Page 6 of A Play for Love

“Pfft. He’ll be an orthopedic surgeon like his great Uncle Conner.” Conner walked into the room. “Sofia told me you were up here.” He walked over and took the diaper from my hand. “Let me. I need the practice.”

“You’ll have your own kid to mold into an orthopedic surgeon. Leave mine to me. How did Henry’s surgery go?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

“Okay. Then, are you excited about the ultrasound in a couple of days?” I asked.

“Yeah.” He turned and smiled. “I just wish Charlotte would let us know what the gender is right then and there. But the girls got in her head, and they’re making us wait for the gender reveal.

“You can wait.” I placed my hand on his shoulder. “The party is that night. You can wait a few more hours, just like Sebastian can.”

“Yeah. I guess.” He sighed as he put Nicholas in his pajamas and picked him up. “By the way. What is the meeting about tomorrow with Ella’s principal?”

“I don’t know. Her principal said we’d discuss it at the meeting.”

“Did you ask Ella about it?” he asked.

“Yeah, and she just shrugged and said she didn’t know.”

“Uncle Conner!” Ella walked into the room and ran over to him. “Will you tuck me in bed?” she asked as he handed Nicholas to me and picked her up.

“You bet!”

“We need to do more TikTok videos.” She smiled as he carried her out of the room, and I followed behind.

“Definitely.” He set her down on her bed. “I have a question for you.”

“What?” She climbed under the covers.

“Are you misbehaving in school? Is that why your principal wants to meet with your parents?” He tickled her.

“No.” She giggled. “I don’t know why. I’m not worried. I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Good girl.” He kissed her forehead. “Good night, my favorite niece.”

“Good night, Uncle Conner.”

I handed Nicholas over to Conner and sat on the edge of Ella’s bed.

“Good night, sweetheart. Sweet dreams.”

“Night, Dad. Will you tell Mom that I want to say good night to her?”

“You bet. She’ll be up in a minute.” I kissed her forehead.

Conner and I headed downstairs with Nicholas, and he handed him over to Sofia.

“Ella is tucked in. She’s asking for you.”

“I’ll put this little one to bed after I say good night to Ella.” She kissed my lips.

CHAPTER3

Nathan

I walked over to the refrigerator, pulled out two bottles of beer, and handed one to my brother.

“Thanks, bro.” He twisted off the cap and set it on the island.