Page 87 of Ho Ho Oh No

Leo reaches his hand out. I take it tentatively, my gaze bouncing from him to the scene unfolding behind him. Madeline’s taken Laci back while Sammy adjusts the pillows, getting herself positioned properly like the lactation coach showed her earlier.

“Leo, you don’t have to leave,” Sammy says. “I’ll be feeding them around you eventually. Might as well rip the bandage.”

“Just don’t stare,” Sawyer adds. “That’d be creepy.”

Leo holds up his hands. “Gross, dude. She’s my sister. It’s a bit uncomfortable for me. I don’t even want to be reminded Sammy has...” He holds his rounded hands over his chest.

“They’re called boobs, bro. And that’s dumb,” Sammy answers, her hands reaching out for her daughter.

“Just give him something else to focus on so he doesn’t think about the ick factor,” Madeline suggests. “In fact, I think Leo and Sue should hold our little darling boy while Sawyer helps me get our feisty Laci latched on. He needs to practice as well.”

A half hour ago, I would have been terrified of this idea. Now? I’m ready.

It’s unreal how quickly witnessing this entire event has encouraged me.

I yank Leo by his wrist. “Let’s do it.”

“Uh.” He tips his head back and forth. “Okay. I’ll stay.” He joins me on the bench, our thighs touching.

Sawyer saunters over toward us, cooing at his son with each step. “Daddy’s gonna give you to your Aunt Sue and Uncle Leo now. Don’t worry. His beard won’t hurt you. I’m gonna help sissy have a little snack. Ladies first. Mommy’s gonna feed you next. I’ll be right back. You’re in good hands.”

A lump forms in my throat as I witness the tender affection he has for his son. Only a dad for such a short time, and he’s already head over heels in love with him.

He plants his feet in front of me, his eyes swinging from Leo’s to mine. “Who wants to hold the world’s most amazing baby boy?”

Leo and I trade looks. His forehead lowers as if he’s deferring to me.

I better do this before I lose my nerve.

Deep breath.

I flop my arms out flat in front of me like a table. “I’ll take him.”

Leo rubs his palm over my upper back, silently conveying his approval. Then he leans in and kisses my cheek.I melt a little.

As Sawyer begins lowering the baby into my arms, my heart stomps so violently that I start to wonder if a chorus line of Irish step dancers have camped out in there. It’s like theRiverdanceshow my mother played when I was young. I always loved the precision of the dancers’ movements, and the tapping was so rhythmic. After a while, it became my comfort show. I’d yank on the bottom of my mother’s shirt and stomp my feet, wordlessly telling her I wanted to watch it.

With a deep inhale, I steady myself and fix my attention on the newborn settling in the cradle of my arms.

He’s bundled up in the pastel blue blanket so tightly it’s more like holding a loaf of bread than a baby. Poor thing can’t move. He’s just crammed in there with only his little head exposed.

And I’m doing this.

I’m holding a baby. My nephew.

My chest trembles as oxygen fills my lungs in craggy streams.Warm, fuzzy emotions flood through me. Unlike normal, I don’t feel compelled to sort through or curtail them. Instead, I eagerly let them come, reveling in how they wash over me like gentle waves.

If I can feel this much instant affection for my nephew by marriage, then I can only imagine how I’ll feel for my own child.

Madeline was right. There’s something magical happening here.

Sawyer hasn’t departed my space bubble yet, so I force myself to take my eyes off this little bundle of adorable sweetness to pin him with a playful glare. “Buzz off. We got this.”

The lines on his forehead deepen and multiply.“You sure you’re good?”

Recreating a move I’ve seen from Kri a dozen times, I intensify the speed and force of my blinks, hoping he feels as threatened as I intend.“Listen, I may have only held this childfor a few seconds, but I would maim, murder, and go to war for him. Now, beat it. You’re ruining my high.”

Leo’s rich chuckle is a shot of pride through my veins. I love when he laughs like that. Somehow, he conveys how I’ve surprised him in the best way with a few shakes of his massive chest and deep vibrato.