The Miami Diaries Book 6

Chapter 7

T/W:Minor innuendo.

***
Steve

"If it really bothers you so much," Lex murmurs as we lie in bed. "I'll tell Knox not to come by when you're here." I can't believe my ears. Am I imagining shit?

"You really mean that?" I ask. Lex cuddles up against me. Both Aria and Timmy are asleep, but that probably won't last long with the baby.

"Yes," Lex says, touching my lips and beard. I pull her closer to me.

"It's just so..strange seeing some guy who resembles my late, older brother," I reply.

"I know," Lex murmurs. "And I apologize for not considering your feelings." I sigh, rubbing Lex's back.

"I'm not trying to be the bad guy here," I tell Lex.

"I know you aren't," Lex says. "Knox is my friend and I enjoy having him around. But I won't if you don't want me to."

"I'm not going to forbid you from seeing him," I say. "Just because I think he's strange doesn't mean he's a bad person."

"He's not a bad person," Lex says softly.

"I know. It's just...weird seeing him," I say.

"It has to be," Lex agrees. I hear a small wail and realize Timmy's awake. Lex hears him, too, and moves to get out of the bed, but I stop her.

"I'll get him," I offer. Lex smiles.

"Thanks, Stevie." I hurry out of our bedroom and into the nursery, quickly lifting Timmy to my shoulder, murmuring softly to him. We certainly don't need Ari waking up.

I carry Timmy back to out bedroom. The moment I'm sitting down, Lex is taking Timmy from me.

"Jeez!" I exclaim, pretending to be annoyed. "Sometimes I think you like Timmy more than me!" Lex giggles.

"Jealous?" She teases, cuddling Timmy. Thankfully he's stopped crying.

"Maybe a little bit," I reply. Lex's expression grows tender as she reaches out to touch my cheek.

"No one is more important to me, Steven Speedle than you." I smile softly at her, leaning in for a quick kiss.

"Thanks, Lexie. And no one is more important to me than you." Lex smiles.

"I know."

***
Lex falls asleep, Timmy lying close to her. He's still awake, although not crying. I gently lift him into my arms, just cradling him close.

"Hey, Timmy," I murmur. "We're so happy you're here." I kiss the top of his head, carefully climbing out of the bed and heading for the nursery. I go sit down in the rocking chair, just rocking him and humming a little bit.

I'm not a great singer, so I'll spare traumatizing my infant son that way. (At least until he's older anyways.) Timmy yawns. Gosh, I can't believe how tiny he is. Hard to believe that one day he'll be as tall as me.

"Yep," I whisper to Timmy. "You just go to sleep. Daddy's here and I'm not letting go."

****
Lex

I wake up, discover that both Steve and Timmy aren't in our bedroom and go in search of them. I enter the nursery and have to smile.

Sitting in the rocking chair is Steve. He's fast asleep. Timmy is in his crib, also fast asleep. I tiptoe over to Steve, lean in and gently kiss him. He stirs, his eyes fluttering open.

"Hey," I whisper. He chuckles as I move back. Steve rubs his eyes.

"What time is it?" He asks.

"Almost five thirty," I reply.

"Damn." Steve gets up and I immediately move to him, pressing close.

"I'm glad you got some sleep," I murmur.

"Yeah." Steve stretches. "I'm a little stiff, though." We hear Aria's bedroom door open and a minute later, she's standing in the doorway of the nursery.

"I'm hungry," she announces.

"All right, baby," Steve tells her. "Just give me a minute, okay?" Timmy stirs and releases a loud wail. Aria's eyes go wide.

"He's loud!" She exclaims. I laugh.

"So were you." I move to lift Timmy up and go take a seat in the rocking chair, preparing to nurse him and then change his diaper.

***

While I see to Timmy's needs, Steve takes care of Aria, getting her some cereal, which she insists on eating in the nursery while I finish changing Timmy's diaper and dressing him for the day.

"Mommy?"

"Yes, baby?" I fasten Timmy into a blue onesie and lift him up, resting his small body against my shoulder.

"I miss Otto," Ari says. I turn, looking at her. She looks forlorn.

"Me too," I tell her as I go sit back in the rocking chair.

"I want to see him," Aria tells me.

"We will," I tell her. "I'll text Knox and see when he can stop by with Otto, okay?" Aria's face lights up.

"Really, really, really?" I smile, gently rubbing Timmy's back.

"Yup," I reply. Steve joins us.

"I'll take Timmy so you can eat and get dressed," he says to me. I stand up.

"Thanks." Steve takes Timmy, who fusses some, but is mostly okay.

"Of course." I touch Steve's face and he grins. I lean close.

"I cannot wait to screw you again," I whisper. Steve's grin turns wicked.

"Same, Mrs. Speedle."

***
I get ahold of Knox, who replies he'll try to swing by later in the day.

'Perfect! Thx!'

'No problem.'

***

Knox is true to his word. Around six o'clock that evening, he arrives, Otto in tow. The second Aria sees him, she goes berserk, screeching and running around.

Her little brother is less than thrilled by the massive noise levels. He starts fussing and I gently rock him. Knox smiles.

"I'll bet you have your hands full," he remarks. I nod wearily.

"Yes," I murmur. "I certainly do." Timmy settles down and I ask Knox if he'd like to hold him.

"Sure." Knox settles down beside me and I carefully hand him Timmy. Knox smiles down at Timmy, who simply studies Knox.

"I see a lot of his dad in him," Knox murmurs. "But I can see you in him as well, Lex." I smile.

"Thanks."

"He does have a trace or two of his uncle as well," Knox adds.

"I'm glad," I whisper. Knox looks over at me. I reach out, touching his face. Knox smiles and I remove my hand.

"Mommy, Mommy!" Aria shrieks. "Otto's playing with me!"

"I see, sweetie." Knox returns Timmy to my arms. I cuddle him close.

"I'm glad, too," I add quietly for Knox. "I have that reminder in you as well." Knox touches my hand.

"I'm glad I can be that for you."