Page 60 of Over and Above

“You’re going to have a baby?” I wasn’t sure if congratulations was the right response.

“That’s the hope. Screw waiting for the right partner. Single parenthood isn’t the path I originally would have chosen, but I’m not willing to wait forever for the partner of my dreams to show up at the exact perfect moment.”

Again, she reminded me of Magnus…who wasn’t willing to wait forever either. He wanted to date, travel, love openly and loudly, and he wouldn’t wait around indefinitely for me to be ready.

“Timing is hard.” My voice came out rough, chest full. I’d met Montgomery at the perfect moment in my life, and that still hadn’t had a happy ending. And the timing with Magnus sucked, but the thought of breaking things off made my back tighten and my bones ache. Timing or not, I wanted him. “And even when the plan works out, sometimes fate has other ideas.”

“Yep.” Marissa nodded. The pool was finished inflating, so she spread a hygienic liner over it and busied herself sorting out hoses. “But I’m actually really excited about this new direction. I’m embracing it. My family is super supportive, which helps. And I’m not ruling out a partner in the future. However, I’m sure dating as a single parent can be…interesting.”

She offered an expectant look like I should be at the ready with dating advice.

“I wouldn’t exactly know,” I admitted. “My friends keep wanting me to get back out there. Apps. Setups. Singles mixers.”

“All of which suck. Trust me. Dating is hazardous.” She released a low groan before standing. “I’m at a point now where I think I’d rather collect friends. Anything else is going to have to happen organically.”

Organically. All this time, I’d been refusing my friends’ efforts at matchmaking, yet Magnus had fallen right into my lap, almost literally if one considered the night of the fire. And few things in life were as organic or natural as our friendship, which had grown slowly, like Maren’s baby, over the last nine months. Could I really walk away from that because of timing or fear? Could I be like Marissa, who was chasing her dreams even if they looked different than she’d expected?

“It’s not going to be easy being a single parent. But it is worth it. I admire you.” I chose my words carefully, but Marissa still frowned.

“You admire me?”

“You have a dream, and you’re going for it. Fearless.”

“Oh, I’m scared shitless.” She waved a hose at me. “You have no idea. But nothing good ever came of sitting out life on the sidelines.”

She was scared and doing it anyway. My head spun, a wave of dizziness washing over me. I steadied myself on the bed right as Diesel burst into the room.

“Marissa! Maren’s water just broke.”

And just like that, my world shifted yet again. Ready or not, this baby was coming.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Magnus

I awoke to a text message from Eric.

Maren’s water broke. Labor is kicking up. Any chance you’re able to come help me distract the others?

I released a long sigh to the empty loft before replying.

I’m an excellent distraction. On my way.

Unsure what exactly one wore to become a grandparent for the first time, I quickly pulled on jeans, boots, and a thick sweatshirt in deference to the cold snap and snow on the ground. The dogs followed me over, frolicking in the snow. Eric greeted me at the back door as I toweled off the dogs and removed my boots.

“You made it.” Eric’s eyes were bright with gratitude and worry. I wanted to hug him in the worst way, tell him I was there for him as much or more than anyone else. “I helped Marissa set up the birthing tub in my bedroom. The other kids will be up soon. I need to think about breakfast?—”

“Eric!” Diesel charged out of the primary bedroom. “Maren’s asking for you.”

“Go.” I waved Eric on. “I’ll handle breakfast and the other kids.”

“You okay?” I asked Diesel when he didn’t immediately follow Eric out of the kitchen. “Remember to breathe.”

“That’s Maren’s job.” Diesel frowned. Exhaustion creased his young face, and he wore the same T-shirt as the day before.

“No, it’s yours too.” I pulled him in for a fast hug. “You can’t support her if you’re not also taking care of you.”

As I said the words, I wondered yet again about the balance of supporting Eric while also protecting my heart. At the moment, the best way to do both was to hug Diesel again before sending him back to Maren and then start breakfast. Luckily, the fridge yielded bacon and eggs while the pantry had a box of pancake mix. As I slid a pan of bacon into the oven and readied the pancake batter, all three teens trooped into the kitchen.

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