Chapter Six

“A re you crazy? Married?” The hard rip of the box emphasized how well his brother, Nate, took the news.

Despite Nate’s outburst, Reynolds smirked as they moved several boxes of nursery items into the recently cleared room. “Easy. We went in, filled out the paperwork, said a few of our own vows to each other, went back to the county clerk. She asked us some questions and gave us our marriage license.”

“I love this state for the nature, but legalities? That’s something else. Where is the hardware in this stupid box?” Nate stomped around the room that shared a bathroom with Reynolds and across from where Susan slept. Last night.

Alone.

Knowing she slept under his roof, probably not wearing much, had Reynolds tossing and turning. When he finally took matters into his own hand and decompressed, sleep found him.

The first morning light sent him out the door on a long, much-needed run. Upon his return, the house smelled of coffee and vanilla. He found her in his kitchen, making pancakes as Odin, the old cat, happily ate canned tuna out of his bowl.

When Susan smiled at him, Reynolds let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

None of this should feel normal like this had been their routine forever, but it did.

And it terrified him that it could all end any moment.

“You in there, brother?”

The rip of another box pulled Reynolds out of his worry and back to the present. “Yeah. Where were we?”

Until yesterday afternoon, Nate’s former room was used for storage of assorted items and keepsakes. Susan and Reynolds spent most of their wedding night clearing the space and moving things upstairs to the loft.

“Who knew getting married here could be simpler than Vegas? Did you know Montana is the only double proxy marriage state in the US?” Reynolds pushed a dresser-changing-table combo he and Susan put together this morning against the far wall. On top of it, he placed his toolbox and a leveler.

“Why do you even know that?” Nate tore off the flap of the crib’s box, causing the main contents to collapse against the hardwood.

“The county clerk told us yesterday. Careful, Nate. I don’t want to lose any pieces.”

His brother angrily snatched up the instructions. “A crib. Double proxy? Do you even hear yourself right now?”

“Yes, and I hear you , too.”

Stepping closer, Nate lowered his voice. “You told me you’d never get married again.”

The truth bomb hit without warning, but he should have expected it from his glass-half-empty brother. “I did, but this is different. Susan is different.”

No truer words had been spoken, but Nate rolled his eyes. “Yeah, okay. And what if this adoption doesn’t stick? Are you going to stay married?”

Reynolds pinched his lips together because he honestly didn’t know. Would they? Or would she leave to be with someone who could give her a biological baby?

Dammit. Why does he have to make sense? “I don’t know.”

“Maybe you should ask her.”

“Probably, but not today.” As gentle footsteps approached, Reynolds waved off Nate and eyeballed the spot where the crib should fit, next to the dresser. Away from the window, but closer to the door.

That way they’d hear the child when she needed them.

Them. Child. Our child. The impact of the last twenty-four hours’ events suddenly gelled, and for a moment, Reynolds convinced himself he dreamed all of it.

The dream where, despite all the shit that happened in his life, love found him, he married the woman of his dreams, and they had a sweet little family.

The scent of her strawberry shampoo hit his nose, verifying his reality. “Going okay? My siblings are on the way.”

Before Reynolds answered, Nate scoffed. “Sure. It’s great, Susan. My brother went off and married some women he never met.”

“In person.” She smiled like a woman who had no regrets.

“Yeah, yeah. They might bring a baby home in a few days. And now I’ve got in-laws. Again. Ever have something like that happen to you, Susan?”

“Sort of. My brother Peter and his kids Zoomed me right before Christmas last year.” She winked at Reynolds, and he silently said thanks that his hoodie covered the front of his jeans.

“How is that like this situation?”

“Peter didn’t know he had any kids.”

The oldest Davidson discovering he was a dad of twins, a boy, and a girl, certainly caught their family by surprise last Christmas, but she said it so nonchalantly that Nate stared at her without blinking for a few beats.

“I remember that. I guess it fits. Do they include a screwdriver to fit this shit?” With a hard yank, Nate ripped the bag of hardware in half, sending pieces clanging all over the hardwood floor.

Before he could pick up any of the items, a flash of orange shot across the room, slapping some of the bolts rebounding off the wall.

“Knock it off, Odin.” Reynolds’s attempts to shoo the cat out of the room earned him an indifferent glare and screw you tail flip.

“I can’t believe he’s still alive. He’s got to be close to twenty.” Nate crawled around, searching for the runaway pieces.

