by Aja Cole
What if they don’t like me?
“They’re babies, they basically like everyone,” Kaija says, and I realize I spoke out loud.
“Just wait until they’re screaming and then you’ll think differently.” I scoff. Are my palms sweaty? Sheesh.
We came over before everyone else, because the guys were all together playing golf this morning and our parents had a few things to take care of.
It feels like it’s been awhile since it’s just been my sisters and me. Everyone’s had changes over the past year.
We open the door to Keyra and Dane’s place and move through the house, looking for Keyra.
We move down the hallway and to the nursery, but that’s empty, so we move to the master bedroom and push the door open gently.
“Keyra?” I whisper and see her standing by bassinets with Addison. Her face lights up when she sees us and she and Addison come to the door, and I hug each of them.
“I have a new sister and brother,” Addison whispers loudly, bouncing on her toes.
“I know.” I lean down and scoop her up in a bear hug. “Are you excited?”
“Oh yes, I love them lots and lots already.” She sighs, and we all laugh quietly. She just turned 5, and she’s been so happy every-time we’ve seen her.
We’re just all glad that she doesn’t seem to be taking not seeing her mother Natalie as much, too badly. Natalie’s finishing up her therapy next month though, and she’ll have visitation with Addison if she passes Dane and Keyra’s requirements.
“Mommy Keyra, can I get some orange juice?” She says, and Keyra nods, touching her shoulder softly.
“Yes, make sure you put the top back on this time.”
“Okay!” With that, she’s off, and Kaija and I move deeper into the room.
“What about you, mama bear? How are you?” Kai asks, and Keyra shakes her head.
“You guys were here when I came home from the hospital without them and was a mess, so I’m just glad we’re all finally together without taking a trip to the NICU.”
We make it to the double bassinet and I breathe out a low breath, seeing their small bodies and tiny faces.
“Are you crying?” Kaija pokes me in the arm and I sniff, not even realizing it. “Damn, real love has turned you into a teapot.”
“I don’t think I cried as much as Mickey has this year during my entire pregnancy.” Keyra teases, tucking her hair behind her ear and gazing down lovingly at the twins.
Their names are conveniently embroidered on the fabric of the bassinet. Ayla is in a yellow onesie and Aiden is a pale blue one, with matching socks.
Aiden seems to be sleeping peacefully, but Ayla’s eyes blink open and I fall a little in love.
“Do you want to hold her?” Keyra asks, looking at me.
“Look at that look on her face, she’s getting baby fever.” Kaija purses her lips.
“You’re annoying,” I say, but with no real heat behind it. I sit on the bed and Keyra places Ayla in my arms. I stare down at her and my heart feels like it’s overflowing with love.
“Can you believe you’re a mom?” Kaija asks Keyra as Aiden gives a small cry.
“It’s still setting in really. I can’t believe these things came out of me.” She grins, picking up Aiden. Kaija sits on the bed next to me and she places him in her arms.
For once, my little sister is silent and I glance over at her, seeing the same reverent look I probably had on my face.
“Now who’s got the fever?” I stick out my tongue, and Keyra laughs lightly as Addison runs back into the room before running back out.
“Daddy’s here! And alllllll my uncles.” All energy, that one.
“Are they asleep?” Dane comes to the door with Addison on his back, and Keyra shakes her head, meeting him and kissing him lightly on the lips.
Leo, Hanson, Harlan, Hawk, and Liam file in and I’m glad the bedroom is so large because otherwise, it’d feel a little small in here.
Four hockey players (Dane decided to keep playing a little bit longer), one football player (my man, of course) and Hawk (who might as well be on some sports team because he matches them in physique).
If Harlan’s brother Nico and his boyfriend Ethan were here, that’d take up the little room left, since those fuckers have had one hell of a growth spurt.
They’ll be here later with Jasmine and Michelle. I think some of Dane’s family is coming later in the week.
Ayla makes these adorable baby sounds and I coo back at her, her small hands gripping my finger. God, they’re just so small.
“Have y’all flipped a coin for who’s next?” Leo asks.
“They had two,” Harlan puts his hands up, “I think that gives the rest of us a little leeway.”
“I think it’ll be Mickey,” Hanson says, and my gaze flies to him in alarm. Before I can speak, Liam beats me to it.
“Why would you say that?” He says, shaking his head and looking at the ceiling. “Is it hot in here? I think I’m having a hot flash.”
“I think that’s called fear.” Hawk snorts, and we laugh.
“Do you guys want to hold them?”
There’s an almost unanimous shaking of heads, and I swear if the wall wasn’t in the way, they’d have all backed out.
“Nope.”
“I’m good.”
“No thanks.”
“Why don’t they wanna hold the babies, Daddy?” Addison asks, covering Dane’s eyes with her hands as she giggles.
“They’re afraid they’ll want one.” He says, smiling deviously.
“I want a baby,” Addison says, and everyone groans.
“Where are my grand-babies?” We hear from the front and I roll my eyes. If Camille and Mom are here, there’s no way anyone else is touching these babies for a while.
As I let go of the little bundle, she blinks her eyes at me sleepily again and I feel my heart tugged with each blink of her lashes.
“Oh no.” I hear, and I look up at Liam slowly. “No way, Mickey. You stop that right now.”
“Stop what?” I ask innocently, as everyone goes to the living room since there are seats for everyone to hang out there. “What if this were what I decided I wanted?” I tease, thinking about that first bet we made at the photoshoot.
“I’m not opposed to practicing baby-making, but can we please give it a few years.” He sighs, running a hand through his hair.
“Gonna have to agree with Liam on this one,” Hawk says, throwing an arm around my shoulder. “We love you baby, but I think both of us want more time with just us first.”
“Okay.” I relent. “I can deal with that.”
“So, who’s giving me grand-babies next?” Dad rubs his hands together, and everyone’s eyes fly to me as I enter the room.
Camille and mom are sitting on the couch, each with a baby in hand.
“Sorry to disappoint, my potential baby daddies have vetoed that for a bit.” I throw my hands up.
All eyes turn to Keyra, and she scowls.
“How about everyone just enjoys Ayla and Aiden first, okay? Damn, I’m not even married yet.”
“Yeah, we’re waiting for that too.” My mom murmurs, and everyone laughs.
This is family.
These are the people that I know I can always count on to have my back no matter what, and that’s what it’s all about.
I can’t see the future, but somehow, I don’t think this crazy clan is going anywhere.
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey with The Banks Sisters. I’ve cried and laughed writing this family, and I hope they’ve meant as much to you, as they’ve meant to me.
C’est fini.
Xo, Aja
ALSO AVAILABLE
Kaija’s Story
Keyra’s Story
COMING SOON
In the small town of Destiny, GA, anything can happen…even a little magic.
Vance Lewis is running from his demons to the only place he knows to go, hoping to lick his woun
ds in private and leave football behind forever.
Jackie Green just wants to nurse her broken heart in peace, but there’s one big problem standing in her way.
One big, distractingly delicious problem.
Nothing in this town happens by accident, so what do you do when you’ve got a sexy date with fate?
A Little Fate
Novella Coming January 2018
Also by Aja Cole
Finding Her Center: Hockey Romance
One Last Play: Sports Romance
The Banks Sisters Series
1. Ache For Me: Hockey Romance
2. Yearn For Me: Hockey Romance
3. Burn For Me: MFM Sports Romance
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About the Author
In addition to the people in her life that indulge her crazy - Aja Cole loves men that smell phenomenal, food that tastes amazing, and something that college makes it hard to do called sleep.
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