"You good, man?" I step up to the side of the bed.
"Yeah." His blue eyes are so full of peace it settles over me. "This time, right here, it's what a man can only dream about."
Darby nuzzles into him, sighing in contentment and moving the baby to his chest. Ashlyn's breath hitches, and I know she gets it.
Years ago, we did this twice. Both times he was filled with hatred for himself and shame, it was hard to swallow. Today is a different scene. My new nephew may never leave their arms. And I don't blame them one fucking bit.
"Did we wake you?" Ashlyn comes to my side and reaches over to run her fingertip over the baby's exposed cheek.
"I have a teenager, a stubborn wife, and a son that tries to pull one on me every day. Rarely, I don't wake," Peirce answers her, placing his hand on the baby's chest. "And now a son who will need to eat soon."
"And I have a husband that is a nutcase about my sleep, so I slept all morning," Darby adds. "We were resting when y'all came in."
"The cavalry is on the way. You up for it?"
"Yes," comes from Darby at the same time Pierce grumbles, "No."
"Give the word, brother. I'll have Ashlyn sling the bitch, and the ice will stall them for at least an hour."
"That is not funny, Miller."
"Man, if I thought it would work, I'd piss her off myself," Pierce talks over her.
"Hello, should we be cussing around the precious new human?"
"Are you kidding? With this family?" Darby laughs loudly, jostling the baby, who scrunches his little face so much I'm prepared for a wail. Instead, like a natural, Darby runs her nose along his cheek and he calms, never opening his eyes.
"Seriously, I think I lost the bitch. She's gone."
"Spend some time with Pierce and she'll come back easily," Darby urges. "Or push a nine and a half pound baby out of your vagina. That works, too."
I cringe, not having a vagina, but looking at my nephew and knowing he did not make this easy on his mom.
He came into the world a little after midnight with Pierce glued to Darby's side. Annie had been in the room most of the labor, but somewhere close to the end, she joined us in the waiting room with wet eyes and explained she hated leaving, but the moment he came belonged to Pierce and Darby.
Annie Graham was a nut, outspoken, and opinionated, but she loved her children fiercely. She went through hell with Darby, and even though this is her first grandchild, an event seventeen years in the making, she knew when she needed to step away. Which also meant she was a big softie.
I told her this.
She leveled me an artic glare but said nothing. A few minutes later, I found her introducing Ashlyn to a Pediatric doctor on call. The man couldn't take his eyes off of her, and when he took out his card, scribbling on the back and handing it to Ashlyn, I growled.
Annie glowed, grinning at me sardonically and sending her message. Everyone thought it was hilarious. I did not. But I thawed a little when I realized she had used me to lighten the mood amongst the anxiety and tension in the room.
A little later, Pierce strolled out. His eyes were rimmed pink, but otherwise, he was invincible.
"He's here, he's healthy, and Darby's perfect. She's a fucking rock star."
At his voice, Maya and Cole, who'd been sleeping lightly on one of the sofas, jumped up and rushed to their dad so fast my neck snapped. He crushed them to his body forcefully. I thought I heard a whimper, but they didn't move.
The room was silent, except for the murmur of him whispering something to his kids.
Ashlyn was at my side, threading her fingers with mine, and I glanced over to see she had Evin's hand in the same way. "Congratulations, uncles," she whispered.
Evin's face was loaded with emotion as he shot her a grateful smile and kissed the top of her head.
"I'm taking Maya and Cole to wash their hands, and when Darby's cleaned up, I'd like to introduce them first," he announced. "Then you can all come in. I don't know who pulled their clout to allow you to stay all night, but I've been told we have one hour until you have to leave."
He led them away, and the excitement exploded. Ashlyn called her mom, Stephanie called Scottie, and Annie called Lynda. It was brief, but I swear tears were on her cheeks until she turned away from us.
We took our turns seeing Darby and the baby, then all went to the parking lot together, where Mom and Annie produced bottles of champagne.
No one questioned the fact we were in an open parking lot drinking at one in the morning.
The door behind us opens and Evin shuffles in quietly, giving a quick wave. He washes his hands, then goes directly to Pierce's side and takes the baby in his arms like a pro.
"Hey, Urchin." He walks to the reclining chair and sits, settling the baby on his chest and making himself comfortable.
"Please stop calling him Urchin," Darby squeaks.
"Give him a name and I will. Until then, he's a sea animal."
"We did that this morning, smartass," she shoots back.
"Did you put it on the birth certificate yet?"
"Pierce took care of it."
"If it's official, time to share it."
"Might as well tell him, baby. Our parents will barge in here any moment and ruin it."
"Pierce made the final decision. We named him Devin Graham Kendrick. Spelled D-E-V-I-N," she clarifies.
My eyes fly to my brother, and he's perched proudly.
"Cool choice." Evin's response is rougher, his voice hoarse.
I get that. When I met Cole and learned he had my middle name, it touched deep.
"Devin Graham, cool name indeed. And he has his mom’s initials," Ashlyn choruses, then frowns. "I can't believe I left my phone at home. Hope my dumb brothers don't forget to bring
