Ronni claps each side of my face. “I loved knowing I was full of you. Feeling you dripping down my thighs.Ooh. It’s what kept me going.”
I can't help but smile like the madman I am. Marking her asmywoman is everything. Christ,she'smy everything. She’s mine and will be mine forever. Neither of us can wipe the happiness from our faces. Being apart during my da’s health setback made us both realize just how much our priorities have changed. “Youkeep me going, Mae. We’re not going to be separated again.”
“Excellent.” She presses her forehead to mine. “Family first.”
Speaking of which, we both realize the boys are babbling away. Blissfully unaware of the shenanigans their parents have been up to. I help her get straightened out. Put my shirt back on. We grab bottles and settle on opposite sides in the overstuffed chairs. Feed. Burp. Nappy change. Done.
“We've got this parenting thingdown,” I say to Mae as we depart. I find Zane grinning at me in the hallway.
Feckin’ hell.
“There you are. It's time for dinner.” He glances at both of us, a knowing smirk spreads across his face.
Fee is behind him holding Mia's wee hand. “We didn't want to interrupt, but I’m glad you’re finishedfeedingyour babies. This one needs a potty break before we sit down to dinner.”
“Oh, Mia. I'm sorry your cousins neededtheirdinner.” Ronni strokes her dark curls and shoots Fee a knowing smirk. “It’s too bad your mama didn’t take you upstairs.”
“It's okay, Auntie Mae. Daddy said we needed to check on you and Unka Connor to make sure you hadn’t fallen asleep.” Mia breaks free from Fiona, sashaying toward the bathroom without a backward glance. “Mama, don’t follow me I’m going by myself.”
Zane shakes his head at his adopted daughter’s confident sass. “I can’t get over how much she's just like you were at that age, Fee.”
“God help us.” Fee follows his gaze, clasps his hand and leans her head on his shoulder.
An hour later, we're all stuffed and happy. The toasts are complete. We’re all enjoying hanging out together. With Torin tucked like a football in my arm, I sidle up to Jace, who’s been quieter than normal tonight. “It’s good they’re getting their happily ever after, isn’t it?”
“Yep,” he drawls. I wait for him to elaborate, but that’s all I’m getting from him.
Before our hiatus, Jace was fed up with Ty and Zoey’s drama for a number of reasons. Considering Alex and Zoey are BFFs since birth, it’s not like he’s going to keep them apart. Or that he would even want to. “You’re not still salty, are you?”
“Nah. I’m just over it. I love Ty. I love Zoey. I just want off the crazy train.” I follow his gaze over to the area in front of the fireplace that’s become an impromptu dance floor. Alex and Zoey are dancing with Lena and Mia. The rest of our crew are milling about in various conversation groups. “I really just want to focus on my own family.”
Jace and I have a connection that transcends the band. It doesn’t surprise me our feelings are consistent when it comes to our personal lives. Whatdoessurprise me is how little interaction we’ve had lately. It makes me a bit sad, so it does. “About that…” I fix him with one of my patented looks designed to elicit information.
“Life is good.” The bollocks just shrugs like he has no bothers in the world.
“Feckin’ hell.” I can’t help but roll my eyes all the way up to heaven. “Ronni’s been with the girls at all of this prewedding shite. She said you got engaged. Were you thinking of telling me? When’s the wedding? You’re the last man standing.”
His expression doesn’t change. “We’re married in spirit. Don’t rush us. It will happen. We haven’t set a date yet.”
“What the hell does that even mean?” For feck’s sake, how annoying can this man be? Then I realize. It’s Alex. She’s the one who is gun-shy, not Jace.
“Dunno. We’ll figure it out.” His tone confirms my thoughts.
Before I can reply, Ronni joins us with Tristan in her arms. She side-hugs Jace and wrinkles her nose. “Don’t pressure him, babe. That’s not cool.”
“Thankyou, Ronni.” Jace glares at me. “You’re the voice of reason.”
Ah, hell. I decide to let it go. “Aye, that she is.”
Except, most of the others overheard the conversation and have now joined us. To protect my band-brother, I divert the subject to hiring a new management company. The past couple of weeks of being together for Ty and Zoey’s wedding hoopla make me yearn for LTZ to start things up again. Not how it used to be, though. We have to be smart. Our current representation still wants us to tour nonstop.
None of us want that anymore.
Unfortunately, Jace and Alex are still the hot topic. Zane and Fee grill Jace with similar intensity I employed earlier. I sort of tune out until I see Ronni touch Fee’s arm. “She’s dealing with some health stuff, Fee.”
“Oh, God.” Fiona’s eyes widen with horror just as Alex walks up with Lena.
“What’s going on?” She glances at Jace.