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“I might be able to rally. Depends on what it is.”
“It’s something I think you might want for Peanut, but maybe it should wait.”
I glare at her. “That was a dirty trick.”
She grins at me, looking so much like Gray and London that I laugh. Gray helps me off the couch, and we follow Caroline down to the basement.
Years ago, one of Damien’s video games exploded in popularity, and he sold off his company for a ridiculous amount of money. He ended up moving out to California and paid off his parents’ mortgage as a thank you for letting him stay for so long. After he left, they decided to revamp the space completely.
The main room is man cave central now, with a black leather couch and a massive flat-screen TV at one end and a shiny dark wooden bar with neon signs behind it at the other.
The cutest part about the renovation is that they converted Damien’s room into a craft room for Caroline so the two of them can still hang out together in the basement while doing the things they love.
Caroline reaches for one of the doors near the stairs. “First off, this room is a mess, and I hope you won’t judge me for the lack of organization.”
Then I give her a dry look when I see everything is put away in plastic totes—they’re just on the floor instead of on a shelf.
Mess, my ass.
But then my eyes snag on a crib against the back wall of the closet.
“You can say no, sweetheart. I swear it won’t hurt my feelings in the slightest. I just wanted to offer it to you because it’s been passed down for generations—from David all the way to London.”
“Oh,” I murmur, slowly making my way closer to the gorgeous wooden crib. There are etchings of sunflowers along the corners, and a vision of a red barn with a field of yellow flowers comes to mind.
Grayson’s hand slides down my spine. “I asked Mom if we could take a look at London’s crib to see if it might spark an idea for Peanut’s nursery. If this isn’t what you want, that’s okay with me. I just wanted to help.”
“This is perfect, Gray. Are you sure you want to use the same crib London used?”
“One hundred percent. This baby is going to be part of the Reed family no matter what. It’s only right they get to share in our traditions.”
His words set off a firestorm of emotions, and naturally, he just holds me through it.
I am so lucky this man never gave up on me. He’s the steady rock in every storm I’ve battled, and while there are times I wish I would’ve seen his love for me sooner, I’m glad I get to experience it now.
CHAPTER 31
Grayson
Kylie does a double take, her brows furrowing when she catches me staring. “What?”
Sunlight streams into the nursery, highlighting the streak of yellow paint she managed to smear across her forehead.
She’s glowing right now in her short overalls and sports bra. Her round belly sticks out, distorting the chest panel of her outfit. It’s been a test of my willpower to keep my hands to myself this afternoon. In fact, I’ve lost the battle more often than not. I can’t seem to stop touching her. But who can blame me? The open sides of her overalls give me full access to her soft skin. What man in his right mind could hold back from taking advantage?
It was as if a starting gun went off after we got home from Thanksgiving dinner last week. Kylie has been in a frenzy to finish Peanut’s nursery. I never imagined offering London’s crib would be the catalyst for her figuring out what she wanted. At a minimum, I’d hoped it would help alleviate a fraction of the stress she was under.
I finally respond, “Just trying to wrap my head around how much I love you. Plus, you’re fucking adorable, so…”
She rolls her eyes despite being pleased with my words. “I love you, too, you menace.”
Before I can respond, a blond fluff ball of energy comes streaking through the room. Russell’s nails dig into the carpet as he tries to slow his momentum. I tense when he comes perilously close to the can of paint.
“Naughty puppy!” Luddy calls out from the hallway. She comes running in next, plopping her little fists on her hips once she comes to a stop. “Russell was eating my crayons.”
I wince. “Did he actually swallow one?”
She shakes her head. “He was just chewing on it.”
