by Sean Michael
“Babies? Real-life babies?” The little girl’s eyes lit up like it was Christmas.
“Yeah, two boys and a girl.” Logan opened his phone to the picture of them again and showed it to her.
Melly squealed, the noise happy. “They’re so pretty!”
“About time my little Unicorn had some regular boy company here,” Dev noted. “He’s surrounded by girls.”
Aiden snorted. “We still outnumber them, love.”
“Oh. Right. I hadn’t considered that.”
That had them all cracking up.
Maybe. Maybe with the bunch of them, Logan could do this.
Maybe.
Probably.
Maybe.
He hoped.
Chapter Two
DIRK pulled up along the curved driveway of Logan’s amazing house, Melly in the nonnewborn car seat in the row directly behind him, watching Coco for about the five hundredth time. She could sing along with all the songs and loved the dog beyond all reason. In fact, she had started asking for one, thanks to this movie. It made him smile. Okay, so she made him smile all the time.
The core guys from the Teddy Bear Club had spent the weekend helping Logan get his place babyproofed, along with buying all the stuff Logan was going to need. The lists had been prodigious, but between the five of them, they’d crossed pretty much everything off, and now Logan was equipped with everything from diapers and formula to baby monitors to cribs, changing tables, and baby swings, to a new digital camera for the inevitable masses of pictures he’d want to take. Logan had thanked them all over and over, but frankly, Dirk had been happy to have the excuse to spend more time with Logan. The guy was… special, which his taking in three newborn babies proved. As if he’d needed proof. Logan was the main reason Dirk came to the Teddy Bear Club between classes on Tuesday and why he took Melly out of day care early on Fridays. Oh, he liked all the guys, but Logan was the one who filled his belly with butterflies.
Melly began singing along with another song, her sweet voice breaking him out of his reverie. Right. He had a job to do. Grabbing his phone, Dirk texted Logan to let him know he and Melly had arrived.
Logan appeared and skipped down the stairs, hurrying to the van. Tall and dark-haired, Logan looked gorgeous in his jeans and black turtleneck. He really was a stunner. And he didn’t even know it, which only made him hotter in Dirk’s opinion. Dirk couldn’t help checking Logan out as he climbed into the passenger seat.
“Dirk. My lifesaver. Are you ready to meet them? My babies.” Logan was pale as milk, shaking, but along with the worry in his eyes was a light, making them shine. “Rebecca’s bringing Sarah over this afternoon after school to get to know them.”
“Melly and I are excited to meet them. Does Sarah still love/hate you for agreeing to take them?”
“I did tell her before I said yes, just in case she was totally opposed to the idea. Thank God she wasn’t. She’s gone through all the emotions since then—excited, scared, mad, happy. It’s hard, but….”
“I imagine she’ll have times she thinks they’re great and times she hates them. Just like most older siblings. Hopefully in the end you’ll have a positive balance. That’s all any of us can hope for.”
“Yeah, I guess so. I never thought, when I agreed to father a baby with Rebecca, that I’d miss out on so much only having Sarah Fridays and alternate weekends.”
Dirk took off the parking brake and moved to the end of the driveway before easing out into traffic. “Have you ever thought about asking to have more time with Sarah?”
“At this point, we’re leaving it up to Sarah, trying to be flexible. We’re both in the same school district, so it’s never a problem which one of us she’s with on weekdays.”
“Ah. I guess I always assumed the fact that you only had her one day a week and alternate weekends was down to an agreement between you and her mother.” They stopped at a light and he looked at Logan and gave him an encouraging smile. He thought Logan had a bit more color in his cheeks now.
“Well, in the beginning, yes, but she’s getting older, huh? Old enough to have a say. And so far it’s been pretty balanced.”
“That makes sense. She turns ten soon, right?”
“She just turned ten, yeah. What about your girl? She’s going to be four?” Logan smiled back at Melly. “Or is it thirty?”