“He was your grandparents’ cat, then?” Immediately, Susan collected a few small items that Odin batted away, but when she came close to him, he stretched his neck for her to scratch.

Amazing how quickly she brought peace to any space she occupied. And she’s my wife. Platonically speaking. “The back door was open one summer and while Mormor worked in the kitchen, the cat walked in and never left.”

“ Mormor? ”

“Swedish for paternal grandmother. Farmor is for grandfather.”

“Understood. How did he lose his eye? There’s one by your foot, Reynolds.”

“Squirrel got the better of him one day.”

“After the stitches came out, he got the better of the squirrel.” Nate snatched the bolt before Reynolds could.

Immediately, the cat jumped up on the dresser and flicked his tail like, Yeah, I did.

With a quick scan of the room, Reynolds nodded. “I think we got them all.”

“We’ll find out soon enough,” Nate grumbled as he set up his work area exactly how he wanted it.

Typical surgeon.

Susan handed over some hardware. “Here’s the rachet you need. It’s included. Need help? I’m pretty good with—”

“I got it! I don’t need… but thanks.” Even when his brother attempted civility, he always came across like an asshole.

Without a hint of frustration, she put her elegant hands up in surrender and backed away. “I’ll go do something else, then.”

The doorbell rang and immediately, Susan offered to get it, and Odin followed like they were besties.

The moment she was out of earshot, Reynolds snapped, “What the hell, Nate?”

“What the hell to you, Rey! I’ve been up all night delivering babies and you called me two hours ago. You almost got shot. Then got hitched. Had a kid.”

Loud, happy voices of the reunited Davidson siblings filled their awkward tension.

To an outsider, the entire story must sound like an insanely written rom-com, but to Reynolds it felt as natural as breathing. That’s because of Susan. “You know how long I’ve waited for the chance to adopt? To become a dad?”

Nate’s lips thinned as his thick dark hair sat in disarray. A sure indicator he didn’t even bother to brush it before running over from next door. “I do. That’s why I’m here. Why I’m helping, but I’m worried you’re jumping into something because it’s easy.”

Not once had Nate questioned Reynolds’s adoption plans, but that didn’t mean he’d get a free pass. “Easy? I’ve been waiting three years for a chance like this. Been passed over multiple times because some bureaucratic asshole decided something must be grossly wrong with me to want to adopt and be a single man.”

“Shit. I didn’t know all that. That sucks.”

“I appreciate your concern, and I know this is way out of my normal, but trust me. Please. Nothing about this has been easy.”

As happy as he was that Susan agreed to this parenthood plan so far, angst knotted in his chest at the thought of her changing her mind like their mother did when the kids became actual work and lost their cute factors.

For the love of everything, please don’t change your mind.

Nate rested his hand on Reynolds’s shoulder. “Look, I love you, but fuck, all this is a lot before noon. And I worry about you. That you’re too focused on the parenting part and not thinking enough about the marriage part.”

“I learned my lesson last time.” At least, I hope I did.

“Good. And at least have breakfast next time you spring something like this on me.”

Even as kids, Nate’s demeanor always improved with the promise of good food. “Fair enough, brother. I think we still have pancakes.”

“She made you pancakes? Shit. If this doesn’t work out for you, I might ask her out.”

“Don’t even think about it.” They bro-hugged it out as multiple footsteps approached.

“Just be careful.”

Susan entered with her three siblings in tow. “This will be her room. We’ll put those shelves there. The bathroom connects to Reynolds’s room.”

Reynolds gave them a nod. “This used to be Nate’s room.”

Before it was his, it was Audrey’s.

With a flick of her wrist, Susan opened her bedroom door. “I’m in here.”

“Across the hall. By yourself,” Peter grunted.

Lucy’s, Peter’s, and Edmund Davidson’s faces swam with questions as Nate cursed, “Some assembly required my ass.”

Reynolds expected no less from her siblings. He worked with each of them for well over a year, but as the three physicians listened to Susan about the plans for the nursery, it hit him.

She was the only one without MD after her name.

Why didn’t she go to medical school?

Not that her midwife career path deserved any less respect. She was a damned good nurse and fierce patient advocate as he personally witnessed yesterday.

No doubt, she possessed the discipline, intellect, and personality to survive and succeed at physician’s training. Yet, until she stood with her brothers and sister, the question never even crossed his mind.

