we come visit?”
Though it’s after midnight, and we haven’t slept yet, I’m almost too pumped to wait.
“First thing in the mornin’ if you want,'' Tyler answers. “After we get some sleep, though.”
“Congrats, you guys,” Noah says. “What’s my niece’s name?”
Tyler grins, then looks at Gemma. “You wanna tell them?”
“Scarlett Madelyn,” she announces, and I can see emotions soaring through her.
Scarlett…after their mother.
“Madelyn is after my friend, Maddie,” Tyler explains. “She and Liam named their firstborn after me, so I figure I’d shock the hell out of them and use it for Scarlett’s middle name.”
“I bet she’ll love that,” I say. “It’s a gorgeous name. I love it!”
“I do too,” Noah says. “Owen’s gonna be ecstatic that they’ll share a birthday.”
“And in a couple of months, this will be you guys. Enjoy the pain meds,” Gemma says with a grin.
“Times two.” I snort.
After a few minutes, we hang up, and Tyler immediately sends us pictures of baby Scarlett. I can’t get over how much she looks like Gemma. It makes me even more excited for us to meet our boys.