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“Roan.” I stomp my foot. “Stop it. Open the door. Don’t you want to see your niece or nephew born?”
“No, not really.”
He’s lying. He’s been just as excited for Shade and Scarlet’s baby as I am, which is why we came home instead of flying directly to Florida where Roan trains for Erzberg.
An hour later, we meet everyone at the hospital in Pasadena where Scarlet is in active labor.
I’m blown away at how grown up the kids are. Even Camden. I swear, he’s a foot taller now and not dating Yamaha any longer. Apparently, from what Amberly has told me through our frequent texting, Camden and his girlfriend had sex and she broke up with him the next day. Don’t tell Tiller. Those were his words to her. First of all, I can’t believe he’s fourteen and had sex already. Where were his parents? But then I think, his parents let him hang out with the Sawyer brothers and Camden saw a naked woman before he was ten so really, I’m not all that surprised.
And secondly, Yamaha broke up with him! I’m already planning her murder. Just kidding, but seriously, how could she break his heart like that? Little bitch. I’m tempted to hunt her red head down and have a word with her.
River’s missing her two front teeth, still as moody as ever and is wearing a jersey. Apparently, she’s racing BMX bikes now, but I wouldn’t know because she doesn’t even acknowledge us when we walk through the door. She rolls her eyes and flops down in a waiting room chair. “I don’t want to see where babies come from.”
And Berlin, that sweet little monkey, she’s about three feet tall now and still clinging to her bunny. Which she smacks Roan in the face with when he hauls her into a hug and blows laughter onto her belly. He hasn’t shaved in months and has a delicious scruffy beard I absolutely adore. Apparently so does Berlin because when she’s not laughing at him, she’s touching his face.
Momentarily, my panties about melt off seeing Roan playing with Berlin with a smile plastered on his face. He’s going to make the best dad someday. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
He hands her to me. She hugs me, hits me with her bunny and kisses my cheek. “I missed you.”
Okay, now my heart’s melting. That’s the first time Berlin has ever spoken to me. To be fair, I think she’s talking to Roan, but I’m gonna take it as she missed me too.
Shade comes out of the room where Scarlet is, his eyes wide. “She’s dilated to an eight. Should be any time now.”
Roan glances over at me. “We should have stayed in Africa.”
“No way.” I push him out of the way and head into the room where Scarlet is. She’s doubled over with Willa and Amberly next to her. Camden’s holding a rag to her face, rubbing her shoulders gently. Apparently, she doesn’t care who’s in here with her because she even allows Tiller to be in there.
Tiller who’s sitting on the couch near the window, careless to the world around him, his face adopting a serious expression of something between scared and annoyed. Probably both. “I will not be a part of this.” He stands, and then he realizes Scarlet’s naked from the waist down. “Oh, hell. Let me see. I’ll tell you if she’s crowning.”
Shade, who follows me and Roan into the room, shoves him. “Bullshit you will. Get out.”
Roan rolls his eyes and leans in to kiss Scarlet’s forehead. “Ya hanging in there, Northwest?”
Scarlet smiles at him, her cheeks bright red, hair all over the place. “I could murder a fucking sandwich right now.”
Shade laughs nervously. “She’s been in labor for twelve hours, and really hungry.”
Luckily, Scarlet’s labor progresses fast once we arrive. She’s legs akimbo and midpush when Tiller says, “The carpet matches the drapes, huh, Northwest?”
Shade takes a tray and smashes it against Tiller’s face. Most violent reaction I’ve ever seen from him. Tiller simply laughs it off, but Shade kicks everyone out. I can’t say I blame him.
Minutes later, with a head full of blonde curls, a blue-eyed Tallulah Emerson Sawyer comes screaming into the world. We leave them alone for about twenty minutes and then Amberly and I barge in, unable to hold back any longer.
I gasp at the sight of Shade with tears rolling down his cheeks as he stares at his daughter in his arms. Scarlet’s a mess, sobbing, pure love radiating in her eyes. Shade leans over, drawing in a shaky breath and kisses Scarlet. “You’re amazing,” he breathes, locking eyes with her.
Now I’m crying.
Roan wraps his arm around my shoulder. “Why are you crying?”
I gesture to the new parents. “It’s just beautiful.”
“Are you sure Shade’s the dad,” Amberly teases. “She looks more like River when she was born.”
Tiller laughs, lounging on the couch again. “I swear I didn’t touch her.”
Roan rolls his eyes but smiles at Shade holding his daughter in his arms for the first time. Shade hands Tallulah to Roan. Like he’s a pro at handling babies, Roan tucks her against his chest. “I think it’s time we made one of these,” he whispers to me.
“I can’t wait. Knock me up tonight.” I smile up at him, gripping his bicep. I bury my face in his shoulder, breathing in deeply.