“Why did everyone leave me sleeping in the damn chair?” my dad asked, ambling into the kitchen with a drowsy Arie against his chest. He came to a stop when he saw Sarai. “Oh, excuse me.”

Sarai waved off his apology.

I let go of Ani, who hadn’t even bothered to fight my hold, and stepped forward.

“Alex,” he said, smiling. “Good to see you, son.”

“I’ll take this,” Ani muttered, reaching out for her daughter. “Hey, princess. Did you have a good nap with Papa? I bet your diaper is soaked.”

I wrapped my arms around my dad and slapped his back as we hugged.

“That your girl?” he asked quietly in my ear. “How’d you manage that?”

“Dumb luck and persistence,” I replied, pulling away.

Dad laughed.

“Sarai, this is my dad, Dan.”

“Nice to meet you, Sarai,” my dad said, walking over to shake her hand.

“Damned nice to meet you, too,” she said, using the curse word he’d just apologized for and giving him a lopsided smile. Dad chuckled.

“Good pick,” he said to me.

“I think so,” I replied, standing beside Sarai once he’d moved away.

“I like your family,” she said, leaning against my side.

“They’re wondering how the hell I got you to go out with me,” I teased.

“Would I have to wrestle around with Ani?” Sarai asked jokingly. “Because I’m bigger, but I think she’d win.”

“I’d definitely win,” Ani said, joining our conversation.

“You have ears like a bat,” Sarai said, her eyes wide.

“I’m a superb eavesdropper,” Ani confirmed. Then she pulled Arie off her hip and held the baby in front of her. “This is Arielle. She smells much better now, and she’s ready to meet you.”

“Hello, Arielle,” Sarai said softly, reaching out to tickle the bottom of Arie’s foot. “You’re adorable.”

“Don’t let her fool you. She’s a demon who rarely sleeps and steals my food.” Ani pressed loud kisses to Arie’s neck, making her tense and giggle. “But she’s so cute that we love her to distraction.”

“Sounds about right,” Sarai replied.

Arie blinked up at me curiously, and I smiled but I didn’t reach for her. It usually took a little time for my nieces and nephews to warm up to me. I’d learned my lesson the hard way the last time I’d been home, because when I’d held Arie, she’d screamed like I’d bitten her.

As Ani walked away and handed the baby off to Bram, I kissed the top of Sarai’s head. I’d never imagined that Bram of all people would settle down before I did, but I had to admit that it suited him. It smoothed down his rough edges and seemed to center him.