Page 148 of Bae

Braeden slipped him into her arms and kissed her head. She smiled down at the baby, then looked up at me.

Unable to stay away from her another second, I climbed in the bed, squished right up against her on my side, and put my arms around both her and my son.

Rimmel kissed his head and adjusted his hat, then laid her head against my chest.

My chest was so full it felt tight. The amount of love and possession I felt in that moment was unsurpassed by anything else.

“Does he have a name yet?” Ivy asked.

I glanced at Rimmel. We hadn’t discussed names very much because she was so superstitious throughout the entire pregnancy.

She nodded, almost shy.

I adjusted the black-framed glasses on her nose and kissed her temple. “Let’s hear it.”

“Blue,” she said.

“Like the color?” I puzzled.

She smiled, looking up. “For the color of your eyes, the color of my favorite hoodie…”

“I can dig it,” Braeden said.

“You don’t get a say,” I told him without looking away from Rimmel’s upturned face.

She picked out a name that reminded her of me… What isn’t to love?

“Blue.” I tried it out. “I like it.”

“Blue James Anderson.” Rimmel went on and glanced back down.

He yawned like he was unimpressed.

“Love it.” I agreed on the name, kissing her on the head. “I love you, too.”

The nurse walked in, wheeling a clear baby bassinet along with her. I glowered.

Rimmel sighed. “Go with him, Romeo. And make them bring him back as soon as possible.”

“Anything for you,” I said and forced myself off the bed.

Instead of letting the nurse place him in the bassinet, I did it. He started crying almost immediately. Hell, I’d cry too if someone made me leave Rimmel’s arms.

“Is he okay?” Rimmel worried, getting ready to vault out of bed.

“He’s fine,” I assured her.

As I was leaving, Braeden joined me. “Don’t worry, sis,” he told Rimmel. “I’ll get Drew and Trent, too. No one is gonna bother our man Blue.”

“There’s more of you?” The nurse gasped.

“I apologize in advance,” Rimmel told her sympathetically.

Ivy snickered. “I’m going to go tell Valerie. She’s probably on pins and needles.” She leaned down to give Rimmel a quick hug. “Congratulations,” she whispered.

“Thank you,” Rim replied with the familiar sheen of tears in her eyes.

The nurse went out the door with B and Ivy, but I hung back just a second.

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