Page 61 of Molly

She looks at me and then back at Ma. “Do you has cookies?” she asks, and we all break out in a laugh.

“I’m sure we can find some in the kitchen,” Ma replies, holding her hand out for Emma to take. “Do you want to come and take a look with me?”

Em nods, releases my hand, and immediately takes hers. They walk out of the room, leaving me and Molly standing in the doorway. Molly’s eyes follow them, a smile ghosting her lips. I kick the door shut, lean in, kiss her temple, and put my arm around her shoulders before leading her into the kitchen.

“So, where’s everyone else, Ma?” I ask, sitting down at the kitchen table, joining Molly and Emma with my coffee.

She turns her head to me and looks down at her watch. “Your father just went to the service station to get more ice for the esky. Your brothers should be here any minute.” She looks back at Emma and grins. “My grandbaby Jake will be here soon. He's not much older than you, sweetie. Maybe the two of you could go on the swing set we have outside. How does that sound?”

“Swing, swing, swing,” Emma giggles, clapping her hands together. I look at Molly, and she’s grinning, watching Ma interact with Emma.

Soon enough, the front door opens, and dad comes strolling in with Walker, Jordan, his wife, Lauren, and their son Jake. My brothers and I look weirdly alike. We all have brown hair, mine being the lightest, and blue eyes. Our height comes from dad; Jordan is the shortest, at 6’2, and Walker is a little over an inch taller than me.

We all stand up, and I proudly introduce my girls to everyone.

“Nice to meet you, Molly,” Jordan says, nodding and slinging his arm over Lauren's shoulders. She smiles at Molly in greeting, rubs her baby bump, and looks down at Jake, who's clinging to her leg, eyeing Emma curiously. He the spitting image of his old man. The only thing he got from his mumma is his pale complexion. Lauren's a tiny thing, a little shorter than Molly, and she keeps her honey blonde hair cut to her collarbone.

Walker steps forward to hug Molly, and I shake my head, making him freeze. He lifts one eyebrow. “Really, Ryan?”

“Yep,” I say, popping the P.

He shakes his head, says hello and walks into the kitchen, chuckling to himself.

Dad drops the ice bags he’s brought in from the car and wraps Molly in his arms, winking at me from over her shoulder. He pulls back, still holding onto her arms, and says, “It’s so good to meet you, love. I’ve heard nothing but good things.”

Molly laughs. “All lies, I’m sure.”

He shakes his head playfully and looks down at Emma, standing by Molly’s feet. He crouches down to her level, resting his forearms on his bent knees. “Hello, sweetheart, I’m Mark,” he says, smiling, his voice soft.

“Hi!” Emma squeals and jumps into his arms, catching him off guard and nearly toppling him over. I can’t keep the silly grin off my face.

He stands, Emma still in his arms, and they head for the back door. “Put those bags of ice in the esky, will you, son? We’ve got games to play,” He calls at me from over his shoulder. I shake my head and laugh.

Once the ice is in the esky, everyone’s got a drink, and the kids run off to play, we head outside after them to cook lunch.

“You cooking, Ry?” Ma asks, holding out the‘kiss the cook’apron I usually wear when we have a barbeque.

I nod and put it on, tying it around my waist. I look up and see Molly watching me from the swing set as she pushes Jake and Emma, a smirk plastered across her face while she reads it. I wink at her, and I can see the blush spread across her cheeks from here.

I throw the food on the barbeque, toss my empty bottle in the recycling bin, and head over to the esky. “Dad, you want another beer?” I call out, reaching down to grab myself one.

He makes his way over to me while I stand there, drink in hand, the sun warming my skin, watching my woman play with the kids.

Dad bumps my shoulder with his as he takes his beer from my hand. “She’s pretty, boy. You did good.”

“She’s beautiful. They both are,” I reply.

He nods, his face turning more serious. He looks me in the eye and lowers his voice. “You sure this is something you want to take on? Another man's baby? That’s a serious thing, Ryan. You can't decide to dip out in a few months’ time when that little girl’s involved. You're either in, or you're out. Being a parent is a lifelong commitment, and that's what you'll be, blood or not.”

I take a sip of my beer, watching them, absorbing his words before saying, “I’d do anything to see that little girl smile, her mumma too. I adore them. Happened quick, but I do. Throw down my life for either of them. If that's not being a parent, being a family, I don't know what is. I'm all in. Molly knows it. They're mine.”

He pats my back, a proud expression on his face. “Thought you’d say that, Ry.”

???

Molly takes to my family like a fish to water, Emma too. Walker and Jordan pay her more attention than they do me, laughing with her while the three of them play with the kids. Lauren and my mum fuss around with food until we all sit down and have lunch. Emma insists on sitting on my lap to eat, and my chest puffs out with pride that she wantedme.

Lauren and Mol chat the whole time we’re sitting, trading toddler horror stories. Ma joins in and tells everyone stories about me and my brothers as babies, and then dad pipes in. “Being a parent is the best adventure I’ve ever been on. Doing it alongside the love of your life is one of life’s greatest joys. Never been prouder of my sons than I am today. All three of you have grown into fine men. I love watching our family grow, and I’m so happy to have Molly and Emma here today.” He pauses and looks between Emma and Molly. “Welcome to the family, girls, we’ll never let you go now.” He winks, raises his beer at me, and then takes a sip.

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