Page 95 of Last Call

Riley shook her head. “Where on earth does she come up with these ideas?” She chuckled. Riley wished she could have known Fallon’s father. She often heard people remark how much Fallon reminded them of James Foster. Riley imagined that wastrue. Fallon was inherently curious, thoughtful, and playful, all qualities Ida possessed in spades. “You’re in for a lot of stories, Riley,” she mused. “Endless. Stories.”

“I don’t think that apartment in Jeffersonville will fit all this baby stuff,” Fallon whispered to Riley.

Riley smacked her gently.

Fallon shrugged. “That pile is like the fish in Owen’s book.”

Riley looked at Fallon.

“I’m serious,” Fallon said. “The more Andi feeds these people, the bigger it gets.” Her eyes tracked to Dave and Jake as they walked into the kitchen.

Riley giggled. Only you, Fallon. She took Fallon’s hand and held it gently as Becky and Dave continued opening brightly wrapped boxes full of cute onesies, talking toys, and boxes of diapers. Her gaze tracked to Carol as she accepted little PJ from Marge, rocking him gently. Nearby, Beth passed Hope to Pete. She giggled softly when Pete grabbed the diaper bag and headed toward the house. Babies. Babies were everywhere. Kids were everywhere. Evan was kicking a soccer ball to Emily at the back of the yard, and Billie was wrangling Owen from the middle of their game.

Jacob claimed the seat beside her. “It’s like raining babies,” he commented.

“Feels like it, doesn’t it?”

“Carol, too?” he asked.

Riley nodded.

“Someone better open a daycare,” he joked.

“Someone might need to,” Riley thought silently. She looked at Jacob. “Did you get to spend time with Becky’s sister last night?”

“Yeah. She’s great. I can’t believe Becky’s parents aren’t here. What the hell is wrong with them?”

Riley sighed. She’d like to say it was their loss. It was. They were missing out on the best parts of life—being a parent and becoming a grandparent. Riley couldn’t imagine missing any milestones in her children’s lives. Nothing Owen could do would make Riley turn her back on him. Who did that? Who abandoned their kids because of some crazy ideas they read in a book or because someone screamed at them in a church? Ridiculous.

“I don’t get it,” Jacob said. “If you don’t want to be a parent, don’t have kids,” he said. “It’s funny. I think most people expect me to be the one who wants a big family. Turns out it’s Dave.”

Riley wondered how an unexpected pregnancy turned into the concept of a big family in Jacob’s mind.

“Dave and Becky will probably have a bunch,” he said.

“A bunch?”

“Of kids.”

“Uh-huh.”

“You don’t think so?” Jacob asked.

“I don’t know. I don’t think they’ve thought that far ahead.”

“Dave told me last night he’s scared shitless, but he also can’t wait. He bought baby clothes when we were at the mall, Riley. Dave. My brother. Bought baby clothes.”

Riley laughed. “What did you get them?”

“Stuff.”

“Stuff?” Riley asked.

“Yeah. Stuff. Fun stuff. I don’t want to be anyone’s dad. I prefer to be the cool uncle who spoils and passes them back when they get smelly.”

Riley stared at Jacob for a moment before bursting into laughter.

Fallon and Riley had spent a few hours with Jacob the day before, discussing their plans to expand their family, wanting to ensure Jacob understood their expectations and that they understood his. She’d left the conversation feeling confident in the decision that Jacob should be the person to help her and Fallon grow their family. Sitting here, watching the parade of babies, listening to Jacob, she felt something unexpected: excitement.

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