The Confession

“Sleep. And for Hammer and Liam to stay off me.”

“They have to for at least six weeks.” Beck smirked.

“No, I mean forever. The next time those two try seducing me with their monkey bars, I’m telling them my playground is broken.”

In unison, he, Seth, and Heavenly all burst out laughing. Raine glowered.

“Ms. Kendall?” a nurse called from the door, wheeling in both bassinets with fussing babies. “Your girls are hungry.”

The sight of her daughters was like an instant injection of bliss. The scowl melted from Raine’s face and a huge grin took its place. “Aww. There are my sweethearts. Did you miss Mommy? Shh, it’s okay. I’m going to feed you and kiss you both back to sleep.”

“They’re so gorgeous,” Heavenly gushed.

“They are,” Beck nodded. “You did good, princess.”

Suddenly realizing Seth had been nearly mute since they’d entered the room, he peered over his shoulder to find Cooper sitting in a chair, staring at the squalling infants with an inscrutable expression. What was Seth thinking?

While the nurse and Heavenly surrounded Raine with pillows, Beck plopped in the chair beside him. “They’re little, but they’re loud.”

“That they are.” Seth nodded.

“But they’re miracles.”

Cooper didn’t refute him, just continued to stare at the babies.

When Raine began unbuttoning her pajama top, Seth stood. “Do you want us to step out of the room while you nurse?”

She scoffed. “It’s not the first time you and Beck have seen my tits. You saw them at the club, at the lodge…”

Heavenly blinked, clearly stunned. Beck tried not to grimace. Yeah, they needed to sit her down and explain why they’d seen her best friend naked.

Seth cast Heavenly an uncertain glance, then settled back in his seat. “As long as you’re comfortable.”

“Unless either of you have a breastfeeding fetish, you’re welcome to stay.”

“Nope,” Seth assured.

“Me, either,” Beck added.

“Good to know.” Holding her daughters like footballs, Raine, with Heavenly’s help, coaxed each to latch on.

Their girl shielded Raine with a baby blanket, then sat and smiled at her bestie.

While she nursed the newborns, they talked—about Jack and Connor leaving in two days and Zach’s progress with them. About River and Dean cohabitating in a bungalow that had become a war zone. About Hammer miraculously not passing out during the twins’ delivery. And about Liam and his family, who’d flown all the way from Ireland to help Raine with the new babies.

At some point, Raine sighed. “Heavenly, would you mind holding Ciara? She fell asleep while she’s supposed to be eating…again. I need to move Catronia to the other side. She’s a nursing machine.”

“I’d love to hold her,” Heavenly squealed in delight.

As she took the peaceful infant from Raine’s arms, Beck cast a sidelong glance at Seth, who was watching their girl cuddle and coo at the tiny baby. A pained—or was that guilty?—expression skipped across his face.

Yeah, watch her. Watch her real close, then tell me you can’t get your shit together.

A few minutes later, Raine settled her hospital gown back in place and regarded them. “Do either of you want to hold Catronia?”

Immediately, Seth gave him a blinding imitation smile. “Go ahead, man. I’m good.”

Tamping down his frustration, Beck smiled as he stood and lifted the baby—who weighed next to nothing—off the pillow. “Come here, you pretty little curtain climber. It’s time you met your uncle Beck.”