I don’t believe in magic, but I do believe in love.
I watched my parents growing up, and yeah, it would be nice to have that one day, but for me, I don’t know how to find it. How do you know if someone is with you for the right reasons? My family is well known, and yeah… I just don’t know. My mom is constantly telling me that I’ll never meet the woman I want to bring home to meet her at a club. However, I don’t really hit the clubs much anymore. It was something I always did with my brothers, and well, they all have families now. It’s just not the same without them.
Now, instead of a night out at the club, we gather together and build baby furniture or rearrange the furniture in their houses. Fun times. No, truthfully, it’s always a good time when I get to hang out with my family. My brothers, all four of them, are my best friends, so any time I can snag time with them and their wives or fiancées is a win.
Just don’t tell them that. I don’t want that shit going to their heads.
My phone rings, pulling me out of my head and back to the present conversation. Tugging it out of my pants pocket, I see Mom’s face. “Hey, Momma,” I greet her.
“What has you so chipper?”
“Oh, you know, just hanging out with my siblings eating magic bars.”
“Tell Aurora and Aspen to save one for me.”
I move the phone from my face and place it on speaker. “You’re on speaker. Tell them yourself,” I tell Mom.
“Girls, save one of those for me.”
“Don’t worry, we made extra,” Aurora tells her.
“Are we still on for dinner tonight for Dad’s birthday?” I ask.
“Yes. You all are going to be here at six, right?” Mom checks.
“We’ll be there earlier than that,” Royce tells her. “How’s my boy?” My mom watches Roan and Carter, she and my dad together, and you’d have thought she cured world hunger with how happy it makes her.
“He’s napping. Carter has already had his nap, and he’s outside with your dad playing in the sandbox.”
“Mom, don’t let him eat the sand,” Owen speaks up.
“Owen Riggins, I raised you and your brothers, and I think I’m perfectly capable of watching my grandsons. Besides, a little sand never hurt anyone.” Her tone is teasing.
“We’re on our way,” Owen fires back. There’s a tilt to his lips. We all know he’s just playing with her. Our mother is a superwoman. She has to be to have raised all five of us.
“Oh, hush.” Mom chuckles. “Anyway, Marshall, can you do me a favor?”
“Sure, what’s up?”
“I didn’t get a chance to go out today to pick up my arthritis medication. Do you mind stopping by the drugstore to pick it up for me?”
“Sure. Do you need anything else?”
“Not that I can think of.”
“Same pharmacy as last time?” I ask.
“Yes. Thank you, Marsh. You know you’re my favorite, right?” she asks.
My brothers make their displeasure with her statement known, while my sisters laugh, and I sneak another magic bar while making a mental note to run an extra mile on my treadmill tonight.
My mother’s laughter flows through the speaker. “I love you all. I’ll see you soon.” The line goes silent. Locking the screen, I shove my phone back into my pocket.
“See, I told you I was the favorite.” I point at my chest, a smirk playing on my lips.
“You’re the baby, not the favorite. There’s a difference,” Grant counters.
“Well, you’re the middle man.”
“That’s why she loves me best.” He smiles, satisfied with his comeback.
“We should let you get back to work,” Aspen says, looking over her shoulder at Conrad, who’s standing behind her with his hands resting on their unborn son.
“We should. I think it’s nap time before we head to your parents’,” Aurora agrees.
“Fine,” Grant grumbles. He leans in and kisses her, then bends to place a kiss on her swollen belly.
“You’re leaving these, right?” Layla asks, moving the container of what’s left of the magic bars closer to her.
Aurora and Aspen both laugh. “Yes, those are yours.”
“You have to share,” I remind them like the spoiled youngest child that I am. Hell, it wouldn’t matter if I was the oldest like Royce or the middle man like Grant. I’d fight for another taste of anything that my two baking sisters-in-law make. It’s legit that good.
After a round of hugs, we all go back to work. Their surprise visit was just the afternoon pick-me-up we all needed. I know it was for me. Sitting back at my desk, I return a few calls and get lost in work for a few more hours.
A little after four, I leave the office. I want to run by the pharmacy for Mom, and then head to their place before everyone gets there. I need snuggle time with my nephews, and my damn brothers will steal them away. I might be the youngest of the family, but I’m also the smartest. I’ll have a good hour of Uncle Marsh, Carter, and Roan time before the rest of my family descends.