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"I do"

"Well why didn’t you say? We’re cooking ribs and chicken" And just like that Steven slaps Luke on the back and leads hirill

Jules’ brothers wander over to introduce themselves to Luke and offer his ht

"Happy birthday" She’s a petite wo blue eyes

"Thank you You look fantastic!

Where’s the baby" My eyes scan the patio until I find Sophie cradled in Jules’ ar love seats

Stacy and I join her and I hold ot her"

"I don’t care I’ve never held her

Hand her over, Montgomery"

Jules passes me little Sophie and I just melt She is tiny, less than teeks old Her dark hair is long and soft and a little wild in the way baby hair is, and Stacy has put a pretty pink headband on her She’s in a beautiful pink little dress with pink bloomers and she’s barefoot

I run my hand down her cheek and press , oblivious to the party going on around her

"Oh, Stacy, I’m in love with her" I sood baby"

"She’s precious" I look down at her again andon in to rock and hu a newborn on you

"You’re so sweet," I aze

He’s watching ?

I smile at him and one corner of his lance to aze also trained on htfully A slow smile spreads across her face and she winks at rab her pacifier and plug it into her ertips down her soft hair

"Natalie!"

"Huh?"

Jules is laughing "I asked you if you brought your ca et soive me back the baby"

"No"

"You’re so selfish" Jules scowls atfor a walk" I stand with her and wander down one of the paths to a shady garden

"Aren’t the flowers pretty, Sophie?" I croon to the sleepy baby and rock her back and forth

"You’re good with her" Luke has joined us and I ss, so I’ and kiss Sophie’s head

He reaches out and runs the back of his finger down Sophie’s cheek and I feelon her tiny little cheek

"She’s sweet," I murmur

"You’re sweet" He tucks a strand of my hair behindhis hand back in his pocket