“You know, she could use some help in the shower.” Gunner licks over his bottom lip. “That’s my area of expertise.”
“If she says yes ...”
Nick goes with him to check. I hear a squeal and then moaning only a few minutes later. Roman chuckles and shakes his head. Since we’ve wrapped up everything at the office, I’ve noticed that he’s been a different man. The kind that people would want to go get a beer with, not the kind that people shy away from on a regular basis. He wears it well.
“Are you excited?” I ask.
He glances at me. “For the holidays, this party, getting to jump our wife later ...”
“The kids.”
He pauses a moment, then sits on the edge of the bed. “I love our children.”
“No one could possibly argue that Roman, but it’s different for you. I know that. They call you ‘Daddy’ but the more they grow, the more obvious it is who they’re biologically linked to.”
“It won’t matter to me. ever.”
“I believe you.” I pat his knee.
He nods and is silent for a while, staring at one place on the wall. “It is different.”
He needs to be able to talk to someone about this. He’s wanted kids for a long time. He’s wanted to settle down, to get married, have children, do the entirety of the big family and bigger love thing. I’m glad we’ve all worked into that plan especially now that he is getting everything he’s wanted.
“I don’t want it to be different. A part of me is worried I won’t give all the kids equal attention, but at the same time, I also can’t really believe they’re mine. I keep waiting to hear that the test was wrong and they belong to Nick.”
“Just help me make sure that Link and Cora are always loved and I think it’s okay if you see things differently. Like you said, itisdifferent.”
Roman glances up as the door open. Gunner and Nick are wrapped in towels, looking calm and warm. Sophie is flustered, especially when she meets Roman’s eyes. He looks her over and I can feel the desire rolling off him in tangible waves.
“Bambina.”
“Amore.” She walks to him and sits on his lap, pushing his hair from his face before looking to me. Her fingers brush my cheek before a little wrinkle appears between her eyebrows. “Hey, who has you two so serious?”
“Nothing, baby.” I kiss her cheek. “Just having a good talk.”
She takes a breath and I expect her to lay into us about not telling her everything. Instead she kisses Roman’s cheek. “If you want to tell me or if it’s important, I’ll be glued to you four tonight and tomorrow, and Sunday depending on how much drinking gets done.”
I bite her earlobe. “I love you, Sophie. I have to tell you sober before you get annoyed of hearing it while I’m drunk.”
“Tomorrow will definitely be fun.”
18
SOPHIA
Dinner with my parents is good. Dad is emotional over the company being bought out, saying he’s not sure what he’s going to be doing with himself now, saying that he just never thought this day would come.
My mom has plenty of ideas. I think she actually has a to-do list for dad. Probably more than one based on the look she’s giving him. My mom sucks the olive off the tooth pick in her martini while eying my father. He goes a little red and immediately shuts up.
Gunner chuckles. “I think you’re going to be very busy, Miles.”
“Too busy to babysit too.” Nick chuckles.
“I respectfully ask you to wait until you have two more to ask us to babysit.” Mom says, looking to me.
I rub my belly, tempted to tap and ask them when they’re ready to join the world. Mom actually asks the question. Roman takes my hand. “I think we were told they would be here around the first.
“Good! Not too much longer then.” Dad cheers.