set up the changing pad and playpen.” She carried the box and a bag past him.
Aurelia led her into the bedroom, giving Ben a holy shit look.
Willow dropped her bags and reached for the baby. “Wait until Mom and Dad hear about this. Come here, sweet thing.”
“You can’t tell them until I know if she’s mine,” Ben said, reluctantly giving her the baby.
“Give me the bottle. I can’t believe you were forever on our case, protecting us from guys who you thought just wanted to get in our pants.” Willow hurried to the couch and began feeding the baby. She smiled at the baby and said, “It looks like we weren’t the ones who needed protecting.”
“I didn’t believe it when Piper told me,” Talia said softly. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
The hurt in her eyes slayed him. “I’m sorry, Tal. It all happened so fast, and I didn’t want to get everyone riled up until I knew for sure if she was mine or not. I was going to come over later this afternoon and tell you about her.”
“A baby, Ben?” Talia whispered. “Do you have any idea how much responsibility a baby requires?”
Talia was the most serious and careful of his sisters. She taught English lit at Beckwith University, a small private college in Harmony Pointe, and she was obviously teaching today, as evidenced by her black pencil skirt and peach blouse. Like Ben, she took after their father, with the same dark hair and eyes, while his other sisters shared their mother’s fairer features. Also like Ben, Talia had a straightforward nature, which he’d always appreciated.
Until now, when he was exhausted and doing his best to keep up with the new demands on his time.
“No shit, Talia,” he said more harshly than he meant to. “What do you think I’ve been doing since I found her? Feeding, changing, pacing the floor. My life is on hold right now.”
He turned as Aurelia came out of the bedroom wearing a pair of yoga pants beneath her sleeping shirt, and Talia whispered, “From what I hear you’re plowing ahead with certain parts of your life.”
“Yeah, our timing has always sucked.”
Talia put a hand on his shoulder and said, “Ben, you’ve been waiting for the right time with Aurelia forever. This is your right time. Otherwise you wouldn’t have finally made your move.”
“You have no idea how much I needed to hear that.” He turned his back to Aurelia and Willow and confessed, “I feel so guilty for telling her how I feel in the midst of all this.”
“If I’ve learned one thing from Derek and Jonah, it’s that there is no perfect timing, and time not spent with someone you love is time wasted. Don’t waste any more time.” She glanced at Aurelia and said, “Besides, if that smile on her face is any indication, I’d say she’s okay with your less-than-perfect timing.”
He followed her gaze to Aurelia, who was looking lovingly at B. She lifted her eyes, catching Ben watching her, and the adoration in her eyes intensified. His fingers itched to hold her. It was alarming how empty his arms suddenly felt without Aurelia or B in them.
Piper came out of the bedroom, looked at the two of them, and said, “Again? What is it with you two? Can’t you stop looking like you want to devour each other for five minutes?”
Aurelia’s cheeks burned red, and she blurted out, “Breakfast! I was about to make breakfast. Who’s hungry?”
“I would love one of Ben’s famous frittatas.” Willow looked pleadingly at Ben.
“You must have him mixed up with another Ben.” Aurelia headed into the kitchen. “He can barely make cereal.”
Oh shit. Ben tried to hide his smile as each of his sisters looked curiously in his direction.
Talia sat down beside Willow and the baby and said, “What are you talking about? He’s a better cook than all of us.”
Piper laughed at the shock and confusion on Aurelia’s face. “That was better than a cold shower.”
“Ben . . . ?” Aurelia crossed her arms, glaring at him. “What are they talking about?”
He went to her, and she stepped back, putting more space between them. “Come on, Rels. You can’t blame me for wanting more time with you.”
“More time? Seriously? You made me feel guilty when I didn’t have time to make you breakfast.”
He pulled her into his arms despite her struggles and said, “I’m sorry, but I just wanted you to stay. Is that so awful? I like being with you and