Invisible String

53

As we pulled into the driveway, I could already see Austin’s truck parked out front. Travis shifted into park and let out a breath like we’d just finished a marathon. Mira was drooling on his shirt again, Baylor was curled against my chest in the wrap, and Lily was already unbuckling herself, humming under her breath and petting her stuffed elephant like it had traveled first class.

I didn’t even make it to the front steps before the door swung open.

Austin stood there, arms crossed, brows raised, still somehow looking stunned—even though we’d FaceTimed him from Kylie and Jason’s house three days ago.

He took one look at us—at the wrap strapped across my chest, the tiny knit hat just barely visible—and let out a breathy, “Okay, I know I knew, but seeing it in person is different.”

Travis smirked as he hoisted the diaper bag over his shoulder. “Still lookin’ like a fever dream, huh?”

Austin stepped aside to let us in, his eyes locked on Baylor like he couldn’t believe he was real. “You seriously didn’t know, Tay?”

I gave him a tired half-smile as I made my way to the couch. “Not until labor started. Thought I was having the worst cramps of my life. Surprise—it was a whole human.”

He followed me slowly, glancing back at Travis juggling Mira and the bags like a pro. “I mean… I saw the pictures. I got the text. But I thought maybe it was some… weird inside joke or a really committed prank. Now you’re here and he’s just—there.” He gestured toward Baylor with both hands, stunned.

“Believe me, I’m still processing it too,” I said as I sat down carefully, adjusting Baylor’s weight across my sore body.

Austin rubbed the back of his neck, laughing under his breath. “I thought Kylie was the one who was about to have the baby. Then bam—you beat her to it.”

Travis collapsed next to me, Mira still clinging to his neck like a sleepy koala. “Technically she still won. Her baby was planned.”

“Yeah, well,” I sighed, resting my hand on Baylor’s back. “Ours has a good story.”

Austin sat down across from us, staring at Baylor like he might wake up, stand up, and start talking.

“So, three kids now,” he said, wide-eyed. “Like, permanently.”

“Yup,” Travis nodded, popping a snack bar open with one hand. “We’ve leveled up.”

“And you look… not terrible,” Austin added, glancing at me like he wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or a gamble.

“I’ll take it,” I laughed. “And thank God I’m out of diapers.”

“Just the baby now?”

“Babies,” Travis corrected, glancing toward the now-snoring Mira. “There are two.”

Austin leaned back with a look of awe. “You’re both insane.”

I smiled as I looked at Baylor, peaceful and warm against my chest. “Maybe. But we’re home.”

Austin grinned. “And somehow, you still beat Kylie.”

Austin leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, still watching Baylor like the baby might disappear if he blinked. His voice softened a little, the way it always did when he was trying to process something big.

“So… what’s his name?” he asked, glancing between me and Travis.

Travis looked over at me, giving me that little smile—the one that said, you say it.