Page 45 of Inevitably Yours

“IT’S A GIRL!” Marco shouted as soon as the door behind them closed. “A girl. Can you believe it? She has ten fingers and ten toes. A perfect little nose and head full of curly dark hair. She is prefect, just perfect.” Marco wrapped his arms around his husband and daughter. He was practically vibrating with love.

Andy finally drew his eyes away from his daughter and sought John’s gaze. There was something unspoken exchanged between them—part apology, part gratitude, all connection. As much as everyone in this family had done their level best to make him feel welcomed, feel accepted, it was this that had finally achieved that.

The new fathers were overjoyed, and it spilled over into the entire room. But it was the kinship John felt the most. His knees gave way when he tried to stand, and he ended up back on his ass on the couch. This sense of family had died with his parents. He had given up on ever feeling it again, but here he was, having his feet taken out from under him by it.

A moment of panic touched him. He was adapting to not being in total control and had even decided he could love others, including Augusta. Loving people didn’t automatically mean pain and loss. All those things had been hard for him to acknowledge and even harder to accept.

But am I enough?

As is?

John would never be playfully affectionate with everyone the way Michael was. He seemed to flirt with the very wind, so easily and naturally. It put people at ease, from wait staff to CEOs.

Dax was more of a quiet claimer. His demeanor said he had ownership of his entire family, and by extension, anyone they cared about. It was clear that if you messed with them, he would have no problem taking your head. It was also clear that Stacy or Macy could bring him to his knees with a look. They were his only weakness.

Walker, well, Walker was a tattoo-covered cupcake. Not in a bad way, just when he looked at the people he loved. For someone so physically intimidating, it was hard to imagine the term cupcake being used if someone didn’t know him. In his past, he had struggled with violence, so when he conquered it, he refused to succumb to it again. Of course, there was no doubt if his family were threatened, he would unleash the beast without a second thought.

However, John would never be any of those things. Not that he wouldn’t protect his family and love them fiercely, he just showed it differently. He wasn’t a flirt who charmed everyone. Nor was he overly affectionate in public.

Unlike Dax, who would pull Stacy down into his lap and kiss her senseless at any given time, John saved the cherishing for behind closed doors.

And that was the thought that was making it hard to breathe.

Would they expect him to change? Would Augusta want him to be more like Michael, Walker, or Dax?

That was a problem for another day. John wasn’t a self-centered man, and this time was not about him. This time was about the joy Augusta had just struggled to bring into this world.

And family.

It was most certainly about family.

Andy’s voice was shaky with emotion, “Six pounds, one ounce of pure perfection.” His loving gaze returned to the fussing bundle in his arms. “Franscephina Melanie Rivera-Wellington, meet your family. Family, this is Cephina.”

The feminine squeals that came from behind them startled everyone, including the baby. With the focus on the baby, the ladies entrance had gone unnoticed.

Andy turned toward the sound, and John saw the tears swimming in their eyes. Tori and Erika mouthed “Melanie” and clung to each other. John had heard stories about her and knew that FORM Wear was named in her honor, but she had died before he knew the Reids. Even so, John was still touched by the gesture; he understood what it meant.

“Franscephina? That’s unusual, where did it come from?”

John wasn’t sure who asked, but he wanted to know himself.

“Well, Francis and Frank, for the first part, obviously. The second I came up with from something my grandmother used to say. I wanted it to sound angelic, because this little one is my very own angel.”

Francis appeared from behind them and walked into Frank’s arms, both tearful. They would probably tell differing stories later about the “Fran” part of the name.

Turning toward the older couple, Andy extended his precious bundle. “Would you like to hold your granddaughter and namesake?”

With shaky arms, they accepted and the cooing began in earnest. So did the whooping and the hollering. John felt out of place, while everyone’s focus was on the new baby and the new fathers, John’s attention was in the other room. Where Augusta was.

“No worries, she’s fine. Just getting cleaned up and checked out. The doctor kicked us out for that part.” Marco patted his shoulder and let his touch linger, offering comfort. “She did good, man, she did good. A real trooper. Biologically, she may not be Cephina’s mother, but she is precious beyond measure. To all of us, and if you break her heart, well, I know a guy.”

Did Marco just threaten me?John met his dark eyes and realized the truth of it. He did, and so casually. He was stone cold serious. It’s always the quiet ones. Then, as if by magic, Marco smiled and it lit up his face. He was glowing and happy, like he hadn’t just promised to murder a man. The hand on his shoulder slapped against him again. “Let’s go meet your God-daughter, shall we?

God-daughter?This family really was unique, and crazy as sin if they want me in the mix.

John joined the cooing crowd all happily making fools of themselves with nonsensical sounds and faces. He was not above it, either. Looking at little Cephina reminded him of when his parents brought Stacy home from the hospital.

“I remember when you were this tiny and quiet,” John addressed Stacy, but it was Dax who responded.

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