Colin looks up at me, noting my hesitancy.
“Before I ask you all the dad questions, I have something to bring up while they’re all in the other room.”
Colin smirks, and Trystan tilts his head in question. Garrett’s bouncing Charlotte in her carrier as she smiles and makes cute baby noises at us, since she’s facing our way. Mark’s tossing the salad with a vinaigrette at the island between them, trying not to make silly faces at Charlotte but totally losing.Big softie.
“Go for it.”
“I have something I’d like to do tonight while we’re all together. If you’d rather I wait, that’s fine, but it’s one of the only times I know I’ll catch her by surprise. She won’t expect it.”
“Dude…” Garrett grins wide.
“I totally get it if you think it’s inappropriate.”
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” Trystan asks. I smirk at him.
“Do you have it with you?” Colin asks, his eyes going wide.
“Yes, and yes.”
“Are you fucking proposing tonight?” Mark asks louder than I care for.
“Dude!” Trystan and Garrett both smack at his biceps, eliciting a gleeful squeal from Charlie.
“Did you think that was funny, Charlie? They’re all teaming up on Uncle Mark. Tell them ‘doo doo’.” He wags his finger at Garrett and shoots a dirty look Trystan’s way. “Give me that squirt.” He unhooks Charlie from Garrett before Garrett has a say and smiles at the ‘squirt’. “That’s right, I know I can count on you to have my back.”
A dangerous rumble of baby thunderbutt rolls through the room as Charlie grins in Uncle Mark’s arms. We bust a gut. That shit right there, pun fully intended, is funny. Mark’s face is better as he holds her back from him, arms outstretched toward Garrett.
“Gare Bear, she’s yours.”
“Uh-uh, don’t ‘Gare Bear’ me. You stole her.”
“Jane!” he hollers over his shoulder, then turns, marching out of the kitchen on a mission to momma.Ah,that’s great.
“I can’t wait to hear about how he handles future blowouts,” Trystan laughs.
“I hope we get to witness one,” Colin adds, then looks my way. “I don’t know why you even think you needed to ask me for permission. I’m pumped for you, man.”
“Well, you did just bring home twins. I didn’t want to ‘steal the show’.” I throw up quick jazz hands to make my point.
“You should know by now that’s not how we all work.”
“Yeah, yeah. Thought I’d ask out of respect, anyway.”
“Appreciate the thought.”
“You nervous?” Garrett asks.
“Sweating bullets.”
“That’s good,” Trystan adds over by the fridge, pulling out a beer and tossing it to Garrett. Mark walks in and hitches his chin in the air like the next one better be his. When he gets in range, Trystan lightly tosses it. Grabbing two more, he hands one to Colin, then me, before clapping my shoulder.
“Ladies! It’s din din time!” Mark hollers, winking my way in good luck.
???
We’re all sitting in the living room, sprawled around couches, chairs, and the floor, passing around Charlotte and Carter while Sydney’s curled up in the chair breastfeeding Wrenley. I don’t know how she manages to keep that poncho thingy for women who wish to have some coverage while they feed in a decent position. She already seems like a pro at it. It probably helps that neither of the munchkins is big enough to really start squirming yet. Give it a few months, though. I’m proud of her. Colin sits on the arm of the chair, watchful and ready to help at a second’s notice. They look like they were born to do this.
I notice Holly’s eyes shifting over the scene as well. She catches me looking and blushes. Our little secret swells between us, and I lace my fingers through hers. The guys all kind of go quiet, all looking at each other, then looking at me like they’re trying to tell me–now’s the time.