But now, his curiosity was piqued by all the questions bounding around his cranium. Had she been held to a different set of rules?

What’s your whole story, Susan Davidson?

As his now in-laws set him in their sights, Reynolds swallowed back his queries. “I appreciate all of you for coming. I’m sure this is all very confusing to you.”

“You think?” Peter, the oldest of the four, unzipped his coat with a hard yank. He still wore his scrubs from last night’s shift that ended this morning and a scowl that said he hadn’t slept yet.

Lucy, the youngest of the four and the first to come to Marietta wore an oversized dark blue coat with a Disney T-shirt, mismatched sweats, and boots. She stabbed her hips with her fists. “Before you begin to explain all this , Susan, why are you here?”

Susan’s brilliant smile faltered. “What do you mean? I accepted a job—”

Lucy stepped back, and her signature red ponytail bobbled loosely on her head as if she’d thrown her hair up in a hurry. “No. You told us you’d be here on Friday. It’s Tuesday. Did something happen? I mean, something happened for you to deviate from your preplanned schedule. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be here at Reynolds’s place.”

Did she snark when she said preplanned ? Was Susan not allowed the freedom of change? Aren’t they happy she’s here?

Questions continued accumulating as did his underlying annoyance until a smiling Edmund put down his travel mug and hugged Susan. “Don’t listen to her. I was supposed to be here on a Friday and arrived on Tuesday.”

“That’s true. You did.” Lucy sucked on her bottom lip. “Rescued a dog on your way in, if I recall.”

“Then Susan ups the ante and rescues a baby. Figures.”

His bride’s cheeks flushed. “I just know how to make a better entrance.”

“You sure do, sis.” Peter typed something on his phone before tucking it back in his pocket.

“You’re here early. Now, why are you at Reynolds’s place?”

Susan started with a strained laugh. “Funny story.”

“How do you two even know each other? How long has this been going on?” With each question, Lucy’s words sharpened, a hard change from her normally smooth demeanor.

“Breathe, Luce. Breathe.” Susan placed her hands on her younger sister’s shoulders. “This is all easily explained.”

“Need help?” Edmund, the third in age of the siblings, casually took a long pull from his Miami Heat travel mug, but Reynolds knew him well enough. Despite his laid-back exterior, the tallest of the group absorbed every tiny detail around him.

Thankfully, Nate stopped cursing at the crib long enough to accept the offer.

While the two brothers silently worked, Susan smoothly interlaced her fingers with Reynolds. Her touch sent shock waves through him. Keeping this a platonic co-parenting situation is going to be hard as hell.

As anxious as he was for him and Susan to have a proper wedding night, he had to admit that Nate was right. He had to put as much effort into being a husband as he would a father. Jumping into a physical relationship with his wife too early would only muddy thoughts and wound hearts.

Still, it was a strangely comforting transition from long-term conversationalists to an in-person couple. A married couple no less. It still hadn’t quite processed, but his heart told him to quit second-guessing his good fortune. At least for the moment.

She took a deep breath before beginning. “I’m sure you’re wondering what we’re doing—”

“We weren’t aware you two were a we .” The youngest locked her arms across her chest. “Something you need to tell us?”

Tilting her chin up an inch, Susan answered with the same intensity. “Need to? No. Want to? Sure. I’m glad to share.”

The honest response only made him like Susan more. My God, she’s amazing.

“It happened organically.”

Her sister’s eyes narrowed. “How? Last year, you still lived in Jupiter. Then you suddenly sell your house and take a nursing assignment to Albuquerque? Now you’re here? You’ve never even met Reynolds. Had you? Oh God, please don’t tell me you met through some lame dating app or weird cult website.”

“Not sure if I should be offended or amused,” Reynolds joked, but only Edmund chuckled.

“And what if we did? Why should that worry you?” The lighthearted song to Susan’s voice lowered.

“Cults have crappy snacks at meetings, so you’ll never catch Reynolds there,” Nate interjected without slowing his attempts to put that stupid crib together.

Edmund snorted. “I mean, raisins in the potato salad? Who does that?”

Although the two brothers found temporary amusement, Peter leaned against the doorframe with the same angry body language as the youngest Davidson.

Their normally friendly personalities were now gone. Something he never directly experienced. That sent Reynolds’s blood pressure climbing. This is not the way I thought this would go.

Squaring her shoulders, Susan replied, “Lucy, remember when you introduced me to everyone on the staff on FaceTime?”

