Page 105 of Manny's Surprise Baby

“Do you like the idea?” Seth asked softly, ruffling her hair.

“I love it.” She hugged him tight. “Love, love, love it.”

He smiled at me over her head. “I’m glad.”

“It’s a way to keep your mom’s memory alive and around us all the time,” I said softly.

Emily got up and came over to hug me too. “Thank you, Pierce. Thank you for not being weird and resenting me or my mom.”

I squeezed her. “No way. Never.”

She smiled up at me, her dark eyes wet with tears. “I have the best dads ever.”

“We’ll see if you still feel that way when you’re old enough to date.” Seth grinned. When the baby cooed, he glanced down and said, “We don’t have to worry about you for a while yet.”

Emily rolled her eyes. “Oh, gosh. Me either. Boys are gross.”

Seth grinned. “Really? I kind of like them now days. Well, one certain boy.”

“I hope you mean me.” I laughed.

“Yep.”

“Actually, Brad was cute.” Emily had a dreamy look on her face. “He was nice too.”

Seth frowned. “He’s way too old for you.”

“Yeah. Don’t even dare think about hitting on poor Brad.” I fake scowled. “You aren’t allowed to even notice boys until you’re at least eighteen.”

“Nice try, Dad number two.” She smirked. “And besides, Brad isn’t a boy… he’s a man.”

Seth rubbed his face roughly. “Oh, geez.”

“Anyway, getting back to naming the baby.” I snorted.

Emily skipped back over the baby. “Hey, Letty. Do you like your name?” She knelt down on the carpet, tickling the baby’s chin. “Letty, Letty’s diaper is wetty.”

“Really?” Seth frowned. “This is what you do with the name of your sister?”

“It rhymes,” Emily giggled.

“Unbelievable.” Seth shook his head.

“Is this what we’re doing now? Rhyming names?” I laughed. “Quick, Emily. What rhymes with Seth?”

She bugged her eyes. “Death?”

I winced. “Oooh. Not good.”

He snapped his fingers. “Breath! Seth, you take my breath away.”

“That’s a pretty long name.” I met his gaze, smiling.

“Why is my name so hard to rhyme?”

I laughed.

As chaotic as the last few weeks had been since bringing Letty home, I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. Seth stood and came to side beside me. His hand rested on my thigh, and my gut fluttered at his touch. I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder.

“I love you,” I said softly. “You really do take my breath away.”

“Awww.” He smiled down at me, his dark eyes crinkling. “I love you too, Fierce Pierce.”

I grinned. “Did you come over here just to share that with me?”

“Nah. I came over here to be by your side.”

“Where you belong.”

“Yep.” He intertwined his fingers with mine. “Exactly where I belong.”