Page 126 of Theodore

“We’re all good.”

Theo shook Zane’s hand, but his eyes told me he hadn’t forgotten the way he’d behaved...whatever his reasons.

Laura stood, smiling politely at Zane as he sank into a chair, wiping his hands on his trousers like they were dirty.

“I’ve washed my hands,” Zane said, as Laura delicately placed Romeo into his arms.

Then I saw it.

The moment Zane changed.

“Hey, little guy,” Zane whispered as he kissed the top of Romeo’s head. “I’m your Uncle Zane.”

Theo folded his arms, walking over to me with a grin.

“You did it, baby. You got him here. Now you need to rest up and get better. I love you so much.”

I was about to answer when the door opened, the rest of my family piling through with coffees galore.

“Aww, Zane.”

Mara swooned, heading over to Zane and Romeo.

Instantly Zane twisted away, nodding at the cup in Mara’s hands. “No hot stuff near him.”

Theo lifted an eyebrow as we laced our fingers together.

“Calm down, I’m hardly going to throw coffee at a newborn baby,” Mara teased.

“Just, be careful,” Zane commanded, gazing at Romeo. “What’s his name?”

“Romeo Phillip De Luca,” Theo answered proudly.

“Romeo, huh? You gonna be a heartbreaker?” Zane chuckled, looking over at me. “Phillip, like our surname?”

“Theo suggested it.” I yawned.

Zane nodded, smiling at Theo.

“You guys are the strongest people I know. He has to have some of that in him, so he needs it in his name.” Theo shrugged.

Mom covered her mouth as she sobbed, and Ryan grinned, shaking Theo’s hand.

“You’re right, and if he falls off his bike, Nik isn’t gonna get a pony bandage—”

“No, because you will!” Mara said, and we all laughed.

Zane handed Romeo back to me, and everyone left as it was time to feed him.

“Looks like you’ve got a lot of babysitters,” Mara joked, kissing us goodbye.

“I’ll get you some food.” Mom promised, addressing Theo and me.

Everyone dispersed, leaving Theo and me alone with Romeo.

“What are you thinking?” I asked, tilting my head to Theo.

He gazed at me, shaking his head slowly.