Dirty Chef

“You know, some of us want to fall in love and make cute babies.”

I rubbed at my chest as it constricted painfully, and I walked over to the window where Alessia was looking into the nursery.

“How did it go?” I asked.

I’d been at home to shower while Alessia had stayed behind in case Jack and Isla needed anything. Before I’d left, Isla was gonna try to nurse the newborns again.

Alessia looked over at me and smiled tiredly, then glanced back at the window. Or, specifically, at the two cribs at the front of the room where Baby Girl Grady and Baby Boy Grady fussed to themselves.

“No luck yet,” she murmured, gaze fixed on the babies. “It’s normal, though. Sometimes it takes a bit before they take the breast.”

I nodded as if I knew what she was talking about, and I eyed the cribs. The babies were bundled up and wore little hats, so I couldn’t see much of them now. I’d seen them earlier. I’d even held the boy for about five seconds.

Babies terrified me, I couldn’t lie.

They were cute as fuck, but Jesus Christ, no creature on this earth was as breakable.

At least animals gave birth to little ones that could fend for themselves.

“And you want a gaggle of those,” I said.

Alessia let out a soft laugh and elbowed me lightly in the gut.

I was stoked for my brother. Jack had never been happier, and he and Isla would be great parents. But on a selfish level, this wasn’t a particularly joyous day for me. Every second Alessia spent near the babies, I saw her slipping through my fingers.

She’d meet someone soon. They’d get married and she would squeeze out a few runts, and I would never see her again. It would start out slow, of course. First, we’d stop living together because her new man would find that weird. Then, she’d miss a few shifts at work. Dates and whatnot. Eventually, she’d hire someone—maybe a hostess or bartender. She’d come to work one day with a rock on her finger, and she would burst with excitement as she announced she was pregnant.

I wanted to fucking hurl.

“Oh, look,” she gasped softly.

I raised a brow at the babies. The boy yawned.

“So cute,” Alessia whispered. “I know I’m being silly, but I’m just so happy for Isla and Jack.”

Yeah, everyone was pleased as punch, from grandparents and siblings to friends and even the freaking nurses.

Aforementioned family members also knew how to go home and catch some rest.

“Okay, I know it’s time to leave,” she said and made no move whatsoever. “Tomorrow’s gonna be rough.”

We didn’t have much of a choice. The twins had chosen to arrive on our Monday off, so we hadn’t been able to get the holiday menu sorted for Valentine’s. We were doing it tomorrow instead. Well, part of it. We’d have to postpone the main courses until later this week. I needed more time.

“I’m gonna check in with the new parents,” I said. “Then we’re outta here, all right?”

Alessia nodded, probably thrilled to get another few minutes of staring at the babies.

Yup, I was definitely losing her.

Fuck.

I found my brother in the next hall. Isla was asleep in the hospital bed, and Jack was in the uncomfortable chair next to her, checking his phone.

I knocked lightly on the doorframe, and he glanced up and smiled sleepily.

“Mom texted and asked if you’d managed to drag Alessia out of here yet.” He kept his voice down and stood up, walking over so we could let Isla sleep. I stepped out into the hall and removed my ball cap. “You okay?”

“Sure.” I nodded with a dip of my chin. “I talked to Alex and Jamie. We’re doing a Grady Night this weekend at Mom and Dad’s.”

Jack chuckled quietly and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Been a while since we did one, I suppose.”

I knew what he was thinking—maybe it was too soon. Alex, the eldest in our bunch, was the same. Jamie and I were the ones insisting. We needed it. I needed it. One night with just family, music, great food, drinks, and a plain old good time.

“Mom will be there.” I threw that out there. Which meant free babysitting. After a week of no sleep, Isla should jump at it. “She’ll probably lock herself in the nursery all night. You and Isla could use a break by then.”

Jack snorted softly and shook his head in amusement. “I realize this is difficult for you to comprehend, but we’re actually looking forward to being at home with our children.”

Fuck yeah, it was difficult to comprehend.

“I can’t believe you’re a dad.” I pinched my lips together and smirked faintly.

He smiled back and flicked a glance through the window to Isla’s room. “I’ll talk to Isla,” he murmured. “I’m not so naïve that I don’t believe we’ll be tired.”