Zane & Lucky’s First Christmas (Forever Love #3.5)(10)
Author: J.S. Cooper

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I laughed.

“Do we really have to go and look at cribs?”

“No,” I paused and smiled slowly. “We can go and check out the diapers instead.”

Zane groaned and put his face in his hands. “Diapers, cribs, baby classes. What have I done?”

“Tell me about it. I have to take off next semester.”

“What?” He looked up at me. “Why?”

“I’ll have a new baby. I can’t handle school and motherhood.”

“I’ll be here to help.”

“The man who doesn’t know anything about babies?” I raised an eyebrow at him.

“I guess I can attend a few more classes with you.”

“With no sexual innuendos?”

“You’re really trying to take all the fun out of it, aren’t you?”

“Fun is what got us in this position.”

“Oh my God, we’re going to be parents.” Zane’s face went pale and I knew that it was hitting him fresh all over again.

“We’ll be fine.”

“I’m glad one of us believes that.”

“Let’s have some fun tonight.” An idea flashed into my mind. “Let’s go to karaoke and just relax.”

“I thought you wanted to go and look at baby stuff?”

“That can wait.” I shook my head. “The stores will still be there tomorrow. Tonight I want us to go karaoke.”

“Did I hear someone say karaoke?” Noah walked into the room with Skylar, who was sucking on a lollipop.

“What’s ka-aoke?” Skylar looked at Noah with inquisitive eyes and bright blue lips. I tried not to laugh at the sight the two of them made. Noah was also sucking on a lollipop and he had bright green lips.

“It’s when people go out and sing to well-known songs.”

“Or not as well-known.” Zane corrected him. “I remember you singing a certain song called ‘Snakes going to get hurt’ and no-one in the bar knew it.”

“It was famous in France.” Noah laughed and Skylar’s eyes lit up.

“I wanna go to France and sing about snakes.”

“Hmm, I’d rather you sing about cows and pigs on a farm.” Noah smiled at her gently and ignored the other part of her comment.

“In France?” she continued.

“No, we’re not going to France.” He tried to sigh, and I felt sorry for him and the memories the thought of France must be bringing up.

“We can play karaoke this weekend if you want, Skylar.” I changed the subject and went over to the little girl. Her hair hung in soft blond tresses down her back and her big sky-blue eyes looked back at me hopefully. “We can sing all the songs you want to sing. We’ll make it a party. You, me, Noah, Uncle Zane.”

“And Aunty Robin and Uncle Leo?” she asked excitedly and starting jumping up and down.

“Stop.” Noah’s voice was a bit harsh. “Stop jumping, Skylar. You can hurt yourself jumping up and down with a lollipop in your mouth.”

“Sorry, Noah.” Her lower lip trembled and he bent down and hugged her.

“I didn’t mean to raise my voice, Sky, I just want to make sure you don’t harm yourself.”

“Because you love me.” She nodded as she spoke. “You only got a little mad because you love me and you want me to be okay. You would never harm me.”

“Exactly, my love.” Noah whispered into her ear and my heart melted as I watched the two of them. Then I thought about Zane being as loving with our children and tears came to me eyes. Zane and Noah were both so loving for two men who had grown up without the love of their parents. It made my heart ache and expand for both of them.

“I can’t wait for my party.” Skylar grinned and stared at me. “Maybe Uncle Leo will sing with me.”

“Maybe.” I smiled back at her, laughing inside. Skylar had barely met Leo for ten minutes when she had woken up and come downstairs the previous evening. But he had already won her over; something that Noah was none too pleased about.

“Leo may not be able to make it, honey.” Noah started and Skylar pouted. “But we’ll see.”

“Okay. I’m going to watch TV.” Skylar ran into the living room and Noah stood up slowly.

“I guess the karaoke tonight is a private event?”

“Do you have a babysitter for Skylar?” Zane asked him pointedly and he grinned back at us, slightly embarrassed.

“Okay, okay. I forgot that part.”

“Did you and Skylar have fun at the mall?” I asked and looked at the assortment of bags in his hands. “It looks like you were able to pick up a lot of goodies.”

“She has clothes and toys for years now.” His eyes grew wide. “For years, I tell you.”

“More like a few months.” I laughed, pleased that it had gone well. “Maybe I need you to help me choose a wedding dress.”

“That’s not fair.” Zane interrupted. “How can he get to help and I can’t?”

“Because he’s not the one I’m marrying, unless you’d rather I change my mind and marry him. That way, you can help me pick a dress.”

“Funny. Not.” Zane put his arm around my waist. “If you keep making these jokes, I’m going to think you’re serious.”

“Who said they’re jokes?” I stared at him with a deadpan face and then burst out laughing. “Don’t be an idiot, Zane.”

“I’m an idiot for your love.”

“You mean a fool?”

“Huh?” He looked at me blankly.

“It’s a song.” Noah winked at me. “You may well be with the wrong brother, Lucky.”

“Shut up, Noah.” Zane growled and placed his lips on mine. He kissed me softly and his tongue traced along my lips, caressing me as his teeth nibbled. I melted against him and let out a sigh, before he pulled back with a satisfied grin. “And that’s why you love me.”

“Okay, guys. Get a room.” Noah groaned and I looked up and saw a glimpse of envy in his eyes.

“How’s Robin?” I asked him softly and he shook his head.

“No idea, haven’t seen her since Leo took her home the other night.” He shrugged, but I could hear the frustration in his voice.

“You should give her a call.”

“If she wants to talk, she can call me.” He made a face. “Or maybe she’s fallen for Leo’s blond good looks again and forgotten about me.”