sweet self. A little food-monstery, but he’s probably going through another growth spurt. If it weren’t for the occasional week where all he wants to do is sleep, I’d say he was in a constant growth spurt.” He rubbed Bast’s fuzzy head. “We talked all morning about how we’re going to meet a new baby, didn’t we, Bast?”
“Baby!” Bast clapped his hands.
Hunter smiled and turned to our group. “Bast loves babies. Even himself in the mirror or on video. Do all of you know Alec?”
The redhead waved. “I know Craig, but everyone else is new to me.”
Craig nodded. “’Sup, Alec?”
Hunter introduced us all. “Alec works at the onsite daycare.”
“Yep. I’m actually on my break right now, so I stole the opportunity to be the one to bring Bast to the party. That way I can steal some cake.” His eyes squinted almost closed when he smiled. “Speaking of the baby, where is he?”
I looked at the door with a frown. “He should be here soon.”
“Was he in daycare, too?” Geordie asked.
“No, with Jordan.”
Who walked in right then. I was surprised to see Dr. Evan with him. “The guest of honor has arrived,” he announced, hoisting William’s carrier into the air. Dr. Evan waved, which distracted him enough to stub his toe on one of the chairs. With a strangled gulp, he lurched forward and somehow managed to catch himself.
Jordan helped him disentangle from the chair. “You okay, man?”
Dr. Evan shook it off with a laugh. “Just a bit of a klutz, I’m afraid. You wouldn’t believe the number of bruises I have from running into walls.”
I hurried to pull William out of the carrier to get a snuggle in. It was the first time I’d been away from him for an hour when I wasn’t sleeping. I hadn’t felt worried, of course. He was with Jordan. But I felt... anxious. For myself. Maybe it was all those post-birth bonding hormones.
Bast shouted, “Baby!” again and attempted to launch himself out of Hunter’s arms.
“Hold on, Bast. Everyone is going to get their turn with William.”
Dr. Evan waved. “Hey, Wyatt. I heard there were babies and cake. My two favorite things.”
Geordie made grabby hands. “Ooh, can I be first?”
William’s eyes latched onto Geordie’s electric-yellow hair. He’d changed it from green in the month I’d missed sessions.
“I read somewhere that babies’ eyesight at this age is pretty wild,” Shane said. “Like they’re on LSD. He must think there’s a party on Geordie’s head.”
Jordan pressed a kiss on top of my head. “Hey, babe. Is there any coffee? William spit up in mine before I even got to take a sip.”
I pointed to Chance, setting out plates and extra cups. “It’s not great, but it’s always going. I swear Chance goes through an entire percolator on his own every day.”
“Baby!” Bast insisted.
“Hold on, sweetie. We have to take our turn.”
Shane was holding William now, tears welling in his eyes. I was uncomfortable being separated from William for an hour. I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to have three kids you weren’t even allowed to see.
He sniffled. “I’ve gotta grab some tissues.”
I took William. “Why don’t we sit down on the floor so Bast can see William better?”
Hunter set Bast on his feet, and the little boy clung to his papa’s hands for a few seconds, then toddled over to me and William.
“Oh my god! When did he start walking on his own?”
“Two weeks ago.” Hunter hovered behind Bast, a proud smile on his face.
“What a big boy!”
Bast toddled toward me, hands outstretched, smile wide as he focused on William. I caught him with one arm and he dropped to his knees, freeing himself from my hold and grabbing my other arm with support to look down at William.
“Baby!” he declared and smiled up at me.
“Yes, he is. His name is William.”
Bast looked down again, then launched forward with a giant, open-mouth kiss, sliming half of William’s face.
Hunter scooped him up. “Bast! You need to be careful. He’s smaller than you!”
“I’ve got wipes!” Alec said, and handed one to each of us.
I took one swipe at William’s face and called it good, but Hunter wiped Bast’s face and hands several times, a frown of concentration on his face.
“It’s okay, Hunter. William’s fine.”
“I’m still sorry. I should have been keeping a closer eye on him.”
I was pretty sure that if Hunter hovered an inch closer to Bast, the kid wouldn’t be able to move, but to each their own. Especially here, with all our