“Koa!” Evander came bursting into our office and I laughed softly, continuing to work on the editing I needed for my final, “oh my God guess what?”

“What’s up?”

“Queenie is in labor!”

I spun around, dropping my art tablet onto the floor, “are you serious? She’s a month early! Is she okay?”

“Her heart rate is pretty low, they think that our niece is a bit too big and it’s causing her strain but she should be okay. Kip has been sending me updates every chance he can. I know you’re finishing up what you need for your final but I’m going to head over there, okay? Can you follow me when you’re done?”

“Absolutely. I want to go now but I have to turn in these shots of Ranger and Marm or I’ll fail and won’t get my degree. Go,” I jumped up and kissed him deeply, laughing as Evander turned to run out of the room before I grabbed his wrist and stopped him, “I know you were in bed and that explains your outfit but I don’t think your brother wants you showing up to meet their baby in your sports bra and underwear. Put on some clothes okay?”

Evander looked down, realizing he was wearing nothing more than the black sleep bra and briefs I had gotten him last week when I discovered a lot of his old ones were torn, “oh shit. Thanks, baby.”

“I also don’t want others seeing you this naked to be fair. Go on,” I spanked him softly and Evander giggled before racing across the hallway to our room.

Shaking my head, I sat back down at my desk and grabbed my tablet from the floor. I only had about an hour's worth of work left and it was hard to focus when I heard the front door close as I wanted nothing more than to go with Evander to meet the baby. We had been living together for four months now and it was entirely peaceful for us. When I was in classes, Evander filled the day with exercise, cleaning our house, and practicing making drinks. He was already incredibly skilled, able to make any cocktail you asked for, but he didn’t want to lose these skills at all so I would often come home to find him in the mobile bar, practicing. We ended our evenings with dinner and a movie or a walk on the beach before retiring to our bed for another movie as we fell asleep. I knew Evander wasn’t ready to be physical with me and I was fine with this, grateful to simply have him in my life this entire time.

“Hello?” I grumbled as a call came in, interrupting my music.

“Hey bro,” Kaia giggled, “sorry. Just wanted to check in before we leave for Myanmar.”

“Oh, I forgot you were doing that. Sorry, I’m editing for my final. Uh, nothing big has changed since… oh fuck! I forgot,” I laughed loudly, “Queenie is in labor. Evan already raced over, I plan to go as soon as I’m done with this.”

“She didn’t tell me that, I just talked to her!” Kaia gasped, “how rude, I thought we were friends.”

“Probably started after she heard the screech of your voice.”

“Shut up. Anyway, when we’re in Christchurch next, can you take photos of Triss and me? We want to have professional photos outside of the ones you did at our wedding.”

“I knew I shouldn’t have answered. Yeah, that’s fine.”

“Thanks, Koa! You’re the best. Did you shave off that beard yet? I hate that thing.”

“It was one of Evander’s conditions to move in with me so yes. Four months ago and I keep my face smooth.”

“Good. Hey?”

“Hm?” I went back to focusing on my tablet, the tip of my tongue sticking out.

“You should consider knocking Evan up. You’d have the cutest baby.”

Kaia startled me by her statement and I bit my tongue, groaning loudly.

“Kaia, you bitch I bit my tongue,” I whined, “I’d… I’m not ready for that. We’re young and haven’t even started our business yet.”

“You could do that with a baby. Just a thought. Go see Queenie and Kip. Tell them I want pics okay?”

“Sure, you weirdo. Love you.”

“Love you too!”

I pressed on my headphones to end the call and restart my music before I finally finished the editing I needed, submitted it, and ran to the bedroom to change. I had decided to turn off the mechanics to my arm when I was editing, only needing one hand, but I knew I had to have it on to drive and did that before grabbing my keys and locking up the townhouse.

Christchurch Hospital came into view 15 minutes later and I ran inside, finding Evander in the waiting room, resting in a chair with his eyes closed.

“Hey you,” I whispered before kissing his cheek softly, “any news?”

“Baby’s here,” Evander smiled, his eyes still closed, “but we can’t go up until Queenie is cleared. Kip knows I’m here though. I went to the burger place next door to get Queenie food since they hadn’t let her eat in hours and she was about to tear Kipton’s face off.”

“Ah yeah, I remember hearing that when you’re pregnant, it’s similar to training for a marathon as far as how many calories you burn trying to move around. It doesn’t surprise me she was starving. Now, my sister, she scared the crap out of me. At least my tongue isn’t swollen. I bit it when we were talking earlier.”

“Oh God, half the crap that comes out of Kaia’s mouth scares me. What did she say?”

“I’m not sure if you want to hear this,” I rubbed the nape of my neck and Evander opened his eyes to specifically pout at me as he knew I was weak to that, “Oh dammit. She said uh… I should knock you up. Her words, not mine.”

“Yeah that sounds like Kaia,” he laughed, leaning against my arm, “I want at least six more months together. I’d prefer marriage but it doesn’t really matter either way honestly. Okay?”

“Jesus. Really? It’ll be like two years before my side of the business is at the same level as the bar.”

“But it would be fun!”