“Yeah, some days it feels like thirty.” He turned off the city street and into the hospital grounds, searching for nonemergency parking. He found it and pulled the van into a spot that wasn’t as close to the hospital entrance as he’d have liked. Of course, once they had the babies, Logan could wait inside with them while he brought the van around. It was too cold for newborns to be outside for very long.
Logan took a deep breath as Dirk turned off the engine. “Okay, I think… I think I’m ready for this.” They had the car seats and warm clothes to bring the babies home in, as well as a set of blankets to cover them with, all courtesy of Aiden.
“You are. You’ve got this.” Then Dirk turned to look at Melly. “We’re here, Melly. You ready to go see Uncle Logan’s babies?”
“Uh-huh. I like to have babies.” She held her hands out to him.
“I know.” He undid her belts and drew her into his arms, hugging her. He smiled at Logan over her shoulder. “She’s going to hate leaving them behind when we go home, I’m sure.”
“I really appreciate you helping me. Seriously.”
“Well, I’ll tell you a secret. I like babies too.” Dirk grabbed one of the car seats while Logan took the other two.
“Are we going to keep them, Da?” Melly asked.
“Logan is, honey. We’re just helping him with them.” He knew Melly would love some baby brothers and/or sisters. She wanted so badly to be a big sister. Anna had died from complications, though, so it wasn’t likely to happen. He was just glad he’d won full custody of her when Anna’s parents had tried to take her. Thank God the judge hadn’t bought their bullshit about his being bi making him some sort of depraved sex maniac.
“Oh.” Poor Mel; she sounded so confused.
“I bet Logan will let us come visit lots, though.” The man was going to need a lot of help. A lot.
And Dirk wanted to help. He wanted to get to know Logan better. He wanted Logan to get to know him. He’d been attracted from “hello” and had only become more interested the longer he knew the guy. So far he’d liked everything he’d learned about Logan. This was a good man. Someone who was willing to work pro bono; someone who would take on three infants at the drop of a hat.
Logan stopped at the entrance doors and turned to stare at him. “I can do this.”
“You totally can.” Because whether Logan could or not was irrelevant at this point. He would because he had to. That was how parenthood worked.
Melinda tugged on Logan’s sleeve. “I help with babies, Mr. Logan.”
God, Dirk loved her. She had the kindest heart, just like her mother.
“Oh, I know you will, sweetie. You’re going to be the biggest help ever. Thank you.”
He beamed at Logan for that. This was a very good man.
“And why don’t you call me Uncle Logan instead of Mr. Logan? If that’s okay with you, Dirk?”
If anything, his smile intensified. “It totally is.”
“Okay, Unca Logan.” Melly took Logan’s hand. “I help.”
“Good deal.” Logan took another breath, still holding on to Melly’s hand.
An older couple gave them a look as they walked around him and Logan. It was time for them to go inside instead of blocking the entrance.
Dirk took a few steps and triggered the doors, figuring Logan and Melly would follow. “So, are we meeting them at the NICU or the maternity ward?”
“We’re meeting at the NICU. I’ve signed everything, but the social worker is going to meet us up there to make sure things go smoothly.”
“Cool.” They headed for the elevator, Melly’s hand still in Logan’s. “Exci
ted?” Dirk certainly was, and they weren’t even his kids.
“God yes.” Logan laughed, the sound only a little bit hysterical. “Scared, excited, thrilled, panicked. Everything.”
The elevator doors opened, and they went in. Logan pressed the button for the fourth floor. He took a few more breaths, and Dirk grabbed his shoulder and squeezed.
“You’ve got this, Logan.”
“I do.” Logan nodded a few times, then repeated the words, sounding more confident as he said them again. “I do.”
The elevator dinged quietly and the doors slid open. They stepped out, ready to meet Logan’s new family.
The social worker was a petite dark-haired woman. She looked tired but happy to see them. Logan shook her hand and introduced Dirk. He shook her hand too. Then she smiled and crooked her finger. “Come see them. The nurses will put them in their car seats for you.”
They stopped in front of the windows to the nursery. The curtains were drawn except for over one pane, and behind the glass were three hospital bassinettes that had to be Logan’s triplets. The three babies were tiny, with wispy red hair. Faces scrunched up, lips pursed, itty-bitty babies. Two blue blankets, one pink.
