Timmy grins. “So, what you’re saying is, this might be a love story after all?”
I laugh, but there’s a nervous edge to it. “Or maybe it’s two adults trying their best not to screw up something really important.”
“Either way, that baby’s lucky to have you both.”
As we’re heading out after lunch, Rose gently touches my arm to stop me. “I’m sorry if I wasn’t the most supportive when you told us your news. It wasn’t that I wasn’t happy for you. You just surprised me.”
I squeeze her hand, offering a reassuring smile. “Oh, friend. You can always be honest with me.”
“Always,” she promises with a smile. “I was also thinking how if you want some experience with babies, I’m sure our friends would let you watch their kids for an evening.”
“I, for one, would,” Marianne chimes in. “But honestly, I thinkyou should call Ollie or Peyton first. They could use a date night.”
Ollie is Rose’s fiancé’s best friend. Last year, his sister unexpectedly dropped off her baby on his doorstep and vanished. He ended up hiring a temporary nanny to help, and the same thing happened to him that happened to my dad. He fell for Peyton, aka the nanny. Now they’re raising little Tilly together.
“Oh, that’s such a great idea,” I say. “I bet they’d appreciate the offer, but only if I had Rose on speed dial in case of emergency.”
She laughs. “You’ll do fine. Even better, invite Rasmus to do it with you.”
“Us babysitting together?”
“Exactly,” she says, making it sound like the most obvious thing in the world. “Then you’ll get a preview of how he acts around babies, with your little one on the way.”
“I don’t know if Ollie and Peyton would be okay with that. They haven’t even met him.”
“Call them and ask. But I’m sure they’ll be okay with the suggestion. They trust you and your judgment. You wouldn’t bring a random guy around their kid, right?”
I nod in agreement and make a mental note to give them a call later.
After a round of goodbyes and hugs, I start my walk back to the brownstone. It’s getting colder each week, but the thought of babysitting with Rasmus is all I can think about right now.
Haisley
I told my closest friends about the baby
It doesn’t take him long to reply, which means he’s probably at home after practice.
Rasmus
How do you feel?
I love that this is the first thing he asks—not how they reacted, not whether it was awkward, but howIfeel.
Haisley
Relieved. It was a shock for them, but once they saw how happy I am, they got there too *smiley face emoji*
Rasmus
I’m glad to hear that. I plan to tell my cousin and tía soon. They’re the only family I have left.
Rasmus
And I want to share with some of the team after the bye weeks
I stare at the screen in shock, realizing this needs more than a text. I call him, and he picks up after the first ring.
“Hey mamacita,” His voice is low, sending a flicker of something I don’t want to name down my spine.
