Page 90 of Don't Remind Me
Dani stepped in behind me, her grip on my hand tight enough to cut off circulation.
Stephanie’s gaze softened, and she walked over to give Dani a hug. “I’m so glad you came. I wanted to thank you for driving Alec here.”
“Oh,” Dani said as Stephanie pulled away. Her wide eyes flashed to mine, and I fought my grin. “No problem.”
“Hon, you can’t just go up and hug people,” Alec said. “We’re tryingnotto scare her off, remember?”
“What? I’m happy she’s here. I just gave birth. Blame the hormones.”
“We, um, brought breakfast,” Dani said, holding up the paper bag filled with bagels we’d grabbed on our way over. We’d gotten ourselves coffees too, but those were long gone. I’d need another before I went into work later. Last night was amazing, but we did not get much sleep.
“Nowwe’re talking. Here, Uncle Jase.” Alec walked over and placed Oliver in my arms, who stared up at me with wide blue eyes. “Thank you,” Alec said sincerely to Dani as he grabbed the food bag from her, then headed for the recliner by the window.
She smiled back, the two seeming mostly at ease with one another, and instead of pinching insecurity, all I felt was glad.
Dani peered over my arm to get a look at the baby. “He’s precious.” His face was both less red and less squished, and a whisp of nearly invisible hair curled off his forehead.
“You mean he’squiet,” Alec said as he unwrapped one of the bagels. “Don’t worry, it won’t last long. You want some of this, hon?”
“Heck, yeah.” Stephanie zipped up the last open pocket of her bag and made her way over to sit on Alec’s lap. He held up half the bagel for her to take a bite. Three months ago, the sight would have sent a pang of jealousy through me. I glanced at Dani, who was watching them too, and wondered if the same had been true for her.
She shifted her gaze to mine, and I pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
No doubt I still had plenty of jealousy toward my brother to work out, plenty of hidden wounds I’d only begun to heal. But I refused to let Dani be one of them. That was the real reason I’d wanted her here. So she could see I wouldn’t let her past hurt our future.
She leaned into the kiss before we both pulled away, a knowing glint in her eye as her mouth curved into a smile.
“You look good with a baby, man,” Alec said, mouth half full of bagel.
I shot him a glare. “I swear to God, if you turn into Mom, Iwillstop talking to you.”
He laughed, though there was a heaviness to it.
I didn’t plan on never talking to my parents again. I wasn’t cutting them out of my life entirely. But it was still an end of sorts, at least for now. One that would impact Alec more than I think either of us was willing to focus on just yet.
“I just meant maybe you should consider an official role,” he said.
My brows pulled together.
Stephanie smacked his arm. “That was his way of asking if you’d be Oliver’s godfather.”
My mouth fell open as I stared at Stephanie and Alec across the room. Alec’s brows were raised as if asking,So?Stephanie’s eyes shone with tears.
Dani’s hand landed just above my elbow and gave a gentle squeeze.
I looked down at the tiny human in my arms, traces of Alec already noticeable in his chubby features. I wondered how much he’d look like Alec when he was older. How much he’d be like Alec in other ways. If life would come easy for him or if he’d feel like an outsider. If he’d struggle to find his place, to know his worth.
Maybe. But Alec would love him regardless. And so would I. As someone he could turn to when the pressure became too much. Someone he could ask the questions that were too awkward to bring up with his parents. Someone to spoil him with presents and play all the reckless games with. Someone to listen. To offer advice.
I’d get to be a part of this little man’s life. Not from the outside looking in.
From right here, in the middle of it all.
Epilogue
Dani
Three Months Later
