It was four in the fucking morning. Wanna know how I knew that? Because it's been exactly one hour since the last time the baby, who still hasn't been given a name, woke us up with her cries.

"Get up," I groaned into my pillow. "It's your turn."

Nothing but snores answered me from the other side of the bed. So, I reached out and slugged my brother on the arm.

"Jackson! It's your turn!"

"Huh?"

"Baby. Awake. Your turn."

Jackson rolled over in the bed and shoved a hand at me. "It's not my turn. I was just up with her and fed her. It's your turn."

"No, it isn't."

"Yes, it is."

Harper's voice sounded from the doorway. "Actually, it's my turn."

"Princess? Did we wake you? I can get her."

I snorted into my pillow. "Now you wanna get up? You are so whipped."

"Fuck off!"

"Language!"
"Language!"

"Sorry," Jackson muttered before sitting up on the side of the bed. "Looks like we're all up. I'll put the coffee on."

Harper walked over to the baby. "I got the little one."

I rubbed my hands over my face repeatedly before yawning. "I'll go get Danielle."

The four of us have settled into some kind of routine over the past several days. Since Danielle refused to let Jackson leave, he and Harper kind of, sort of moved in. Aunt Gwen was thrilled to have their place to herself. Most likely to spend time with Noah. I shivered at the reminder.

Pushing all thoughts of my aunt's boyfriend aside, I finally forced myself out of the bed and headed to the kitchen. Thanks to mine and Danielle's new roommates, we seemed to be managing this whole parent thing a little better. We took turns getting up with the baby. Although, it seemed my daughter's favorite person was her Uncle Jackson. So, unfortunately for him, he was the go-to when she wouldn't go back to sleep.

But he didn't seem to mind. Neither did Harper. They adored the baby as much as Danielle and I did. I was surprised that Danielle asked the two of them to stay here since she was so insistent about us doing it on our own. But I was glad she asked for the help. We needed it.

I was just about to walk into the guest bedroom where Danielle had fallen asleep watching a movie with Harper when I heard her voice come from the kitchen. Knowing how tired the both of them had been lately, Vegas money says they didn't get past the opening credits before they fell asleep.

"Decaf or regular?"

Leaning against the counter I answered, "Decaf, I think."

Danielle made two pots of coffee before pouring some into four mugs. She added the appropriate amount of cream and sugar that everyone liked and gave each one a stir. Then one by one she handed a mug to me, Jackson, and Harper. And grabbed one for herself.

"Why does coffee always taste so good?" Harper sighed as she sipped it, holding the baby in the cradle of her left arm. "It just warms you right up, doesn't it?"

"Agreed," Jackson mumbled over the rim of his mug. He was perched on the arm of the couch next to his wife. "How's she doing?"

"Still fussy. She had a full diaper. I changed her, but she still hasn't settled."

Dani was on top of it, of course. She had a new bottle ready and made. "Try this. She's been getting hungry late at night. Takes after her daddy."

"Hey!" I exclaimed, even though I was literally digging in the fridge, looking for something to eat. "That's so not true."

Jackson's deep chuckle echoed through the living room. "Then why do you have two Hostess cakes, half of a BLT, and Harper's left-over spaghetti in your hand right now?"

"Hey," Harper whined. "That was mine!"

I stared at the tinfoil-wrapped plate. We ordered it from a local Italian place last night because we were low on groceries. It was an extremely delicious Italian place down the street. Harper only ate half of the spaghetti she ordered and wrapped the rest of it up.

Shit. I really, really wanted to eat it. Closing the fridge, I unwrapped the pasta and cast an apologetic glance to Harper. "I'll replace it. I'm starving."

"You're always starving," Jackson teased. "I'm surprised you've managed to stay in shape all these years with the amount of food you eat."

When the baby refused to eat and started fussing again, Harper passed her to Dani.

"I managed to stay in shape, little brother, because I have a very fast metabolism. And I work out. Regularly."

"Not lately."

Still not settling down, Dani handed the baby to me so I could try to feed her. "You're right," I said to Jackson. "For obvious reasons I haven't been to the gym. But I plan on getting back ASAP."

Jackson rubbed at his beard. "Maybe I'll start going with you."

That got Harper's attention. "Really? That's kinda hot."

"Ew. Harper, please don't hit on my brother in front of me. Not something I want to see."

