Page 53 of What About Now

“We need more babies,” Legend tells Monroe, stepping behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist.

She leans into him. “Not it.” She laughs. “I just need a few more months, then we can talk.” Legend whispers something in her ear, making her blush.

“I think Lilly needs a little brother,” Monroe says as Emerson joins our little huddle, snuggling up to her husband.

“Why are we all huddling on this side of the room? And a little brother or little sister, I’d take either,” Emerson adds with a shrug.

“Baby girl?” Roman speaks up. “We have a room full of babysitters.” The way he’s looking at her, I fear she might get pregnant by immaculate conception.

“Gah! Stop that!” Forrest covers his ears, making us laugh. He’s teasing. He’s long past worried about his best friend being married to his little sister.

“And we should be next. The girls are going to be five,” Forrest answers.

“What are we next for?” Briar asks. She hands each of their daughters a juice box before going to Forrest’s side and snuggling against him.

“I want a baby brother,” Rayne says.

“We need more boys, huh?” I ask her.

“I’d like a sister too,” she tells me, and everyone laughs.

“Daddy, can we have one of each?” River asks Forrest.

“We’ll see what we can do, Razzle,” he says, using his nickname for her. He kisses Briar’s temple, and she smiles up at him.

Briar returns his with one of her own. “We’ll see,” she eventually answers.

My eyes go back to my wife, only to find her watching me. She smiles and takes her eyes back to the baby in her arms.

“You ready for presents, Lilly?” Emerson asks her daughter.

“Pwesents.” Lilly nods.

“Let’s do it.” Roman kisses her cheek and moves farther into the living room. We all follow him to find a seat. Monroe takes Kane back and sits on Legend’s lap as she holds Kane on hers.

River and Rayne are on the floor with Forrest as they help Lilly with her presents. Emerson sits nearby with her camera, snapping pictures. Lachlan’s in the recliner, and Briar is on the couch with Brogan and me. Lilly laughs her way through her gifts, and River and Rayne are thrilled to be able to help her open them. Lilly is still at the age that she’d rather play withthe wrapping paper, but eventually, with the help of her older cousins, she makes her way through all of her gifts.

“She’s such a cutie,” Brogan comments.

“She really is,” Briar agrees with her.

“So, is there something you need to tell me?” Brogan asks her sister.

Briar laughs. “Not yet, but maybe soon.”

“Really?” Brogan asks excitedly.

“Yeah, we both want more, and the girls are going to be turning five soon. We don’t want much more time between them.”

“Briar.” Brogan’s voice cracks. “I’m so happy for you.” She pulls her sister into a side hug.

“Thank you. I never knew it could be like this. There are some days I still feel like it’s all going to disappear, but then Forrest wraps his arms around me, and I remember that I wouldn’t trade a single moment with him. No matter what our future holds, my time with him will be here.” She taps her chest.

“I’m proud of you,” Brogan whispers.

Briar replies, but her voice is too low for me to hear.

“Who wants cake?” Roman asks.

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