Page 88 of Greed

Word spread like wildfire after I called Ava to tell her that today was the day. She pulled her fiancé out of a meeting. He called Graham and Kavan, and our parents received a text from Ava referring to them as Grandma and Grandpa.

I’m not sure how Mrs. Sweeney, Sean and Callie’s neighbor, got wind of the impending arrival, but she’s here with a basket of blueberry muffins in her lap and a smile on her face.

She’s declared herself Hailey’s great-grandmother, and I highly doubt that anyone would argue that point with her.

“I can’t wait until we have our baby,” Juliet Bane whisper shouts to her husband.

Kavan places his index finger against her lips. “Not today, Juliet. Today is for Sean and Callie and their baby.”

“Today is for all of us,” Graham says. “You’re having a kid, Bane? You’re going to be a dad?”

Kavan nods. “I sure as hell am. Six months from now.”

“That’s fucking fantastic.” Harrison jumps to his feet from the chair he’s sitting on. “Ava and I are trying every chance we get.”

That lures a muted “That’s my boy” from my dad and a tear from my mom.

They both turn to me with expectant looks on their faces.

I laugh that off with a shake of my head. “No fucking way. No baby for me yet.”

“No cursing,” my mom warns with a wag of her index finger in my direction. “You’ll be a fine father, Decky. Just like your brother will be.”

I glance past her to see Sean on the approach. The smile on his face says it all. Hailey Wells has arrived.

“She’s here!” he yells as soon as he’s within earshot. “My daughter is here, and holy shit, she’s a beauty.”

“Language, “ my mom says with a rush of tears running down her cheeks. “Watch your language, son.”

“Sorry, Ma.” He scoops her into his arms for a hug. “I want you all to meet her, but Decky and Naomi are first.”

No one argues that point as I approach my brother to hug him too. “I can’t wait to see her, Sean.”

“She’s the most beautiful girl in the world,” he whispers, holding tightly to me. “I’m damn lucky I’m her dad.”

“How’s Callie?” Ava asks. “Is she okay?”

“Calliope is fucking amazing.” Sean glances at my mom. “Sorry again, Ma, but damn, she’s incredible. I feel another level of love for her. I can’t explain it.”

“You don’t have to.” Our dad approaches Sean to pat him on the shoulder. “We all understand. Now, get moving. I want to see my granddaughter, so I’m up next after Decky and Naomi get their first glance.”

Naomi wraps her hand around my dad’s elbow. “We’ll make it quick, Phil. I promise you won’t have to wait long to hold that little angel in your arms.”

I catch Sean’s eye for a split second and grin at him. “Let’s go, Saint. It’s time for me to meet my goddaughter and niece.”

CHAPTERFORTY-SEVEN

Declan

I punchout a message on my phone because,holy hell,this has been one of the best days of my life.

Declan: Hailey Wells is here! It’s time to celebrate! Meet me for a drink tonight?

I press send without giving it a second thought.

As I wait for Abby to reply, I take in the sights around me. I’ve walked a few blocks in the early evening sun, oblivious to everyone and everything around me. Holding little Hailey in my arms was a monumental moment in my life. She’s much too young to know that I already love her and would move mountains to put a smile on her sweet face.

I gaze at the phone in my hand as soon as it buzzes.

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