“Tiffany had her baby!” Abby told Adam when he and Liam returned to the hospital to have dinner with her after a trip to the park.
“What? I thought she was due in January.”
“She was. He came six weeks early.”
“Ah, they had a boy, then.”
“Yes, Adrian Robert Taylor.”
“I like that. They stuck with the A names.”
“But he’s six weeks early, and here I am with no sign of these babies, who should’ve come by now.”
“Remember what the doctor said: The longer they cook, the stronger they are.”
“This slow cooker is fed up and ready to be done with this.”
Adam laughed. “You’re the prettiest slow cooker I’ve ever met.”
She scowled at him. “Your potent charm is no match for my current mood, Mr. McCarthy.”
“Oh, yikes, good to know.” He lifted Liam onto the bed. “Mommy needs some sweetening up, and you’re the only man for the job.”
“Sweet, Mommy,” Liam said, melting Abby’s heart.
Abby held out her arms to him, and he worked his way around the monstrosity that was her pregnant belly to snuggle up to her. He smelled like fresh air with a hint of wood smoke, which was one of her favorite scents this time of year. She was sad once again to be stuck inside during her favorite season.
“How was the park?”
“Good. Daddy pushed the swing.”
“He’s a good daddy.”
“Uh-huh. When can you go to the park?”
“Your brothers will be here soon, love, and then we can all go together.”
“I don’t want brothers.”
“I know.” Abby smiled at Adam. They hoped he’d change his mind once the babies arrived. “They’ll be your best friends.”
“You’re my best friend. And Daddy.”
“Aw, we still will be. You’ll just have more best friends.”
“Don’t want more.”
Abby hugged him tighter. “Just you wait. Those boys are going to be so much fun.”
He shook his little head, but for once, he wasn’t struggling to get free, so she let him have the last word on the matter.
She and Adam were worried about his lack of excitement about his new siblings, but Linda had told them it was probably because he couldn’t conceptualize having four new baby brothers arrive all at once. What was a lot for them was even harder for a two-year-old to process.
Linda had assured them that Liam would be an awesome big brother.
They hoped she was right about that.
“I’m stir-crazy,” Abby said as she stroked Liam’s silky, dark hair.
