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Lana looks gorgeous when she answers the door. She’s regained her svelte shape after the pregnancy. Holding out her arms, I immediately hug her, biting my lip to keep back the tears threatening to fall.
“Where’s Zane?” I ask, clearing my throat.
“Changing diapers. You didn’t think I would let him get out of that, did you?”
“Not one bit.”
Lana lets me go and hugs Foster, whose eyes widen in surprise. He’s stiff in her arms but loosens enough to hug her back.
“Welcome,” my brother says as he enters the living room with my two nephews. Both are dressed in light blue t-shirts and dark blue jeans. I can’t wait to get my hands on them, so I reach out to take Charles in my arms. The baby is unsure, but he lets me hold him, gurgling as I stroke his soft blonde hair.
“Would you like to hold Wade?” Zane asks Foster.
“Uh, I’m no good with babies. I might drop him.”
Zane starts to laugh. “I doubt it. Believe it or not, it will come naturally. Take a try so Lana can help me rustle up some drinks and a couple of bottles for the boys.” He holds Wade out to Foster, and my husband cautiously takes him in his arms. A hint of a smile crosses his face as he looks down at my nephew.
“He’s beautiful. They both are.”
“Do you want children?” I inquire once Lana and Zane are out of earshot.
“I’ve never thought about it.”
Wade starts to fuss, so Foster begins to rock him. The baby then coos and grasps one of the black buttons on Foster’s cardigan, tugging at it with interest.
“He likes you.”
Foster smiles down at the baby and begins to softly talk to him, telling Wade he is a handsome boy.
“Hey, what about Charles?” I joke.
“They’re twins, so yeah, he’s handsome too.”
We sit on the couch with the two babies until Zane and Lana come back with appetizers and drinks.
“Time for these guys to have a nap,” Lana says as she lifts Charles from my arms. Zane takes Wade, and once they’re gone, I speak to Foster.
“See, family isn’t so bad.”
He reaches for his wine. “I never said they were. I said I wasn’t used to having a family. I didn’t have the greatest memories growing up. If not for my mother, I probably wouldn’t have been successful.”
“I’m sorry your father is such a jerk.”
“He only wanted the best for me, but he could’ve handled it better.”
“You’re your own man now. You don’t answer to him.”
“I know, but somehow, I still want his approval.”
Our conversation ceases as Zane and Lana reappear down the hallway. We enjoy the afternoon, eating lunch, playing with the babies once they wake up, and joking around. It is the most comfortable I’ve seen Foster around my family. In the end, Lana takes me with her into the kitchen to clean up while Zane and Foster discuss the financial markets.
“How are you two getting along?” she asks.
“Well. Foster is usually busy with work.”
Lana frowns. “I know it well.”
I understand that she was referring to my brother’s behavior when they were first engaged. It drove her away, and she broke off the engagement, breaking Zane’s heart.
