“Thank you for what you’ve given me so freely.” Robert finally let Landon go and immediately started looking for a cab. He lifted his hand and three sets of vehicle lights turned on. They hadn’t been near as alone as Robert had thought. The car that got to them the fastest won the fare.
“You need to call Kennedy,” Landon said. “It won’t be good if she finds out from anyone other than us.”
“You call her. She likes you better anyway,” he quipped, going around the small vehicle and dropping down into the backseat. Something caught his eye. Robert reached to the floorboard, picking up a multicolored feather. He fought the tears and clutched the feather in his hand as Landon sat in the seat beside him, working his phone. His life was no longer his own and it felt damn good.
Chapter 46
January 2020
Snow fell heavily beyond the windows of the downtown high-rise, creating a beautiful backdrop to a cozy scene inside the large inviting living room. The glow from the marble faux fireplace cast shadows along the back wall. Heated air blew through hidden vents along the top and sides, adding warmth to the room. A soft instrumental played on the surround sound. Over the last nine months, he and Landon had worked hard to prepare for special family moments like this. The redecorated penthouse now had a comfortable, homey feel, which fit their growing family perfectly.
They had also had lots of help getting ready for their little bundles’ arrival. The majority coming from Kennedy. She added the Amazon Alexa video displays to the living room and kitchen. A project she handled by herself, sending technicians to the house without asking his or Landon’s permission. His nearing a century old grandmother had gone out of her way to learn to use the device so she could watch over the twins.
They’d only brought the babies home a little over a week ago, and Kennedy had already logged in many hours with her eyes glued to the screen, offering her advice on how he and Landon should care for them. Yesterday, she’d come up with the brilliant plan to send the devices to Landon’s family. What seemed like a sweet gesture in the beginning was growing old, quickly.
“Robert, Kane’s starting to fidget. It’s about twelve minutes until his next feeding. He’s going to be our eater,” Kennedy said quietly, causing Robert to look over the center island in the kitchen to the two swaying baby swings slowly rocking the twins, Kane and Kennedy. Every time he looked at his babies, his heart gave a little squeeze. They were so small and special. Kennedy swore they looked just like him and Autumn at that age.
“Their bottles are almost ready.” He spoke as quietly as Kennedy, checking the time at the wall of clocks they’d designed to keep up with their schedule. The blizzard-like conditions had forced him to close the restaurant for the evening. Since Landon had decided he should not be left alone with the babies just yet, he’d gone on his own the few blocks to La Bella Luna to manage the sudden decision to close. By Robert’s estimation, he should be home by now.
“Have you heard from Landon? It’s been almost three hours.” Before too much worry could build, the front door buzzer alerted him that someone had entered. At the same time, the timer on the bottle warmer beeped.
“My God, it’s cold out there,” Landon said, emphasizing his statement with a shiver as he stepped from the foyer into the living room. He went straight to check on the babies, crossing his arms over his broad chest to stave off the cold. He stopped about a foot from the swings, peering over to check on each one. “I tried to make it home for the feeding. Did I miss it?”
“Perfect timing.” Robert smiled, lifting the bottles, drawing Landon’s eyes to him. “Nonnie, we’re saying goodbye.”
“Goodnight. Call me if anything happens that I should know about,” Kennedy said in a firm but sweet tone.
“Bye, Nonnie,” Landon whispered and went for the fireplace, holding his hands out to warm. When the screen on the Echo Show went dark, Landon turned more fully to face him. “We need to put the brakes on that. My parents are getting all set up to call. They’ll all be here twenty-four seven.”
“I know. I feel the same way. Are you ready?” he asked, placing one bottle on Landon’s rocking chair and the other by his.
Landon’s gaze widened as he asked anxiously, “Can’t you do it and let me watch you again, so I get it right? You’re a doctor—”
“Babe, you can’t be scared to hold your own baby. This is our bonding time. Come sit down.”
Kane, just a little over five pounds, began to squirm in earnest. He loved bottle time and didn’t like to stop eating for the burp. Kane made Landon the most nervous with all his kicking and stretching. The little guy was a very active baby.
Robert carefully picked up Kennedy. When he went to place her in Landon’s arms, his mister rubbed his hands together, warming them as he took his seat. The exchange went normally with Landon extremely careful while taking her in his arms. Once Landon was comfortable with her there, he tucked the blanket around her and reached for the bottle.
Kane broke the sweet moment with his soft newborn-baby cry, which made Kennedy stir and Landon stiffen in his seat.
“Relax, Papa.” He cupped Landon’s shoulder, caressing a path to his jaw, making him look up at him. “If you’re tense, then she’ll be tense.” A phrase he’d uttered every feeding since their babies had been born two weeks ago.
“I’m glad they’re home,” Landon said and rolled his shoulders. “They