"Says the guy who macks on his wife in front of everyone," Jackson shot back.

"True. Damn, the baby isn't eating," I said in an annoyed tone.

Every single person looked at Jackson. I walked over to him and held out the bottle and my daughter.

"It's your turn. Work your magic, brother."

***

"I still can't believe I'm a grandmother."

The smile in my mother's tone matched the one on her face, and it made me happy.

"Me either. I'm glad you came by mom."

When we first got home from the hospital, she was coming by every day to see the baby. But it's been a few days since the last time she was here

"No need to thank me." She had the baby in her lap while feeding her a bottle. "You know how much I love coming to see you and this little one. Where's Danielle?"

"She and Harper went to get groceries to stock the fridge. They should be back in about an hour or so if they don't get distracted and stop at Starbucks on the way back."

Danielle wasn't comfortable drinking caffeine since she was still breast feeding, even if it was just a little. But that didn't stop her from getting the decaf coffee from Starbucks when she could.

My mother looked around the apartment curiously, and her eyes stopped at the closed door to my guest room.

"He's asleep."

She looked back at me. "I wasn't wondering anything."

Even though my mom has tried to make an effort lately with Jackson, I still didn't miss the way she looked at him most of the time. Not only did it upset Jackson, even though he would never admit it, but it upset me too.

"Mom, whatever dad did—"

"Are you taking his side?"

I wasn't surprised by her angry tone. She didn't like when I brought up my dad. Or his history with Everly.

"No, mom. I'm taking Jackson's side. He's my half-brother and your stepson. And nothing dad and Everly did is Jackson's fault. It's not his fault he was born."

With a heavy sigh I added, "Jackson is a part of my life, mom. A big part. For crying out loud, he's the only one who can get the baby to sleep. And contrary to what you might think, he doesn't hate you. He's just always felt like you wanted nothing to do with him."

The timing of the baby finishing her bottle couldn't have been more perfect. My mom sat the bottle on the coffee table before laying the baby onto her shoulder to burp her. I had to admit, the one person the baby hasn't spit up on yet was my mom.

This time when my mom looked at me, she actually appeared remorseful. "I know what your saying is true, Ryan. I know that. Its just...he looks so much like Every. Its hard to not think about what happened whenever I see him."

I shook my head slowly. "Not his fault, mom."

As if on cue, the baby started crying. Seconds later the door to the guest room flew open, a groggy Jackson stumbling out of the doorway.

Jesus. He looked like shit. To be honest, I didn't need to look in a mirror right now to know that I looked like crap, too.

"I'm here," he mumbled. "I'm here. Where is she?"

Once he was aware enough to focus his eyes on his surroundings, he noticed my mom sitting on the couch with a crying baby in her arms.

"Oh. Uh, hi. Sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I woke up when I heard her crying and I just—"

"It's okay, Jackson." My mon rose from the couch and handed my daughter to my brother. "I think she wants you. She just ate and I changed her diaper earlier."

Mom glanced to me briefly before meeting Jackson's gaze. I think that was the first time she ever looked him directly in the eye. "Thank you, Jackson, being such a great brother to Ryan and an amazing uncle to this beautiful girl. I'm sorry that I've been lacking in my role as your stepmom."

Awkward clearing of her throat before she added, "I'm sorry you lost your mom. And as you know, Ryan's grandparents aren't alive, so I know how hard it is to lose a parent. I just want to say...I would love to mend our relationship. If you want to, of course."

Jackson didn't do anything but stare at my mother. The expression on his face was one I would never forget. Complete surprise. The poor guy probably thought he was dreaming or something.

Suddenly my mother smiled warmly and gestured to the baby. "Ryan was right. You are her favorite person. You've already managed to get her to go to sleep."

My mom picked up her purse and made her way towards my front door. "I'll see you tomorrow, Ryan, when I come by to see the baby. And Jackson, I hope to see you tomorrow as well."

Then she left.

Jackson and I looked at each other, both of us not knowing what to say just then. I've been hoping for so long that my mom would come around and build a relationship with Jackson, but I never actually thought she would do it.

"What just happened?" he asked me roughly.

"I have no fucking idea."

"Language!"

Oops. Danielle was home.

***

Hey guys. I hope you enjoyed this chapter it was very fun to write. I'm definitely getting more writing time in and will be publishing way more regularly thank you so much for all the comments and votes!

Xoxo

🖤