Lucy’s eyes widened. “That was over a year ago, Susan! You’re telling me you’ve been seeing each other all this time?”

“Not in the traditional way, no.”

“In what way, then, Susan?”

As Susan explained how she and Reynolds started their long-distance friendship shifting to in-person friends and then spouses, her siblings’ body language morphed from slack-jawed shock to clenched jaws hard enough to break their own tooth enamel.

“Why didn’t you tell us about all this?” The quiet fury in Peter’s eyes told Reynolds he had about five seconds to keep his new brother-in-law from losing his shit.

Susan waved her doubters off. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I didn’t need your approval to talk to or see anyone.”

“I’m not asking for a detailed itinerary, Susan, but damn. We work with him.”

“I’m your sister. And you work with each other’s partners. Why am I held to a different set of rules? Again.”

“You’re not, Suze. It’s… you’ve been engaged before. And—You always break it off. Eventually.” Peter opened his mouth to continue but shut it as though he knew he’d gone too far.

“Are you done casting judgment?”

The corner of Lucy’s mouth twitched. “Calling us out. Good to see some things never change.”

As much as he appreciated the balanced discussion, Peter’s words bothered him. You always break it off. Eventually.

When Susan’s expression didn’t change, it only added more questions to his list.

“She hasn’t even gotten to the crazy part yet.” Nate pointed to a piece behind Edmund, who handed it over.

“None of this is the crazy part? I think you put that on upside down, Nate.” Lucy motioned as Peter popped back a mint he produced from his coat pocket and chewed like someone with murder on his mind.

“Hell no. Susan almost got herself shot and my hero brother here took the guy out with a can of pork and beans. Shit, it is upside down.”

All three Davidson siblings stilled for several beats until Edmund jumped to his feet. “What. The. Fuck, Susan!”

“Thank you for the summation, Nate.” To the average person, Susan remained unfazed by her brother’s concern, but the rapid tap of her thumb on the back of his hand said otherwise.

Again, his brother’s attempt to positively add to the conversation crashed and burned. If Susan walked away at this moment, Reynolds wouldn’t blame her one damn bit.

“A gunman?” A gasp from his boss.

Peter rubbed his jaw and momentarily turned his back to the room. “We almost lost you before you even got here, Suze?”

Susan’s lovely lips thinned. “I guess it could have ended up that way.”

In a protective gesture, Reynolds slid his arm around her waist. It shocked him how much he already liked having her so close. “But it didn’t.”

“No. It didn’t.”

Edmund’s forehead furrowed. “Pork and beans? Now I gotta know the entire story.”

Over the next few minutes, Reynolds and Susan rapid-fire explained the events that brought them to this moment in time. In retrospect, the ease at which they each wove their experiences into their evenly balanced explanations should have been a huge green flag to their compatibility.

But at the time, Reynolds only processed his appreciation that she stayed with him this far. “And right as the cops took that piece of shit out, Bernie announced she wanted us to adopt her baby. She already texted Lori about it.”

“Who’s Lori again?” Lucy stocked the changing table with a few supplies, her anger sliding to cautious acceptance.

“The social worker who’s been helping… us.” As confident as she’d been, it didn’t go unnoticed to Reynolds that Susan stumbled over that last word.

He tried not to focus on it, but to be fair, if she didn’t have second thoughts, he’d worry. Of course, this entire situation could collapse with a phone call. “Lori’s been a friend of ours for years.”

“She’s great at what she does.” Nate gave his brother a sideways glance. “Don’t tell her I said that, or I’ll never hear the end of it.”

By now, Peter grabbed the leveler and a pencil. “That’s the most insane situation I’ve ever heard. Is this where you want the shelves, sis?”

A general round of agreement filled the room before awkward silence chilled the space faster than the blustering arctic winds outside the window.

“You really took him out with one can?” Lucy handed Peter the screw anchors.

“I did.” Before yesterday, it had been a hot minute since Reynolds threw anything remotely resembling a baseball.

“He played shortstop in high school, but he also subbed for the pitcher when the guy had his community service requirements.” Nate stacked the flattened boxes in the hallway.

“Well, that settles it.”

“Settles what, Lucy?” Susan organized the books alphabetically while Peter secured the first shelf.

“I need you on our softball team. We play the ICU for the July Fourth charity game. You’ll play?” Although it came out as a question, his new sister-in-law’s words sounded more like a statement.

