Page 43 of Meant to Be

“Thank you,” Carter added, pulling Kay in for a hug.

A charge of jealousy moved through me at the sight of another man’s hands on her. I fought hard to tamp it down. This was Carter. Moreover, we were there to celebrate his wife giving birth. He wasn’t flirting in the least.

In fact, as soon as he released Kay from the hug, he looked anxious to get back to his wife and newborn son.

“This way,” he began, ushering us through the entrance portion of the room to another door where I could make out laughter and talking on the other side.

Just before Carter opened the door, he turned to me and said, “Don’t scare my son with your ugly mug.”

I snorted. “Please, the only saving grace that baby has for looking halfway decent is that his mother is beautiful,” I retorted.

“Don’t look at my wife,” Carter growled with the same jealousy I’d just experienced moments before.

“You two,” Kay laughed, shaking her head.

I tightened my fingers around hers, bringing her hand to my lips just before turning and seeing the rest of my family, save for Tyler, who was out of town for work, and the children who’d been left in the care of a nanny while they slept. I quickly made introductions—or reintroductions—of Kayla to my family who was present.

“You weren’t fighting, were you?” my mother whispered loud enough only for me to hear.

I pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Hello Mother.”

She frowned, her blue eyes narrowing at me. My mother hated the fact that I fought. From what I heard, she practically kicked my father out of their bedroom when she first learned he was the one who’d gotten me into it. After close to seven years she reluctantly accepted it. But as she scanned my face and body looking for bruises or injury, the frown on her face revealed how much she still hated the idea of me fighting. It was the same, worried look she often gave Tyler after a game or a big tackle.

“You’ll meet a woman someday who’ll make you forget all about fighting.” Her eyes immediately shifted to my right and a sparkle entered them at the sight of Kayla.

I sighed, refusing to inform my mother that this son of hers didn’t plan on settling down. Ever. But even as I thought those words, my head shifted and I stared at Kayla who was smiling at the bundle of joy in Michelle’s arms, the words seemed to lack the same passion they’d always had in the past. Almost as if I were starting to doubt my own conviction.

Instead, I gave my mother one last look and moved toward the bed where Michelle sat up, smiling just as big as Carter who now stood at her side. Aaron and Patience were at the foot of the bed.

“Hey, sis,” I greeted a tired but beaming Michelle.

“Josh, hey.” She smiled and turned to Kayla.

“This is Kayla.”

“Nice to meet you,” Kay began. “I’m sorry, if you wanted just family here I can leave.”

Kay’s words pissed me off but before I could say anything, Michelle spoke up.

“If Josh brought you, then you’re family,” she stated easily.

Kay’s mouth clamped shut as she turned her head to me.

“She’s right,” was all I said.

I turned back to the bed. My eyes dropped to the bundle in her arms. I watched on as Carter bent over to retrieve the sleeping baby from his wife. He brought the baby over to me.

“Everyone else has already had their turn.”

I stood up a little straighter, feeling pride my brother entrusted me to hold his most precious gift.

I held out my arms.

“Don’t drop my son,” Carter warned.

“I’ll protect him with my life,” I promised fiercely, meaning every word. As soon as Samuel was in my arms, his tiny lips opened and he let out a huge yawn. “You’re exhausted. It’s been a big day for you, little guy,” I crooned.

I held and rocked him a while longer, only to look up and see four pairs of eyes staring at me.