Oh God. How gorgeous. Dirk’s heart fluttered at the sight of them.
“Da. Look at the babies.” Melly sounded awed.
“I know, I see them. Logan, they are so beautiful.” Like really, honestly beautiful. Not the beautiful you say because you don’t want to insult the parents.
“Yes.” Logan made to reach for them, but the glass was in the way, and he pouted. “I want to hold them.”
The social worker nodded. “Of course you do. Give me a minute, and we’ll get them sorted. You’ll be holding your babies in no time.”
The three of them watched as the nurses packed the babies up into the car seats, even Melly utterly transfixed the entire time. Two nurses and the social worker each grabbed the handle of a car seat, and for a moment the babies were out of view. Then all of a sudden, they were there, setting the seats down on a couch in a little cluster of seating on the other side of the hallway.
Logan reached down, smiled, and drew a finger along one little boy’s face. The baby turned his head, lips open as he searched for a nipple.
“Aww.” Dirk reached out and squeezed Logan’s shoulder.
“Baby’s hungry,” Melly informed Logan.
“Do you think so?” Logan smiled down at Melly, then turned to the social worker. “I’ve got the court order and my ID here for you.”
The social worker took his paperwork and examined it carefully. Then she smiled. “Everything’s in order, as I expected. You’re one of the more organized foster parents I’ve met. I take it you have everything you need at home?”
“Yes. In triplicate.”
She laughed softly, then beamed down at the babies. “I’m happy they’re going to a good home. Now, if you want to give them a feed before you go, I do have bottles made up, and there’s a quiet room just around the corner you can use.” She offered Logan a diaper bag Dirk hadn’t noticed earlier.
Logan took it and unzipped it, revealing a half-dozen little bottles of formula, a couple containers of dry formula, diapers, and receiving blankets. It wasn’t even close to everything the triplets needed, but it was a nice gesture.
“We probably ought to feed them and make sure everyone is clean and dry before we go home.” Logan gave Dirk a blissful look. “I came in last night for feedings. It was lovely.”
“Can I feed a baby?” Melly asked.
Logan’s expression turned panicked. “Can your da help?”
“I can help. I have to tell you, though, her baby dolls are the best cared for dolls ever.” Dirk had no doubt that Melly would not let anything bad happen to any of the three babies while she was around.
“I’m sure. They’re just so young.”
“And it’s your job to worry about them now. I get it. I’m not insulted on my daughter’s behalf, I promise.”
They made their way to the quiet room beyond the nursery, and Dirk sat on the couch next to Melly.
“They’re beautiful. You’re a lucky man.” He held his arms out and when Logan gave him one of the boys, he let Melly hold him, making sure to keep his own hand there so she couldn’t drop him.
Logan managed to hold two babies in one arm—it was a good thing they were so tiny—and fed the little girl first. Look at that, Logan was already being awesome.
Dirk helped Melly get the bottle in her baby’s mouth, the little boy latching on immediately, suction strong. “Wow, it looks like they were starving, hmm?”
“Yeah. Yeah, how am I supposed to do this?” Logan asked.
“Looks to me like you already are.” Logan would manage because he didn’t have another choice, and clearly his instincts were already kicking in.
Logan stuck his tongue out at Dirk, and he chuckled as that set Melly off.
“Daddy! Unca Logan stucked out his tongue!”
“I did indeed.” Logan stuck his tongue out again and waggled his eyebrows at Melly.
“Silly Uncle Logan,” Dirk teased.
Logan gave him a smile. “Worried Uncle Logan, but you two are making it better.”
“What are their names?” Melly asked.
“I’m thinking Samuel, Sebastian, and Susan.”
“S’s like Sarah,” she said. God, his baby girl was smart.
“Very good,” Logan exclaimed. “Oh, Mel, you’re so smart!”
Dirk beamed at Logan. “She is, isn’t she?”
