Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 122206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 611(@200wpm)___ 489(@250wpm)___ 407(@300wpm)
“I know ye do, Da.”
We both hugged, then separated and turned our heads to the door when there was a lot of shouting, screaming, and then the boisterous cries of a baby. Those were the cries of my new nephew.
“Oh my God in Heaven,” I breathed. “Gavin’s a daddy.”
Branna walked down the hallway and heard the cries of the baby. “Another grandbaby for you, Mr Collins. Congratulations, sir.”
“Thanks, honey bun.”
We got to our feet, and each gave Branna a hug. She took us downstairs for a drink and a sandwich in the canteen while Kalin and the baby were cleaned up after the birth. We lingered a while so the new parents could have some private time with their new bundle of joy. When we returned to the labour ward, the door to room three was open, so my father and I stepped up to the threshold, knocking as we went. Kalin was lying on the bed, all tucked in and looking thoroughly exhausted but beautiful. Gavin was sitting next to her, holding a little bundle in his arms. Both of their attention turned to us.
“Hey.” Kalin smiled. “I’m so glad you’re both here.”
My father and I took turns giving the mother of Gavin’s child a hug, then a kiss on the cheek as we congratulated her. She and Gavin weren’t in a romantic relationship. I wasn’t sure what was going on with them. Kalin was as sweet as pie, and I knew she was into my brother, but I didn’t interfere with their relationship. That was their own business. Besides, I was hardly a relationship guru who could offer up advice. I needed all the advice, tips, and suggestions I could get.
“Gav.” I came up beside him and gave him a one-armed hug, careful of the baby. “You’re a daddy, little brother.”
“I know.” He smiled. “D’ye wanna hold him?”
“Of course,” I chirped. “Let me sit down, though. I don’t trust myself standin’ with him.”
Gavin chuckled as I sat on the nearest chair and held my hands up. Gently, my brother placed my new nephew in my arms, and I was floored. He was bald, had no eyebrows, and looked a lot like a flushed potato, but he was so cute that I couldn’t stand it. He was also so much bigger than Jax and Locke had been when they were born. He was an absolute beast.
“He’s so chunky. He has three chins.”
Gavin laughed. “He’s eleven pounds on the dot.”
“Merciful Christ on the cross.” My jaw dropped. “Kalin, honey, I’m so sorry for your fanny.”
“Trust me, Date,” she tittered lightly. “I am too.”
“She did it without pain meds, too. The woman is a warrior, which both amazes and terrifies me.”
My father smiled at Gavin’s praise of Kalin.
“He’s twenty-four inches long. The nurse said she’d bet her house that he’ll be taller than me when he’s grown.”
Gavin was six foot two, like me. JJ was the tallest at six foot four.
“Kalin, ye’ll have to jump whenever ye have to clip him around the ear.”
My father’s comment made her chuckle.
“Have ye both settled on a name?”
Gavin looked at Kalin, who smiled at my question and nodded.
“We have.” Gavin beamed. “This little fella is Indie Jax Collins.”
“Indie,” I repeated. “That’s a brilliant name.”
“Aideen’s gonna cry her eyes out when she finds out ye gave Jax as his middle name, son.”
“Had to, Da.” Gavin chuckled. “That little lad is me buddy—when he’s not bullyin’ me, that is. He’s gonna look out for Indie when they’re older. They’re gonna be best friends, I know it.”
I handed Indie off to my father a few minutes later after Gavin took a couple of pictures of my nephew and me. We talked and took more pictures, and when Kalin’s exhaustion got the better of her, my father and I excused ourselves to head back to the garage. We left the hospital with a spring in our steps.
“He’s bloody huge, Da,” I gushed as we climbed into his truck. “He looks like he ate another newborn baby.”
Da laughed. “You were ten pounds ten ounces when ye were born. He looks an awful lot like you did.”
“In that case, us fat babies have to stick together.”
We laughed as we pulled out on the road. I answered my phone when it rang.
“It’s me,” Aideen said. “Harley phoned and said Kalin was in labour, and you and Da went to the hospital with Gavin a few hours ago. What’s happenin’? Is there an update? I tried ringin’ Branna, but her bloody phone is just ringin’ out.”
“I’ve a big update for ye, sis.” I grinned. “You’re officially an auntie.”
“I’m already an auntie,” Aideen corrected. “Did ye forget about Georgie, Beau, the twins, and Enzo?”
“No, I didn’t forget, but what I mean is you’re now a biological auntie … as in your baby brother just became a daddy.”