Page 155 of Through the Storm

Logan steps back first. “Alright. Congrats, man.” He claps me on the shoulder, respectful. Final.

I nod once. “Thanks.”

As they jog away, Ella leans toward Katy. “That went well.”

Katy smiles. “Yeah. It really did.”

“I’ve gotta head in,” I say reluctantly.

Katy nods. “We’ll be right here.”

I press a kiss to Mini-Ben’s head, then to Katy’s temple, grounding myself in them before jogging back toward the locker room.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

katy

THE TALK

When I get home,the apartment is suspiciously quiet.

Like…tooquiet. And if Mini-Ben is around, it’sneverthis quiet. Unless he’s sleeping. Which is almost never.

I drop my keys slowly, already bracing myself, and tiptoe down the hallway. That’s when I see them.

Ella is stretched out on the couch, one arm draped protectively around the baby, who is very much asleep. And the baby is not just sleeping, he’s sleeping on top of Danny.

Danny, for his part, looks like he’s in a meditative state. His head is flat on the cushion, eyes half-closed, tail still. The baby’s tiny hand is curled into his fur like this is where it’s always been.

“Hey,” I whisper.

Ella cracks one eye open. “Hi.”

I hover, heart full and slightly panicked. “How did you… do that?”

She smiles softly. “He wouldn’t settle. Danny laid down next to us. And then it just… kinda happened.”

Danny’s ear twitches. The baby sighs in his sleep.

“I think they’re bonded,” Ella adds.

“It looks like Danny would die for him,” I marvel. I pull out myphone and quickly snap a photo.

Ella carefully shifts so I can kiss the baby’s head without waking him. I straighten and sink into the armchair across from them, suddenly exhausted in that good way.

“Thank you for babysitting,” I say quietly.

“Anytime,” she whispers. “I needed the snuggles.”

We sit there for a minute, just watching them breathe.

Then she glances at me. “You okay?”

I hesitate. Then nod. Then shake my head.

“I’m just excited,” I admit. “And terrified.”

She doesn’t rush me.