A common thread. Reynolds nodded. “I’ll be there.”

They all worked a bit more as Peter installed the additional shelves and the rest organized and straightened up.

“Did you want to save a box for the cat?” Lucy asked.

“What cat?” Edmund glanced over his shoulder. “That’s a cat?”

In the doorway, Odin sat, shoulders squared, his one eye narrowed as if to say, Who the hell are you people? and Of course I want a box!

“That is the oldest cat I’ve ever seen. Does he have one eye?” Lucy placed a large diaper box on its side just inside the room and immediately Odin took possession.

“Yep.” Nate slid the front of the crib up and down, clicking it into place and verifying it worked.

The anger emanating from the Davidson siblings now waned as everyone worked for a common cause.

A baby that could be part of their family.

And finally, Nate quit cursing the crib manufacturer.

Once the bed found its place against the wall and the basics were unpacked, Susan broke the quiet. “Thank you for your help and understanding.”

“It’s a pretty vanilla room, Susan. You sure you don’t have more for us to do?” Lucy opened and closed drawers, most of which were empty.

“To be honest, Lucy, we’re waiting to order more stuff after the bio mom signs the papers. Don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves.” The sad truth, a split-second decision or one upsetting phone call could end this journey, but Reynolds didn’t want to think about it. He also didn’t want to jinx it.

“Right. Of course. Positive thoughts.”

Susan hugged her sister before pointing toward the door. “Now, if you’ll follow us to the kitchen, we’ll explain the rest of this. I made pancakes and bacon.”

“Hell yes!” Nate beat them all out of the room, the pace of his footsteps the same as when he ran across these floors when they were teens.

“There’s more?” Peter yawned as he followed the crowd.

“The plan is to adopt her, right?” Edmund carried the trash bag to the kitchen, placing it near the back door. “How long does that take?”

“A minimum of six months. The bio mother designated us as legal guardians, which makes this process easier.” Even though Bernie would willingly sign her baby over, Reynolds couldn’t allow blind hope to reign supreme. The bio dad or a relative could come forward at any time.

Lori told him to expect the worst and hope for the best.

“When will she be here?” His boss chose a purple mug, a color she had multiple scrubs in.

“Lori will bring the baby on Friday, provided the mother signs off on everything.”

“And if she doesn’t?”

Then I’m done. The idea of this falling apart cut him deeply, but he had to believe this time it would stick. “I’m not going to think about that right now. If everything goes as planned, she’ll legally be ours by Christmas.”

“Yours? Meaning, yours and Susan’s?” Lucy grabbed some food and took a seat next to Susan, giving her sister a shoulder nudge before her first bite.

Since Susan worried all yesterday about how her siblings would take the news, the siblings’ positive interaction more than likely comforted her.

Other than some initial animosity and death glares, Reynolds felt it had gone well. So far.

Then Peter spoke. “Married, huh? How’s that going to work?”

“What do you mean, Peter?” Susan raised an eyebrow, almost challenging him to continue.

The tight set to his jaw indicated the oldest Davidson debated on asking more at the risk of his life. “Um…”

“Choose wisely, man.” Without a hint of humor, Edmund poured a healthy amount of syrup on his five-high stack of pancakes.

“These pancakes look amazing, Susan.” Peter shoved food in his mouth and gave a thumbs-up, which sent Lucy into a fit of laughter. That triggered everyone into a lighter mood.

For the next several minutes, general small talk took over and the anxiety all but vanished.

Until…

“You’re married? Like married, married?” Peter cringed as though the words left his mouth before his brain processed the shit he just stirred.

“What do you want to know, brother? I slept across the hall in my own room if that’s what you’re asking, but I may not tonight. That’s up to us to decide, right, husband ?”

Instantly, Reynolds’s mouth went dry, and his pants became uncomfortable. “Right?”

“Reynolds? You okay?”

“The door has a lock and its own bathroom. She was safe.” The words poured out of his mouth like some teen boy who stood in front of an unhappy, gun-toting father.

“She better be.” Lucy raised an eyebrow, which said she knew how to kill him and make it look like an accident.

Susan wasn’t amused. “Hey. I’ve never asked any of you about your relationships so quit acting like I’m some innocent virgin that needs to be protected. Because you all know, I’m nowhere close to that.”

The clank of a fork hitting a plate caused Reynolds to jump. It took a second to realize it was he who dropped it.

