Page 161 of Old Habits

“Whoa, hey!” Tucker says, slipping in. “Favorite uncle, coming through!”

I roll my eyes. “Hey, Tuck.”

We follow the voices through my house to the nursery. Mom and Sara stand on either side of the bassinet with Jovie. The men stand to the side with Hank, letting the ladies get the high-pitched squeals out of their system.

Jovie slides back, looking about as nervous as any new mom would as a swarm invades her child’s space. I move to stand beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. I kiss her head and she relaxes.

Tucker charges over and stares at the baby. “Hey, check it out,” he says. “She has my eyes.”

I tap his arm. “No, she doesn’t.”

“Well, they ain’t yours.”

“They’re obviously Jovie’s.”

“Right.” He nods. “And Jovie and I have the same eyes. Therefore, the kid has my eyes.”

I glare at him. “Get away from my daughter.”

He holds up his hands and takes a step back. “Fine. Whatever. Live in denial.”

My mother instantly takes his spot. “Can I hold her?”

I step forward, feeling that protective chain tug at me. “Yeah, that’s fine—”

“I call dibs after Mom!” Sara says in my other ear.

“Well…” My father says. “Shouldn’t the grandparents go first?”

Hank leans back, looking smug. “I already held her.”

“Then, I definitely get to go next.”

I sigh. “I’ll let you guys decide that one. Just, please, be careful.”

Mom nudges me away from the crib. “Will, we know how to hold a baby. Sara had one. I had two.”

“Yeah, but this one is mine,” I say as she leans down to pick up Joanne, “and I’d rather she cut a few teeth first before we start actively screwing her up.”

“Oh, honey,” she teases. “With this village raising this child, there’s no way to avoid that.”

The baby fidgets in her unfamiliar arms but my mother’s experience shines through. Joanne settles quickly, her eyes opening wider to get a better look at her grandmother.

Sara gently shoves at me with her elbow. “She’s so beautiful.”

Tucker nods. “It’s the eyes.”

I glare at him again.

“I think it’s that wittle nose.” My mother pokes once at it.

“And that hair!” Sara adds. “So much hair.”

“What do you think, Jovie?” Mom glances around. “Where’s Jovie?”

I turn and scan the room, eyes locking on every face but hers. A quick chill prickles my spine.

“Jovie?”