“I do.”
“Well why didn’t you say? We’re cooking ribs and chicken.” And just like that Steven slaps Luke on the back and leads him over to the grill.
Jules’ brothers wander over to introduce themselves to Luke and offer him a beer, and the chatter resumes.
Isaac’s wife, Stacy, hugs me tight.
“Happy birthday.” She’s a petite woman with red hair and laughing blue eyes.
“Thank you. You look fantastic!
Where’s the baby.” My eyes scan the patio until I find Sophie cradled in Jules’ arms on one of the rocking love seats.
Stacy and I join her and I hold my hands out. “Baby. Mine.”
Jules laughs. “I just got her.”
“I don’t care. I’ve never held her.
Hand her over, Montgomery.”
Jules passes me little Sophie and I just melt. She is tiny, less than two weeks old. Her dark hair is long and soft and a little wild in the way baby hair is, and Stacy has put a pretty pink headband on her. She’s in a beautiful pink little dress with pink bloomers and she’s barefoot.
I run my hand down her cheek and press my lips to her forehead. She’s sleeping, oblivious to the party going on around her.
“Oh, Stacy, I’m in love with her.” I smile up at the new mother and she preens.
“She’s such a good baby.”
“She’s precious.” I look down at her again and move her so she’s resting on my chest, curled up under my chin. I rub her back and begin to rock and hum.
There is just nothing like having a newborn on you.
“You’re so sweet,” I murmur down to her.
I look up to meet Luke’s intense gaze.
He’s watching me, his look unreadable.
What’s he thinking?
I smile at him and one corner of his mouth curls up and his eyes soften.
I glance to my left and find Luke’s mom, Lucy’s gaze also trained on me thoughtfully. A slow smile spreads across her face and she winks at me.
Sophie makes a mewling sound and I look down at her. I grab her pacifier and plug it into her mouth and she sucks greedily as I run my fingertips down her soft hair.
“Natalie!”
“Huh?”
Jules is laughing. “I asked you if you brought your camera.”
“Of course. I’m holding my newest model now. Maybe we can get some family shots after dinner?”
“Absolutely. Now give me back the baby.”
“No.”
“You’re so selfish.” Jules scowls at me and Stacy laughs.
“Yes. Sophie and I are going for a walk.” I stand with her and wander down one of the paths to a shady garden.
“Aren’t the flowers pretty, Sophie?” I croon to the sleepy baby and rock her back and forth.
“You’re good with her.” Luke has joined us and I smile lazily at him.
“I love babies. I never had siblings, so I’m living vicariously through Jules.”
I shrug and kiss Sophie’s head.
He reaches out and runs the back of his finger down Sophie’s cheek and I feel my heart flip. His finger looks so big on her tiny little cheek.
“She’s sweet,” I murmur.
“You’re sweet.” He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear and runs his thumb down my jaw before slipping his hand back in his pocket.
I gaze down at the sleeping baby and for the first time in my life I imagine that I might have this one day. A husband and a baby and when I picture it in my head, it’s this man before me by my side.
I’ve got it bad. Stop this. Get rid of the baby.
“Hey! Dinner’s ready and I want that baby back!” Jules is standing at the edge of the patio yelling toward us, and I smile at Luke.
“I’m gonna have to arm wrestle her later to get this baby back.”
Luke laughs and escorts us to the patio for dinner.
***
This has been the best birthday dinner of my life. The Montgomery’s have folded Luke’s family into their own seamlessly, engaging them in lively conversation
and
enjoying
their
company. Neil and Lucy seem relaxed and happy, laughing with Steven and Gail, sharing stories about when their children were young.
All of the brothers; Isaac, Will, Caleb and Matt have teased Luke mercilessly about being a famous actor, asked questions about pretty actresses, and done a lot of talking about football since Will is currently playing with the Seahawks, and they’re men.
What is it about boys and football?
Luke has laughed more than I’ve ever seen him, and I’ve fallen even more in love with him while watching him with my family. He’s been attentive to me, refilling my drink, holding my hand and keeping tabs on where I am all evening.
I suspect I would have felt smothered by anyone else, but he makes me feel loved.
Because he loves me.
Baby Sophie has been passed around all evening, and is currently lying quietly in Lucy’s arms. Lucy is cooing at her.
“Aren’t grandkids the best?” Gail smiles
softly
at
her
beautiful
granddaughter.
“We don’t have any yet, but I can’t wait.” Lucy grins at Gail and then over at Luke and he squirms in his seat.
I can’t help but laugh out loud at him.
“Do you find me funny, baby?” Luke narrows his eyes at me but I see the humor in them.
“Yes, that was funny.”
“Okay, cake time!” Jules comes out of the house carrying a beautiful chocolate cake with twenty six candles lit on it.
“You’re going to burn the house down with that, Jules.”
She smirks and sets it in front of me.
“Make a wish,” Luke whispers in my ear.
I blow all the candles out in one breath.
Gail cuts the cake and passes it around. It smells heavenly. Gail makes the most delicious cakes.
“Thank you for making my favorite cake, Gail.” I lean over and kiss her cheek.
“You’re welcome, darling. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Okay, now presents!” Jules hops up and I frown.
“No presents. How many times do I have to tell you people, no presents!”
Everyone just laughs at me.
“We don’t listen to you, brat.” Isaac smirks at me and I glare at him.
“I don’t like you.”
“You love me.”
“You guys do too much for me already.” I glance at Luke nervously.
“It embarrasses me when you buy me stuff.”
“It’s not your birthday unless you have presents.” Jules sets a beautiful red gift bag in front of me. “Open mine first.”