“If you don’t get in here,” Anastasia says, “I’ll be offended.”
Izzy laughs and steps inside, then offers Stasia the gift bags. “We stopped downstairs to get a little something.”
“Oh, you didn’t have to…thank God, blankets! Everything happened so fast this morning, I forgot to bring the baby’s blankets and one for me. I’m always cold. This is absolutely perfect, Izzy, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Izzy, this is my brother, Archer. You met his wife, Elena, at the baby shower.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Hey, why did Archer get out of going to the baby shower?” I ask.
“I had work,” the other man says with a smug grin.
“Is anyone going to tell us if it’s a boy or a girl?” Izzy asks the room.
“It’s a boy,” Kane says proudly. “Thomas Edward O’Callaghan.”
Named for our father, and for Anastasia’s. “That’s a fine name if ever I heard one.”
“Come.” My mother gestures to Izzy. “Give him a cuddle.”
“Oh, Keegan should hold him first.”
I shake my head. “You go ahead. Really.”
Izzy doesn’t so much as look my way as my mother gently lays the baby in Izzy’s arms and then gestures for her to sit in the rocking chair.
The baby doesn’t even make a peep as Izzy slowly rocks back and forth and gazes down at him as if in awe.
“Well, aren’t you a tiny one?” She drags her finger down his little cheek. “You’d make a woman’s ovaries explode.”
We all laugh, and the girls nod in agreement.
“He’s the sweetest baby,” Ma says. “Just content to sleep away.”
“He’s already eaten, too,” Stasia adds.
“Yes, you’re a healthy little fella,” Izzy coos and pushes his hat back so she can see his hair. “And you have your daddy’s dark hair. You’re already a heartbreaker.”
“What happened this morning?” I ask as Izzy rocks the baby.
“My water broke, and everything seemed fine, but when we got here, they said he was turned awkwardly, and I’d never be able to push him out. So, they had to rush us back for surgery.”
“Thank goodness you’re both safe now,” Maggie says.
“Okay, it’s your turn.” Izzy turns to me, but I shake my head.
I’m terrified of him.
“I think I’ll wait until he’s not so fragile.” But I squat next to them and rub his small fingers. He wraps his hand around my finger, and that’s all it takes to send me head over heels in love with him. “Well, hello there, sweet Tommy. I’m your uncle Keegan. I’ll be your favorite.”
I hear laughter around me, and when I glance up, I find my mother smiling softly down at me.
I know what she’s thinking.
And for the first time in my life, I’d say she’s not wrong.
“Okay, stop hogging the baby,” Maeve says as she approaches. “I’ve only held him for a second, and then I had to call everyone in the world.”
“Go snuggle your auntie Maeve,” Izzy singsongs before kissing his little forehead, which wrinkles at her touch. “Oh, my goodness, I love it when babies wrinkle their tiny brows like that.”
“I just want to eat him up,” Maeve says as she gently takes him from Izzy.
“You baked a beautiful baby,” I say to Stasia. She smiles, but her eyes are droopy. “And now we’re going to leave you be so you can rest.”
“You don’t have to go,” she insists, but I see the fatigue, and I don’t want to overwhelm her.
“We’ll be back,” I assure her. I step to my brother and bring him in for another hug. “Congratulations, Kane.”
“Thank you.” He smiles. “He’s something, isn’t he?”
“He’s the best. Going to be pampered and loved more than anyone I know.”
He grins. “As it should be. I’ll see you later?”
“You couldn’t keep us away. I think Izzy might be obsessed.”
“It’s a baby,” she says. “Of course, I’m obsessed.”
We say our goodbyes and head out of the room.
“He’s adorable.” Izzy grins. “And so tiny.”
“I take it you like babies, then?”
“What’s not to like? I would say I’m a maternal person. I always begged for a baby brother or sister, but my mom wouldn’t do it. Now, I need to get home so I can cook.”
“What are you cooking, love?”
“I need to make some meals for them. She just had major abdominal surgery, Keegan, she can’t be cooking.”
I want to pull her to me and kiss the hell out of her. I want to propose to her, right here and now.
Jesus, I have it bad.
“I think my ma will have the meals down. Well, her, along with Stasia’s family.”
“Oh. You’re right. I wasn’t thinking. But I want to do something for them. I’m so excited. Then again, it’s not really my place to butt in and do anything at all, of course. I’m being silly.”
“You’re being sweet, and there’s nothing wrong with that at all, Isabella. If you’d like to help out, I’m sure there’s plenty they’ll need. Everyone will want to jump in and help this week. But after the newness wears off, they’ll still need some help. Maybe we can do something then?”