Page 32 of Til Death Do Us Part

Giving her one last kiss, I helped her out of the car. Everly’s hold on my hand as we walked up the sidewalk was a vice grip. It felt as if she was trying to cut off the circulation, so we’d have to go to the hospital and leave.

My hand was almost to the door, ready to knock, when the door flew open and Luke stood on the other side. One minute I was standing outside and the next I was lifted up and in a bear hug.

“I missed you so damn much,” he murmured in my ear as he continued to hug me.

“I missed you too.” I patted him on the back. I wanted to say it hadn’t been that long, but we didn’t get to see each other very often.

He dropped me to my feet before he gave Everly a much gentler hug. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

“Me too. It’s so good to meet you.”

A flash of blonde came from behind Luke and pulled me into a big hug. She pulled back with tears dancing in her eyes. “I’m so glad you could come for Luke’s birthday.”

“I didn’t come for his birthday. I came to see my niece and spoil my nephew for a few days. Where are they?” I asked, looking over her head.

“Mason is over at his friend, Ben’s house. Taylor will bring him home soon, and Gracie is taking a nap.” I started to move by her, but she held onto my arms and narrowed her eyes at me. “Do not wake her up.”

Luke looked at me over his wife and shook his head. It was then I noticed the dark circles under their eyes and wondered how much sleep they’d been getting.

“You must be Everly,” Alex gave her a short hug and then wrapped herself around Luke. He looked like he was holding her up.

“Why don’t we sit down. You two look like you could use the rest.”

“Last night was a bad night. We only got a couple of hours of sleep. We think Gracie has colic. The second one of us falls asleep while rocking her, she starts crying.”

“And she eats every two hours so not much sleep for mama,” Luke supplied.

“Or daddy. He gets up with every feeding, even though I told him he doesn’t need to. He’s the best dad ever.”

Luke sat down beside her, pulling Alex flush against him, almost pulling her into his lap, and beamed at the praise.

Fatherhood looked good on my brother. He’d been great with Mason, but it was entirely different seeing how crazily overprotective he got of Alex with her pregnancy and hearing him doing baby talk to their daughter over the phone. I knew Luke was happy he turned down a three part movie deal that would have changed their lives. Some for the good, but I think it would have hurt them more than anything. They never would have had any privacy.

Pulling Everly over to the other couch, I pulled her down with me and kept her hand in mine. “You look happy, bro.”

“The happiest I’ve ever been. I can say the same for you. I swear you’ve grown up since you graduated.”

“It’s the facial hair,” I joked, dragging my hand over the scruff I was sporting. Everly seemed to like it, so I thought I’d keep it until she told me to get rid of it.

“Are you guys hungry? I could make you a sandwich or heat up some lasagna I made last night.” My stomach rumbled at the thought of her lasagna. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

Alex jumped up and was halfway to the kitchen before I stopped her.

“I’m starved now that you mentioned food, but I can heat it up for us. Why don’t you two lay down and if the baby wakes up, we’ll get her?”

“Are you sure? We didn’t ask you here to be babysitters.”

Drawing her away from the kitchen, I directed Alex straight into Luke’s arms. “I’m more than sure, and I’m not a babysitter. I’m Gracie and Mason’s uncle.”

Luke dragged Alex out of the room but stopped as they started for the stairs and looked at us over his shoulder. “If you need anything, you know where to find us.”

I held my hand out to Everly for her to take. “Come on, babe. I’m dying to eat some of Alex’s lasagna, even if it is a day old. She’s an excellent cook.”

Taking my hand, Everly let me guide her into the kitchen. “Are you saying I should learn how to cook more than just scrambled eggs and spaghetti?”

“Not if you don’t want to, but I wouldn’t be opposed.” I was pulled to a stop when Everly’s eyes landed on the kitchen. It was pretty spectacular. It was a cook’s dream kitchen with top of the line appliances, marble countertops with a farmer’s sink. There was a big window that looked out to the backyard where they had a pool.

Their house was gorgeous, and Luke had worked his ass off since coming to America for it. It wasn’t until he met Alex that he started to slow down and had bought a couple of houses for them to live in. One in Fairlane and one in LA for when he was filming.

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