Page 165 of Run
“Do you know what you’re going to name her?” another nurse asks.
Ari and I look at each other. “Ivy,” Ari tells the nurse. “Her name is Ivy.”
ARI
“It’s my turn,” Meg says as she crawls overtop Lars to scoop Ivy out of his arms. “You’ve been holding her all morning! It’s my turn.”
“But she’s sleeping so peacefully right now,” he groans as his wife steals my daughter out of his arms and snuggles her, completely ignoring him.
“She’s going to get spoiled from being held every second of the day,” I grumble to Ethan, who is standing next to me at the threshold between the living room and kitchen of our home, looking around at our family.
“Good.” He leans in and kisses my temple. “I like spoiling my girls.”
“Who wants pie?” Mom asks as she scoots past us with a tray, carrying slices of apple pie.
“Oh, I do,” Lars accepts a plate and fork from her. “Bonnie, you make the best pie I’ve ever had.”
“Hey, she has help, you know,” Grandma Shirley says from the corner where she’s sitting in the rocking chair, knitting another blanket for her great-granddaughter.
“Sorry,” Lars mumbles around a big bite.
“Uh, I’m sure these guys will each take a slice.” Ethan points out the big picture window to Fonz and Sophie, who are racing up the walk to the front door—which flies open as they fight each other to enter.
“I get to hold her first!” Fonz grits through his teeth as he braces his back against the door frame and holds a hand and foot against the other side, trying to block Sophie.
“You were here yesterday.” She bends down and tries to dive between his arm and leg. “I didn’t get to see her yesterday.”
“Not my problem.” Fonz puts his palm against Sophie’s forehead and gives it a push backward.
“Why, you little turd.” She reaches around and gives Fonz’s nipple a twist, causing him to curl in on himself while letting out a loud “Oww!” and she’s able to rush past him and into the living room.
“Aha! I win.” Sophie she spins around, opening and closing her hands in a “gimme” gesture. “Where is the little lovey wovey?” She spots Meg holding Ivy and darts in that direction, to which Lars issues a warning.
“Uh, if you want to keep your limbs, I suggest you give her a bit longer with the baby. She only just got a hold of her and she’s a little possessive at the moment.”
Meg hisses at Sophie, who sighs and puts her hands on her hips. “OK, fine. I’ll give you a few more minutes, but it’s only because I need to make the rounds.” She practically jabs hermiddle and forefinger into her eye sockets before turning her hand around and pointing them at Meg, letting her know she’s being watched.
“Uh, just an FYI,” Ethan says from beside me, “my mom is also gonna want in on some Ivy action when she gets here, so …”
Sophie saunters over toward me with outstretched arms. “That kid has too many grandparents.”
I giggle as she squeezes me tight. “Nah, she’s got just the right amount.”
Soph releases me and bumps her fist against Ethan’s shoulder. “Hey, Daddy-O. Man, that’s never not going to sound weird, calling you guys Mommy and Daddy.”
“Oh, I dunno, Ari’s been calling me Daddy for a while now.” I swat him in the stomach and am rewarded with an “Oof.”
“Bonnie!” Sophie turns and embraces Mom.
“Hi Sophie,” Mom says into her shoulder, her short arms barely even coming around Sophie’s side rolls. “I love your new hair color. I should dye mine.”
“Don’t even think about it,” my friend deadpans. “A natural redhead is hard to come by. I will not let you touch that hair of yours.”
Sophie’s hair, on the other hand, is a darker shade these days—almost jet black—with streaks of pink running through it. Changing her hair color seems to be a little bit of a palette cleanser for her whenever she’s between men, which she is at the moment.
“What, no love?” Fonz accuses as he makes his way over to us.
“I told you, bro, just because we have a new baby doesn’t mean we love you any less.” Ethan pulls him into a hug and slaps his back.
