Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
I laughed and looked down at the adorable little thing, wrapped up like a burrito in a pink flannel blanket. The pudgy pink cheeks, miniature nose, perfect rosebud lips, and downy brown hair. “She’s so cute.”
“I know.” Xander looked over at his daughter with tired but lovestruck eyes. “Doesn’t she look just like Kelly?”
“A little. It’s hard to tell when they’re fresh out of the oven.”
Xander finished putting together the sandwich and cut it in half. Then he added some carrot sticks to the plate, along with a little dish of hummus. My stomach growled loudly, and my brother looked over at me. “Hungry?”
“I guess I am,” I said, laughing. “My appetite has been huge lately. And that sandwich looks tasty.”
“Let me bring this up to Kelly, and then I’ll come down and make you one.”
“Xander, you don’t have to do that. I didn’t come here to make more work for you.”
“I don’t mind,” he said. “And it’s important that you get proper nutrition. By the time you’re hungry, the baby’s hungry, and what kind of uncle would I be if I let my niece or nephew starve?” He left the room before I could argue, and when he came back, he pulled two more slices of bread from the bag. “Turkey?”
“Perfect, thanks,” I said. “I appreciate it.”
“Well, who’s gonna feed you if I don’t?” He looked around. “I don’t see anyone else around here making sure you eat right.”
I rolled my eyes. “Can you guys all please stop picking on Joe? He’d make me a sandwich if he were here. He likes to cook. He made spaghetti for me when I went to see him in Chicago. With homemade meat sauce! Not from a jar!”
“Man of the year,” Xander muttered, layering turkey on one slice of bread.
“He texts me just about every day asking how I’m feeling and telling me to take care of myself. When I told him about my morning sickness, he sent me ginger tea and crackers and peppermint candies.”
Xander remained silent.
“Did I tell you he took me to Traverse City to meet his family? His dad is so cool—he’s all tatted up like you. And his mom is so lovely and welcoming. She drove up here to have lunch with me and Dad and Julia already.”
“I heard,” he said grudgingly. “Dad and Julia said she was very nice.”
Dakota started to fuss a little, and I rocked her in my arms. “Shhhh,” I soothed. “Your dad is just acting tough. He’s not really a big meanie.”
Xander gave me the stink eye over his shoulder. “Austin said you need some help cleaning out the extra room at your house.”
“Eventually, yes,” I said. “I want to turn my office into the baby’s room. But I’m waiting for the ultrasound next month to tell me if it’s a girl or a boy, so I know how I want to decorate.”
“Is Joe coming up for that appointment?”
“He can’t,” I said. “He’s got a game that night.”
My brother didn’t say anything as he put some carrot sticks on my plate.
“Xander, if you were still in the navy and deployed somewhere and Kelly had an ultrasound appointment, you would not be able to fly home and go with her, but it wouldn’t mean you’re not a good dad,” I pointed out.
He spun around and poked at the air between us with a carrot. “Don’t even compare being a SEAL with being a fucking hockey player. It’s way more badass.”
I laughed. “You know what I mean. He’s not choosing to miss it.”
“I don’t care,” Xander said, taking a bite of the carrot stick. “I’m still mad at him, even if he did score a kickass goal last night against Boston.”
“Were you watching?”
“I saw the replay.” Xander set my plate on the island. “Dude can shoot, I’ll say that for him.”
Dakota began to fuss again, her little face wrinkling up in fury. “Guess I’m not the only one who’s hungry.”
“I’ll take her.” Xander reached for his daughter and carefully placed her over his shoulder. She looked so tiny against his massive chest, his wide hand spanning her flannel-wrapped bum. The look on his face was pure adoration as he kissed her head and patted her. “Let’s change your diaper, huh? And then I’ll take you to Mommy for a snack.”
“Tell Kelly I’d love to see her if she’s up for it,” I said, taking a seat at the island. “I’ve got something for her and for the baby, and I brought gifts for Serena and Jolene too. I didn’t want them to feel left out.”
“I’m sure they’ll all want to see you,” he said. “But you need to eat first. Just come upstairs when you’re done.”
“Okay. Thanks for the sandwich.”
“You’re welcome.” Then to the baby, he said, “Your Aunt Mabel needs her big brothers to look after her, Dakota Mae. And the lesson is, don’t ever go out with any hockey players, okay? Actually, don’t ever go out with anyone. You’ll break my heart.” He left the room, snuggling his little daughter tightly against his chest.