Page 32 of At Last

Then I watch as Elise unbuckles Gun from his carrier and sets him in Jade’s waiting arms. Not needing direction, my daughter carefully cradles the boy, taking care with his head. Then she begins to sing to him. My heart might explode from the cuteness factor, while Elise moves the coffee table out of the way and lays the blanket out on the carpet, then spreads some soft baby toys around on the yellow and gray baby elephant blanket that I’d given her as a gift when he was born.

“How about we lay Gun on the floor, and you can play with him?”

Jade vigorously shakes her head yes, while Elise takes her son and waits for my girl to situate herself on the blanket. After, she places her boy down next to Jade and steps back watching, like me and Duke, as Jade picks up a squeezy toy and squeezes it to get Gunner’s attention. Once Elise seems satisfied my girl will be gentle, she walks back over to us and slips onto one of the barstools.

“Beer?” I ask.

“That’d be great,” she answers.

I look to Duke expectantly and wait.

Then he gripes. “Damn woman in my house not even a day, and she’s already bossing me around.” But, I will add, he does it going to the refrigerator to grab Elise’s beer. “Doc?” he rasps, his back to me while grabbing bottles.

“Yes, please.”

He sets them down. Twists the cap off the first and slides it over to Elise. Does the same with the second, but sends it my way. And the third, he keeps for himself, taking a long pull. When he sets the bottle on the island, he has a smile on his face that I know isn’t from drinking beer.

“You got company, Imma head up to the club. Got some work to do there.”

“Okay, Chief.” I don’t mind.

“Call me when dinner’s ready?” he asks.

“You know I will.”

“Good. Lips,” he orders. And this time I don’t have to think about what he wants, and walk around the island to kiss my man. Quick and closed-mouth, but as always, satisfying.

When he turns to leave, we all hear, “Duke?” And turn to look at my girl who has set Gun’s toy down, and is resting her hand to her hip.

Her face looks hurt, her lips pursed.

“Sorry, Peaches.” A red-faced Duke walks over to her and bends down, where he kisses her cheek and allows her to kiss his.

“Oh. My. God.” Elise mouths.

“I know,” I answer verbally. Then I turn back to dinner prep.

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