“Um, I think zero.”
“How’re we supposed to function without them? We have no clue what we’re doing.”
“I believe we’re expected to figure it out for ourselves. Thank goodness we’ll have a ton of help at home—and P.S., I can’t wait to go home.”
“How’re you feeling?”
“Sore from head to toe, but so happy and so relieved it’s over. Well, the birth part, that is. The rest is just beginning.”
“In case I forgot to tell you yesterday, I’m so proud of you for everything you went through to bring our boys safely into the world. You’re the undisputed star of this show, and I love you.”
“I love you, too, even if you knocked me up with quads.”
“I’d say I was sorry about that, but they’re awfully cute, and having four at once will give me bragging rights with my underachieving brothers for the rest of our lives.”
“Because that’s what really matters.”
“You know it, baby.”
Abby yawned as she attempted to find a comfortable position to rest while the babies did. She was under no illusions that the peaceful interlude would last for much longer.
The next thing she knew, Big Mac and Linda were there, gazing down at the babies, while Adam walked a crying baby around the room. “How long was I asleep?”
“About two hours,” Adam said.
“No way. I slept through that? What kind of mother does that make me?”
“The best kind,” Linda said as she leaned over to kiss Abby’s forehead. “The babies are gorgeous. Congratulations, Mama times five.”
“Thank you, I think.”
Linda laughed at the face Abby made.
“I thought five was a lot when they came one at a time. This is next-level.”
“Just what I always aimed to be. Next-level.”
Abby took Rory from Adam. At least she thought it was Rory. He had the blue bracelet, right?
“Rory,” Adam said, smiling.
“You read my mind.”
Big Mac held Liam, giving him his full attention while everyone else fawned over the new arrivals.
“Thank you, Papa,” Abby said. “You’re exactly what Liam needed today.”
“My pleasure, honey. How about Mr. Liam and I go out for a walk and a bite to eat?”
“He’d love that, wouldn’t you, buddy?” Abby asked her son, who had a confused look to him since awaking to four younger brothers who were occupying every second of his parents’ attention.
Liam nodded and rested his head on Big Mac’s shoulder.
“Then that’s what we’ll do.”
Chapter 10
Kendall James had gotten her boys off to school and was heading to the law office she shared with Dan Torrington when the man himself called.
