“I’d be afraid of you too,” Conrad says. “Let me try.” He takes Madeline from my arms, and she’s okay for about a minute before she starts to cry. He hands her back to me, and she stops.
“You jokers are doing it wrong. You have to soothe her.” Royce steps in front of me. “Hand her over, little brother. I’ll show these knuckleheads how it’s done.”
“I’m sorry, sweet girl. We can humor them, right?” I ask Madeline before handing her over to Royce. He coos softly to her. I have no idea what he’s saying, but he lasts about two minutes, longer than Grant and Con, before she begins to fuss, and he immediately hands her back.
“He does the same thing with Roan.” Sawyer laughs. “Daddy hates to hear him cry.”
“It’s the worst,” Royce confesses. “I never know what he wants. I’m failing at this dad gig.”
“You’re not failing,” Layla tells him. “It takes time to learn, and my guess is that Roan can sense that his crying makes you nervous, which makes him nervous.”
“That’s what I keep telling him,” Sawyer agrees.
“Clearly, as the more seasoned father, I’ve got this.” Owen walks around the island and holds out his arms like he’s already cradling the baby. “Baby me,” he says.
It’s still sometimes hard to see my brother so laidback with kids and us even. Layla has opened him up, and it’s the best thing. “Here you go.” I gently place Madeline into his arms. She immediately grabs for his beard, and a slow smile tilts his lips. He thinks that he has this in the bag.
“You’re a cute little thing, aren’t you?” he asks Madeline.
“She and Roan are the same age,” I tell him.
At the sound of my voice, Madeline turns to look at me, and again that little lip of hers pokes out, and she begins to cry. Royce isn’t the only one who can’t handle a baby crying, so I reach for her. She snuggles into my chest and immediately quiets down. “I’ve got you,” I tell her softly, rubbing my hand up and down her back.
“I think it’s safe to say she likes you.” Aurora smiles at me.
“She’s not used to being around a lot of people. She’s in day care, but they have an all-female staff. She’s never really been around men,” Wren confesses.
That makes me wonder what happened to her husband. Did he leave them? How is it possible that he was married to a woman like Wren and had this adorable little girl, and he was able to walk away? I don’t know Wren, but from what I do know, she’s a good person and cute as hell. He’s an idiot.
“We’re best buds, right, Maddie?” I ask the baby.
“I can take her,” Wren tells me.
“It’s fine. Go ahead and eat. I’ll watch her while you do.”
“It’s okay. I’m used to eating and holding her.”
“Which is why you should take a break,” I reply.
“She’s content,” Aspen chimes in. “Let’s get a plate. We’ll be right here if she starts to get fussy.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Wren asks me.
“Positive.” I move to one of the barstools and take a seat. Madeline has her little fist wrapped around my shirt, with her head resting on my shoulder. She’s perfectly content, and I admit that her wanting me over my brothers has me wanting to puff out my chest in victory. It’s stupid and childish, but it’s still facts. As the youngest Riggins brother, I’m constantly behind all of them, and well, Madeline just moved me to the top spot.
Conversation flows all around us. Royce has Roan in a similar position as I do Madeline, and Carter is in his high chair, the one Con bought just for him for get-togethers like this. I have one at my place too, and so do Royce and Grant. Our family is growing and changing, and we’re all here for it.
“Have the two of you set a date yet?” Layla asks Aspen.
“No, but I’ve been thinking about it.” Aspen smiles at Wren, who returns her smile in earnest. “I’m thinking sooner rather than later.”
“What?” Conrad drops his fork to his plate and turns to look at his fiancée, giving her his full attention.
Aspen smiles. “Life’s short, and at the end of the day, I want to be your wife. Even if I look like a whale in my wedding dress.”
“You’re a fucking goddess,” Conrad is quick to reply.
No one bothers to tell him to watch his language around the kids. He is laser-focused on Aspen, and we all know that he’s lost in her and their conversation.
“And that’s why I love you.” Aspen places her hand on his cheek and smiles softly at him.
“What changed your mind?”
“Wren.”
Every head in the room turns to look at Wren, even Conrad. I watch as she visibly swallows and squares her shoulders. “I lost my husband,” she murmurs. “A week later, I found out I was pregnant. Life is short. You have to take what it gives you while you can.” She looks away, averting her gaze.