Page 19 of Power Play

“Emmy, this is your Tio Tony. He’s an asshole,” I tell her. “Tony, this is… This is Emmy.”

My brother is a surly butt face. He’s shorter than me, stockier, with the body of a professional gymnast rather than a hockey player. The only time I ever see him smile is when he’s talking about Viv or occasionally gymnastics.

But when I hand over my kid, and he wraps his muscular, tattooed arms around her, he fucking melts.

“Hi, baby,” Tony coos. His thumb traces the apple of her cheek, and she grins her gummy smile, and we watch as he falls head over heels for her.

Viv settles on the sofa beside me, resting her head on my shoulder. Her hand falls to mine on the cushion between us, and she squeezes my palm.

“You did good, kid,” she says. Her unwavering support reassures me I’m making the right decision.

“She’s pretty great.”

“She’s beautiful.”

“Makes you think about having one of your own?” I ask.

“Maybe we’ll steal this one,” Tony says.

“Not on your life.” My growl rumbles through the room. “Gimme back my baby.”

My brother laughs, but he places her back into my arms. Viv, still curled beside me, runs her fingers over Emmy’s back, like she’s afraid to break her.

“I love her already,” she says.

“So do I,” I admit.

“Where’s the wife?” Tony asks.

“Not my wife yet. And I’m not sure. She said she had to run some errands.” I check my watch. “Our appointment isn’t for another four hours…”

“An appointment at city hall.” And just like that, my brother’s signature frown is back in place. “You sure you want to do this? We could get Mom and Dad up here, find a church…”

I shake my head. “No. This needs to be quick and efficient. And you know if Mom and Dad get involved, the entire family will be invited, and I just… no. That’s not what I want. Not what we want.”

“Okay,” he says, and that’s that.

“Do you have everything you need?” Viv asks. “Diapers, formula, toys?”

I wave a hand at the toys strewn about the place. “She has plenty of toys.” I nearly bought out the entire boutique, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Anything my girl wants, she gets. As soon as she’s old enough, I’ll buy her a fucking pony, if that’s what she desires. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for this little girl.

She starts to rustle around, getting antsy, and I force myself to my feet again.

“Come on, Tio Tony. Do you want to feed her?”

My grumpy asshole of a brother lights up. “I can?”

“Yeah, and then it’ll be time for a nap.”

“Me too!” Viv says, raising her hand in the air. “I claim dibs on the couch.”

“Or you could go back to your hotel room,” I mutter.

“Hotel? We’re staying here,” Tony says.

Jerking my head back, I stare at him. “There’s no room.”

“You mean you aren’t sharing a bed with your new wife?”