Though Grant and Chas looked completely confused and out of their element, Evan felt wave upon wave of an emotion he couldnt begin to identify. All his life hed wanted children. Doctor after doctor told him he couldnt have children. Now, when hed all but given up hope, his father had given him the one thing he couldnt give himself. A family. Babies. And not just one or twothree. Three glorious children.
His throat closed and he swallowed convulsively. What do you mean you researched the law? he asked quietly, finally realizing what Arnie had said didnt fit in with the rest of the conversation.
Lets face it, Evan, Arnie said. Youre three single men. I dont think youre the best choice for guardians. I wanted to be sure that legally you were the people who were supposed to be the guardians, so I did some checking. And the law says these children are yours, unless you want to
Unless we want to what? Chas said with cool tones.
Sign over custody, Arnie said casually. I have papers right here. All you have to do is sign them and Judy and I will continue to take care of the kids.
Evan knew he should have let Chas handle this, since he was a lawyer, but something inside him snapped. These were his kids, damn it! They were Brewsters and they would be raised by Brewsters.
Even as his baby sister screamed and squirmed in his armsor maybe because she screamed and squirmed in his armsEvan got the distinct impression he and his brothers had been set up by his fathers best friend and attorney. He didnt think it was a coincidence that Arnie asked them to sign over custody two minutes after he told them of the childrens existence and while all three babies screamed
kids names, how to get them to stop crying, and how to feed themhe would have taken a moment just to absorb everything. Their little faces, the reality that they were his flesh and blood kin, the fact that they were sisters and a brother were almost incomprehensible.
Give me a damned bottle already, Grant growled as Evan made his way into the nursery. Fading rays of late-afternoon sunshine poured into the curtainless windows at the back of the room, which was already bright and cheerful with white walls covered with radiant rainbows. Carefully neutral, the nursery had obviously been designed to keep the kids together without insulting Norm Brewsters sensibilities about little boys being anywhere near pink.
Remembering his father, Evan held back an involuntary smile, which turned into a surge of pain and regret. How he wished he could have these last two years back again. If nothing else, he would at least try to understand why his father had married so soon after his wifes deathand why he married someone so youngand why he had more children.
A bottle, Evan, Chas implored in exasperation, and Evan brought himself out of his reverie, knowing it was pointless to wish for things that couldnt happen.
Both Grant and Chas sat in rockers, each holding a fussing baby. The third child sat in the crib, clutching the bars, sobbing as she awaited Evans return.
Okay, one bottle for Taylor, he said, and handed it to Grant. One for Annie, he said, using the shortened version of Antoinette. And one bottle for Cody.
Taylor almost grabbed the bottle from Grants hands and gulped the contents as if she had been on a deserted island without food for the past two days. Little Annie also drank quickly and easily, nearly directing Evan on how to handle the bottle. But Chas had the devils time getting Cody to drink. Chas would move one way, Cody would move the other. The nipple bumped his nose. Chas dripped liquid on Codys forehead. And all the while the starving baby screamed.
This isnt going to work, Chas growled after hed finally made contact with Codys mouth.
Yes, it is, Evan insisted doggedly.
You cant raise kids on good intentions, Chas said as he set his rocker in motion.
We have more than good intentions, Evan said, beginning to rock after he was sure Annie was comfortable.
We dont know the first thing about babies.
Gentlemen, Grant interjected. In case you didnt notice this morning, we had a volunteer to assist us. Unfortunately, somebody insisted we didnt need her.
I dont think we do.
Well, I think we do, Grant said simply.
And I think we do, Chas agreed, then he bounced off his chair. Aw, damn. He spit up on me. Turning his head slowly, Chas speared Evan with a withering look. I know we need help.
Then go ahead and call her, Evan said, refusing to use Claires name because he got a fluttery sensation in the pit of his stomach when he realized hed get to see her again. Which was insane. She was ten years younger than he was. And potentially up to her ears in Arnie Garretts scheme to take the triplets.
He couldnt possibly be attracted to her.
It wasnt right.
Uh-uh. Chas shook head. You yelled at her, you call her.
I agree with Chas, Grant said, rocking Taylor, who sucked noisily. You yelled at her, you call her.
You boys forget, I dont think we need her.
And you forget, Evan, that Arnie Garrett has a lot to gain if he becomes guardian for these kids, Chas reminded his brother. Having a will or even having the law on our side wont mean anything if Arnie can prove were incompetent. I say we call her.