I stand and Ivy inches so close, I can feel her body heat pressed against me as I carefully hand him over. After the exchange is made, we sit as Kaitlyn and Hadleigh chat.

Something is streaming between us while we both gaze down at the baby, and I can hear Knox speaking to me, but I can’t break my attention away from Ivy.

“He’s so perfect,” she whispers, playing with his tiny fingers.

I fight the urge to tell her that she is too.

She looks up at me and grins, and I’d be goddamned if I didn’t say my heart fluttered. Something that has never happened before, not even when I thought I was in love with Hadleigh.

“Did you hear me?” Knox repeats.

I finally snap out of it and clear my throat. “Sorry, what?”

“We should probably let some others in,” he tells me.

“They can wait their turn,” I say matter-of-factly.

“That’s right!” Kaitlyn confirms, coming over to admire the baby again.

“There will be plenty of time, y’all. I promise. You can come over and visit whenever you want. No invite needed,” Hadleigh tells us.

“Excuse me, invites are needed. We might be busy.” Knox waggles his brows with a smirk, and I shake my head.

“We have to wait at least six weeks before we can do that again,” Hadleigh reminds him for probably the millionth time.

“Not if I’m gonna keep you knocked up, sweetheart.” He winks at her, and Kaitlyn groans.

“Looks like we’ll be sharing lots of nieces and nephews,” I tell her with a smile.

She gives me her attention. “I guess so.”

The look on her beautiful face as she watches Hendrix sleep captures me again. Ten more minutes pass, and I know our time together is quickly coming to an end. Before we wear out our welcome, I stand and give my brother another hug.

“Congratulations. I’m really so damn happy for you both. I know you’re gonna be incredible parents.”

“Thank you. And you’re gonna be a great uncle.”

“If you need anything, please let me know. I’m serious. I’m here for you both day or night.”

“We will,” he confirms before I move to Hadleigh. I lean over the bed and give her a hug.

“He’s absolutely perfect, Hads. Congrats, Mama. Now get some rest.”

“Thank you, Kane. You’ve been a lifesaver through this,” she says, grinning. I made a lot of B&B runs when she had cravings, and Knox couldn’t get away. I didn’t mind, though. Watching her go through pregnancy was a fun experience, even when she was ready to bite my head off for only God knows why.

“I’m always here for you,” I remind her like I have a dozen times before. Just as Kaitlyn and Ivy say their goodbyes, there’s a light tap on the door.