Page 34 of Until Waverly

I liked how she asked to take Alandria and that she didn’t remove her from my arms. Reluctantly, I handed her over. She had been in my arms for less than five minutes, and I already missed the weight of her and the slight pressure on my shoulder.

I was in love with my daughter.

“Should I know anything else?” I asked.

“Waverly’s friend said Alandria had been restless the last couple of nights. Even the daycare said she’s been fussy for the last twenty-four hours, and she hasn’t slept much.”

I peered into the back window at the snoozing baby. “She’s out now.”

Ireland chuckled. “She might not stay like that. Might be a growth spurt. Mack Junior-Junior just went through one. Worst freaking week plus of my life.”

Wow! They were really selling this for me.

I took the keys from Sarah Jane first, then pulled out my phone and hit the underlined address from the group text. My maps came up, and the directions populated while Mack Sr. put the two enormous bags into the front seat.

“How often do I feed her?”

“According to the paperwork the daycare gave me, Alandria is eating about every two hours.”That often? Jesus, it was going to be a long fucking night. I was already exhausted. How the hell did Waverly do this? “During the day and about every three to four hours at night.”

Not much better, really. But I kept my mouth shut, worried if I voiced a concern someone would take Alandria away from me. Now that I had her, I didn’t want to let her go.

“Keep me in the loop about Waverly,” I said. Sarah Jane nodded, then walked off with Mack Sr. Macey had already left to go home, as had Landon and Hunter.

Only Mack and Ireland stood beside the car.

Better sooner rather than later. “Listen, Ire, I’m sorry I was such a dick to you—”

My older sister put her hand up. “I already told you—you don’t need to apologize.”

“The fuck he doesn’t,” Mack snarled beside her. “No one talks to you like that, Ireland. Not when—”

“Knock it off, Mack,” Ireland snapped at her big, burly husband. Mack was a scary motherfucker, but Ireland had no problem handling him. Her admonishment was just the tip of the iceberg for our fiery temper.

“As I was saying. You don’t owe any of us anything. If anything, you deserve our penance.”

I shrugged, unsure how to respond to that. So, I just didn’t. Yeah, we were close siblings. We had to be, but it didn’t mean I shared every time I got laid or cried to my sister about being ghosted. I wasn’t the same weepy sixteen-year-old anymore.

I shut the door of the car and started the engine, remembering almost acutely I had a job. Responsibilities. How could I just disappear from the restaurant for who knew how long? I looked up at my brother-in-law. “What about Flame?”

Mack chuckled. “Good thing you have a close relationship with the owner, right, kid?” In the year plus I’d worked at Flame, I’d never taken advantage of that familial tie, never would either. Once I had Alandria on my schedule, I’d be back. “I’ll inform Sasha.” Mack leaned down, resting his forearms on the open window. “You’ll always have a job at Flame, Jackson. You’re one of the best chefs we have. Getting to know your daughter, helping Waverly through the healing process, and figuring out this mess between you, that’s more important. That’s your priority.”

“Okay.”

Chapter11

Jackson

Ihad no clue where Waverly and I would stand when the dust settled. The only thing I understood for sure was I was going to be in my daughter’s life. Forever. I couldn’t imagine letting her go ever again.

Mack slapped me on the shoulder. “Drive carefully. You have precious cargo in the car now.”

No shit.

Once Mack ducked out, Ireland slipped back in and kissed me on my cheek. “If you need anything or have questions, call me. I don’t care what time of the evening it is. I’ll keep my ringer on.”

That was big.

After Mack Junior-Junior was born, Ireland silenced her phone at night, telling everyone she needed to get all the sleep she could, starting when her son went to sleep. We honored her request, knowing she’d kick our asses if we woke her up. If there was an emergency, we were supposed to call Mack. He’d be on the receiving end of her wrath. So far, none of us had needed her until now.

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