AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s it,” Cedar exclaims on a watering laugh. “I’m keeping the receipt.”
Aria chuckles lightly behind me, but I’m already walking away from the group, my eyes set on the pudgy little cheeks and the light tuft of hair peeking out from beneath the pink cap on Aurelia’s little head that’s settled into the crook of my elbow. Her baby scent wafts up to tickle my nose and pull my heartstrings when I lift her closer, her lashes fluttering against those fat little cheeks.
“I take back what I said,” I mutter to the little girl in my arms with a grin pulling up the corners of my lips. “I love you instead, Aurelia.”
“Hey,” Cedar scoffs. “Fuck you”
“Language,” Aria snaps.
“Already? Seriously?” I hear Cedar’s sighing scoff, but I don’t dare take my sight off of the little girl in my arms. “Now both of their first words are going to be ‘fuck’.You’re welcome.”
My barking laugh bubbles up out of my chest before I can dampen the sound, the loudness of it jolting Aurelia and making me instantly regret even breathing too loud.
Except her little eyes only flutter beneath her still closed lids and her mouth makes a little suckling motion, but then she just settles right back in and begins snoozing again.
“Thank fuck,” I mutter, my gaze lifting to those around me with an easy grin when I’m met with Cedar’s eye roll and Rex’s snicker despite his future wife’s evil stare down. “You knew us before you asked us.” I shrug. “You get what you pay for.”
Snickering, I lift my chin when Rex’s arms lift the blue bundle in offering to Cedar.
“And this is Macalister Finley Thompson.”
My breath catches in my throat and my brow furrows deep.
Finley?
As in Fin-ley?
“Me?” It’s off my tongue, quick and questioning as I step closer. “Rex?”
“Yeah, man.” Rex sighs with a smiling nod, his now free hands coming up to land heavy on my shoulders. “It was hard to choose. But once we found that one, we knew it was right.”
Shit.
My eyes burn, my chest set alight.
The breath I drag in shudders more than I’d ever admit, which only pulls Rex’s grin higher.
“You helped me, Fin.” Aria’s cracking voice travels lightly from her spot on the hospital bed. “And while Rex’ll never admit it, you’ve helped him, too.” I drag my gaze from the heavy set in Rex’s blue-green’s to Aria. “And we love you for that.”
Nodding, I clear the emotion building in my throat and avert my misting sights back to the little girl in my arms that shares a namesake with the woman I love. “Do you realize how many big-ass uncles you have now, girl?” I whisper to Aurelia with a chuckle. “Anyone that ever messes with you is so fucked.”
“Jesus Christ, can you at leasttry?”
“Nah,” Cedar drags from beside me with a lean to show off Macalister. “Tell your mommy ‘fuck’. Say it, Makkin.”
Rex snickers and leans down to press a kiss to Aurelia’s pudgy cheek. “Don’t you dare go giving them nicknames, C. Mac’ll be so pissed.”
“Ugh,” Aria growls. “Get out. All of you!”
Sniggering, Cedar leans Macalister closer to Aria, only to blow a raspberry in her direction. “I’m calling him Makkin. It’s fucking cute.”
A fist flies, landing with a solid thump in Cedar’s bicep. “Hey,” Cedar shrieks and curls her body protectively around Macalister and away from his mother. “You meanie!”
Laughter bursts out of Aria only to be cut off with a wince and a grip to her gut. “Ahhh, shit.”
“Babe?” Rex rushes to her side, his hands going all over her. “You ok? You need the doctor?”
Aria shakes her head and breathes through her clenched teeth. “Laughing hurts. Let’s not make me do that.”
