Page 123 of Safe With Them

And just like that, Livy O’Connor joins the family.

Miriam cries as she holds Livy for the first time, and it takes quite some time before we’re able to pry the baby away from her.Having her around to help is a blessing, since we have no other grandparents around to chip in.

A few months after Blade was killed, Charlotte reached out to her mother. The conversation was tense and didn’t end up going anywhere, but I think there was hurt on both sides.

If Charlotte ever changes her mind about going to Florida to visit, we’ll happily take her. For now, it’s a gift to have Miriam so close.

Charlotte has experience with newborns, but the three of us need all the help we can get. I don’t want to have to bother our wife every time I have a dumb question.

Lukas is happy to have us home, but he watches the baby like he can’t quite decide if he’s going to ask us to return her to the hospital.

He gets more interested as the hours pass, but I don’t like the frown on his face.

Cormac leans over, kissing Charlotte as she sits on the couch, nursing the baby.

“I love you so much,” he murmurs, running his hand over Livy’s head.

“I love you too,” she says. “Could you refill my cup? I’m dying. I forgot breastfeeding turns me into a dehydrated camel.”

He nods. “I’ll buy a couple extra and have them shipped for rush delivery.”

Lucky plays on the floor, cutting his eyes to Charlotte and the baby.

I stride over, scoop him up, and head for the couch. I take a seat at Charlotte’s side, moving Lucky between us.

“I needed a cuddle from you. How did you know?” She beams, wrapping her arm around him and pulling him close to her side.

“I didn’t. Why’s she gotta eat like that?” he asks, pointing at Charlotte’s breast.

I could be wrong, but I think there’s a bit of jealousy happening. We did all the things the books recommended, from getting him a big-brother shirt to having a special gift for him from Livy.

It’s a big change, though. He’s used to having one hundred percent of our attention.

“You ate like this too,” Charlotte reminds him with infinite patience. “I think she fell asleep. Would you like to hold her?”

“I guess.” Lucky’s head wobbles. “She’s really small.”

“I know. It scared me too,” I tell him. “But you’re going to do great. Patrick and Cormac are my little brothers, just like Livy is your little sister. All big brothers look out for their siblings. It’s part of our job description. Here, how about I hold you while you hold her? That way, we can practice together.”

“Okay,” he says, his tone deathly serious.

I lift him onto my lap and grab one of the throw pillows. Once that’s in place, Charlotte hands us the baby.

“Just remember, she’s not strong enough to hold up her head yet. We have to do that for her.” Charlotte pats his arm, probably to point out that the crook of his elbow is what’s holding her head. She kisses his temple and sits back to rearrange her shirt and bra.

I cradle my arm under Lukas’s, but he does most of the supporting. “Wow, you’re a natural, kid.”

“Am I doing it right?” he asks.

“You’re doing great. She isn’t even fussing. She can tell she’s safe with you,” I tell him, praying I’m not saying the wrong things.

He nods. “She is. I’m gonna look out for her.”

My goddamn eyes get misty.

I still don’t know how our fathers left all of our care up to Miriam and our mothers. I don’t want to miss a single fecking second.

Patrick comes into the room, clapping. “Okay, what did I miss?”

I chuckle.

He had no choice but to get some work done after taking off the days we were in the hospital. He sure didn’t last long at his desk.

Cormac strides in from the kitchen with Charlotte’s cup in one hand and a gallon of water in the other. That’s one way to make sure she stays hydrated.

After doing everything completely alone with Lukas, she might get tired of our hovering, but I’m sure of one thing. She’ll always have the three of us at her side.