The baby was everyone’s focus, but Luc was more fascinated with the way Kassie looked at him holding the baby. It was as if the people she was so concerned with impressing didn’t exist. The way she doted over the new baby, and how her eyes sparkled when she looked at Luc holding Hank, was an honest expression full of love. And it was all for him.
“Hey, sweets, I think you should take him. If that’s okay, Trina?” Luc suggested.
“Sure. Kassie, I think you should hold him. Rock-Star looks a little out of his element,” Trina said with a stifled laugh.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Luc will get used to him. Just give me time,” Luc said.
Willow was now sitting with Tyler, playing with her new unicorn and her baby doll, while Paige was cooing over Kassie holding baby Hank. “Kassie, you look so comfortable with him.”
Trina agreed. “Kassie, you really do. And you know you’re welcome at our house any time. I’m sure I can use all the help I can get with the little guy. And looks like he likes you. Plus, if you bring Rock-Star along, he can play dolls with Willow.”
Kassie snickered at Trina’s words.
“What are you laughing about?” Luc pushed out his lip in a faux man pout. “Guys can play dolls, too. Especially if it’s with a kiddo as awesome as Willow.”
“Aw, you’re absolutely right,” Kassie sweetly apologized.
The door opened, and Kaden and Ali walked in. “Congratulations Sam and Trina.” Kaden’s voice dropped off as his eyes landed on Kassie holding the baby.
Kaden wasn’t glaring, but it was more like the look of realization that she was all grown up.
She was so good with Hank, the way she cuddled him and cooed ever so softly at him. Kassie must have a knack with babies, because she looked so natural and relaxed holding him. Luc couldn’t help but smile as she caressed the little guy’s cheeks.
“Hang on, I have to take a picture of this.” Luc couldn’t not take a picture of her. She was adorable.
“Oh, come on, more pictures? Don’t you have enough?” Kassie blushed.
“No. This one’s just for me.” This wasn’t for the internet. He just wanted to remember that sweet look on Kassie’s face forever. After snapping the photo, he couldn’t help but notice the look on Kaden’s face. He was watching them interact with the new baby. Luc had a rock in his gut and wasn’t sure if this was going to blow up in their faces or not.
“Trina, he’s just perfect!” Ali dropped down next to Kassie on the padded bench. She looked over Kassie’s shoulder at the baby, cooing and doting. “He’s so precious! Oh my gosh, Kassie, you look so natural holding him. Look at him staring at you. I think he likes you.”
“Oh, please.” Kassie waved her off, then she looked up at Luc and their eyes met.
Kassie really was beautiful, and she was all his. She smiled a bashful smile as she cuddled the newborn. Once she looked away, he snapped one more photo, not being able to help himself.
“Luc, enough,” she whined.
He knew Kaden was here, and he knew they were being watched, but it didn’t stop him from sliding in next to Kassie and the baby. Luc wrapped his arm around her and moved the baby’s blanket so he could see little Hank’s sweet face. A weird feeling filled his chest. This situation, him, her, and a baby, just felt right. It must’ve showed on his face, because he could feel Kaden’s stare on them.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Kassie
Kassie didn’t like the way her brother was staring at them. She could see him out of the corner of her eye as she held little Hank. But it wasn’t the painful, stomach churning tension that recently filled the air between them. This was less anxious.
Kaden shook his head, and let out a sigh. It was as if he wanted to say something but instead held back.
“Kaden?” Ali questioned her husband.
“Don’t worry, doll. I’m not going to start anything. It’s hard for me to admit it, but you are all grown up, little sister. Seeing you sitting there holding Sam and Trina’s new baby, not to mention the way you two are looking at one another…” It was as if he might gag just saying the words. But then again, Kaden could always be dramatic.
Ali interrupted, “I’m sure Tyler or Paige would like to hold their new nephew. I’m going to take Willow down to the cafeteria to get a snack. Maybe you two could take this conversation out in the hall?”
Ali’s hints were obvious. This wasn’t something that needed to be discussed in front of everyone. This was Sam and Trina’s big day. The spotlight was to be on them.
“Ali, I’ll join you and Willow. I could use some hospital pudding,” Luc added with a grin. “I like pudding.” He kissed Kassie on her head before he left with Ali and Willow.
Kaden shuffled his feet by the doorway, looking from the door to the floor. Tyler sat down next to her. Paige smiled warmly at Kassie as she scooped up the baby from her arms, cooing to the sweet little newborn.
“Kass, your brother is a good guy, just a bit overprotective,” Tyler whispered. “Just don’t give up on him.”
Kassie looked up at Kaden and nodded towards the door with a heavy sigh. Before she could stand up, Paige lightly grabbed her arm. As soon as Kaden left the room, she spoke. “Kassie, you’re one of us now. We’ve got your back. Remember that. If you need us, we’re always here.”
“She’s right, Kass,” Trina added.
“Thanks, I appreciate that. But I’m hardly one of you ladies. I’m sure it takes more than what I’ve done to be held in the same regard.” No one knows who I am, much less considers me Luc’s girlfriend. Kassie followed her brother into the hallway.
Once they were in the hallway, she looked up at him. She couldn’t stand this weirdness between them. Kaden had already spoken to Luc and they seemed to be on good terms now. She just wanted that for her and her brother, too. She just wanted this to be over, for him to know she was happy and accept it.
“Kaden—”
“Kass, let me say this. Please. I was watching you in there. I don’t know why, but I always think of you as a little girl still. A little girl that I need to protect, especially with Dad no longer around. After Dad died, I thought of you as my responsibility. I was the man of the house suddenly and the only one left to take care of you, to protect you. I felt like Dad was counting on me, and I didn’t want to let him down. I wanted to believe that Dad would not approve of what you were doing, because he knew the code and understood it. That maybe he’d fight for it the way I did. But I was the one that was wrong.”
“You? Admitting you were wrong? We should write this date down somewhere. Anybody have a pen?” She looked around the empty hall humorously trying to make her point.
“Ha, ha. Yeah, I get it. I know I don’t like to admit when I’m wrong. Sorry sis, it’s my one fault.” He shrugged. “But, all joking aside, I was watching you in there, holding the baby, and the way you and Luc looked at one another.”