Page 36 of Falling for You
He steps through the maze of crib pieces and snatches the directions out of Hunter’s hands. Before this can get heated between the three of them I make the decision to head downstairs to help Mom make dinner.
I pass through the living room and see Cooper passed out on the couch with his arm over his eyes. I’ve never seen him sleep so much, and I’m starting to worry about him. He’s one of the quieter brothers, but he still has his moments and there’s something missing from him right now.
Mom is already in the kitchen cooking chicken tacos so I stand with my hip leaning on the counter with Olivia snuggled into my arms. I’m rocking her in hopes she’ll start to fall asleep so I can place her in the pack and play next to Cooper for her afternoon nap. Mom told me to put her down sleepy, but not asleep. So that’s what I’m going for.
“She’s getting sleepy. You’ve done well sticking to her schedule today.”
I look at Olivia, wondering how the hell she knows that when Olivia rubs her little eyes and lets out a little yawn.
I’m taking this chance. I grab a pacifier from the tray on the kitchen table, and take it with us to the pack and play. I lay her down, and pop in the pacifier, rubbing her head until her eyes start to flutter closed.
Once I feel like she’s close to falling asleep and good to lay on her own, I stand over her, watching as she drifts off to sleep. Her breaths even out and she stops fidgeting with her own fingers. A smile comes to my face watching her sweet self sleep and I’m tempted to scoop her up and snuggle her once more. Even if Mom would pop my hand with that wooden spoon for not listening to her.
I turn back to the kitchen to help, thankful that the living room is open to where we are so I can still hear her and see her.
“She’ll be okay, honey.”
“I know, I’m just … what if I lose her too?” I shake my head, “I’m going to either way. I’m not her mom, I’m just the nanny.”
Mom gives me a sad smile. “It’ll work out with him, honey. I know it. You two are meant to be together.”
“Who is Ems meant to be with?” Hunter’s voice booms from behind me, making me jump.
“Shh! Olivia is sleeping!” I admonish him.
He leans toward Mom and I and whispers, “Who are you meant to be with?”
“No one. Stop. Why aren’t you building a crib?” I narrow my eyes, “And you don’t need to whisper, just talk like a normal human being.”
“Superman Wyatt has this shit figured out like he’s some goddamn NASA engineer.” He rolls his eyes, pissed that Wy got it and he didn’t. “Hey, I was thinking, could you guys help me with something that’s not really in my wheelhouse?”
“Like cribs?” I grin at him, happy to give him shit that he’s a construction worker and needed our cop brother to build a pre-made crib.
His face twists, mocking me as he rolls his eyes.
“What do you need help with, baby?” Mom asks him to diffuse our banter.
“I think we need to have a … what are they called? A shower?”
“Are you asking about a baby shower?” I raise my brows at his complete lack of knowledge on women and babies.
“Yeah! One of those, where people register for stuff and then people buy it? Rome needs one. He’s got nothing for a baby, unless you count his stash of beer bottles in the basement.”
“Oh a Sip and See would be so fun!” I nod my head in agreement with Mom.
“A what?” Hunter cocks his head looking at us like we’ve both lost our minds.
“A Sip and See. It’s for when the baby is already here. People come hang out, meet the baby and bring a gift like a baby shower. I think he’d do well getting lots of stuff because of all the nosey nellies in this town. Esther would be happy to spread the word.” Mom explains to Hunter.
“Would it be bad to ask him to host his own Sip and See?” I muse. “I could plan it all, but is it weird to have a baby in the brewery?”
“I don’t think so, families eat there all the time.” Mom shrugs as she pulls a street corn casserole out of the oven.
I pull up the notepad on my phone to start planning.
“Do you think we should keep it a surprise or tell Rome?” I ask Mom and Hunter.
“How are you going to surprise the guy at his own brewery?” Cooper asks from behind me. He must have woken up.
