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After breakfast, I dropped Courtney off at her place. Maverick called while we were out and asked if I could help him with the kids this afternoon. Stella has a hair appointment, and this is the first time Maverick has been alone with all three littles. He’s stressing even though he shouldn’t be. He’s got this—he’s Superdad—but I’m going to be there regardless. Especially since the twins are just under three months old. What if they both have a diaper blowout at the same time? That’s a definite need for more hands.
We didn’t make plans for when Courtney and I would see each other next, but we’ve been texting off and on all afternoon about everything and nothing at all. Case in point, I just texted her my bed, the one we slept in last night covered in all the laundry I’ve washed since dropping her off.
Me: Folding laundry is the bane of my existence.
Courtney: It’s a necessary evil. I mean, you could just leave it in baskets and wear them wrinkled. That sounds like a very single-guy thing to do.
Me: Not a single guy, remember? I don’t shy away from the hard stuff.
My reply has a double meaning, one I’m sure she’s going to pick up on. Courtney is smart as hell.
Courtney: I’m starting to learn that about you.
Me: As soon as I get this folded, I’m headed to Maverick’s. You want to come with me?
Courtney: I’ll let you have your manly bonding time.
Me: Ada and Lacey take offense to that.
She sends back a string of laughing emoji.
Courtney: Next time. I have my own mound of laundry.
She sends me a similar picture, but hers seems way more organized than mine.
Me: I will call you when I get home.
Courtney: Talk soon.
I toss my phone on the bed, knowing damn well I won’t be able to wait until I’m home to talk to her. She’ll get more messages, because this is who we’ve become with one another, and I can admit it’s been nice, having her in my life. I never could have guessed that in such a short amount of time, I’d be this... attached to her, but here we are.
“Ada bug!” I call out as I walk into the living room. My niece lifts her head and climbs to her feet, abandoning the doll she was playing with on the floor. I crouch down and open my arms wide for her. When she’s in my arms, I rain kisses down all over her cheeks, making her laugh.
“You ready to hang out with your favorite uncle?” I ask her.
“Pway dowwies.”
“You got it, toots.” I place her on my hip and walk over to the couch where Maverick is holding a twin in each arm. “How’s it going?”
“Good, so far. I’m glad you’re here.” He huffs out a breath of laughter. “This is the first time I’ve been with all three of them on my own. I don’t know if I’ll need you, but I thought it better safe than sorry.”
“Uncle Merrick to the rescue.”
Ada wiggles to get out of my arms, and I place her on her feet. She rushes back to her dolls, plopping down to continue playing.
“Give me a baby,” I tell my brother. I don’t give him time to decide. Instead, choosing to scoop Lacey from his arms to mine. She’s the closest. “Hey, sweet girl,” I coo. She’s awake and watching me intently. “How are they sleeping?”
“Better. Only waking up once a night, and usually at the same time, so we can tag team it and get back to bed.”
“Like a rock star, huh, Lace?” I ask my niece, who just watches me like I’m the most interesting thing in her world, and right now, I probably am.
“How was breakfast?”
“Good. I dropped Court off at her place after and did laundry. It was an exhilarating experience,” I say, deadpan.
“I heard there was a strange car in your driveway this morning.”
I glance over to see him grinning. “She stayed over.”
