Page 14 of Falling for You (Balsam Cliffs #2)

“Nothing happened, Rome. I just see him for the asshole he is and choose to not point it out for your sake. Because for some reason he is a good friend to you.”

She leans over the car seat to kiss a sleeping Livvy’s head.

“Text me when you have a free weekend, you can come up and spend the weekend with us.” I pull her in for a hug.

Once I’ve gathered all the equipment that babies need, or don’t need, I still haven’t figured it out, I leave Evelyn behind in the dragon’s lair that is my parents’ business.

Pulling back in my garage, I see Emma’s car sitting in the other bay. This is real now. Something I never thought I’d have is really happening, only it’s not in any way how I imagined it would be.

I want Emma to be mine. I want to shout it from the rooftops without her brother threatening to kill me. I want him to see that I’m the one for her. But I’m doing a shit job of showing that to him, or her for that matter. The baby sound asleep in the back seat is proof of that.

I quietly put the truck in park and try to open my door without making a sound. I manage to succeed in getting Olivia out of the car and into the house without waking her up.

Emma comes over from the kitchen and opens her mouth to talk when I put my finger up to my lips to let her know to be quiet. She tiptoes backwards into the kitchen without making a sound.

I carry the car seat further into the house and put it on the counter.

Then I think twice about it. What if she rocks the car seat and it falls off the counter?

Nope. Not happening on my watch. I pick it back up and place it on the kitchen table where I can watch her and she has more room to rock if she miraculously learns how to do that.

“Hey, how did moving in go?” I say barely above a whisper.

“Good. Fi is still snoozing under the blanket I gave her on my bed.” Ems giggles at the thought of her.

“Of course she is.” I walk over to where she stands at the counter, my hand grazing her lower back out of habit. “What smells so good?”

“Oh I’m just making a quick potato salad and some roasted brussel sprouts. I figured we could grill some burgers for the Ryans tonight.”

I groan. I had let myself forget for a minute. “Right. I forgot about them, honestly.”

“Rome…” she starts but doesn’t finish whatever thought she had because Olivia wakes up at that moment.

Emma beats me over to her and pulls her from the car seat, snuggling her close to her chest and whispering to her.

“She’s probably hungry.” I walk to the fridge to grab one of the bottles I made last night according to the Ryans’ directions and toss it in some hot water from the sink to warm up.

Emma is pacing the kitchen and bouncing Olivia and peppering her head with small kisses. I hear her whisper, “Missed you today, Livvy girl.”

All at the same time, the doorbell rings. Wayne and Diane are here. Emma and I both freeze and look at each other. She gives me a weak smile as I trudge over to open the front door. This is the last thing I want to do.

I pull open the door to reveal the Ryans on the other side. “Hi, welcome. Come on in.” I stand off to the side, gesturing for them to come in.

“Thank you, Roman. We’re happy to be here, to get to know you better.” Diane leans in unexpectedly for a hug.

I show them to the living room where Emma has magically set up a vegetable tray with a pitcher of fresh lemonade, all while holding a fussy baby. How the hell does she have a handle on all this baby stuff already?

Olivia reacts giddily when she sees her grandparents. Reaching and kicking for them at the same time.

“Would you like to feed her? We just heated up a bottle.” Emma walks back into the living room with the bottle in hand.

“Of course!” Diane rises from the couch, and holds out her arms for Olivia. “Hi my sweet girl!” She kisses her head and I see the tears in her eyes.

Emma goes back to the kitchen and I excuse myself to follow her.

“Hey, where are you going?” I lean my hip on the counter in the kitchen.

“I wasn’t sure if you wanted me in there. I mean I’m just her nanny.” She shrugs and goes back to the oven, pulling out the vegetables.

“Ems. Stop. That’s not what you are.” I reach out for her when she spins around to face me.

“It is Rome. If you think about it. It is. Hunter is your best friend, and he’s not here. I’m not your girlfriend, but I am here. So when it comes to Olivia, I am the nanny.” She places the roasted vegetable pan down on the counter.

“Ems.” I reach for her, grasping her hands in mine, “You are so much more and you know it. You are still one of my best friends and I’d love to have you with me for support. You make everything better.”

She flinches when I say she’s one of my best friends, but so brief that I almost would have missed it if I blinked.

“Okay, I’ll be there in a second. I just need… a minute.” She turns from me and goes down the hall to the bathroom.

Walking back to the living room I see Wayne and Diane sitting closely on my couch with Olivia. Tears in both of their eyes are visible even from here. I turn to go out on the deck to start the grill for burgers. I don’t want to intrude, I can only imagine how hard this transition is for them.

Once the burgers are on, I come back in and face the Ryans.

“Roman, I just… I want you to know that this decision to follow through with Blair’s final wishes is so hard for us.

Olivia is a piece of our daughter, and keeping her would be selfish.

You always deserved the chance to get to know her and all the good that Blair passed down to your daughter. ” Diane wipes her eyes.

As I sit down, I hear Emma coming down the hallway. She quietly takes her place next to me.

“I completely understand how hard this must be for you. I know we haven’t discussed things yet, but you are absolutely welcome to still be a part of her life.”

Ems chooses a seat that is close, but not too close that I’m going to misconstrue what her being here means. She’s setting a clear boundary and I should respect it.

“Oh, that makes me so happy. I couldn’t leave this girl knowing I’d never see her again.” Diane smiles wide at Wayne.

“How is this going to work then?” Wayne asks. “Did’ya get that paternity test done?”

“Yes, sir. I went this morning with Olivia. I should have the results tomorrow. But I have no doubt you’re telling the truth.

The test is a formality in my eyes. Your story seems genuine, and I know you probably don’t believe it but I’m ready to step up.

Blair and I might not have had a relationship, but I’m ready to have one with our daughter.

” Emma’s body goes tense next to mine. I cringe inwardly.

That was an asshole thing to bring up. “Well, why don’t we move to the kitchen, the burgers should be done soon.

” I rub my palms on my pants before pushing up to lead the way.

I grab the car seat on my way by the table and place Olivia at the head of the table where we can all see her. I wish I had one of those swings for babies. I feel bad when she’s all cramped up in the car seat. But she doesn’t seem to mind.

Dinner with the Ryans was… eye opening.

All the things that Blair had to endure and fight to keep her body going during her pregnancy, and after to have a few short months with Olivia.

She’s a true fighter and I’m in awe of her.

Giving Olivia to me has to be the hardest thing that the Ryans are doing right now in the midst of their grieving.

I can’t take that for granted. I will dedicate the rest of my life to being the best dad to Olivia, just like Blair did, no matter how short time was for her.

We exchanged phone numbers among the four of us and I promised to let them see her whenever they want, they are welcome to call me anytime they want to. Emma promised to send photos to Diane everyday.

The visit with them was good. And bittersweet when they left.

Now it’s my turn to give Olivia the world.