Page 108 of Illicit

I cradle the perfect pink bundle in my arms as Sammie naps.

Marley Teagan Coleman.

When Sammie announced her name, I might’ve fallen into a puddle of emotions. Sammie said she wants her daughter to be smart and brave and strong, and if a middle name could give her the juju to be as smart as her aunt, even better.

When I came into the room and saw Sammie and Marley together for the first time, I knew right then and there, Sammie would be okay. She might be taking on this parenting gig alone, but that doesn’t mean she won’t be the most amazing mom ever. I could see it the way she looked at her newborn daughter.

Love.

Patience.

Devotion.

This might be exactly what Sammie needs. She has no idea how strong she is or what she’s capable of. I have a feeling Marley will bring out the best version of her mother.

With a cap on her head and swaddled in a blanket, my niece is a work of art. Skin the color of Sammie’s and a full head of dark hair. Ten fingers and ten toes. She’s only a few hours old and gets better with every moment that passes.

Mom and Dad went home to shower and change clothes. Rocco opted to stay in the waiting room since they were still getting Sammie settled and she was nursing for the first time.

All things Rocco said he didn’t need to be a part of.

I texted him when Mom and Dad left to let him know it’s safe to come in and meet Marley.

There’s a light knock on the door before it pushes open.

He’s here.

His gaze flits to Sammie before turning to me and my niece.

Rocco moves silently into the room, but his stare never wavers from us as he takes the seat next to me on the hard sofa. His hand lands high on my thigh and gives me a squeeze.

“She’s perfect,” I whisper before going on, “Uncle Rocco.”

He shakes his head with a smirk. “I’m not sure whether that’s good or creepy given the status of you and me.”

“Only good. You’re Uncle Rocco to all the kids, right?”

He shrugs. “I guess I am.”

“Good practice,” I whisper without looking away from my namesake, even if it is in middle name only. “After everything Sammie has been through, it’s hard to believe she’s finally here.” I look up at Rocco. “Do you want to hold her?”

He shakes his head. “Later. I’m enjoying looking at you with a baby at the moment.”

My stomach does a flip, but I don’t have a chance to refute him, beg him to give me a million little baby Roccos, or ask if that means the sex embargo has been lifted.

“You two can babysit all you want, but you’re not stealing my baby. I worked too hard to make her.”

We both look over at Sammie who’s staring at the three of us. She proves going through labor and having an emergency c-section hasn’t tamed her in the least.

“And just so you know, it’s going to take a minute for me not to throw up a little bit when I see you two together, but I’ll get there.” Her gaze turns to a fiery glare when she turns it to Rocco. “My sister has been in love with you for as long as I can remember. If you fuck her over, you’ll have to deal with me.”

I’m not sure if Sammie would intimidate any other man, but Rocco doesn’t cower.

He laughs at her.

“I’m not going to fuck over your sister. I’m doing everything I can to get her to stay with me.”

“Well, I just gave her a niece. She has a namesake, so she’s bound to be a part of her life. The only way you’ll be able to top that is if you knock her up.” Sammie tips her head where she’s reclining in her hospital bed. “Actually, that might be fun. You should do that. It’ll take the attention off me. Perfect Teagan knocked up by our foster brother.”

---