“Babies need burping after bottle, Da,” Melly informed him as she pulled the bottle away with a soft popping noise. He looked at the bottle, but he needn’t have worried—it was already empty.
“How about you let me do that, sweetie? Real babies are heavier than baby dolls.” He took Samuel, or possibly Sebastian, from her and set the boy against his shoulder, rubbing his wee little back. God, holding a baby was a moment of wonder, and this took him right back to when Melly was a newborn. And that newborn smell—it cut right through the antiseptic hospital odor and felt like pure love. A soft hissing noise sounded as his baby didn’t burp so much as slowly release the gas in his belly. Melly clapped her approval.
Somehow they managed to get all the babies fed, changed, wrapped up, and back in their car seats. Dirk grabbed a seat in one hand, and Melly’s hand in the other, then led the way back down to where they’d come in.
“You want me to bring the van around? They’ve got a stopping zone to drop off and pick up.” That way the babies would stay warm.
“Please.”
“I stay and help Unca Logan with my babies.”
He glanced up at Logan, who nodded. “Yeah, that’s fine.”
Taking one last look at the babies and his daughter, Logan standing guard over all four, Dirk took off to where he’d left the van. He didn’t run, but he walked faster than he had in a very long time. He almost took a wrong turn with the van, nearly leaving the hospital grounds, but hung a right at the last minute—luckily there hadn’t been anyone behind him so he’d been able to cut across two lanes. He pulled up into the loading zone and left the motor running as he sprinted inside to help wrangle car seats.
“They’re officially yours now,” he told Logan as they went out the doors and into the late winter air. It was snowing far more than any of them cared for at this point. He had precious cargo to transport!
They put all three babies in the very back seat. Logan triple-checked that they were properly locked in as Dirk got Melly clicked in to her much easier to wrangle booster seat.
“Let’s go home.” Logan looked up at Dirk from the seat next to Melly, having chosen to sit in the back to be closer to the babies. “Let’s…. God, be careful.”
Dirk checked the road. “It doesn’t look that slippery yet. But yeah, I’ll be careful.”
“Right. I’ll order lunch for us when we get to the house. I truly appreciate the help. This would have been really hard to mana
ge on my own.”
“It’s been our pleasure, hasn’t it, Melly?”
“Are we keeping a baby, Da?” she asked.
“No, hon, they are Logan’s babies.”
“But there’s three!” She began to pout. “He doesn’t need three whole babies of his own!”
Dirk had to bite back his laughter, and he glanced back at Logan in the rearview mirror to see how he was taking Melly’s pronouncement.
“But they need me, don’t they?” Logan countered.
Melly scrunched up her nose, clearly considering Logan’s words.
“And they’ll need you to be their best friend, Mel,” Logan added.
Oh, if Dirk hadn’t already been interested in Logan, he would be now. As he stopped at a light, he glanced back and beamed at his friend. Logan smiled back.
Then Logan shook his head. “I have triplets and a ten-year-old.”
“Yeah. You don’t do things by half, do you?” The light changed, and he drove carefully. Luckily Logan didn’t live that far away from the hospital, so they should be back before there was much accumulation of snow on the roads. “You’re doing it,” he said softly.
“I am. Have I lost my mind?”
“Does it matter? You have those babies now—they need you. You have to do it.” And Logan could do it. Dirk knew it.
“I do. I will.” Logan nodded once, as if that was that.
Dirk kept to five below the speed limit, superconscious of the precious cargo he carried—three little ones, four with his daughter.
“It’s insane, isn’t it? The pressure.”
“It’ll ease.” Dirk remembered the first week with Melly. He’d been scared to go to sleep in case she stopped breathing.
Of course, Logan wasn’t going to be sleeping much at all. Someone was going to have to hire help. Dirk would pitch in where he could—he could tell Melly was going to want to spend a fair amount of time at Logan’s anyway, so he wasn’t going to be upsetting her by wanting to help Logan out as much as they could.
He pulled up in front of Logan’s place, making sure the van’s side door was as close to the stairs as possible, then turned off the engine. “Home.”
