Page 92 of Happily Ever After… Again and Again

Luca figures if anyone would know, it’s him—this isn’t his first baby rodeo.

Finn nods slightly, and Luca realizes they’re havingone of those silent, mental conversations again.

“No, you’re beautiful—ha, even with all that—don’t even think about it…six weeks, Nix Rhodes. I told you this already,” Finn says suddenly, clearly shutting down whatever ridiculous idea Nix had just floated. He squints his eyes until he looks constipated, a sure sign he’s trying to send something back along their bond.

Nix gasps softly, his voice quivering as he murmurs, “Love you, too.”

“Baby, maybe we can get you and the babies into bed?” Jay suggests, his eyes full of longing and concern. He looks like he’s barely holding himself back from sweeping Nix up then and there.

Luca silently agrees with the idea; he feels the last three hours in every muscle of his body.

“Luca might need a break, too,” Gideon adds.

“Luc! Oh, sh—eet. I’m so sorry.” Nix fumbles, looking between the babies and Luca before calling out, “Gray? Rowan? Can you?” He hands the babies off, and Jay doesn’t waste a second, scooping Nix into his arms.

“Oh no…the bed is wrecked,” Nix admits with a wince, and Luca knows exactly what he means. Plastic mattress covers only go so far, and the sheets are a lost cause.

“What about a shower? You and Luc could get clean while I fix the bed,” Jay offers.

“Yeah, okay,” Nix agrees. “But then, can we go to the nest? I want Mari and Rosie in our bed.”

With the plan settled, Luca barely has a moment to register Gideon’s arms sliding around him before he’s lifted. The familiar scent of sweet summer rain fills his nose as he presses his face into Gideon’s neck.

“I’m proud of you, Honey,” Gideon says, his voice warm.

“My baby did all the baby-work,” Luca mumbles, his words soft against Gideon’s skin. “He was amazing.”

“You were there for him. I know how afraid you were, and you didn’t let that stop you.”

A small smile tugs at Luca’s lips, and without thinking, he sucks gently at the skin beneath his mouth. “Mmmm.”

The sound of running water pulls his attention, and he opens his eyes to see Jay setting Nix carefully on the bench inside the shower.

“Oh, Sugar. You didn’t,” Luca manages between chuckles

“Luca? What’s so funny?” Nix asks, blinking at him in confusion.

Luca points to the back of Jay’s shirt, grinning so wide it almost hurts.

Jay freezes, frowning before his eyes flutter shut in defeat. “I should’ve known you were up to something, Love,” he mutters, clearly dreading the answer.

And there it is, bold and shameless across the back of his t-shirt:Call Me Big Daddy.

Our House: Leo

Leo slides open the glass doors to the backyard, and Tsuki slips past him on silent feet. The night is warm, the thinnest sliver of the new moon casting just enough light to guide his steps toward the rose bench.

He adjusts Mari in his arms, settling onto the bench before bringing the full bottle to her lips. She’s not even a day old and already has the pack running in circles. Sleeping only a few hours at a time—normal for newborns—and eating just as often.

The rest of the time, she stays wide awake, studying whoever happens to be holding her. She seems to like it when Leo murmurs quiet bits of old songs, but she still prefers Nix most. Leo figures it’s because she spent so much of her beginning tucked up under his heart.

She’s a voracious eater, always managing twice what her sister does, even if her tiny tummy grumbles loudly afterward.

“You’re one day old now, Mari-my-girl,” he whispers.

She opens her eyes, and with a final suck on the bottle, she begins to fuss. They’re already learning that it’s not that she’s still hungry, but just annoyed she didn’t get to decide for herself to stop, and it’s just that the bottle is empty.How dare it be so rude?

To distract her, he shifts her up onto his shoulder, making sure the soft burp pad is in place before gently patting her back. Grayson had learned the hard way this morning that warm formula in your hair—and down your back—was a deeply unpleasant experience.