Kiss by Kiss (Riggins Brothers 3)

Tiptoeing up the steps, I peek in on Aspen and see that she’s sleeping soundly. I debate on waking her up to tell her, but I know she’s exhausted. I’ll just tell her when I get home. I change my clothes so I don’t smell like a bakery and head out. As soon as I’m in my car, my cell phone rings. I smile when I see Mom flash across the screen.

“Hey,” I answer, pulling out onto the street.

“How are things?”

“Good. Layla had the baby,” I tell her.

“Oh, good. I hope everyone is well.”

“Yes. Grant texted me a picture. He is the cutest little boy ever.”

“I want to see when you have time.”

“Absolutely. So—” I pause, debating on whether I should tell her but decide to just go for it. “I had a visitor just a few minutes ago. I was taking the sidewalk sign down before leaving for the hospital.”

“Okay. Are you going to tell me who it was?”

“Elijah.”

“Oh, dear,” Mom says. “Aurora—” she starts, but I interrupt her.

“I told him to get lost. Mom, I felt nothing. Not even anger. Sure, I was mad that he was there, but it’s all in the past. To be honest, I’m glad he showed up. It’s the proof and closure I needed. He’s no longer a person of significance in my life.”

“Wow. That’s not what I was expecting you to say. Then again, I shouldn’t be surprised. Moving to Nashville has been good for you.” I can hear the smile along with the approval in her voice. “What did he want?”

“Get this. He says that I owe him money.”

“For what?” Mom asks in disbelief.

“Apparently because I lived with him for over a year. He’s full of it, Mom. I paid for all the groceries and my half of the bills. He looked like he might have been strung out on something, or maybe had no sleep for a few days. Something was definitely off with him.”

“You girls need to make sure you’re locking your doors and using the alarm system.”

“We are. We’ll be fine. I can handle Elijah. He’s a bully. He’s not physically abusive.”

“I don’t know, Rory. If he is on something, he sounds desperate, and that changes a person.”

“We’ll be careful. Listen, I just pulled into the hospital. I’m going to go in and get my baby Carter fix. I’ll call you later.”

“Send me pictures. Love you.”

“Love you too. Tell Dad hello,” I say, ending the call.

“He’s so tiny.” I stare down at the perfect baby boy in my arms. Grant is kneeling next to me.

“Didn’t feel tiny,” Layla jokes.

I look up to see her tired smile. You can tell she’s exhausted from a long labor, but she’s a trooper, and her smile tells me that all the pain was worth it. Not that I would think anything less. I’m not a mother, but I can imagine it’s the best feeling.

Carter stretches in my arms, and I pull back his blanket, giving his little arms and legs the space he needs to do his thing. “Feel better, buddy?” I ask once he’s finished. I try to wrap him back up, like the little burrito that he is, but I’m going to need to lay him down.

“Dad’s got this,” Owen says. He walks around the bed and takes him from my arms. I stick my lip out in a pout, and he chuckles. “I’ll give him right back. I’ve perfected the burrito,” he tells me. His blue eyes are also shining with so much love and happiness. It’s radiating off both of them.

“I need to watch this,” Grant says, standing.

“Something you’re not telling us, little brother?” Owen asks.

“Nope. Trust me. If this was my future, I’d be screaming it from the rooftops. I need to work on my burrito skills if I’m going to claim the favorite uncle title,” he says.

Layla and I both burst out laughing, not because of the “favorite uncle” remark, but because Grant’s gaze is focused. He’s concentrating on watching Owen, who is also the model of concentration.

“How are you feeling, Momma?” I ask her.

“Good. Tired and sore, but happy.”

I nod. “He’s perfect,” I say, glancing back at Carter, who is now the perfect little baby burrito. “Gimme.” I hold my hands out for him, and Owen smiles. He kisses his son on top of his head and places him back in my arms.

“Looks like Aurora is going for favorite aunt,” Owen jokes.

My heart swells at the thought of being a part of this family. Of being here to watch this little boy grow up. Watching his Mom and Dad be amazing parents, and his four uncles compete for his affection, which he will surely figure out as he gets older and takes full advantage of them. As he should.

“What’s that smile for?” Grant asks.

“Nothing. Just picturing you and your brothers spoiling this little guy rotten to be the favorite uncle.”