Surprise shrouds his face. “Did you just tell me to masturbate?” Yeah, that happens never.
I don’t have time to answer him. I’m already on my way to the door. He sprints after me before I open it, and his hand catches hold of the wood, blocking me in.
“Lo,” I whine. I cringe at my voice.
“Take some breaths,” he tells me. “I don’t want you to panic every time this happens. Just relax, okay?”
Deep down, he must sense that this is more than just a baby crying. “I’m relaxed,” I say in a stiff voice.
“You have nothing to prove, Lil.”
A lump rises in my throat. “You don’t have to masturbate,” I tell him. “If you can wait for me, we can finish together later.”
“Yeah?” he asks.
I nod.
“If I open this door, will you promise to walk to the nursery and not run?”
“Promise.” I hold up my pinky, and instead of hooking his with mine, he kisses me on the lips. My heart thumps, and then he draws back, removing his hand from the door frame.
I gingerly walk down the hallway, all the while feeling his hot gaze on my back. When I slip into the nursery, I pick up my pace and dart to Moffy’s crib.
“Hey, shhh, it’s okay,” I whisper, lifting him in my arms. I check his diaper. Clean. And then I start the good ol’ pat-and-rock technique, attempting to calm down a six-week-old baby. He’s not supposed to be eating for another hour.
From the nursery across from Moffy’s, Jane cries incessantly. I peek out into the hallway and crane my neck. Connor and Rose’s bedroom door is still closed. We all agreed on not employing the “cry it out” parenting method since there are two newborns in the house. It’s just way too loud.
If Jane keeps crying, Maximoff won’t stop.
A second later, Lo exits our bedroom in a pair of black drawstring pants. I glance at his crotch. What happened?
“I couldn’t wait.” He kisses me on the cheek. “Sorry, love.” And then he rubs Moffy’s little head and tuft of dark brown hair. “You hate your cousin’s crying, don’t you, bud?”
And like magic, my sister’s bedroom door blows open. Connor appears—holy shit. I don’t have anything to shield my eyes with. My hands are occupied with a baby. “Lo,” I call for help.
He easily reads my thoughts, based on my red flush and alarm. His palm covers my eyes, even if it’s a little too late. I saw Connor’s bare chest, glistening with sweat. And more than that. His drawstring pants are way more revealing than Lo’s. Maybe because he’s in the moment where there is much more to be revealed.
Oh my God. Forget, Lily, forget.
I’m trying.
“Excited to see me?” Lo banters.
“Always, darling,” he replies lightly. “Sorry I took so long, Lily.” Lo drops my hand about the same time that Connor disappears into Jane’s nursery. A safe view.
I rock Moffy in my arms, but his blubbering doesn’t cease. It’s most likely because of Jane, but my nerves only heighten. Feeling helpless, I pat him a little more. Hoping he’ll calm soon.
“Here.” Lo collects our son from me, and the wails grow, more high-pitched and screechy. It’s like daggers in my heart. “It’s okay, little guy. You’re safe with us.”
Jane’s screams soften. Maybe he had to change her diaper or she wanted to be held. Connor leaves the nursery a minute later, even though Jane hasn’t stopped completely. Lo and I are in the doorway, waiting for her to quiet so Maximoff can go to bed.
“She’s still crying,” I state the obvious.
Connor hesitates in the hall, his eyes flitting to his bedroom in concern. “I have to check on Rose for a second,” he tells us quickly. “I’ll be right back. I promise.”
“Wait, what?” Lo snaps. “Look, Moffy won’t stop unless Jane does. Can you please deal with your baby first?” I’m about to offer some help. Lo can rock Moffy and I’ll take care of Jane, but Connor speaks fast and walks even quicker.
“In five seconds, I won’t be alive long enough to deal with my baby.” When he opens his door, I hear Rose curse him out.
My eyes widen. “Do you think she’s like…” Tied up? I can’t even utter the words though. It’s not an image I want in my head.
Lo cringes. “Let’s not go there.” Fine with me.
I kiss Moffy’s head and rub his small back while Lo bounces him lightly. We wait for a couple minutes before both Rose and Connor emerge from their bedroom together. Rose, in a black silk robe, has reddened, flushed cheeks. She looks more pissed than aroused.