Page 71 of Interception

“Well, what are you waiting for? Go to bed. That’s an order.”

Hunter and Faith second her sentiments. “She’s right, bro. You look like ass. Zee still looks beautiful, but you look older than me now.” I can always count on Hunter.

“Let’s not get ridiculous. You look ancient. Even in my current state, I’m a damn sight easier on the eye than you.”

“Go to bed, old man. I’ll swing by tomorrow with some groceries. Text me if you need anything.”

“You’re a gentleman and a scholar, Vaughn.”

“I know. You owe me big time.”

“I’ll pay up when you have kids.”

Faith is quick to interject. “After what I saw in the delivery room, I’m thinking a puppy is going to be the closest we get to a kid any time soon.”

“Probably for the best. You don’t want to perpetuate the Vaughn gene pool. One is enough for us to handle.”

My mom just shakes her head. “You boys never grow up, do you? Off to bed and take your lovely wife with you.”

When I try to rouse Zee, she’s out for the count, so I scoop her into my arms. “Come on, beautiful. Time for bed.” She barely registers, but her body relaxes, her head resting on my chest. As I lay her down on our bed, I’m careful not to disturb the boys in their cribs.

I don’t bother changing her into PJs, tucking the covers around her before stripping down to my boxers and crawling in beside her. It only takes three seconds for me to join Zee in a deep, dreamless sleep.

Chapter Eighteen

Zee

Having Coop’s mom here has been a godsend. If I thought she’d move in with us, I’d ask her in a heartbeat. Three adults outnumber twins—I like those odds.

I’ve already adopted Jennifer as my mom. She’s so warm and inviting, and above all else, she’s supportive. I can see where Coop gets his kind heart from. We’ve had so many wonderful conversations in the time she’s been here, and she dotes on the boys. I’m picking up loads of tips on caring for my babies, and she never thrusts her opinions on me. She has a way of making you feel—enough. I get the same feeling of genuine acceptance that Coop has given me since the moment we met.

Whenever the subject of my parents comes up, I sidestep it. After what happened the day I told them I was pregnant, they’ve shown no interest in how I’m doing. Like the idiot I am, I let them know when the boys were born. They said they can’t come and meet them right now as they’re heading off on a month-long trip around Europe. Who thinks a vacation is more important than meeting their grandkids?

I never understood my parents, and now that I’m a mother, I understand them even less. I can’t imagine ever being indifferent to Aiden and Blake. They are the sun, the moon, and the stars.

How could they be so cruel? I look down into the faces of these two little babies—our babies—and I can’t imagine not wanting them. I don’t understand how they could’ve been so heartless. Was I a terrible baby? Or a nuisance of a child? I’ve always believed it’s something to do with me, but as I snuggle a baby in each arm, I know with unwavering certainty that it wasn’t my fault. For the first time in my life, I understand that none of this was a failure on my part as a daughter. It was theirs, and theirs alone.

Today, Coop’s mom has to get back to Denver, and I can see she’s having a hard time saying goodbye to the boys. Even in the short space of time she’s been here, they’ve changed so much.

“I wish I didn’t have to go. I’m going to miss you all so much.”

“We’re going to miss you, too. I hope you’ll come back and see us again soon.” I was dreading meeting Coop’s mom for the first time, and yet here I stand, sad to see her leaving.

“Just try and stop me. I’ll be coming to see you so often you’ll be eager to get rid of me.”

“I doubt that.”

She pulls me into her arms, and a lump forms in my throat. “I’m so happy my son has found such a lovely woman to spend his life with. You’re good for him, and I can see that you love my boy as fiercely as he loves you.”

“I do.”

“Thank you, Zoey, for making my son happy and giving me two beautiful grandbabies. I’m so thrilled to have more family to love.”

“They are pretty darn lovable.” I can bask in the joy of my sweet twin boys, beaming with pride while they sleep soundly. The second they stir, it’s a different ballgame. I love them so much it hurts, but I’m in a perpetual state of exhaustion. It’s weird, though. I miss them while they sleep, staring at them in awe, marveling at how full my heart is, overflowing with love. When they’re awake and fussing for milk or refusing to give in to sleep, I’m wishing they would close their eyes, if only for an hour. It’s a constant push and pull, but I wouldn’t change a thing.

“It’s not just the boys who’ve been added to my family. You are part of the family now, Zoey. I always wanted a daughter, and I hope we’ll make many happy memories together in the future.” Her words catch me off guard. I didn’t expect Jennifer to welcome me with open arms, after all, my relationship with her son has been so fast. I was prepared for her to resent the fact that we got married in a courthouse without her. But her warmth and willingness to give me a chance overwhelms me, and I can’t hold back the tears.

“Thank you.”

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