“Have you looked over all those books and links from your therapist regarding pregnancy? I want to make sure you truly understand how hard it can be on your body. I also worry about you struggling with your gender since it can make your chest bigger.”

“I’m plenty knowledgable. I’ve been doing my own research, Koa. I did make it clear I won’t have any surgery or use T until I’m a parent. I’m willing to wait as long as it takes. I also want you to know that I don’t think I need to be a parent because of how I was raised. I just think I’d be a good dad. I want to be a dad. Not yet, I’m in no rush, but before too long. I want that connection. I don’t really know what that means as far as the mobile bar goes, but I’ll figure it out.”

“I-if,” I took his hand before exhaling and smiling, “if we feel ready… actually, when we feel ready because I don’t plan to end this, Caelan would probably be happy to watch them when we worked. I get the feeling that the bar will be needed on weekends or holidays. I’ll probably be commissioned all the time or can make an appointment link on the website so we know where I need to be at all times. If it’s somewhere you aren’t working but not in Christchurch, then we take them with us.”

“Koa,” his eyes grew wide before he giggled and kissed my nose, “Yes. Absolutely. I love that idea.”

“But not yet. Okay? We can decide when it’s right for us. Besides,” I pressed my lips close to his ear, watching a shudder rip through Evander, “I haven’t touched you yet. I want to do that first.”

“D-deal. I’m almost ready. I’m finally comfortable sleeping pretty much naked next to you. I think once I can feel brave enough to be topless, I’ll be ready. I hate wearing a bra to bed but I’m not ready for you to see. Almost.”

“I’m patient. Eternally patient for you, Evan,” I kissed behind his ear, forcing a squeak from his mouth and he immediately covered it, “I like that noise. But not here. My Matua works here, I don’t want it getting back to him that I’ve been flirting with you in front of everyone. He will never let me live that down.”

Kipton suddenly appeared next to us and I jumped for a moment before laughing at how red Evander had turned, “Okay don’t flirt sitting here you weirdos. Our daughter is here, come on.”

Evander immediately jumped up and I copied, following Kipton to the maternity ward. He slid open the first door on our right and Queenie waved before yawning, her dyed platinum hair a mess around her, fitting against the ebony tone of her skin. I always loved Queenie’s eyes, as deep and wise as an old pine tree, comforting and warm when she gave you her attention.

“Hey,” I whispered, walking over to Queenie as Evander rushed to the bassinet, “how are you feeling?”

“Exhausted,” Queenie laughed softly, “you can’t even tell I had a baby. I still have the belly.”

“That’s normal. It’ll be two years before your organs even go to the right place. Don’t worry about anything but healing and spending time with your daughter. My Matua told me he’s seen too many parents rush back to try and get the body they had before they gave birth. It’s not worth hurting yourself over. Plus, Kip worships you, I really don’t think he’ll care.”

“At least you’re not the only squishy one around here anymore,” she poked my stomach, making me laugh.

“Put on 80 pounds since the accident and proud of it. It’s mostly in my stomach but I used to be rail thin so I’m glad I’m not anymore. Finally filled out my clothes. I’m proud of you,” I hugged her gently, “congratulations. What’s her name?”

“Marnie,” Evander whispered, staring at the small sign behind attached to the bassinet, “Marnie Helene Thorne.”

I walked over and reached down to gently touch Marnie on her tiny hands. She was a bit lighter than Queenie, and the small amount of hair she had was deep brown and tightly coiled. Marnie continued to wiggle, kicking her little legs and Evander carefully picked her up, bouncing from side to side.

“God she’s gorgeous,” I whispered, rubbing Marnie’s cheek, “she has your nose, Kip.”

“Mhm,” Kipton sniffled, wiping a tear away, “and my ears. But everything else is Queenie.”

“Where did you get the name Marnie from?”

“It’s my mom’s,” Queenie called softly, “Helene was my grandmother's name. Kip said we could name her after them since there’s no one on his side he’d want to name a baby after. My parents are my role models.”

“Mine too. Luckily, I can kind of steal their names. Alexander could be Alexandria. Caelan… would work as a middle name.”

“I love her already,” Evander smiled, “I want to kiss her but I won’t. Germs and all that.”

“Thank you,” Kipton laughed, wrapping an arm around Evander’s shoulders, “will you two babysit?”

“Oh, all the time!” Evander looked at me and I nodded happily.

“We’ll put a small bassinet in the office so we can babysit whenever. You can always ask my parents too. If yours can't, Queenie,” I gestured to her and she mouthed thank you before I clapped Kipton on the shoulder, “you’re going to be the best dad. I swear. She’s such a lucky little girl.”

“Do you mean that?” Kipton looked at me surprised.

“I absolutely do.”

“Thanks. That means so much to me and thank you for coming. I know you were busy.”

“I’d never miss the birth of my first niece. Kaia can’t and doesn’t want to have kids. I told you,” I hugged Kipton tightly, “when I started dating Evander we became family. That makes Marnie my niece as well and I am more than happy to watch her whenever you need.”

“I’m so glad Evan met you,” Queenie called from the bed and I smiled over my shoulder at her, “you brought so much to his life and we don’t need to worry anymore.”

“I adore him,” I shrugged, “and I’ll take care of him for as long as he wants me.”