Bliss || Reece Bibby

37

chapter thirty-seven; real life

April 13th, 2021

"I don't know what he wants!"

Reece walks in, a crying baby in his arms.

"What's going on?"

"He won't stop crying. He doesn't have a dirty diaper, he just woke up, and-"

"It sounds like he wants something you can't give him."

"What? I can-"

"Reece."

"What?"

"I don't think you have boobs."

"Oh." He chuckles. "Yea, I don't have those."

He passes Hunter over to me, who immediately begins to calm down.

"Well, he certainly knows what's coming."

"Shut up, Reece."

He chuckles. "What do you want to do for your birthday?"

"What? Is it already that time?"

"Uh, yea. It's in three days."

"Oh. I didn't realize that."

"I noticed."

"I don't know. Hunter's only going to be a week old. I'm probably not going to do anything."

"Yes you are."

"Reece, I don't-"

"Let me take you to dinner."

"And leave Hunter with who?"

"My parents. They're right down the road, and they know what they're doing."

"Hm. Protective Reece is gone."

"He is not!"

"Well you wouldn't even let Lexi hold him in the hospital!"

"That's because it's Lexi!"

"What does that mean?"

"She's only fifteen."

"It's better than a two year old holding him."

"You have a point there."

I sigh. "I'll agree to it now, but if I'm not up for it then we're not going for dinner. Deal?"

"Deal." He walks over, putting a blanket over my shoulder as well as Hunter.

"Now I'll leave you to it."

"Why'd you cover me up? It's not like anyone's here."

"Because George and Emily are on their way."

"What?" I sit up, making Hunter fuss. I quickly readjust, Reece smiling as the top of his head pokes out from the blanket.

"Since when is Emily back?"

"I think this morning."

"Really?"

"She also has something to tell you, but I don't know what it is."

"Oh."

The doorbell rings, making Reece head towards the door.

"I'll tell them you'll be down in a few minutes!"

I can hear their faint conversations from Hunter's room, smiling every now and then when one of them says something funny.

I'm back downstairs in ten minutes, carrying Hunter in my arms since I know Emily is going to want to hold him.

"There she is!" Reece smiles.

"Wow, you two look like shit." Emily says.

"Wow, thanks."

"I'm just saying! You both look exhausted."

"That's because my son is only days old and wakes up every hour." Reece says.

"Oh, right. I forgot they're stubborn like that."

"Do you want to hold him?"

She smiles. "Can I?"

"Just don't drop him." Reece says.

"Nobody's going to drop him." I say, passing Hunter over to Emily. "Besides, she held indie a few days after Mia got back from the hospital."

She looks down at him, cooing.

"Oh my god he's so freaking tiny!"

George peers over her shoulder, smiling.

"Sorry I missed you guys at the hospital."

"It's fine, quit apologizing. The room was packed anyways." I say quietly.

"I bet. Everyone showed up."

"Well Con and the boys didn't."

"Well they're on tour. They have an excuse." Reece says, a bit of anger in his voice.

"Reece? You good?" I question.

He looks over, a smile on his face. "I'm good. Why do you ask?"

"Because you keep staring at Emily like you want to take Hunter out of her arms." I say, changing the subject.

"I do not!" He sighs. "Okay, maybe a little."

"You can take him." Emily says, trying not to laugh and wake Hunter up. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind going over to his dad."

"He better not."

I shake my head.

"What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing."

Emily passes Hunter back over to Reece, grabbing my hand and pulling me towards true kitchen.

"What's going on?"

"I'm moving."

"Where?"

"Here."

I stare at her in shock.

"What?"

"I was offered a job here, so instead of just leaving LA for two months I decided that I'm moving here until further notice."

"Are you serious?"

"Dead serious."

"Oh my god, this is amazing!"

I wrap my arms around her tightly.

"But you can't smother me."

"Right sorry. So when?"

"My things should be here in a few days."

I smile.

"Where are you moving to?"

"An apartment complex down the street from Blake and Olivia."

"I- i don't know what to say."

She shrugs. "You don't have to say anything. My friends are all here, so it's not like I'm leaving anyone behind."

"What about your family?"

"They're okay with it. I'm sad I'm leaving them behind, but they understand and just want me to be happy."

"And that's why I love your parents."

I did the middle