“Daddy, why don’t you go ahead and tell them,” I say. I don’t usually use that pet name in front of everyone, but this time I think it fits.
Griffin is practically vibrating with excitement. “We’re having another baby,” he practically shouts.
“So, I guess you didn’t get a vasectomy then,” Charlie comments.
Griffin shakes his head. “No, I did. Apparently, I managed to sneak one more past the goalie before that, though.”
I can’t help but laugh. For some reason, I always find him hilarious when I’m pregnant and incredibly sexy. Actually, that is all the time. It’s pretty much how I ended up pregnant with my fifth child.
“Our babies will be about the same age,” Harlow exclaims. “Elisa, our little one, and the new baby Hale, will be their own little posse.”
“Julio and Will are in the process of adopting a little boy,” Charlie adds.
“I’m building a playground,” Griffin declares.
“Is there space for new members?” Ben asks.
We look over and see Elisa playing alongside baby Maggie.
“I think there’s room,” I answer.
“What do you say, Bessie, want to have another one?” Donovan asks her.
“We are the only ones with only one kid. I feel kinda left out,” she replies.
Harlow grunts, then grabs the side of her belly. After a moment, she exhales long and slow. “We’re going to be seeing this little one any day now.”
“Are you in labor?” I ask her.
“Braxton-Hicks,” she replies.
“What did the doctor say earlier?” Griffin asks.
“That she’s already starting to dilate, and it can be any time,” Scott answers. He’s got a tense look on his face. The one that all the dads in this group have worn at one time or another.
Hell, I’ve been pregnant three times, and Griffin has had that same look each time. While childbirth is miraculous and all, it also comes with risks. No man who loves his wife isn’t equal parts excited and terrified. Scott is definitely a man who loves his wife.
Hattie pulls Harlow aside to check her out. After a couple of minutes, she comes back to the group. “Ben, Heather, I’m so sorry, but I think we’re all going to the hospital.”
“The baby’s coming?” Scott asks. You can hear the sound of rising hysteria in his voice. “I need to go get her bag and the car. I think the bag is in the car. I just…where is my car?”
“Calm down, Kid, we’ve got your back. Also, your car is parked out front. We’ll get you both to the hospital safely and in plenty of time. Now, let’s go to your car. Hattie will take the girls home, and I will take you to the hospital.”
After the twins were born, we decided that we shouldn’t all descend on the hospital to wait for the new baby. First, we have too many kids among all of us. Second, the nurses all geta glassy-eyed look when Griffin, Charlie, and Donovan are all together. I can only imagine what would happen if we add Scott to the mix. Something about seeing buff men holding a tiny baby that makes a woman ovulate.
We will go to the hospital, but in shifts, in case Scott and Harlow need anything. Charlie will go first. He already called it months ago. He and Scott have developed a weird bond, mostly based on Charlie insisting on having a “dad gang.”
So much has changed over the years I’ve known all these people. Charlie is no longer a player jumping from one woman’s bed to the next. Griffin isn’t as grumpy as he was. In fact, and don’t let him hear this, he’s pretty cheerful most of the time. Just uses very few words. Donovan, well, he’s actually pretty much the same, only married.
We’ve settled down, sure, but I’ve learned that doesn’t mean we’ve become boring. Life in this family will never be dull, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
When Griffin and I leave my childhood house, I feel at peace. Selling it had always been a strain on me. I felt like I’d let them down by not being able to keep it. Now I see that I was only a small piece in its story. The memories are still mine, no matter who the house belongs to now.
When we get back home, the moving trucks are still parked out front. Griffin gets Elisa out of her car seat. She’s sound asleep, safe and comfortable in her father’s arms.
“I’m going to go put her down,” he whispers and kisses me on the cheek.
“Parker, Clark, and Logan, follow your dad upstairs and get ready for bed,” I tell them.
