Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
MATT
My phone dings, startling me awake.
I snatch it from the nightstand.
Jensen texted the sibling chat around six last night saying that Alley had gone into labor.
Jensen
She’s going to start pushing soon. Shouldn’t be too much longer. When can you all be here?
A grin stretches across my face while I type.
I can arrange for my plane to leave in four hours for anyone who can come.
Megan responds immediately.
Megan
Tell me what time to be on the tarmac. I’ll be there. I don’t think Kev will be able to skip work today.
Sounds good. Just lmk if things change.
It’s 3:52 a.m. I’m sure I’ll hear from the rest by the time I wake up.
I step into the hall, make a quick call to schedule my plane for eight, then slide back into bed beside Jordan.
My phone dings again just as I get comfortable. I sigh and reach for it.
It’s Jeff, Jensen’s oldest brother.
Jeff
We can’t make it this morning. Will have to get a flight for the weekend.
I thumbs-up the message, silence my phone, and lie back down. I’m waking up in an hour anyway. I’ll deal with anything else then.
A wadded-up piece of paper hits my forehead and drops into my lap.
I look up to see Megan grinning from the seat across from me, whispering and gesturing behind her toward Jordan, who’s disappearing into the restroom.
We’re on my plane, wheels up for Chicago. It’s just me and Jordan, plus Megan and Kevin.
I scrunch my forehead and mouth a What? just to fuck with her.
She tries again.
I pick up the paper and toss it back at her face. “I can’t hear you,” I say.
She lets out a loud sigh, looks behind her, then moves to sit in Jordan’s seat beside me.
“So… how are things going with the wife?” she asks, poking.
Christ.
She’s always poking.
“Things are great. Thanks for asking.” I flash her a grin, then turn back to my computer.
“Oh, come on. You’re not going to give me anything?”
“Nope,” I say, eyes on my laptop.
“You’re no fun. Kind of a dick, too—you know that?”
I grin again. “Yep.”
“You know you can tell me things. I’m basically your sister.”
I tsk. “And unfortunately, some things are reserved for brothers only.”
“You know what else is reserved for brothers only?” she asks.
“What?” I reply, still staring at my screen.
“This,” she says, smashing her hand into my hair and mussing it up.
“Jesus Christ.” I swat at her arm. “Are you fucking five?”
She just laughs.
Jordan steps out of the restroom. Our eyes lock, and she smiles, shaking her head when she sees Meg in her seat.
I nod toward Jordan. “Looks like your time is up.”
“Ugh,” Meg groans. “You’re the worst.”
I chuckle. “Love you, Meg.”
She flips me off as she walks away, then plops down on the couch beside Kevin.
“What was that about?” Jordan asks as she settles back into her seat.
“Just Meg being Meg,” I say, kissing her.
She smiles against my lips.
My hand slides up her thigh. “Should we go to the bedroom?” I whisper.
She laughs softly, kissing me again. “No. Meg and Kev are here.”
I shrug. “Semantics.”
She shakes her head. “You’re impossible.”
Grinning, I pull out my phone. “We should probably text Cece now. See if we can snag Cole for a few hours in the next couple days.”
Hey Cece. Jensen and Alley just had their baby. Any chance we can borrow Cole for a few hours tomorrow or the next day to come meet the baby?
I swipe into my work emails while I wait for her response. A few minutes later, my phone buzzes.
Cece
Tomorrow evening could work. He needs to be home by nine. It’s a school night.
I let out a breath of relief.
Thank you. I’ll let you know what time we’ll pick him up once I talk to Jensen.
I put my phone away, weaving my fingers through Jordan’s. I smooth my thumb over her knuckles and glance at Megan and Kevin—my stand-in siblings.
Heat floods my chest.
Growing up, I was always a little envious of Jensen.
Sure, I’m the son of Connor and Cynthia Grayson. I was born with a trust fund, penthouse on the Upper East Side, and anything money could buy.
But that never meant shit to me.
I wanted what Jensen had—a family who showed up. Siblings to fight with. People to love and who loved me back.
Jensen’s family gave me that. And even if they’re not technically mine… they feel more like home than my own ever did.
I didn’t end up going to Mass with my mother. I couldn’t. I’m still processing what she did to Jordan. I’m sure one day I’ll talk to her about it, try to understand. But for now, I don’t.
I look at Jordan. We find out about guardianship in five weeks.
Five weeks until I either get a family of my own—or learn how much it hurts to want one this badly.
Hey, we’re here. Room number?
Jensen
You’ll have to check in, but it’s room 436.
Five minutes later, the four of us walk down the hall toward Alley’s room.
I knock softly before pushing the door open.
Four different greetings echo across the room, all pitched way higher than normal.
My gaze goes straight to Alley. She’s sitting up in the hospital bed, hair in a bun, blue gown on. She looks tired as shit, but she’s glowing, all smiles.
