Page 140 of Truth Or Dare
“Mhmm,” Gabi confirms, gently booping Nova on the nose. “So tiny.”
“Nice to finally see you,” Madi says. “Late as always.”
“I’m not late,” Gabi replies with a frown. “You guys are just early. Seriously, did you have to come so early?” She groans dramatically.
Madi narrows her eyes. “It’s one in the afternoon.”
“Exactly,” Gabi retorts, shaking her head. “So early.”
Grayson scoffs, shaking his head. “You really haven’t changed a bit.”
It’s been a while since we were all together. Leila and Aiden live in Chicago, Madeline and Lucas in LA, and Rosie and Grayson travel all over the place. But we’ve always made it a tradition to spend all the big holidays together. Easter, Christmas, birthdays, and even the Fourth of July, which is why we’re all here.
“Neither have you,” Gabi says with a teasing smile. “Still ugly I see.”
Grayson sighs, turning to his girlfriend. “Angel, remind me why we’re here,” he says.
Rosie lets out a laugh, clutching Grayson’s face in her hands. “Because we always spend the holidays together, and this year it’s Gabi’s turn to host,” she tells him. “And we love Gabi.”
“We do?” Grayson asks, arching a brow.
“I do,” Nova chimes in, smiling up at Gabi. “I love Aunt Gabi.”
Gabi’s lips widen into a grin as she leans down, pinching Nova’s chubby cheeks. “I know. Everyone does.” Nova giggles, and Gabi starts walking over to join us. “How old is she now?” Gabi asks, settling onto my lap. I lean back, making space for both Gabi and little Nova.
“She’s almost three,” Leila replies with a sigh. “I can’t believe how fast the time has gone.”
“I know.” Gabi scoffs, brushing Nova’s hair back. “I still remember when you were screaming during her birth. Everyone in the hospital could hear you.”
“She was so amazing,” Aiden says, shaking his head as he looks at his wife. “I was in awe.”
“And I was dying,” Leila replies, narrowing her eyes at him. “Maybe we can trade places next time.”
Aiden laughs, wrapping his arms around her. “I love hearing you saynext time.”
Leila sighs, smiling up at him. We all know she loves Nova deeply, and it was only a matter of time before they had another baby.
I glance at Gabi, seeing her smile and play with Nova. My mind starts to wander, imagining what it would be like to have a child with her. I envision a baby with Gabi’s blue eyes and my curly hair, seeing our features intertwined in a little baby.
Fuck.
I need to calm down.
There’s something else I need to do first before I can start thinking about that.
“Can I have my baby back?” Aiden asks, raising an eyebrow at Gabi.
Gabi shakes her head, hugging Nova close. “I’ve grown attached.”
Aiden chuckles. “I don’t know if that concerns me or not.” He turns to me with a teasing grin. “Chris, you ready for a baby yet?”
I shrug, unable to suppress a smile. “Maybe.”
Gabi glances at me, her eyes widening slightly. “You are?”
I shrug again. “If you want.”
She seems taken aback, blinking and licking her lips nervously. “Really?”
