MaggieandRowanlook pretty haggard, and the way my sister’s arms drop to her sides tells me that they’re exhausted from holdingAddifor so long.
“Thankyou,”Rowansays in the most earnest and genuine voiceIthinkI’veever heard from a human.Then, toMaggie, he says, “See?Itold you that would do it.”
“Weleft her lovey atRowan’sparent’s house,”Maggiesays. “She’sexhausted and inconsolable.We’vetried getting her to go to sleep for an hour, offering every other soft blanket in the house, but nothing is working.”
Ilook down at my five-month-old niece in my arms.She’ssnuggling into me like a tired puppy snuggling into a warm, cozy bed, andIam soaking it up.Iknow that ifI’dbeen babysitting and spent the last hour with a cryingAddiand her mom finally got home,Addiwould be snuggling intoMaggielike she’s snuggling into me right now.ButIdon’t even care.Thislittle girl makes me feel vital and cherished in a way only a baby can.
Itonly takes a couple of minutes beforeAddi’sbreathing calms, the sniffling and tears stop, and she’s falling asleep against my chest.BothMaggieandRowanrelease a long breath in visible relief.ThemomentItry to layAddiin her crib, though, she starts crying again.Andthe momentIpick her back up, she stops crying and snuggles right back into me.
“Giveme your shirt!”Maggiewhisper-shouts.
“Myshirt?”
“Rowan, go grab one of mine.Mackenzie,Iwill be forever indebted to you if you letAddiuse your shirt as a lovey tonight.Seriously,I’lldoanything.”
Rowancomes into the room, tossesMaggiea t-shirt, and as he’s exiting, she says, “Thisone?Really?”
Rowanshrugs and pulls the door shut on his way out.
IhandAdditoMaggie, then shed my softest t-shirt and put on the oneRowanjust brought.MaggielaysAddiin her crib, then scrunches my shirt, folds it in half, and puts it in the baby’s arms.Addihugs it tight and closes her eyes.
“You’rea life saver, sis,”Maggiewhispers.
Wehold our breaths for a moment and just like that,Addiis asleep.Weare both grinning as we leave the room and pull the door shut silently behind us.
Wedon’t utter a word until we get to the kitchen.I’mopening my mouth to say something along the lines of “Anytimeyou need a superhero, you know where to find me,” but beforeIget even the first word out,Maggiegrabs my arm. “Hangon.Wewanted to talk to you about something.”
“Oh?”Ilean my hip against the island counter andMaggiedoes the same, facing me,Rowanat her side.
Maggieis the first to speak. “Wewant to set you up on a blind date.”
“No, thanks,”Isay and turn to leave.ButMaggiegrabs my arm.Shemeans well, and as far as sisters go, she’s a good one, soIdon’t actually leave.
“Isaw that look on your face when you were in there withAddi.Youwant one of your own.”
“Sometimein the future, yes.”
Iwant it all.Idon’t plan to live in my sister’s garage forever.Iwant my own house in a small town, maybe my own physical therapy clinic, to be able to really make a difference in people’s lives, to have a baby, all of it.Rightthis second?No.AndI’mnot super sold on the husband part of it, either.Ihaven’t had the best experiences with dating, soI’mfine to just shoot for all of my goals on my own.
Maggie’seyebrow rises. “Youcan’t get the baby without dating.”
That’sdebatable, even ifMaggiedoesn’t agree.AndifIdid ever meet a guyIfeelIcould spend a lifetime with (or go on more than one date with),Iwould.Ijust haven’t.AndI’lladmit thatImight be a little skittish about dating in general.Datingsomeone like my last boyfriend will do that to you. “Idate,”Iinsist, making sure my voice sounds sufficiently hurt.
“Imisspoke.Youcan’t get there withoutseconddates.”
“Igo on second dates!”I’ma bit offended now.It’snot likeI’ma serial first dater.Ijust haven’t found someone for quite a while who was worthy of a second date.Buteven asI’mprotesting, it hits me that somewhere along the way, and without even realizing it,I’veadopted a “Nosecond dates” rule thatIstick to pretty strongly.
Maggielooks confused at my statement.ButRowan’seyes light up and he turns to his wife. “Itwas thatFrenchguy.Cranky.No,Ornery.”
“Henri,”Maggiesays, and they both look pretty proud of themselves for remembering.
Iroll my eyes.
“Thepoint is,”Maggiesays, “it takes a long-term, committed relationship for that to happen, and the first step to that is dating more.Like, say,Spencer.”
“WhoisSpencer?”
“Doyou remember me talking aboutPeter, the guyIwork with?”Rowanasks.Idon’t. “It’shis brother.”