Always Ever After (Always 2.50) - Page 22

This is real.

I didn’t think I could love anyone as much as I love Kylie. I’ve loved her so deep, and for so long, it seemed impossible that anything could be bigger than that. But I look down at these two tiny sleeping babies, their warm bodies cradled against my chest, and my eyes burn with the tears of loving them. I love them fierce. In the space of the few hours since they were born, they took my heart and opened it up, lodging themselves deep inside.

I press my lips to my son’s head. My son. Kylie already says he looks like me. He’s so small, so innocent. The weight of responsibility for teaching him to be a man is heavy. But I actually think I might be strong enough.

I turn and kiss my daughter’s head. I have a daughter. This precious little princess is mine. Mine to protect and cherish. I get to show her what it is to be loved.

It makes me wonder if my dad had a moment like this. Did he hold me and Selene when we were hours old, staring at us in awe? Did he worry about whether he’d be a good father? I wish he was here, so I could ask him. I wish they could both be here, to meet their grandchildren.

Kylie stirs and opens her eyes. “Hey.”

“Hi,” I whisper. I don’t want to wake them.

She scoots closer to the edge of the bed and reaches out to caress our baby girl’s head. I see the way I feel about them reflected in Kylie’s eyes, and my throat feels tight again.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more amazing than this,” she says.

“Them?”

“You, holding them,” she says. It looks like she wants to say more, but she just smiles and a few tears trail down her cheeks.

I turn my head and stare at her. “I don’t think I’ve ever loved you more than I do right now.”

She slips a hand beneath the blanket and rests it on my arm. “I love you too. So much.”

There’s a soft knock on the door, and Selene pokes her head inside. “Can we come in?”

“Yeah,” Kylie says.

Selene and Ronan come in and shut the door with a soft click. Ronan stands near the foot of the bed, and Selene walks around to where I’m reclining. Her hand covers her mouth, and tears are already springing to her eyes.

“Oh, Brax.” She leans over so she can see the babies. “They’re so beautiful.”

My chest swells with pride. Fuck yeah, my babies are beautiful.

She sits on the edge of the bed and rubs Kylie’s leg. “How are you feeling?”

“Exhausted,” Kylie says. “But okay, considering.”

“We won’t stay long,” she says. “But I had to see them. I can’t even believe this. I’m so happy for you guys.”

“Thanks, sis,” I say.

Ronan steps forward and hands Kylie a small gift bag. “Here, we brought a present for the babies.”

Kylie takes the tissue paper off the top and pulls out two little onesies, one pink, one blue. She unfolds them and lays them in her lap.

I do a double take. “Wait, what do those say?”

Kylie gasps. “I love my cousin? Oh, my god, Selene, are you…?”

Selene is absolutely beaming, and Ronan looks at her with an expression I’m pretty familiar with. I’ve been wearing the same one for the last nine months.

“Yes. I’m pregnant,” Selene says.

Kylie starts to squeal, then claps her hand over her mouth. She sits up to hug Selene, and they hold each other for a long moment. With two babies on my chest I can’t really move, but I give Ronan a nod and turn back to my sister. She’s all lit up, her smile wide. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen her this happy.

“Congratulations, you guys,” I say. “You’re in for a hell of a ride, but I can tell you firsthand, it’s worth it.”