Jensen’s in a recliner in the corner, holding the baby, a soft smile in his eyes.
“Hey guys,” Alley says, her voice cheery.
Jensen stands, and Megan beelines to him. “Oh my God,” she coos. “He’s so perfect. Can I hold him?”
“Yep. Just wash your hands first,” Jensen says.
Megan, Jordan, and Kevin head to the sink while I make my way over to Alley.
“Hey Al,” I say, kissing the top of her head and leaning in for a half-hug. “How you doing? Jensen said you were a champ.”
“I’m so good,” she says, wrapping an arm around my neck. “Thank you for coming. Means a lot to us.”
“Of course. Wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
I stand and turn to Jensen. “Hey, man,” I say, clapping him softly on the back. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks, brother.”
Megan swoops in. “Okay, hands are washed. Auntie Meg needs to hold this boy. And can you please tell us his name already? We’re dying here.”
Jensen looks at Alley.
She grins. “Everybody, this is Roman.”
We all react at once.
“Oh my God. I love it,” Megan says, scooping her hands around him. Jensen hands him off. “Hi, Roman. Come see your Auntie Meg.”
We get comfortable, settling in for an afternoon of catch-up and all things baby.
I drape my arm around Jordan’s shoulder. We’re seated on the sofa that doubles as a bed against the back wall, a large window right above it.
My heart cinches tight watching Megan pass Jordan the baby. And I can’t even explain what’s going on inside my body, but nothing about it feels manly, or like something I’d ever want to admit out loud.
One thing’s for sure: I can’t take my eyes off my wife holding this baby.
“Look how sweet he is,” Jordan whispers. “God, is it crazy that this is making me want a baby?” she asks, glancing at me.
“Only crazy if you’re planning on Matt being the father,” Megan jokes.
Christ.
“I think Matt would be a great dad,” Alley chimes in.
I look at Alley. “Thanks, Al.”
I dart Megan a glare. I know she’s just poking the bear, trying to get me or Jordan to say something, admit something. And maybe it shouldn’t feel this good to dodge her questions, but it does.
It’s almost worth the jabs.
Meg and I have always had a weird relationship. We fought like hell growing up. She was fucking mean to me and Jensen, and we definitely overdid the whole You on your period? joke.
Somewhere in college, between the partying, the heartbreaks, and the growing up, we started bonding on a deeper level. I was the “brother” she came to after her first real boyfriend broke her heart. And she was there for me when Jordan was in France.
We’ve always given each other shit. It’s just our love language.
“I’m just teasing, calm down.” Megan laughs, then sobers. “But seriously, I think you’d be a great dad. You’re my kids’ favorite uncle.”
“Hey,” Jensen says.
Her gaze shifts to Jensen. “Sorry, little brother. You don’t have a pool or a home theater.”
“Oh, so they only like me for the shit I have?” I ask.
“Hey, they’re eight and ten. That’s how it works for a while.” She pats Kevin’s knee. “Kev and I are going to grab food. You guys wanna come or want us to bring anything back for anyone?”
“Nah, we’ll stay here,” I say.
“Text us before you leave. Maybe we’ll have you bring us something,” Jensen adds.
“Will do,” Kevin says before they both slip out into the hallway.
Jordan shifts beside me, lifting Roman and laying him against her chest. His eyes open briefly before closing again. I brush my thumb over his soft little head. “Yeah, buddy,” I say quietly, my mouth curving. “That’s my favorite spot, too.”
Jordan laughs softly. “Oh my God.” She shakes her head and bumps her shoulder with mine.
“Sorry, Jordan. He takes after his dad. Little man loves the boobs,” Jensen says, unapologetic.
Jordan looks at me. “You wanna hold him?”
“Yeah. But I can wait. No rush.”
She braces her hand behind his head and lowers him anyway. “Here. My arm’s getting tired.”
She gently passes him to me, laying his head in the crook of my arm—and shit. I haven’t held a baby in a long time. Megan’s youngest is eight, so… it’s been a minute.
“Fuck,” I mutter, slightly panicked. “Am I doing this right?”
Jordan smiles. “It’s perfect.”
“Great. Between Jensen and you, fuck is going to be his first word,” Alley calls from her bed.
I hardly register her joke. I’m too busy staring at my wife, at the smile she’s giving me, like she’s proud I can hold a baby for the few seconds I’ve had him.
The room suddenly goes quiet. Too fucking quiet. So quiet all I can hear is the buzz of electricity, the cars on the road below, and my heart, which is now beating against my skull.
Jordan breaks the silence. She turns to Alley. “God, I think my ovaries are on fire.”
“Fuck. Mine too,” Jensen adds.
They all laugh.
“Seriously though, Matt,” Alley says. “You look good with a baby and a wife by your side.”