Page 66 of Over and Above

“What was that about a meeting?” Diesel asked with a yawn.

“It’ll keep,” I said thickly, hoping like hell Eric and I were making the right choice here. This thing was so much bigger than simply the two of us, and my abs quivered.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Eric

By Tuesday morning, the household was decidedlynotback to normal, but I called a family meeting anyway. Even though Magnus had had an attack of doubts last night, I didn’t want to wait longer to go public as a couple. We’d had enough close calls already, and Rowan’s knowing chuckle yesterday warned that discovery was inevitable. Heading that off seemed kinder and less dramatic than rumors and secrets, but as everyone gathered in the living room, I second-guessed my determination.

“Please tell me you’re not calling a family meeting about diaper duty or noise curfew.” John flung himself onto the far end of the couch.

“No one is asking you to do diapers,” Maren said serenely. We’d installed her and Destiny in my recliner, along with several pillows and blankets. A large water bottle and the remnants of an omelet and toast Magnus made her earlier were on the table beside her.

“If this is about my charts, I could move them.” Wren narrowed their eyes. At some point before morning, a trio of color-coded charts had appeared on the refrigerator to track the baby’s eating, diapers, and sleep.

“The charts are fine on the fridge, but maybe let Maren decide if she wants to use them.” I spoke quickly before one of the others could put down Wren’s ideas.

“How else are we supposed to collect data?” Wren frowned deeply from their spot on a floor cushion next to the recliner.

“Only for you, Wren, only for you.” Maren groaned and chuckled at the same time. “I’ll try to remember to fill in the chart.”

“I’ve provided a selection of dry-erase markers.”

“Thank you.” Swiveling, Maren craned her neck as Rowan floated down the front stairs in an old T-shirt from his high school years and unicorn pajama pants. “And hey, nice of you to join us, Rowan.”

“I wasn’t sleeping in. I had a call with my agent.” Rowan squeezed in between Diesel and John on the couch. “I’d hoped to stay a few extra days, but I’ll need to fly out tomorrow.”

“Do you need a ride to the airport? I’m on duty, but?—”

“The shuttle is fine. I’m not that much of a diva. Yet.” Rowan smiled, eyes twinkling. “And I wouldn’tdaremiss this meeting.”

Rowan gave a wink in the direction of Magnus, who had pulled a chair in from the dining room. And hell, I better talk before Rowan beat me to sharing my news.

“Now that everyone’s here, I suppose I should start.” I took a deep breath. The meeting had been a horrible idea. Maybe a group text? A sign on the fridge? Letting the inevitable discovery happen? But here we were, and everyone was looking at me expectantly. “I guess there’s no easy way to say this?—”

“Are you sick?” Wren demanded.

“Are you retiring?” John matched Wren’s suspicious tone.

“I’m fine. More than fine.” I gulped. I couldn’t continue to drag this out. “I’ve decided to start dating.”

I’d practiced in my head the night before.I wantandI thinkstatements seemed to invite more discussion and debate than I wanted. I wasn’t asking for permission or taking a vote, although I did intend to listen to their thoughts and feelings. I opened my mouth to continue with thewhopart only to be cut off by another round of interruptions.

“Oh.” Maren’s mouth made a perfect circle.

“You’re letting Jonas play matchmaker?” John scowled, the thundercloud of a mood that had accompanied him downstairs worsening.

“Statistically, most people widowed young do date eventually,” Wren mused.

“I knew it.” Rowan released a triumphant crow before waving a hand. “Go on.”

“There’s more?” John rocked back against the sofa as if he were seconds from bolting upstairs.

“I’m going to date Magnus.” Again, I chose my words carefully. “And yes, I know it’s a little unexpected?—”

“Just a bit.” John wasn’t done dripping sarcasm.

“Does he know?” Wren swiveled in Magnus’s direction. “Were you aware of this plan?”

---