Page 91 of Collect the Pieces

Grace can’t stop staring at the babies, her little face scrunched in determination as she repeatedly asks to hold one. Finally, she settles into Rock’s lap, and he helps her cradle the girl twin.

“They’re so cute,” I whisper to Jigsaw.

He nods slowly. “We sure have had an explosion of babies in the club lately.”

His tone isn’t exactly full of joy for his brothers.

It’s way too soon to ask him how he feels about having kids. And I think I already have my answer based on the way horror washed over his face when I said I wasn’t on birth control.

“Hey, Margot.” Hope waves at me. “Hey, Jiggy.”

Rock glances up. “You two heading out?”

“In a little bit,” Jigsaw answers.

I drift closer to Charlotte. “I haven’t really had a chance to see the twins. Is it okay if I say hi?”

The words stumble out awkwardly. I’m not technically family. Is this weird to ask?

“Of course.” She shifts closer to her husband, patting the empty space beside her. “Come sit.”

“This is Ivan.” Charlotte gently rocks her son in her arms. Up close, I notice his navy blue onesie is covered in tiny chickens. I flick my gaze to the other baby. She’s wearing a teal onesie with pink flamingos.

“I feel like these outfits were gifts from Rooster and Shelby?”

Teller rumbles with laughter. “What gave it away?”

Instead of sitting next to me, Jigsaw’s standing at the end of the couch. Watching from a distance.

He’d been so cute with the older kids the other night.

Do babies make him nervous? Or is it the unprotected sex making him uncomfortable?

Hope stands and moves closer to us. Teller leans in.

The way everyone’s watching me so closely, maybe I should’ve waited until later to ask to hold the babies. Charlotte doesn’t seem to mind. She’s already focused on transferring baby Ivan into my arms.

A soft, warm weight settles against me, heavier than I expected.

“Aren’t you a cutie,” I coo, adjusting my grip. “A big boy, too.”

Ivan blinks up at me, tiny feet kicking, happy little noises burbling from his lips.

“His sister’s gaining on him,” Teller says. “Right, Grace?”

Rock’s daughter grins and bobs her head up and down.

After a few minutes, Grace peeks over at us, like she’s suspicious that she’s missing out on the more interesting twin. “Ivan.” She points.

“You wanna trade?” Teller asks.

She nods quickly.

Teller gently shifts his daughter into his arms and gives me an apologetic smile. “Switch?”

“Sure.”

He smoothly scoops Ivan from me, then carefully places Ivy in my arms.

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