Braxton

From her cinnamon colored skin to those long locks of thick hair to her cute little nose. I couldn’t have asked for a better mix of us. I lost my shit the day we found out we were having a girl, but the day she was born and they placed her in my arms, I knew.

Just like I would do all over again for her mother, I’d set fire to a motherfucker for fucking with my baby girl. I don’t play that shit. There’s protective and then there’s me.

I love my nephews and hope we have a boy next time, but Riley and our little Rowen are my world. They have me wrapped around their little fingers and know it. I’m still trying to figure out how two kids under two run my life.

I reach down to brush a hand over Riley’s curls. She gives me that heart melting smile that shows off all of her tiny teeth. I don’t trust it. She’s up to some shit. I narrow my eyes at her, but she just turns up that smile and looks up at me through those lashes. This one is going to give me trouble. I shake my head at her.

“What are you up to?”

“Uncle Wy,” she points at her favorite Uncle. “Let’s go get cookies, Daddy.”

She bats those lashes and I still don’t trust her. I look around to find her partners in crime. Brody is preoccupied with chasing balloons. Connor is crying in Bean’s lap.

That little diva Jordan is sitting on her mother’s lap, like an innocence little princess. That little cop isn’t innocent at all. Yup, I call bullshit. I’m keeping an eye on her and Riley. The shit these kids get into. They make me and Heather look like amateurs.

I’m still trying to figure out why the new puppy at Felix’s place is afraid of both Riley and Jordan. Everyone thinks we need to keep an eye on my nephews. Yeah, their little asses are bad, but Riley and Jordan, I have my eye on them, little monsters.

“Remind me why I asked my wife for another baby,” Wyatt frowns, as he walks over with Evan squirming his in arms.

Evan’s face is covered in chocolate. I cover my mouth, but can’t stop the laughter. Wyatt flips me the bird. I hear a little gasp and look down.

Jordan is now beside Riley, glaring at Wyatt. “Uncle Wy, that’s not nice,” Jordan chides.

I have to hold my stomach, as I burst with laughter. Where the hell did she come from? I can’t with this kid. I wipe at the tears in the corners of my eyes.

“Oh, no you don’t,” I reach for Riley, as she tries to speed off with Jordan.

I knew it. Little monsters, I tell you. Jordan looks back, giving me a look of impatience. Nobody is going to blame me for my kid ruining this baby shower. Nope, not happening.

“Those two get into some shit together,” Wyatt chuckles.

“See, it’s not just me,” I grumble. “Mom tries to make it like they’re so innocent and I’m overreacting.”

“Nope, caught those two trying to flush Felix’s puppy down the toilet,” Wyatt shakes his head.

I groan. “That’s why he’s so fucking scare of them.”

Wyatt tries to hold in his laugh, as he nods.

“Riley, were going to have a talk,” I say down to my daughter.

She gives me a pout, then lifts her arms for me to pick her up. Yup, because I don’t know how to say no to her, I pick her little ass up.

“Mom has to teach me her ways,” I mumble.

“I don’t know. I don’t think we were as bad as these little terrors. Evan got mad because Nellie told him he couldn’t have ice cream. He tossed his entire little table,” Wyatt frowns down at his son.

I roar with laughter. “Dude, I did that before. Mom whipped my ass,” I remind him.

Wyatt laughs. “I remember that. She had you scrubbing floors, after she beat the shit out of you. Dude, how old were you?” Wyatt chuckles.

“Like five or something,” I shrug.

“Why’d you do it?”

“I wanted to go play with Heather,” I mumble and look away.

“I should’ve known,” Wyatt laughs.

“What’s so funny?” Heather asks, as she walks over with Rowen strapped to her chest.

“Remember that time he flipped his little Scooby-Doo table?” Wyatt chuckles out.

“Yeah, I didn’t know Cass could move that fast before that,” Heather throws her head back laughing. “Babe, she really beat your ass that day.”

“Whatever, that shit wasn’t that funny,” I mumble, kissing Riley’s temple, as she tucks into my neck.

“Bad word, Uncle Brac-Brac,” Jordan’s voice hisses.

I look down to see she’s back, with her little chubby cheeks. Her eyes are narrowed on me, her little hands on her hips. I roll my eyes and look around.

“Where the heck is your father?” I grunt.

“He making poop,” Jordan informs us and we all burst into laughter.

“Nothing is safe with her,” Wyatt hollers. “That kids not coming to my house anymore. She’ll rat you out on a dime.”

“Aww, leave her alone,” Heather pouts. “Come on, girls let’s get some ice cream.”

I see the lights go off in Jordan and Riley’s eyes. Putting Riley on her feet, I shake my head, pulling my wife to me. I kiss the top of our sleeping daughter’s head, before I peck Heather’s lips.

“Just remember, I warned you. Those two are trouble,” I say against her lips.

“I got this. Riley is only just like her father. I’ll have her straight by her teen years,” Heather boasts.

“Yeah, right,” I twist my lips.

“Love you,” Heather whispers, before turning to take a little hand in each of hers.

I watch as my wife walks away with the two tiny terrors. They both look back at the same time and I swear they give me evil little smirks. I shake my head and run a hand through my hair. Yeah, I want a son.

“I’m proud of you,” Wyatt’s words pull my attention.

“Huh?”

“I don’t know if I ever told you how proud of you, I am. You guys deserve to be happy. I’m glad you were there for her,” Wyatt says, his eyes distant. When they come back into focus, he pats me on the shoulder.

“Thanks. That means a lot,” I nod.

“Oh, shit,” Wyatt curses, looking down at Evan in his arms.

The same Evan that just puked all over him. Wyatt rushes off muttering to himself, while holding Evan out in front of him. I look around at my family. Everything has changed, but it looks good on us.