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“Apple,” Ada says excitedly and takes off for the kitchen.
“She loves apples and peanut butter,” I explain to Courtney.
“I’ll go help her.” She stands with Lacey in her arms.
“I’ll take her.” I move Ryan to one arm and nod for her to put Lacey in the other.
“I’m not ready to give her up yet,” she confesses. “I’ll manage.” She moves to the kitchen. With the open-floor plan, I can see her as she gets into the refrigerator and pulls out a container of diced apples.
“How did you know those were in there?” I call out to her.
“Stella told me before they went to take a nap.” She reaches up into the cabinet and grabs a paper plate and an individually wrapped container of peanut butter. She effortlessly opens the peanut butter, places a few apple slices on the plate for Ada, and carries it back to the living room, setting it on the table. “Sit with Uncle Merrick while you eat,” she tells my niece.
“Otay.” Ada does as she’s told and grabs a slice of apple, dipping it in the peanut butter, and taking a large bite.
“Smaller bites, Ada bug. You don’t want to choke.”
She nods as she chews and goes back for more peanut butter on her slice.
Courtney hands me a bottle of water and sets one for herself on the end table as she gingerly sits back down. “Look at that smile,” she coos down at Lacey. “You need to stay awake so Mommy and Daddy can get some sleep tonight.”
“Mer story,” Ada says. She rushes off to the small bookcase in the corner of her play area in the living room, before racing back to me to read her a book.
“Don’t you want to finish your apples?” I ask. Leaving the book on my lap, she turns back to the table, grabbing an apple slice in each hand, abandoning her peanut butter, and trying to climb on the couch next to me. I offer her my hand, helping her up, and she snuggles close.
“Let me take him,” Courtney says, nodding toward Ryan.
“Are you sure? Both of them are a lot.”
“I’m sure.” Her smile is as bright as the midday sun as she nods toward her open arm for me to place Ryan there.
“Let me know if it’s too much. We can put them in their swings.”
“Nope. I’m getting all the snuggles.” She’s grinning as she stares at my niece and nephew in her arms. I love that she’s so at ease here with my family, and that she’s so willing to jump in and help out.
As soon as Ryan is in her arms, Ada crawls into my lap. She snuggles in while I read her a story. Before I’m even halfway through, she’s sound asleep with her apples untouched, still in her grip.
“I’m going to pry those apples from her little hands and take her to her bed. You okay?”
Courtney smiles softly. “I’m perfect, Merrick. We’ll be right here.” She looks down at my niece and nephew, who are both slumbering peacefully in her arms.
“I’ll be right back.” I slide the apple slices from Ada’s hands without waking her up, and stand, carrying her to her room. I get her set up in bed, making sure to turn on the monitor that I know is sitting in the living room in case she wakes up.
I rush back to the living room to help Courtney with the twins. “Let’s put them in their swings.”
“Aw, do we have to?” She pouts, and it’s fucking adorable.
“We do. You need a break.”
“Fine,” she grumbles softly.
“I’ll bring you back whenever you need your baby snuggle fix,” I assure her.
“I’m holding you to that, Merrick Kincaid,” she says, as I take Ryan from her arms and move him to his swing. She does the same with Lacey and follows me back to the couch. “They’re precious. All three of them.”
“They are,” I agree.
Her phone rings, and she rushes to silence it. “It's my mom.” Her voice is soft as her eyes dart to where the twins are still sleeping with no care in the world.
