Madeline begins to cry regardless of Grant’s efforts to console her. I see Wren headed this way from where she stands on the other side of the island, but I beat her to it. “Come here, sweetheart.” I take her from Grant, and she immediately stops crying.
“Who would have thought Marshall would be the damn baby whisperer,” Grant complains.
“I’d be afraid of you too,” Conrad says. “Let me try.” He takes Madeline from my arms, and she’s okay for about a minute before she starts to cry. He hands her back to me, and she stops.
“You jokers are doing it wrong. You have to soothe her.” Royce steps in front of me. “Hand her over, little brother. I’ll show these knuckleheads how it’s done.”
“I’m sorry, sweet girl. We can humor them, right?” I ask Madeline before handing her over to Royce. He coos softly to her. I have no idea what he’s saying, but he lasts about two minutes, longer than Grant and Con, before she begins to fuss, and he immediately hands her back.
“He does the same thing with Roan.” Sawyer laughs. “Daddy hates to hear him cry.”
“It’s the worst,” Royce confesses. “I never know what he wants. I’m failing at this dad gig.”
“You’re not failing,” Layla tells him. “It takes time to learn, and my guess is that Roan can sense that his crying makes you nervous, which makes him nervous.”
“That’s what I keep telling him,” Sawyer agrees.
“Clearly, as the more seasoned father, I’ve got this.” Owen walks around the island and holds out his arms like he’s already cradling the baby. “Baby me,” he says.
It’s still sometimes hard to see my brother so laidback with kids and us even. Layla has opened him up, and it’s the best thing. “Here you go.” I gently place Madeline into his arms. She immediately grabs for his beard, and a slow smile tilts his lips. He thinks that he has this in the bag.
“You’re a cute little thing, aren’t you?” he asks Madeline.
“She and Roan are the same age,” I tell him.
At the sound of my voice, Madeline turns to look at me, and again that little lip of hers pokes out, and she begins to cry. Royce isn’t the only one who can’t handle a baby crying, so I reach for her. She snuggles into my chest and immediately quiets down. “I’ve got you,” I tell her softly, rubbing my hand up and down her back.
“I think it’s safe to say she likes you.” Aurora smiles at me.
“She’s not used to being around a lot of people. She’s in day care, but they have an all-female staff. She’s never really been around men,” Wren confesses.
That makes me wonder what happened to her husband. Did he leave them? How is it possible that he was married to a woman like Wren and had this adorable little girl, and he was able to walk away? I don’t know Wren, but from what I do know, she’s a good person and cute as hell. He’s an idiot.
“We’re best buds, right, Maddie?” I ask the baby.
“I can take her,” Wren tells me.
“It’s fine. Go ahead and eat. I’ll watch her while you do.”
“It’s okay. I’m used to eating and holding her.”
“Which is why you should take a break,” I reply.
“She’s content,” Aspen chimes in. “Let’s get a plate. We’ll be right here if she starts to get fussy.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Wren asks me.
“Positive.” I move to one of the barstools and take a seat. Madeline has her little fist wrapped around my shirt, with her head resting on my shoulder. She’s perfectly content, and I admit that her wanting me over my brothers has me wanting to puff out my chest in victory. It’s stupid and childish, but it’s still facts. As the youngest Riggins brother, I’m constantly behind all of them, and well, Madeline just moved me to the top spot.
Conversation flows all around us. Royce has Roan in a similar position as I do Madeline, and Carter is in his high chair, the one Con bought just for him for get-togethers like this. I have one at my place too, and so do Royce and Grant. Our family is growing and changing, and we’re all here for it.
“Have the two of you set a date yet?” Layla asks Aspen.
“No, but I’ve been thinking about it.” Aspen smiles at Wren, who returns her smile in earnest. “I’m thinking sooner rather than later.”
“What?” Conrad drops his fork to his plate and turns to look at his fiancée, giving her his full attention.
Aspen smiles. “Life’s short, and at the end of the day, I want to be your wife. Even if I look like a whale in my wedding dress.”
“You’re a fucking goddess,” Conrad is quick to reply.
No one bothers to tell him to watch his language around the kids. He is laser-focused on Aspen, and we all know that he’s lost in her and their conversation.
“And that’s why I love you.” Aspen places her hand on his cheek and smiles softly at him.
“What changed your mind?”
“Wren.”
Every head in the room turns to look at Wren, even Conrad. I watch as she visibly swallows and squares her shoulders. “I lost my husband,” she murmurs. “A week later, I found out I was pregnant. Life is short. You have to take what it gives you while you can.” She looks away, averting her gaze.
I feel like a dick. I called her late husband an idiot without knowing the story. I’m glad I didn’t say that shit out loud. I’m ready to stand and go to her, but I’m surprised when Conrad beats me to it. He kisses Aspen on the temple and moves to stand next to Wren. I watch as he talks softly to her. So soft that the conversation is just for them. Then, he hugs her. He wraps his arms around her and pulls her into his chest. I might not be able to hear their conversation, but I can see the way her body visibly shakes with her tears.
I want to tell him to stop. Whatever he said, or maybe it’s his embrace that’s causing her tears, but he needs to stop. I can’t take it. I watch as he releases her, and she wipes at her eyes. That’s my cue, but Aspen, Aurora, Layla, and Sawyer all crowd around her and guide her out of the kitchen.
“Damn,” Grant mutters.
“Did you know?” Royce asks.
I have to clear my throat before I can answer. “No. The lady at the pharmacy said her husband used to work there but didn’t give me specifics.”
“I can’t imagine doing this on my own,” Owen says, handing Carter a cracker.
“Yeah,” I say, snuggling Madeline a little closer. She begins sucking on her hand. “I think she’s getting hungry.”
“We’ve got this,” Conrad says. “I think we should give her time with the ladies,” he says. He grabs the diaper bag, pulling it toward him. He roots inside and finds a bottle and pulls off the cap, handing it to me.
“Wait, you need a bib,” Royce tells him.
“And a burp cloth,” Owen adds.
“Let me look.” Grant pulls the bag to him and shoves his hand into the side pocket, pulling out both items with a look of victory on his face. “Got ’em.”
He helps me get the bib on Madeline without much fuss and tosses the burp cloth over my shoulder. I place the bottle in her mouth, and she drinks greedily. “What if she’s off schedule?” I ask them. “Your wives always talk about keeping the babies on a schedule,” I tell them.