“I can see a little of both of you in her,” I tell them.
“Thank you,” Palmer replies.
“Now go. Nap, eat, or shower… do all three. I have no plans for today. I’ve got this one covered.”
“She just ate,” Palmer tells me. “I’m pumping but not breastfeeding. She had trouble latching. There are more bottles.” She goes on to not only tell me but show me where everything that we might possibly need, and most we won’t, is.
“You’re just going to be just down the hall,” I remind her.
“You sure you’re good with her?” Brooks asks. “If she gets fussy, she likes for me to hold her against my chest.” He looks over at his brother. “You might have to step in.”
“We’ve got it. You’re going to be in the same house. If we need you, we’ll come and get you.”
“Daddy loves you.” Brooks comes over and kisses his fingers, and places them on Remi’s forehead. He then kisses my cheek. “Thanks for this.”
“Mommy loves you too.” Palmer leans down and kisses her tiny hand. “Don’t hesitate to wake us if you need us.”
“We’ve got it,” I assure them. Brooks leads Palmer down the hall, and they disappear into their bedroom, softly closing the door.
I move into the living room and manage to sit without jostling her too much. When I adjust her position, her eyes open. “Hey, sweet girl. It’s nice to meet you,” I say. Remi smiles like Elvis, one lip ticking up, and I laugh.
“Aww, she loves her aunt Alyssa,” Sterling coos as he takes a seat next to me. He’s sitting so close our thighs are touching, and the heat of his body warms mine.
“Just think, in a few months, there will be two more babies to love on.”
“You want kids?” Sterling asks me.
“Yes. Have we never talked about that?”
“Not that I can recall.” He slides his arm around my shoulders and cradles me and baby Remi to him.
“What about you?” I ask.
He laughs softly. “Definitely. Maybe not nine,” he says. “Dad was an overachiever.”
“Your mom was also involved,” I remind him.
“Yeah,” he says, reaching out and offering Remi his finger. She latches on right away. I feel his lips press to my temple, and I rest my head on his shoulder.
I shouldn’t let my mind go there, but it’s easy to imagine that this is our life, and this little girl is ours. Somehow, I need to find the courage to tell this incredible, amazing man, who has always been by my side, that things have changed for me. I need to tell him that when I think of my future, he’s there. Not just as my best friend but as the man I choose to live life with.
One day soon. Just not today.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Sterling
“Where’s Alyssa?” Kennedy asks.
“She’s having lunch with her parents.” She raises her eyebrows at my tone, and even I can hear the irritation in my voice.
“Why didn’t you go with her?” Declan asks.
“I’d already promised Dad I’d help him pick up a cedar chest he’s made for Mom. We did that early this morning, but Alyssa was already gone.” I sound like a pouting child, but I can’t find the will inside me to stop.
“You should have just met her there,” Declan tells me.
“Yeah.” What I don’t tell him is that I called her and was on my way to do just that, but she suggested she just meet me here. Apparently, she was out with her mom doing some visiting with her aunt or something. I don’t know why it bothers me so much. She’ll be here. I know that she will, but I wanted to see her. Fuck, this is out of hand. I take a sip of my water, wishing it was a beer. However, I chose not to drink in case something happens, and I need to go to her. If she breaks down or something, I want to be the one to take care of her.