“I know you’re not a virgin, Susan. You’ve always had a healthy sex life, but you’ve just met him.”

How healthy are we talking here? The words balanced on the tip of his tongue, but Reynolds shoved a piece of bacon in his mouth to keep them from falling out.

“Get off your high horse, Lucy. You were having sex with Thomas within a week of your first date.” Edmund wagged his finger at her and then at Peter. “And you arrived right before Christmas and had sex with Shelly before New Year’s.”

Lucy’s lower jaw jutted forward. “You and Jade had us beat, Edmund. Less than five days from meeting until they started messing around.”

“We did a lot more than mess around. And we have nearly every day since.” Edmund reclined back with his hands behind his head and a shameless smile.

This was a side of the Davidsons Reynolds never anticipated. It almost sounded like a bunch of guilty kids tattling on each other while one regretted nothing.

Rolling her eyes, Susan shrugged. “What’s the worry, Lucy?”

“Hear me out.” Lucy put her hands up.

“This is not gonna be good.” Edmund headed to the sink to wash his dishes.

Standing, Susan braced her hands on the table. “Your confusion is understandable, but I have a plan.”

“You always have a plan,” Peter mumbled behind his coffee mug before taking a healthy gulp.

I’m glad she does. It suddenly hit Reynolds that he hadn’t prepared anything past getting the nursery set up and their siblings informed. Good lord, what is the plan?

“Guys, I need you to trust me. Please.”

The unexpected pain in her please unnerved him. What is going on?

Exhaling a long breath, Lucy squared her shoulders. “We love you, Susan, and always want the best for you, but you have to admit, you’ve not been the best at picking boyfriends.”

“Are you kidding me right now? This is what this is about? Me canceling my weddings? You know, I had other boyfriends that I never wanted to marry besides those guys.”

Lucy’s perfectly sculpted brows pinched together. “Some of your previous relationships didn’t work out great.”

“Not great? You make it sound like I could only have one boyfriend and since I didn’t marry him, I’m what? Cursed? Ancient? Damaged? A spinster.” The hurt in her voice had Reynolds clenching his fists under the table.

“Not at all, but we worry that this time, you made an impetuous choice. So unlike you.”

“And?”

“Your first engagement you canceled almost immediately. The second, you called it off a few months before the event.”

“He cheated on me. As soon as I knew, I was done.” She moved to the counter and refilled her almost-full coffee mug.

Exasperation filled her every syllable, which only pissed Reynolds off, but he hesitated pushing back against his sister-in-law, who was also his boss. Plus, hearing about Susan’s engagement history started to concern him.

“I was proud of you for canceling, but this last engagement. It was within a month, deposits were made, invitations were about to go out, and you suddenly called it off. You two seemed perfect for each other, and then bam! No explanation. No warning,” Lucy coaxed, but Susan looked away, only to catch his gaze.

The pain in her eyes cut him to the core as her words played in his head and fell out of his mouth. “After an engagement, some people finally show their true colors. Become who they actually are.”

“Facts.” Edmund snatched up another piece of bacon.

“Sure, I guess they can.” Lucy cocked her head.

Susan rested her hand over her heart as a tear ran down her cheek. She mouthed Thank you before retaking her seat.

What did that guy do to her? Because whatever it was, she hadn’t told them.

Susan dried her face with her napkin. “Guys, trust me. It was the right decision.”

Lucy tapped her thumb on the handle of her cup. “For sure, but each time you pushed it a little further. This time you actually got married? You barely know him. No offense, Reynolds.”

“No offense to you, Lucy, but Susan and I know each other more than you understand.” At least, Reynolds hoped he understood her. What he did know, he liked. A lot, but damn. These last few minutes threw an entirely new list of concerns his way.

Lori was right. They still had a lot to learn about each other.

His boss looked less than amused at his interference, but she quietly took her plate to the sink and washed it.

Peter pushed his empty plate aside. “I don’t understand any of this.”

Crossing her arms, Susan faced off without hesitation. “You don’t have to, Peter. I’m a grown woman. I can make good choices for myself.”

“But this time, a baby is involved. A marriage. Kids complicate things. Makes it more heartbreaking if it doesn’t work out.”

Her brother wasn’t wrong about that, and he would know. Discovering he fathered twins a decade ago, but only after their mother died in a car accident, would send anyone’s life sideways.

