Page 63 of Blood

“Exhausted.”

But the look on her face says she wouldn’t have it any other way.

I glance around the kitchen. “Is Belle already in bed?”

Charlie nods. “Daniel and your dad are just reading her a story. They’ll be a while.”

We should have come earlier.

“The dear has been a little clingy ever since the baby came home.” Mom adds.

“She’s just not used to sharing Daniel and me.” Charlie blushes.

“Not a problem, sweetheart.” Mom waves away. “Did I ever tell you about how Sammy used to cling to me in the early days of Daniel and Michael coming home?”

“Really?” Charlie smiles.

“Oh, yeah. Wouldn’t leave me alone. Day and night. Still climbs in with us sometimes even now.” Mom laughs.

“Okay,” I huff. “Let’s not tell everyone that.”

“Nothing to be ashamed of, baby. Some people just like a cuddle.”

“Hmm.” I side-eye her. “I’m not giving this baby back tonight,” I declare and head for the living room.

“No fair,” Kaleb moans. “Charlie, Sam’s hogging the baby.”

“Snitch.”

“Mom,” Kaleb whines, “Sam called me a snitch.”

Laughing, everyone joins us in the living room.

“We’ll wait for the boys to come down for food. How about a board game?”

I drown out Michael and Kaleb bickering about what to play, and instead, I focus on the new family member.

Feeling Charlie settle beside me, I whisper, “What’s his name?”

“Nope,” she denies me gently. “My husband wants the pleasure of announcing that.”

CHAPTER THIRTY

Kaleb

“I can’t move,” Samantha groans from across the room.

It feels like I haven’t been near her since we got here.

Because you haven’t.My bratty girl is avoiding me.

“At least you finally stopped hogging little Griffin over here,” I say with a raised brow.

“Not Griffin.” Daniel shakes his head at my guess, rocking his son.

“Little Roman?”

Charlie laughs. “Put them out of their misery.”