Cleo bites the corner of her lip. “True.”
“She needs us.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Her aura.” Instantly, confusion fills Cleo’s face. “Never mind, that doesn’t matter. It wouldn’t make sense to you anyway. Just trust me when I say that she needs us.”
“Okay, but if my husband asks, I’m blaming you.” She points at me.
“I’ll handle it. Haruaki doesn’t scare me.”
Much.
“Now let’s head home. I want to see my baby.”
And warn Callum about what I just did.
* * *
Emily’s pudgyhands slap my cheeks, and she giggles.
“No hitting,” I warn her. “That’s not nice.”
I’m sitting on the floor in her nursery, and she’s on my lap.
“Really?” I run my hand over the back of her head as she babbles.
When Autumn told me she was pregnant, I didn’t falter. I wanted her and Emily, but at the same time, I was worried. I had just become head of the Westies a year before, and I was still having to remind people of why I was in charge.
Would I end up like my father and neglect my children?
Instead of doing what he did, I did the exact opposite. I’ve made sure to be home most nights for dinner, even if I have to leave after. I try my hardest to be the one to put her to bed at night. I want to be present.
And seeing her big brown eyes stare up at me right before she closes them each night is worth it.
My watch vibrates, and I see a text come across the screen.
Wife: On my way home. I love you two.
Gently, I scoot Emily down and pull my phone out of my pocket.
“Come here,a leanbh. Let’s send Mommy a picture.”
I grab her and pull her into my arms. She presses her cheek against my rough one. As soon as the camera opens, she smiles, and I can’t help but follow suit. After snapping the photo, Emily pulls away, and I let her go.
I can’t help but stare at the photo. She’s got drool on her chin, and her hair is wild despite the fact that I tried to tame it by putting one of those tiny ass hair ties in it.
Just looking at it makes me rub my chest.
I don’t want her to grow up. Or hell, maybe it’s time to give her a sibling…
I shake away the thought and text Autumn back.
Me: We love you more. See you soon.
After attaching the photo, I hit send. I go to set down my phone, but before I can, it rings.
Killian’s name flashes across the screen.