Susan clenched her jaw, her words trembling with anger. “I made all sorts of choices for all of us after Dad died. When Mom wouldn’t even get out of bed. I navigated all of us through all that insanity. I went to school and worked and took care of all of you and her. You trusted me to do all that when I was a teenager. Now that I’m an adult, I’m not trustworthy?”

Lucy and Peter leaned back in their chairs as if an epiphany slammed into each of their faces.

Edmund raised an eyebrow. “I told you she’s fine.”

Peter scoffed. “No, you didn’t, Ed. You said she probably had a good reason for all this.”

“She’ll explain it when she wants to. I work at noon.” He tapped his watch before shaking Nate’s and Reynolds’s hands and kissing Susan on the cheek. “Glad you’re here, sis.”

“Thanks, Ed.”

The front door clicked closed, and the hum of the refrigerator filled the momentary silence. Vanilla and sugar still lingered in the air.

Susan interrupted the quiet. “Understand, a young woman who trusted almost no one trusted Reynolds and me to raise her baby.”

“But Susan—” Lucy interrupted, only for Susan to cut her off.

“No. No, I don’t want to hear anything about it, Lucy. Reynolds and I are adults. We’ve got a plan.”

Peter chuckled. “There gonna be addendums to this one?”

“What do you mean addendums?” Reynolds nervously chuckled as he learned more about his bride.

“Susan isn’t so unbending that she doesn’t calculate change in any project she takes on. There’s always wiggle room.”

“Life doesn’t move in a straight line. One should always be prepared for adjustments. Addendums.” Answering with the intensity of a schoolmarm, she stacked the empty plates in front of her. “It’s just the practical thing to do.”

“Practical. Logical. Responsible.” The way her brother sang those words triggered a memory as Nate finished off the last six pancakes.

Sunshine poured in through the windows, giving the room a cheery feel despite the tension as Susan exhaled. “Okay, listen, you two. Am I or am I not one of the most logical, responsible, practical people you know?”

The corner of his mouth twitched up at her quirky question.

“You are. Usually.” Peter drummed his fingers on the table.

Lucy sucked her bottom lip before jumping in. “Yes, you saved us all, but this… this isn’t any of those things. This is impulsive, incompetent, and unreasonable.”

“And it’s my life.” Susan’s fingers blanched as she gripped the edge of the table.

Reynolds did not like seeing her this frustrated.

With a mouth full of food, Nate furrowed his brows. “Logical. Responsible. Practical? Aren’t those lyrics to a song?”

“It’s from Supertramp’s ‘Logical Song.’”

“Is there a reason you used those particular adjectives?” Nate slid the last piece of pancake around to soak up the syrup. “Fuck me, these are good.”

“Thank you, Nate.”

The oldest Davidson patted his stomach. “Dad swore the reason Susan is so levelheaded is because she was conceived when that song played on their bedside radio.”

“Thank you for announcing the sex secrets of our parents, Peter. I’m sure Reynolds and Nate are thrilled to have learned such intimate details about our family.” Lucy pinched her lips together as her shoulders began to bob.

A low round of laughter rumbled through the room, starting with Reynolds. It quickly spread to Lucy, Susan, Peter, and finally Nate, who blurted, “Explains a lot.”

“That is an amazing story.” Reynolds grabbed Susan’s hand and kissed her inner wrist.

She immediately blushed and scooted closer. “You sure you don’t want to run for the hills after hearing us fight and learn I was created during a popular seventies tune about a kid’s boarding school experiences?”

Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, Reynolds soaked in her beauty. “If anything, all of it makes you more interesting.”

“Thanks.”

When Reynolds glanced back at his new in-laws, gone were their creased foreheads and hints of skepticism. Instead, twinkles of amusement danced in their eyes.

What is happening? “Peter? You okay?”

“It’s good, Reynolds. Look, I don’t know what you’re doing, Susan. I may not agree with it all, but you’re right. You made it work when our family hit rock bottom.” Peter lifted his mug in toast. “I’ll support whatever this is, but I reserve the right to ask questions later.”

“Agreed.” Lucy nodded, her eyes glistening with… were those tears?

As the Davidson siblings appeared to have established a truce and his brother patted his pancake-filled belly, Reynolds hoped this would be one of many happy memories they’d make in this house.

For many years to come.

All they had to do was make it over the first hurdle.

Please, Bernie. Sign those papers.