Page 141 of Through the Storm

“Hey there,” he whispers, his voice rough. “Welcome to the family, little man.”

Ella straightens and wipes her cheeks. “Welcome, baby. I’m Auntie Ella, and I love you so, so much.” Then she wrinkles her nose. “Okay.” Her eyes flicker from me to the baby.

Katy glances at her weakly. “Okay, what?”

She points at me. “He needs to take a shower.”

I blink. “I’m fine.”

Ella raises an eyebrow. “You smell really bad. And I have two brothers and a golden retriever that likes to swim.”

Declan snorts.

“I ran here,” I protest, glancing down at myself. “I didn’t?—”

“And we love you for it.” Ella is already steering me toward the bathroom. “But go. Wash the game off. We’ll stay with her.”

I hesitate, looking at Katy like I’m not ready to be farther than a foot away from them.

“We’ll be okay,” she says softly. “Go.”

Declan nods. “We’ve got them. Take five.”

I exhale, finally letting go. “Okay. Just don’t let him steal my spot.”

Ella grins. “Please. I’m not that heartless.”

As I head toward the bathroom, Declan settles into the chair beside the bed, calm and solid. Ella perches on the edge of the bed, smoothing the baby’s blanket with reverent care.

When I come back ten minutes later, Ella is still staring at the baby, openly crying, and Declan’s pretending he isn’t. I take him from Katy and place him back on my chest so she can rest.

“Try to sleep,” I say, kissing her forehead.

Declan gives me my seat back, and I settle there with the baby. Ella snaps a picture before I can protest, the baby tucked against my chest, his blond fuzz unmistakable.

Winters Family

Ella

Guess whose genes won?

Leo

WINTERS BLOND. I KNEW IT.

Mateo

That kid already looks judgy. Definitely ours.

Jack

Well. That answers that. Congratulations, son.

Caroline

Oh, thank God. He’s beautiful.

James