Tied with Me

I see the whole package when I look at this woman. Marriage and babies and houses and bills. Fights and laughter.

Everything.

“Any news?” Stacy’s mom asks an hour later as she hurries out of the elevator and hugs Mom close.

“Not yet,” I reply.

“Well, keep us updated. I’m going to take Liv with me. I want to get back quickly to make sure the other kids haven’t killed the adults and taken over the world.”

“Thank you,” I reply. “She’ll probably sleep for a while. She tuckered herself out with all those tears.”

Nic gingerly hands the baby over to the other woman, runs her hand over Liv’s dark curls and smiles as they walk away.

“You baked Brynna and Caleb’s cake,” Mom says to Nic, making conversation.

“I did.” Nic nods. “I own Succulent Sweets in the city.”

“How lovely,” Mom replies and loops her arm through Nic’s, dragging her away to have a chat.

Nic glances back at me over her shoulder, and I just smile and shrug.

“Your mom will be gentle,” Dad assures me and then claps me on the shoulder. “She’s a looker, that one.”

“She is,” I agree.

“Owns a business, so she’s smart, too.”

“Very smart.”

“Must be special. You don’t typically bring girls around.”

I nod and then look my dad in the eye. “She’s the one, Dad.”

He firms his lips and watches me for a moment, glances over to where Nic and Mom are chatting with Jules, Meg and Sam. Finally, he turns his gaze back to me and nods. “I look forward to getting to know her.”

“You’ll love her.”

He nods again and then we all turn our attention to Luke, who is walking toward us. His face is pale, his eyes look scared, and his hair is messier than usual.

“What’s going on?” Mom asks, dashing to his side.

Luke wraps his arm around Mom’s shoulders and kisses her head.

“She’s going to be okay. The baby is fine, too.”

We all breathe a huge sigh of relief.

“But they’re keeping her for a while.”

“Why?” Meg demands.

“She has kidney stones, which is where the bleeding was coming from when she went to the bathroom,” Luke replies. “The ‘growing pains’ she says she’s been having have actually been kidney pain.” He shakes his head and swears under his breath. “I knew I should have made her go to the doctor.”

“You couldn’t have known,” Mom assures him and pats his chest.

“So if it’s just stones, why can’t she go home?” Mark asks with a frown.

“They want her to pass it here, and monitor the baby until she’s out of the woods.”

“I’ll stay, too,” Jules volunteers.

“You’ll come home after you look in on her,” Nate corrects her. “You’re pregnant, too.”

“She’s my best friend.”

Nate pulls Jules back into his arms and whispers in her ear. Finally, she smiles and leans away, nodding up at him. “Okay. You’re right.”

“So, everyone can see her,” Luke continues, “but maybe a few at a time, because that room isn’t very big.”

Mom, Dad, Luke’s dad, Neil, and Jules go in first, leaving Luke with us.

“Scared the fuck out of me,” he whispers and hugs Meg to him. “When she said she was bleeding, I panicked. My life doesn’t work without her in it.” He swallows and shakes his head, then plows his fingers through his hair.

“Scared the fuck out of all of us,” I reply.

“Did you get to see the baby?” Meg asks.

“Yeah, they did an ultrasound,” Luke replies and grins. “His little heart is strong, and he’s kicking away. The doc said he’s healthy. But there’s still a chance she could have him early, so she has to take it easy.”

“Having babies early is not the end of the world,” Brynna reminds him and hugs him tight. “Mine were early, and look at them now. But our girl is strong, and both she and the baby are going to be just fine.”

“Thank you,” Luke replies, his voice hoarse. “Thanks, everyone. It’s always moments like this that our family amazes me.”

“Don’t get mushy, bro.” Mark smirks. “I’m going to go in next and kiss my sister-in-law.”

“Don’t get your lips anywhere near my wife,” Luke growls at his brother, and we all laugh.

“Just a little peck,” Mark continues with an easy smile.

“I’ll fucking punch you.”

“No, you won’t,” Mark replies and saunters toward Nat’s room with a swagger in his step.

I glance down at Nic and frown when I see her face has gone pale, and she’s frowning. “What’s wrong?” I whisper into her ear.

She shakes her head and smiles up at me, the fakest damn smile I’ve ever seen. “Nothing. I’m just worried about Nat and the baby. I’m glad she’ll be okay.”

“How are you feeling?” I ask.

“I’m fine.” She waves me off.

I will get to the bottom of this soon.

“I’m sorry we ruined your engagement party,” Luke says to Meg with a rueful smile.

“Nah, don’t be. I didn’t really want one anyway, and Jules got her new shoes…”

“And a new dress,” Nate adds with a chuckle.

“So we all win,” Meg finishes, making us all laugh.

I glance around the room and sigh, relieved that everyone is safe and healthy. Leo is holding Sam in his lap, whispering in her ear soothingly as she leans on him. Will, Meg, Isaac and Stacy all make their way into Nat’s room, anxious to see Natalie for themselves. Nate and Dominic are chatting with Luke, and I have the woman of my dreams by my side.

Speaking of, I’m ready to check with Nat myself so I can get my girl home and take advantage of her in that hot dress.

“Why don’t we just go out to dinner together after we’ve all seen Nat before we all head home?” Will asks.

So much for taking Nic right home.

I glance down at her, and she just nods with a half smile.

“We’re in,” I confirm.

Finally, it’s our turn to see Natalie, and I guide her into my arms, holding her tightly to me for a long minute. Nat takes a deep breath, clinging to my shirt and then pulls away.

“Scared me,” I murmur down to her.