Page 126 of Ryder

I chuckle. “I can see why, she’s just adorable.” On cue, little Aubrey does a sweet little yawn and my heart melts.

“I’m so in love with her,” Audrina sings. “Would you like to have a hold?”

“Do you have to ask twice?” I take her in my arms and melt just a little more. “How are you feeling?”

She sighs. “Like a bus hit me repeatedly, but West has been doting on me and the baby, as I’m sure you can imagine.”

On cue, West sounds at the door. I’m at their place, and Audrina has a bed set up on the couch. “Honey?” he calls.

“I’m where you left me,” Audrina replies..

He eventually appears, several shopping bags in his hands. “Oh, hey, Crystal,” he says. “I saw your car out front.”

“I had to stop by and bring Audrina’s favorite bagels.” I smile. “And cuddle Aubrey-May. She’s perfect, by the way.”

He grins, dropping the bags in the hallway. “She is. Just like her momma.” He caresses Aubrey-May’s cheek with his knuckle and it is quietly the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.

“I think she might need to be changed,” I tell them, rolling my lips.

Hustler moves his face closer to her butt and I laugh when he pulls a face. “Yep. Definitely. Come to Daddy and he’ll take care of it.”

“You change diapers?” I balk.

Hustler shoots me a look. “Of course. Audrina has to rest, and it ain’t that bad.”

Audrina laughs. “You put a peg on your nose when you’re doing it.”

“Never said it was pretty, I said it ain’t that bad.” He kisses Aubrey’s cheek as I pass her over and he takes off, humming a little tune.

I shake my head. “I think my ovaries just exploded watching them.”

“Ugh, tell me about it. West wants more! And it’s been just shy of a week.”

“At least he’s a hands-on dad.” I shrug. “Ryder was the same. He wanted to be involved in everything… okay, maybe not diapers, but he tried his best.” Some of the disasters are comical now, looking back.

“I’m very blessed,” Audrina says. “West is amazing. I couldn’t ask for a more doting father, or partner.”

“I love that.” I squeeze her hand. “And I hear Priest and Nevada are cuckoo over her, too.”

“We’re one big happy family.” She beams. “It’s so different from when I had Asher. John, my ex, never helped me with anything. He went out to work, and I was home raising Asher. It just feels different this time. I’m older. Wiser. I can relax a little. Having West around and not having to rush back to work has been a godsend.”

“Well you did a fine job with Nevada, and Aubrey is just adorable.”

“She’s the sweetest, honestly.”

“He’s so good with her.” I thumb over my shoulder. I can’t make out what Hustler is saying, but he’s making choo-choo noises and it is just the cutest thing.

“He says he’s making up for lost time. His one regret is never knowing about his own son for all those years. So this time around, everyone gets to be involved.”

“I love that, and you look freaking fantastic, woman! You just gave birth and look at you.”

Audrina is always impeccable. You never see her with a hair out of place. She’s not over the top, or overdone. She’s just a natural. “You’re being kind. I look like a wreck.”

I snort. “If you’re a wreck, then I’ve seriously got something to worry about. And if Hustler wants more babies immediately, I’d say he likes what he sees.”

She smiles contentedly. “How are things with you?”

I reach for the tea I made earlier and take a sip. “Better. It’s been good having Ryder home this week. He wants to try and take more time away from the shop to spend with me and Ade.”

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