Page 27 of Mad Love

“I can just bring him downstairs too, he’ll be warm enough.”

I hesitate and then follow when she bundles Caleb back up. I go back for the outfit still on the bed and catch up with them.

“Is work okay with you missing shifts?” I ask.

“They’re being great about it, fortunately.”

“That’s good.”

We get downstairs and I say, “Ahh,” when she holds up a onesie.

“Now’s probably not the right time to talk about it, but…I have more time off right now than I will once the season starts.I can watch him when you go back to work, and then we should talk about what to do when I go back. We have a few months to decide.”

She looks conflicted and I regret bringing it up so soon, but the subject is unavoidable.

We finish getting Caleb ready. She works on all the snaps while I put on his socks, and when I pick him up, inhaling his sweet baby scent, she fluffs his hair.

My phone buzzes and I answer it.

“Your parents and Olivia are here,” Ed says.

I curse under my breath. “Thanks. Send them up.”

The doorbell rings a minute later and I curse again.

“How do people get anywhere on time? We didn’t even leave the house and I thought we still had at least another half hour.” I nuzzle Caleb’s cheek and smile when his mouth turns to suck on my cheek. “Sorry, little guy, I need to shave for you.”

I walk toward the stairs and go up slowly, muttering about how I haven’t even showered yet. Then I turn and see Sadie still standing back, looking uncertain.

“You don’t have to worry. My family will be fine. Well, unless Olivia is in a mood, but I’ll keep her in line. I talked to everyone more this morning, told them you’d be here…”

She still looks hesitant but nods and moves toward me. We walk up the stairs and to the front door. I open it wide and all three sets of eyes zero in on Caleb.

My parents’ eyes soften, my mom gasps, putting her hand on her heart, and Olivia studies him like he’s an alien from outer space. Her eyes flicker from him to me to Sadie and then narrow. It’s about what I expected from her.

“He is absolutely beautiful,” my mom says.

When she can finally tear her eyes away from Caleb, she looks at Sadie and gives her a reserved smile.

“Hello, I’m Lane and this is my husband David and my daughter Olivia.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Sadie, Caleb’s aunt.” She lifts her hand awkwardly and drops it. “I guess you already knew that.”

“We’re really sorry for your loss, Sadie,” Mom says.

“Thank you,” Sadie says, focusing on Caleb.

My dad tags onto that, adding his condolences while nodding pensively, and Olivia just stares at Sadie. I shoot her a look and motion for them to come in. Once they’re inside, my mom touches Caleb’s hair and her eyes fill with tears.

“He looks so much like you did, Weston,” she whispers.

“Come on back. I ordered lunch, but it arrived a while ago, so it might need to go in the oven for a while.”

We file into the kitchen, Sadie trickling in last.

“So tell us everything,” my mom says.

Sadie and I look at each other, something like panic on her face, and I don’t know why I feel a sudden need to protect her. I did not see that coming.

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