Page 54 of Crazy In Love
“Cuter,” Tommy hums, patting her butt. “She’s pretty perfect.”
My mind obsesses over the sound of Chris’ footsteps on the linoleum floor. Then his warmth, his chest almost touching my back as he comes to a stop behind me. He places a subtle hand on my shoulder, pushing me down when my nervous system would have me jumping clear off the ground. And though my heart thunders annoyingly loud between my ears, he merely smiles.
“Can I hold her?” His breath hits loose tendrils of hair that tickle my neck, his vulnerability a sweet reminder of who he is beneath that man I spent the afternoon with. He’s sweet and sour, wrapped up in one human being. Hot and cold. Intensity and lazy days. “Just for a few minutes,” he murmurs. “‘Cos then we gotta take Franky home and get him some dinner.”
“Only because I’ve had her for three hours straight.” Carefully, Tommy peels the baby off his chest and maneuvers her into Chris’ arms, and because Chris happily plays along with mylet’s not tell Alanaruse, he practically knocks me out of the way to get a better position with his baby.
“Youarecuter than before.” He brings her higher and presses a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Oh my goodness, Hazel Fox. You are the cutest niece in the world.”
Hazel Fox.
“I forgot you did that.” Pleasure ripples through my blood and out to the tips of my fingers, so when Tommy sits up and shrugs on a shirt, climbing off the bed because he’s a good guy who knows his place within this dynamic, I slide into his place and snuggle in with my best friend. “Holy shit, Lana, you named your baby after me.”
“It sounds good, huh? Hazel Fox.” She yawns, turning to her side and using her hand to prop up her face. “I knew right away what her name would be.”
“I’m honored.” I turn to my side, too, giving the guys my back, and take her free hand with mine. “There’s nothing on the planet anyone could gift me that would mean more than this.”
“Really?” She searches my eyes, though bags sit beneath hers and create deep shadows that tell me how truly tired she is. “Because I was meaning to ask if you’d be her godmother, too.” She smacks her lips, lazily exhaling. “But if you’re not interested, since the name thing is all you?—”
“Wait. What?” Frantic, I squeeze her hand. “Alana! What?”
“We wanted to ask you both,” Tommy explains from across the room. “Alana chose Fox, and I chose my brother. Two sides to the family, so we know our bases are covered, and Hazel will be with people she loves if the worst happens.”
“I’m already Franky’s guardian.” Tears swell in my eyes and leave my cheeks burning. “I get Hazel, too?”
“My babies are staying together. Forever.”
“What does it mean to be someone’s godfather?” Chris’ deep voice rumbles differently than how I heard himbefore. Now, I feel less ‘I want to mess with him,’ and more ‘damn, his voice makes my stomach dip.’ “Specifically, what does it mean?”
“We mean it more along the lines of guardianship,” Tommy clarifies. “Godparent is a religious thing, but our intentions are that if anything happens to us, we know the kids will be with people we trust. You’ll send each other crazy trying to figure it out,” he chuckles. “But we know every argument you have will be because you’re fighting for what’s best for the kids.”
“Unless I’m eighteen,” Franky inserts smugly, pulling his feet up on the chair and resting a book on his knees. “If I’m eighteen when they die?—”
“Not that we’re planning for anything to happen to us,” Alana drawls. “Don’t get too far ahead of yourself, honey.”
“Ifsomething happens and I’m already eighteen, I become Hazel’s guardian. ‘Cos she’smybaby sister.”
“You’ll help him,” Alana whispers. “And you’re not allowed to kill Chris.”
“I’m honored.” I crawl closer and press a smiling, noisy kiss on her forehead. “I accept. And I probably won’t kill Chris. Unless he makes a big deal about silverware again, in which case, I’ll use my fork to puncture his leg.”
“She’s all talk.” Chris rocks the baby and wanders around the room,smirking when he’s on Alana’s other side and winking when I’m the only person in the world who can see him. “I’m ready for your attacks, Tatum. Though I’m starting to think you’re nothing more than a kitten.”
“Excuse you?”
“You got the claws, and you make the noises. But ultimately, you scare no one.”
“Listen here.” I shove up to my elbow and point a jabbing, dangerous finger in his direction. “You’re just a?—”
“No.” Alana pinches my lips and drags me back down. “No bickering. It’s my baby’s birthday.” She releases me and settles against her pillow, closing her eyes and exhaling a soft breath. “Also, you smell kinda nice. I told him to buy the frangipani soap when we were shopping, but I guess he bought his favorite instead.”
“Samoa.” He strokes Hazel’s double chin and smirks, knowing Alana can’t see him. “They have frangipanis in Samoa.”
“They have frangipanis in lots of places,” Franky adds dryly. “Like Hawaii, Australia, and The Solomon Islands. And Papua New Guinea. And The Cook Islands. And?—”
“And Samoa,” Chris counters. “I was just saying, is all.”
ROUND FOURTEEN
