Page 70 of Twice Baked Risky Whiskey Cakes

“I love that,” Evie says. “Dad never goes by Essex anyway. I vote we nickname the older one Ozzy. What do you think?” She looks to Everett then me.

“What do you think, Lemon?” Everett brushes the hair from my eyes and offers a loving smile that warms me to my toes.

“I think it’s perfect.” I glance between Noah and Everett, my two favorite men—up until now at least. Now they’re forever tied with these two little men who came into my life today. “I love that we’re paying tribute to the two most important men in my world. What do you think, Everett?”

“I’m in love with them, their names, and our growing family,” Everett says softly. “It’s perfect. They’re perfect. And you’reperfect.” He leans in and offers me a lingering kiss as the room breaks out in another round of coos.

Lyla Nell tugs at the blanket as she inches in closer still. “Where they mommy at?” she asks with wide-eyed concern as she looks from me to Everett then Noah.

The room goes quiet, and it’s the kind of sudden silence that makes you wonder if someone hit a universal pause button.

“Why,I’mtheir mommy,” I tell her with a smile—an exhausted smile, but a smile nonetheless.

Lyla Nell looks genuinely confused, but adorably so as her little brow furrows like mad.

“No,” she shouts a touch too loud. “Youmymommy. Who day mommy?” She looks around as if the maternal offender might be hiding somewhere in the crowd.

The crowd coos again. It’s like watching a tennis match of adorable yet questionably traumatizing moments.

“Sweetheart”—I lean her way—“I’m their mommyandyour mommy,” I explain gently. “That’s how families work sometimes.”

“That’s right. Sharing is caring,” Lainey quips.

“Unless it’s the last donut,” Meg adds, and a loose chuckle breaks out in the room.

“Or one of Lot’s men—she doesn’t share those either,” Carlotta mutters under her breath, and another round of laughter breaks out.

Lyla Nell’s lower lip starts to tremble. “No! YouMYmommy! These babies needdifferentmommy.” No sooner does she get the words out—rather aggressively might I add—than the wailing begins. Loud. Sharp. Shrill cries, certainly loud enough to wake the dead, but thankfully not loud enough to wake two sleeping twin boys who just made their debut into the world.

Mom swoops in like a superhero and scoops Lyla Nell up, heading for the door as half the room clears out with congratulations tossed over their shoulders like confetti.

Charlie steps forward once the room quiets down, looking suspiciously excited. “So, about the event in Las Vegas next month. You know I’ve already committed to the Savory Sizzle in Sin City. And you know I’ve been begging you to sign up for the Sin City Sugar Showdown.”

“Oh, Charlie,” I moan. “The Flavor Frenzy is a big event, but I have a feeling these two are going to be an even bigger event at my house. Especially at night. There’s no way I can make it.”

“Have I mentioned the winner gets their signature creation stocked in gourmet markets nationwide?” Charlie counters. “We’re talking coast-to-coast distribution deals, Lottie. Your cinnamon rolls could be the next big thing from Seattle to Miami.”

My mouth falls open. “Oh, wow, that’s big!”

She nods. “The winner gets featured inPastry Monthlyand named America’s Premier Bakery for the year. And the winner gets a permanent feature in the Culinary Hall of Fame,” Charlie counters. “Not to mention exclusive rights to supply pastries to the White House for their holiday gala. This is bigger than money, Lottie—it’slegacy.”

“You should totally do it, Lot.” Lainey shrugs. “I’ll be there.”

Meg nods. “And I’m going to be performing as Madge the Badge—also known asMadMadge. I can’t wait to crack a few skulls.”

“Free babysitting from Mom.” Lainey throws it out there like the ultimate temptation—and right now it so is.

I look up at Everett and Noah, trying to gauge their reactions.

Everett tips his head to the side. “I’m on paternity leave. I can certainly make it work.”

Noah looks far off with his gaze fixed on some hypnotic point out the window. “And if you guys go, I’m in, too, if you don’t mind.”

“I wouldn’t go without you,” I tell him.

He nods, still looking pensively out the window. “Good. I’ve got some business in Vegas that I’ve been meaning to take care of.”

Everett and I exchange a look.

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