Page 107 of Tempt Me Forever

Just then, I saw movement from the corner of my eye on the baby cam that I'd placed next to the couch.

"I think Michael is waking up." A few seconds later, he cried out. "Yep, that's him.”

“I'll get him," Drake said.

"No. You’re very tense, and I think babies can pick up on it. If it's okay, I'll grab him."

He laughed. "Looking for another excuse to hug him all the time, huh?"

I blushed. "Yes, but what I said is true."

"I know. Thanks, Kimberly, for everything."

I was smiling from ear to ear as I took baby Michael from his bed. My God, I could kiss that cute head of his the whole day—and his face, and his tiny hands and feet.

"Your dad is coming to visit you," I told him, deliberately trying to keep my voice as neutral as possible. I talked a big game, but I was nervous, too, and I didn't want him to pick up on it.

When I carried him to the living room, Drake was at the door. "They're here. I heard the car."

"Okay." My stomach was in knots. Michael was wiggling in my arms, his tiny face scrunched up.

"Everything will be fine," I singsonged in what I hoped was a soothing voice.

I sat on the couch with Michael as the door opened. I wasn't sure what to do. Declan was with them as well, and I instantly felt calmer, knowing another Maxwell was here.

"Suze, Declan, come in. Lawrence." Drake spoke his name through gritted teeth. He’d curled one hand into a fist at his side. Clearly it was costing him all his self-restraint to be civil.

"This is Michael?" Lawrence exclaimed. I assumed he'd come closer and maybe take his son in his arms or something, but the guy seemed indifferent. "He seems tiny. I don't trust myself to touch him."

What the hell kind of an excuse was that? I thought Suze might want to hold him, but then I realized she was shaking.

"You've seen him now. Any reason you didn't want to continue the mediation meeting without doing so?" she asked.

"Just an impulse."

"Michael needs a diaper change,” I exclaimed, realizing I’d forgotten to do that after he woke up. “I’ll take him to his room.”

"I can do it," Suze replied. "Lawrence, maybe you want to do it together?"

"No, I don't know anything about that," he said.

What an ass."It's fine. I've got this," I told them.

Not waiting to hear anything else, I went straight to the nursery.

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