Page 150 of Good For Me

He shrugs. “I only dropped River on his head that one time.”

River’s fork clatters to his plate as he stares at his father in horror. “Tell me you’re joking.”

“Oh, this explains so much,” Rose says, clearly delighted. “No wonder you get confused so easily.”

“I don’t get confused easily!”

I rub the back of his head. “Is that what this little divot is from?” He brushes my hand away, scowling at me, and I laugh, leaning over to kiss his forehead. “I like your dented-up head.”

“We really need to get signed up for the parenting classes now,” River grumbles. “I need to be a baby holding expert before he gets here. I’m not dropping my son.”

There’s a beat of silence. “Did you say son?” Rose squeals. “Oh my God, did you guys find out the sex after all?”

“Uh, no,” I say, looking at River. “We just kind of feel like it’s a boy.”

Rose looks disappointed. “I still think you should just ask the doctor.”

“Agreed,” Violet says. “I want to make more hats, and it would be nice to buy pink or blue yarn.”

I meet River’s eye and we both look away so we don’t laugh. I’m envisioning an entire pile of Violet’s wonky, unwearable hats in our closet.

“Seriously?” Ash asks his twin. “You’re going to hold a baby to gender standards like that? You would murder me if I said you couldn’t wear blue because you’re a girl.”

She shrugs. “I totally would. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun to get a little girly sometimes.”

“Hate to break it to you,” River says. “I’m pretty sure it’s a boy.”

She frowns. “There are enough boys in this family. Me and Mom and Rose are already outnumbered.”

“No you aren’t,” Ash argues. “It’s four and four now.” He gestures at me. “Jas makes it even.”

Well, shit. A fourteen-year-old kid is going to make me cry.

“Uh,” Leo says, clearing his throat. “What about me?”

“What about you?”

“Do I not add to the boy count?”

Ash points his fork at him. “Buy my sister a ring and then we’ll talk.”

Rose and Leo look at each other, something passing between them, and Daltrey groans. “Donotsay it. Becoming a grandfather at my age is bad enough but I cannot handle my daughter marrying some punk kid.”

“You know what I love about this family?” Leo asks drily. “How loved and appreciated I always feel with you.”

Rose pats his leg. “I love and appreciate you, babe.”

I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t know, Leo. The Ransomes have been nothing but welcoming to me. Maybe it’s just you.”

He gives me a wounded look. “I thought we were a team, Jas.”

Conversation moves back to the baby, Violet eager to share her latest baby name finds. Her suggestions have been getting more and more outlandish. Finally, River holds up a hand.

“We’ve actually already picked names.”

“What?” Daisy gasps. “Since when? Why don’t I know this?”

“What are they?” Violet demands.