“Hey, Zach.” Lea smiles as soon as she has the door open, and then leans up on her tiptoes, kissing my cheek. “Come on in. We’re all in the living room waiting for the guys.”
I step into the house, sliding the door closed behind me. “They still at the Harbor?”
“Nope they are both upstairs attempting to put together a crib,” she says over her shoulder, as we head for the large open living room. “They could probably use your help, since they’ve been at it for three hours now, and last time I looked, it was still in a hundred pieces.” She laughs, and I smile at her then stop in place, the sight in front of me making my heart contract.
The kids—Aubrey, Hunter, and Steven—are all hanging out on the large sectional that faces the giant stone fireplace in the middle of the room, with a game in front of them spread out on the coffee table, while Shelby is seated in a chair off to the side, with Braden on her lap and a book open in front of them. I hate that I didn’t get to experience her with our kid, to see her in moments like this everyday. But something in me wonders if it’s not too late for us to have another child.
“Hey, Zach,” Rhonda says, coming toward me and pulling my attention to her, and I lean down, kissing her cheek.
“Hey, honey,” I return, and she smiles then leans into my side.
“He’s been glued to her since the moment she came in,” she tells me quietly, and my eyes go back to Shel and soften as I see her kiss the side of Braden’s head and smile when he giggles, turning his head back to look at her.
The kids all greet me at the same time, and I look at them and smile, lifting my chin, then look at Shel when I feel her eyes on me.
“Hey, baby.”
“Hey,” she says softly, then laughs when Braden grabs the book, lifting it in front of their faces and effectively cutting me off.
“Someone has a crush,” Rhonda murmurs.
“Can’t say I blame him,” I mumble back, hearing her laugh, then look toward the stairs that lead to the upper level where the bedrooms are located when I hear a loud curse that Braden just so happens to hear and repeat, making Rhonda groan.
“Reservation’s in thirty minutes. You may want to go up and make sure we’re still on track to leave in ten,” Lea suggests, and I nod at her then head up.
Once I’m at the landing, I turn toward the sound of voices and head across the expanse to find Austin and Ben both working on a white crib that is just about finished. Only the top rail is left to put on, yet they both look pissed.
“What’s up?”
“Fuck, I hate Ikea,” Austin grumbles, holding out a handful of screws toward me, and Ben laughs.
“I told him we needed to follow the directions, but he insisted we could do it off the photo from the website. This is where that idea got us,” he says, pointing at Austin’s open hand, and I smile.
“You do know you’re gonna have to take this shit apart, right?” I ask, and Austin growls.
“Fuck.” He then looks from me to Ben. “I told Lea that Jacob could just sleep with us until he’s old enough for a big kid bed, but she insisted he needs his own bed and his own room.”
“If you ever want to get laid again, brother, I wouldn’t suggest him sleeping with you as an option.” Ben pats his back, and Austin rubs his hands down his face, probably realizing Ben’s right, and hating it.
“You don’t have time to fix this right now. Reservation’s in thirty. You know if we’re not there they’ll give our table to someone else, and then we’ll have a mob of hungry women and kids after us.”
“You’re right, but I need to get this shit done before the opener tomorrow. Otherwise, Lea’ll do it on her own, even knowing the doctor told her to take it easy, and that shit will start a fight I don’t have time for.”
“I’m off tomorrow. I’ll stop by and bring the boys. We’ll put it together while you’re out.”
“Are you sure?” he asks, looking at the crib, and I put my hand against it and push slightly, feeling it sway.
“I’m sure,” I mutter, and Ben laughs, gaining a glare from Austin.
“I’ll help him take it apart when we get back tonight,” Ben assures, heading for the door, and I follow him out of the room then down the stairs, where everyone is waiting at the bottom with their coats on. Summer is ending, and the temp has been dropping by the day. The kids all start school in two days, and before long, snow will be on the ground.
“Did you get it set up?” Lea asks, looking behind me, and Austin grumbles, “No, Zach’s gonna finish it up tomorrow.”
“You were up there for hours.”
“I told you not to buy the crib from Ikea.”
“Not this again.” Lea tilts her head back, sighing at the ceiling, and my eyes go to Shel to see her fighting back a smile.
“We don’t have time for you two to argue. We have a reservation to get to,” Rhonda cuts in, knowing Lea and Austin will argue because it’s what they do, and if she lets it go on, we’ll be here for hours and definitely miss dinner.
“Way to be bossy, baby, and take charge.” Ben winks at his woman, catching Braden when he throws himself out of Rhonda’s arms then leans down, kissing her.
Walking over to Shel, I wrap my arm around her waist and her head tilts back. “Was everything okay?”
“Just a couple of guys who drank too much. They’re actually brothers by blood, and it’s not the first time I’ve had to settle a fight between them.”