My mind spins in one hundred different directions, but I still manage to smile like a damn idiot. Being here in this room with my woman, my ring on her finger, our daughter and newborn son, I feel indestructible. Not at all what I thought I’d feel.
I thought love made me vulnerable. At least, that’s the way I was raised. Having no one gives me nothing to lose. Every time I revert to that way of thinking, Layla proves me wrong again and again. Holding my baby in my arms, I feel fear for the future. What kind of hell is this little man going to put me through: fear for his first fever, first broken arm . . .?
My dad wasn’t completely right. Death makes a man think, but so does life.
I hear a soft knock, and Braeden pushes through the door, checks Layla out, and then takes an empty chair and pulls it close. “You gonna let me hold him?”
“No.”
“Dude, I sat and had every bone in my hand fractured multiple times with your woman before you got here.” He holds his hand up and wiggles his fingers, wincing. “I deserve some uncle-nephew time.”
“I gave him your name, dude. That’s all you get.”
“Seriously?” His eyebrows pinch together. “You’re such a baby hog.”
I’m half joking with my brother. I don’t mind if he holds Jack. I just don’t want to let him go. “Fine, but switch spots. He likes being rocked.”
Brae takes my place and I lay my son in his arms. “Make sure to support his head.”
It takes a few adjustments, but soon Jack is nestled safely in my brother’s arms.
I lean in and whisper. “So . . . Trip?”
“Shit, man.” He blows out a long breath. “I’m really sorry about that.”
“My woman is stubborn as shit. I knew you didn’t have a chance of keeping her out of trouble for twenty-four hours.”
“Yeah.” He nods. “She’s like, some kind of PI ninja with gnarly illusion skills. I seriously believed she was meeting with some mom-to-be-group.”
I can’t help the rush of pride that swells my chest. “She’s a handful, bro.”
He turns toward her sleeping. “Yeah . . . I need to get me one of those.”
I smack him upside his head.
“Dude, I’m holding a baby.” His whisper-hiss is accompanied by a pretty weak evil-eye.
A chuckle rumbles in my chest, and I swear if I let myself, I’d giggle like a fucking girl. I’m so damn happy.
“How was Dad when you left?” The tiny baby whines and Brae starts rocking.
“Good, man. Really good. I think he’s gonna fight.”
His eyes grow big with shock. “No kidding?”
I nod and stretch, suddenly feeling tired after today’s events. “Yep. He’s also planning on coming out for a few days to meet my family.”
“Amazing.” He goes back to admiring his nephew. “I knew your visiting would be good for him. I think he needed your forgiveness in order to want to go on living.”
No kidding? How do I have that much power over a man like Duke Daniels?
I gaze down at my son, who’s cradled in my brother’s arms, and it hits me. Jack isn’t even twenty-four hours old, and already he has me wrapped tightly around his baby finger. If he wanted me to crawl to him on my knees, I’d do it happily. Shit! Talk about a revelation.
“Are you guys talking about your dad?” Layla says, her voice groggy.
“Hey . . .” I move to her bedside, drop down by her hip, and brush her hair from her face. “How’re you feeling?”
Her eyes are a little puffy, but the flush of her cheeks and the undiluted joy that radiates from her smile says it all.
“Better, thanks.” She pushes up to sitting. “I’m so sorry I didn’t ask about your Dad.”
“Nah, don’t be.” I drop a kiss to her forehead and she closes her eyes and sighs. “It’s all good.”
“Good? As in . . .” She doesn’t say it, and I don’t blame her. It’s as if putting the idea in audible words is too much.
“We’re good, baby. Facing death has made him see the light.”
“Wow, that’s great news, Blake.” She shifts on the bed, and I prop up some pillows behind her the way the nurses showed me. “Will I finally get to meet them?”
“They’re going to make a trip out as soon as you’re up for it.” A smile pulls at my mouth. God, I must look like a damn clown.
“Knock, knock!” Jonah’s voice comes from the door.
“Come in!” Layla pushes herself up, and I pull her blankets up as high as she’ll let me and tuck them around her legs.
“You sure? We’ve got a whole crew in tow.” Jonah jerks his head to the people filtering into the room: Raven, Rex, Gia, and Mason whose grimace is apparent. Cameron and Eve trail in behind everyone else, his arm thrown over her shoulder. Ah, there’s where Baywatch’s mood stems from.
Raven and Eve rush to Layla, and I stand to give them room, but not before lifting Layla’s knuckles to my lips for a quick kiss.
Brae doesn’t risk standing but swivels his rocker around. “You guys wanna see my amazing little nephew, Jack?”
Rex holds Gia’s hand and peers over Brae. “Damn, he looks like you, Layla.”
Gia nods. “I love the name. That’s the name of a stud.”