Page 109

FIFTY-ONE

MILLIE

“She’s already said her first word, and she’s in the ninetieth percentile for weight and height. All in all, I’d say Viviane is doing great.”

Gavin and I beam at one another as the pediatrician continues her assessment. Vivi said duck just as he stepped into the exam room, and at first, the doctor thought she’d said doc . I almost wanted to let him believe she was a little baby genius. I certainly think our Viv is the smartest baby around.

“How’s she sleeping?”

“She’s up about once a night now for a bottle. Last week was rough because of teething, but now that the tooth has broken through, she’s sleeping well again. Any suggestions for how to handle the rest of them?” I smooth my hand over Vivi’s, and she smiles at me, her lips shiny with drool.

Rather than respond, the doctor blinks at me in surprise.

Oh. Oops. That’s right. I’m just the nanny. Gavin should be the one speaking.

“Sorry,” I say with a wince at Gavin. “I’ll let you handle the questions.”

He drapes an arm around my shoulder. “We’d appreciate any suggestions, Doc. Like my girl said, Vivi is up about once a night.”

I duck my head to hide my heated cheeks. The man seriously just claimed me in front of the doctor. We’ve hidden our relationship from everyone we know, so this is new, though I don’t hate it.

I lean into his arm, and Vivi squeezes my hand.

“Duck.”

We all laugh.

“Unfortunately, there’s no magic solution to the teething. There are numbing gels that can help and cold toys during the day for her to gnaw on. Use a little trial and error and find what works best. As for the bottle at night, she’s old enough to go longer stretches without eating. If she wakes up before about five a.m., try getting her back to sleep without one.”

Gavin looks at me, wearing a small frown. He’s probably thinking the same thing I am. As much as I’d love the extra sleep, I’ll miss those late-night cuddles with Vivi.

“Sure, Doc,” he says, clearing his throat. “We’ll see what we can do.”

After the doctor has finished his exam and leaves, I press a kiss to Gavin’s cheek.

“What was that for?” he asks, adjusting Vivi so he can slide an arm around my waist.

I run a hand down her back. “It was just nice how you included me in that. Thank you.”

Gavin makes an approving sound in his throat. “You’re included. You’re the one doing most of the work.”

I smile down at our girl. It’s how I’ve started thinking of her. “I love it.”

When Vivi says duck again, we both laugh, and Gavin points to the door. “All right, let’s get out of here so we can skate.”

Vivi spit up all over herself halfway to the arena, so once we’re parked, I hop into the back seat to change her into another adorable Bolts jersey and twist the teeniest bit of curls into a little ponytail on the top of her head. “There ya go, bestie. You’re looking good.”

Once I’ve climbed out and have her settled on my hip, Gavin steps in close. “Soon I’ll have two curly-haired girls.” He tugs on one of my curls and then leans in, lifts Vivi’s jersey, and gives her a raspberry on her belly. Her laughter echoes through the team parking garage, filling me with so much joy I might burst.

Gavin, eyes bright with happiness, gazes at me for a long moment. The genuine adoration in his expression steals the breath from my lungs and sends my heart into a gallop. I’m so head-over-heels in love with this man.

I angle in, forgetting where we are, and press a soft kiss against his lips. Needing him. Wanting to tell him right now exactly how I feel. When he cups my jaw, deepening the kiss, I vow to do just that.

“ What the fuck? ”

I startle back at the booming voice and spin, coming face to face with my twin. His jaw is clenched tight and his eyes are shooting daggers at us.

“What the hell, Millie?” he says, his tone dripping with disgust. “Did you just kiss my coach?”

“Watch your tone,” Gavin hisses, stepping in front of me protectively.

“Watch my tone?” Daniel scoffs. “Watch where you put your fucking hands.”

“Daniel.” My mind is going a million miles per minute trying to figure out how to spin this.

“Don’t Daniel me. How long has this been going on? How long have you been hiding my sister like she’s a dirty fucking secret?”

Gavin takes a deep breath and turns. “Can you take Vivi inside? I’ll talk to your brother.”

“You should take her,” I suggest. “I’ll handle my brother.”

“Neither of you is going anywhere until you tell me what the fuck is going on.” Daniel’s scowl cuts deep lines into his brow.

Vivi grabs my shirt and kicks her little legs. “Duck.”

I suck in a breath. Shit. This is getting worse by the second. “We have a baby here. Watch the language.”

“How long?” he grits out, ignoring my request.

Exasperated, I huff and hold Vivi closer. “Like two years,” I grit out. “Get over it. We’re fine. I’m fine. Mind your business.”

By the horror that crosses Daniel’s face and the way he staggers back, that was not the right answer. “Did you cheat on my sister and knock some other girl up?” he shouts, taking a step closer to Gavin. “And now you’re making her watch the baby?”

“Oh my god,” I mutter. “That’s not what I meant. Gavin, I’m sorry. I?—”

He wraps an arm around me and pulls me in, keeping his head high and his focus locked on Daniel. “We weren’t together the whole time. But we are together now. We didn’t mean to hide it from?—”

“Millie,” my brother barks. “You’re too good for this. You aren’t some dirty mistress. What the hell are you thinking?”

“Enough.” Gavin’s tone is lethal. “She’s not my dirty anything.” He turns to me now, standing between my brother and me, attention fixed intently on my face. “I planned to bring this up tonight, but I guess now is as good of a time as any. I plan to talk to your dad tomorrow. I already invited him over.” He swallows audibly and smooths a hand down my upper arm. “But if you’re ready, I’d really like to go inside the arena and skate with my family.”

Heart lodged in my throat, I scan his face. The brown eyes that have felt like home since I first lost myself in them. The affectionate smile. The lines that have formed beside his eyes from smiling and laughing as we talked late into the night.

“Your family?” I can’t hide the hopefulness in my tone.

“Yes. You and Vivi. My family. What do you say, Peaches? Let’s go inside the arena as a couple. I’m done hiding.”