Eight #4
Ashley had put together a play list of classical music for the babies and some books he planned to read.
We had a huge, multi-tiered fruit platter and a charcuterie board.
Sally had turned me on to nonalcoholic cocktails and beers, so we had a full, if nonalcoholic bar.
Plus, thanks to Sally, Owen, Ashley, and Adam, the house was very festive with its greenery around the stair balustrade and fireplace.
A lush, twelve-foot tree dominated our two-story foyer.
We’d splurged on a real one and the smell was divine.
I’d made a hot, spiced apple cider, and Adam whipped up the recipe of oatmeal dark chocolate cookies the nutritionist allowed the hockey players to eat.
Keelie and Cormac were the first to arrive. They’d walked down the street, and Cormac had their son strapped to his chest in a black carrier. Brooks, wearing a teddy bear onesie with a hood covering his tiny head, waved his arms and legs, offering me a gummy smile.
“Oh, my gosh! I’m totally in love with that sweet face!” I hugged Keelie and ushered them inside. Adam took their coats, which we hung up in the coat closet by the front door, then I offered them drinks as the next round of parents arrived.
Stolly and Millie were the last couple to join us. Based on her bright eyes and his relaxed expression, I guessed they’d taken advantage of morning nap time. Smart parents. I was looking forward to getting in some daily delight with my hot husband again soon myself.
I had a doctor’s appointment next week where I expected to get the all-clear to resume our sex life.
Adam had been gentle, patient, and understanding as I worried over my changing body, but I felt good.
I almost felt sexy, thanks to good sleep and time to shave in the shower.
Just yesterday, I’d realized that I missed the sexy times.
I clasped my hands behind my back, more than excited to put my plan into place. It had taken longer than I’d hoped, but soon, Adam would get the present he deserved.
Twenty minutes later, once I was certain all the parents had drinks and Ashley had read a story to the babies, I sat on the floor next to Felix, who was working hard to lift his wobbly head while Brooks showed off his rolling skills and Bree tugged herself up to standing, if wobbly, on the ottoman where Millie sat.
“I think she’s going to walk soon,” Millie said. “I’m so not ready. And Luka’s already bought her skates.” She scrunched her nose, then had to push her glasses back up to the bridge. “They’re so tiny and adorable and I’m terrified of the things.”
“I’m not ready for crawling, let alone skating,” I said.
“They grow up so quickly,” Mille said with a sigh. She sipped her mocktail. Raising her glass, she said, “These drinks were a great idea. I’m stealing your recipes when it’s my turn to host.”
I grinned. “Excellent.”
“Have you gone through the house and done a baby audit? Your little sweet pea is going to get into everything,” Ashley said. He sat on Felix’s other side, bouncing a soft rabbit in front of my son to keep him interested in his baby exercises.
“That’s what I’ve been told.” Millie shrugged. “We did, but I have a feeling we didn’t catch everything. I guess we’ll find out what we’re in for soon enough.”
“Did you bolt the dresser and changing table to the wall? If she’s this active, she may well be a climber,” Ashley said.
Millie’s eyes widened and her face went pale. “N-no. We’ll do that as soon as we get home.”
“I didn’t mean to scare you—”
“That was a good tip. An important one.” Millie looked at me. “He’s full of them.”
I smiled placidly, knowing I’d won the nanny lottery. Adam might bluster, but we all knew Ashley was great with Felix and that he’d be staying on with us.
Millie leaned over and whispered, “You’re keeping him, right?”
“Hell, yeah,” I replied, nudging Ashley. “He may not be a traditional caregiver, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t the best of the lot.”
“I don’t know…I think that voice of yours, reading a story, would help anyone drift off to sleep…
” Sally mused as she settled on my other side.
“And I gotta say, I wouldn’t tangle with you, Ashley, which means no one will mess with Felix.
” She smiled. “I think you started a trend: badass, take-charge man nannies. That’s definitely something this group of guys can get behind. ”
She winked, and I laughed, considering a world in which former military men accepted their next mission: raising children. Wasn’t there a movie about that? Hmmm.
Yep, we were definitely keeping Ashley.
Hell, thanks to his calm ability to handle any situation, I might try for another child sometime.
That’s how confident Ashley made me. I pursed my lips.
Then again, I might well be happy with Felix and call our family complete.
I’d gotten lucky with few stretch marks and I wanted to keep my body strong and firm.
Felix spit up all over his blanket and the bunny and burst into loud tears. Ashley glanced at me before he scooped up the baby, who needed a change.
I caught Adam’s eye and smiled, giving him a nod. He nodded back before his eyes trailed after Ashley…until he turned back to join in the conversation with his friends and brother.
I wasn’t that keen on more kids right now, but hiring Ashley full time to watch our sweet baby boy was a given.