“Do you want me to go with you?”

“No. But I do want you to keep on representing me in this. Just in case.”

“I’m here for you. As your friend and as your attorney. Keep me apprised, all right? And don’t do anything stupid.”

2

Adrian pulled his SUV into Brody and Elise’s driveway, grinning when he caught sight of a little girl, two white-blonde pigtails flying behind her as she ran across the yard chasing a six-foot-tall man.

Rennie’s head was canted back, her mouth open on a screaming giggle of, “I got you, Dad!”

Adrian moved up the walk to where his sister-in-law swayed back and forth with a bundled-up baby in her arms.

“Hey, Elise.” He kissed Elise’s cheek and peeked around to see Marti’s face. Her big green eyes blinked, owlish, until she recognized him and gave him a toothless grin.

“Since you’re here, she won’t care one bit about Momma until she gets hungry, so you may as well take her.”

Laughing, Adrian took his three-month-old niece into his arms, loving the weight and warmth of her as she snuggled into his chest. “Hey, punkin. You ready for a day at the zoo? I bet your sister is.”

He looked back out to where Marti’s big sister got caught up into her dad’s arms, laughing so hard she couldn’t talk. Further proof of just how magical Adrian’s brother’s life was.

“You were amazing last night. Best show ever.” Elise still swayed, even as Adrian held Marti, until she stopped herself with a laugh. “Sorry, I just do it so often it’s hard to stop. Probably keeps us both calm.” She winked.

“Thanks. It felt really good. I was glad to see you both there. I know it’s hard to get the time away.”

“Marti slept the entire time we were gone. She cried more when my mother left than when I did, I have no doubt. I was glad to be there to see you play.”

“You ready for a date with two of my three best girls?” Brody ambled over, Rennie still in his arms like a monkey.

“I lost a tooth, Uncle Adrian. I’m totally done now. All my teeth are adults.” Rennie grinned and showed him the space.

“Awesome. Was there blood?”

Elise groaned.

“Not a lot. I was wriggling it and wriggling it and then Dad just up and walked over, grabbed and pulled. Can you believe that?”

Adrian laughed and Martine, Marti for short, huffed her own laugh to mimic. “I can, baby doll. He did the exact same thing to me. I was in third grade.”

“He cried. You didn’t.” Brody smirked as he put Rennie on her feet. “Go get your coat and hat.”

Rennie tore off, Elise in her wake.

“Todd texted as he was leaving with Alexander. They should be here shortly and then we can head out.” Todd was their sister Erin’s husband—well, one of them—and Alexander was their son. Nearly a year old, he was walking, babbling, and generally ruling the roost.

Adrian’s SUV had enough car seats for all those who needed them. He liked the ability to come over and commandeer any of his nieces or his nephew at any time. Loved taking them to the park or the zoo. Loved the normal, sweet love he got in return. Better than screaming groupies any day of the week. Even if sometimes the interior smelled like spit-up and he found Goldfish crackers in the oddest places.

“Come on in. I need to get the diaper bag and stuff. I’ll use the carrier rather than deal with a stroller at the zoo.”

Adrian followed his brother into the house. Once bachelor digs, it was now a family home. Rennie’s art was up on the walls and on the fridge. Toys of all sorts lived in bins. Bicycles, helmets, Hula-Hoops, the house was filled with it all.

“The deal is,” Elise handed Brody the diaper bag, “let me feed her now and then you’ll have a bottle for the zoo too.”

At the sound of her mother’s voice, Marti waved her little arms and leaned toward Mom and those giant br**sts. Adrian didn’t blame the kid one bit.

The two settled in a quiet corner, Elise rocking and nursing as she managed to also tell Rennie the location of her hat.

Brody leaned over, kissed the top of Marti’s head and then his wife’s forehead. “Such a multitasker.”

The noise outside drew Adrian out to greet Todd and Alexander.

“Yo! Yo!” Alexander waved at his uncle.

“Yo, kid, how’s things?” Adrian picked up his nephew and got a hug in return.

They went in to grab everyone else and headed just a bit down the road to Woodland Park Zoo. Rennie had requested a trip to see the elephants and get pizza afterward at Zeeks.

As Saturdays went, Adrian thought that was as fine a day as it ever got.

Brody watched Rennie, her hand in Todd’s as he stood with Alexander and looked at the penguins swimming around. “She’s getting so big. She paints her toenails, Adrian. What the f**k?”

“A house full of girls.” Adrian snorted. “Every man’s dream.”

“Damn straight.” Brody looked to his oldest and waved. “Never could have imagined I’d love being woken up every few hours just to see this sweet face.” He bent and kissed Marti’s head. She grabbed his beard and pulled so he’d give her the theatrical ouch she wanted so badly. “But holy shit, it’s hard. I want to do it right.”

“You’ve done it once, no, twice before with me and Erin. We turned out pretty good. You and Elise are great with Rennie and Marti. You were meant to be a father.”