Page 138 of All In

“Man,” Locke says around a yawn as he jogs into the kitchen. “I swear you have superhuman hearing.”

I snort, tickling Aspen’s tummy while she sits on the counter in her vibrating seat. “I don’t know what to tell you. I manage to sleep through your snoring, but the first fuss, and I’m wide awake.”

He chuckles. “You’re smitten. It’s okay. You can admit it. She’s pretty fucking great.”

“She is,” I agree, smiling as she gives me a gummy grin. “Why are you so happy in the middle of the night, huh?”

Karma whines at the sliding glass door.

“I got sidetracked,” I admit. “You may want to let her in.”

Locke nods, jogging off toward the living room. The bottle warmer finally signals it’s done, and I snatch it up to test the temperature.

I have a feeling Locke was going to try to steal my feeding time. Karma came in clutch. I’ll have to give her an extra treat tomorrow.

How quickly life can change.

Three More Months Later

“I swear, the three of you are ridiculous,” Laken says, laughing as she lies stretched out on the couch.

“Come on, sweet pea,” Tanner coos, squatting down to get in on the action. “Show them who’s your favorite.”

“Certainly not you,” I growl, slamming my forearm into his hip.

“I’m just going to sit here peacefully and prove the two of you wrong,” Locke says, yanking his hair out of the hair tie.

That cheating bastard.

He knows how much Aspen enjoys tugging on it when it’s down. She’s met all of her milestones early, and crawling is another she’s right on the edge of perfecting.

I stretch out my hands, wiggling my fingers and mentally willing her to show these other two that they aren’t truly the favorite.

Around the time she starts remembering things, we won’t be able to have this type of rivalry, but for now, it’s all in good fun.

She rolls over onto her belly and pushes herself up. The rocking on her knees starts, and I prepare my acceptance speech for the most loved father of the bunch.

Karma runs in, sitting in front of the television, and Aspen takes off.

The three of us all try different methods, but the little heathen heads straight for Karma.

Laken busts out laughing, and my frown only grows.

“Better luck next time, gentlemen.” Laken grins. “See, us ladies stick together in this house.”

She truly is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

Epilogue

Tanner

Seven More Months Later

“Ijust really miss her,” Laken whispers, swiping at her teary eyes.

“Aww, firecracker. I know,” I assure her, pulling her nude body onto my chest. It takes a little focus, but I eventually force myself to purr. “You know she’s as happy as can be. She’s chasing Aurora around. Vale is probably spoiling her rotten.”

“I know, but I think the waves are done,” she says with a hopeful lilt to her voice that’s hard to deny.

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