The little boy spun in a circle, still giggling, curls bouncing, and dimples flashing. He was such anadorablemenace that I couldn’t help but smile at his shenanigans. There was no denying the resemblance now that he shared with Ayrie and the man chasing him. He had his daddy’s dark chocolate diamond eyes, his wide smile, and his build already at such a young age. Along with his mother’s proud features, it was hard to miss the twinkle of affection in Ayrie’s eyes and smile. If she wanted to stop his antics, she could easily pull the Black Mom Card and do it, but she was clearly enjoying watching her son torture his father.
Ayrie’s son raced toward me. I braced to move and grab him. But then, with smooth timing and precision, Quinn reached out and scooped the tiny bean up mid-sprint. She lifted him high into the air and spun him around like an airplane above her head. His legs kicked in the air like it would make him go faster. Then, she flipped him over to cradle him in her arms. He looked so preciously small in her arms that I could cry. The little boy’s small bursts of giggles exploded into full-fledged laughter. Quinn’s smile at his happiness was effortless and so fucking sweet.
I’m pretty sure my ovaries just exploded.
“I-I didn’t know you liked kids,” I stuttered.
“Oh, Ilovekids,” Quinn turned her beautiful smile onto me, making me melt even more on the spot.
“Kids adore Quinny. It’s just like how people across all genders love me.” Cody winked from where he stood near Quinn.
As Quinn rolled her eyes, the baby boy reached out and kicked Cody hard enough for a bruise to start forming there. Cody cried out at the hit, which made the baby giggle even more than he already was. Quinn beamed down at him. Her hazel eyes blazed into so molten a gold that it warmed me from head to toe.
Unlike getting married, I had never really thought deeply about having kids before. Finding a partner to face the world together had always thrilled me most, but there was always a part of me that knew the next step was having babies after that, once I had managed to find my person. I would be lying if I said I didn’t want it just a little bit. Offering a home to a child who wouldn’t have had it otherwise and helping them bloom into their own being sounded beautiful and so fulfilling. That had always seemed so distant and impossible before.
But, now?
Would Quinn even want that? Love, marriage, and a baby carriage of our own?
“You okay there, Sweetness?” Quinn asked, stopping me from going any further down that rabbit hole I was exploring.
I nodded, deciding to speak through our minds so no one would overhear.Yeah, I’m just thinking about how I would have you breed me if this were an omegaverse novel.
Quinn threw her head back and laughed boisterously and deeply. I hadn’t even noticed that Ayrie had a raised eyebrow and that her man’s jaw was on the floor until they jumped.
“How?” The man asked, completely dumbfounded.
“Honestly, I am asking the same question.” Ayrie tilted her head. “How did you do that while still in the barrier?”
“Catching supers is kind of our job.” Quinn shrugged. “Even though I’m feeling a little weak, I can do this in my sleep.”
“Well, thank you for catching Bryson. He’s almost three, and he can be a littleterror. I’m so sorry,” Ayrie apologized.
“It’s no problem at all! He’s just the best little guy and such a sweet kid,” Quinn replied, tickling Bryson’s stomach. His laughter devolved into screaming cackles. “You know, I don’t mind watching him while you guys catch up. I’m sure my cousins and Simone don’t mind, do y’all?”
“Not at all, Q!” Cole said as he and Nat rose from the couch to join Quinn and Cody. Simone patted my arm affectionately as she followed in silent support.
Ayrie’s eyebrows flew up. “Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to impose on y’all, and he can be a lot to handle.”
“Play! More fly! More play!” Bryson screamed. He reached over to hit Cody with his tiny fists, which made Cody cry out, albeit lightheartedly. We all laughed.
“Look who found his new favorite toy!” Nat teased.
“Let that baby wear out someone else, child. I’m so tired I don’t even know what to do,” Auntie Titi said as she leaned offthe wall to sit on one of the couches. “That boy takes too much after his daddy with all that damn energy.”
“Hey!” The man said as he sat up from the floor.
Ayrie chuckled. “Okay, okay! Let me go and get everyone something to drink. Bryson’s playroom is just off the living room.”
“Whee!” Bryson hollered while Quinn lifted him above her head to fly as they, along with Quinn’s cousins and Simone, left to go to his playroom. Bryson’s giggles overflowed from the nearby room as if he had never left. I moved to sit on one of the couches where I could see Quinn and the others playing with him. As much fun as the toddler was having, Quinn looked just as carefree and amused. I smiled at the sight.
It wasn’t long before Ayrie returned from the kitchen. She set a tray down with a pitcher of cranberry-red juice surrounded by filled glasses. She passed her mother a glass before handing one to me and her man. Then, she sat on the couch next to her man and mother with her own glass in hand.
“My oh my, how long has it been, Byrdie-Bee? Had to be like ten years or so, right?”
Auntie Titi’s eyes snapped open where she had been resting them with her head leaning against the back of the couch. She sat up immediately. When her pale brown eyes landed on me, it was like she was really looking at me for the very first time. “Did you say Byrd? Like Forrest’s baby girl?”
“Wait, Byrd?” The man asked, leaning forward himself with interest. “Like the girl who fell off the planet, Byrd?”
