It was touch and go for a while there, but Ash proved just how strong he is by recovering faster than any of us expected. And despite seeming like forever, I was finally taking my husband and new baby daughter home to meet her sister.

Sylvia was just weeks away from her first birthday when we carried Kaitlyn into Killian’s house for the first time. She wasn’t walking on her own yet, but the few days she spent with her cousin must have given her the courage to start walking along furniture because she seemed ten times faster than she had a few days earlier.

As soon as she saw Ash, she walked along the sofa and then took two steps toward us before dropping to her knees then crawling to Ash’s feet.

“My baby.” Ash immediately scooped her up and into his arms. “I missed you so much. You look like you’ve grown in the past week.”

Marcus tsked. “She eats more than Ez does. That kid is gonna be a linebacker if you let her.”

I smiled at that. Killian used to always say the same thing about me when I was a kid. And now that Sylvia had a mouthful of teeth, she really did enjoy eating. A lot.

“A girl after my own heart.” I pulled her out of Ash’s arms and gave her a tight snuggle. I missed her so damn much. “Are you ready to meet your baby sister?” I asked Sylvia while Ash lifted Kaitlyn out of her baby carrier.

“No.” Sylvia shook her head. “Me.”

“Yes, you’re our big girl. A big sister. And you have a baby sister named Kaitlyn.” I held Sylvia close to her sister so she could get a good look.

She turned her head away in disgust. “Me.”

Oh, this is going to be fun. “Yes, Sylvia.” I gave her a kiss on her cheek. “You are a big sister now.”

She slowly turned to look at Kaitlyn. She didn’t seem impressed, but I knew that would come in time. I’m sure Killian thought the same way about me when I first came home. And that reminded me of something I needed to tell Ash.

“Hey, babe. If you’re up for it on Saturday, Killian and Marcus are doing a little birthday party for Ez. He turns two next week.”

Ash started to nod then his face turned almost white. His eyes were wide as he looked at me. “What day is today?”

“The fifth, why?” I carried Sylvia to the sofa and sat down, expecting Ash to follow with the baby. When he didn’t, I started to get worried. “Ash, why? What’s going?”

“Sylvia’s birthday is in three days.” He shuffled to couch and sat beside me. “I can’t believe I almost forgot about it.”

I wrapped my arm around his shoulder and pulled him to my side. “You didn’t forget. You’ve just been distracted. But it’s fine. We can do something for her at family dinner. I’ll talk to Marcus and Mama and we’ll handle it.”

Ash just shook his head and closed his eyes. “I’m already failing to juggle two babies. That’s why people my age shouldn’t have kids.”

“Stop that!” I gave his shoulder a shake. “You’re an amazing father. Do you hear me?”

He just shrugged. “So we can still do some kind of party for Sylvia...with only three days’ notice?”

I kissed his temple. “Let me make a few calls.”

* * *

Ash had absolutely nothing to worry about. When I explained the situation to Marcus, he went into full-blown party planning mode. His little girl was only three months old yet he had the energy of three alphas. I expected a small cake and maybe a few balloons, but when we arrived at Killian’s place for the joint party for Sylvia and Ezekiel, I was blown away.

Apparently, Chloe heard there would be a gathering of people in need of pets, so she had a full petting zoo set up in the yard with animals ready for adoption. That little girl was on a mission and the fact that her dad was a local vet just gave her plenty of animals to work with. I wasn’t surprised to see cats, dogs, and a potbellied pig. But the goats were a new addition to her program to get all the local animals in need of adoption placed into forever homes.

Sylvia wanted to visit the animals, but we diverted her through the house to say hello to Mama. As expected, Mama immediately pulled her granddaughter into her arms and showered her with love and kisses. “My sweet girl is already a year old!”

“Me.” Sylvia wrapped her arms around Mama’s neck as if claiming her as her own. She still hadn’t completely warmed up to having to share her world with a new baby, but I wasn’t worried. It was actually a good reminder for me and Ash to give Sylvia equal one-on-one time. If she was slightly easier going, we might have focused too much on Kaitlyn and that wouldn’t have been fair to our sweet Sylvia.

“Yes, you’re Grandma’s first baby girl. My special girl who is having a birthday party today.” Mama pointed to the pink princess cake sitting on the kitchen counter. “That’s for you.”

“Me!” Sylvia started bouncing and pointing to the cake. “Me!”

“Not yet, sweetheart.” Ash took her from Mama’s arms. “Let’s see where your cousin is so we can wish him a happy birthday too.”

Ash disappeared to the backyard with Sylvia while Mama waited for me to take Kaitlyn from the carrier.

“She’s so beautiful, Coop. I’m so proud of you.” I gave my sleeping baby a kiss on the head then handed her to Mama.

“Thanks, but I didn’t do it alone.” I looked out the window to find Ash. He was surrounded by a group of friends holding gifts for Sylvia. “Thank god…”

She cuddled the small bundle in her arm then patted my cheek with her free hand. “You’re already a better husband and father than many in your position would be. Don’t ever forget how much you’re loved.”

“I know, Mama.” I wrapped my arm behind her back and gave her a half hug. “I won’t.”