Pulse (Collide, #2)(115)

A wiseass smirk appeared across Gavin’s face, and Emily prepared herself for the wiseass remark she knew she’d opened herself up to. “No need. We’ll do fine surviving on nothing but sodium and crisped up meatloaf.” Emily rolled her eyes, and Gavin chuckled. “And how can I forget your specialty boxed mac and cheese?”

“Watch, you’ll see,” she countered, playfully smacking his arm. “I’m going to take cooking lessons and knock your mother’s mediocre lasagna from your memory.”

Gavin lifted an incredulous brow, his smirk turning full-blown megawatt. “Mediocre? I’d love to see you try to beat it.”

Emily carefully slid from the bed. Hands on her hips, she tilted her head. “Is this a challenge, Blake?”

“The biggest of your life, sweets.” Gavin picked up a stirring Noah, positioning him against his chest. He looked down at his little bundle. “Your mother’s seriously lost it, kid. She thinks she’s going to learn how to feed you and me better than your grandmother can.”

Eyes wide, Emily huffed. “Oh my God. Just for that, all you’ll see is my mac and cheese.” Smiling, she wagged a finger at Gavin. “Noah will eat well, but you? Nope, not you. Burnt meatloaves for life. Hope you’re happy.” Gavin let out a full, throaty laugh as Emily flipped her wavy hair, spitefully puckered her lips, and blew him a less than loving kiss. Gavin was just happy she didn’t flip him the finger. “I need to get ready before everyone gets here. There’s cold, crisp, burnt meatloaf in the fridge if you get hungry.” On that note, she disappeared into the bathroom.

“You know what an angry Emily does to me,” Gavin called out, laughing and patting Noah’s back.

Though muffled from behind the closed door, her words rang loud as the doorbell chimed. “Good. I hope your stone turns blue.”

“Ouch.” Holding a semi-awake Noah, Gavin stood and made his way down the hall. “She’s certifiable, buddy.” Before he opened the door, Gavin kissed his son. “But she has magical powers. Somehow, she’ll get you to act like a complete fool around her.”

“Give him to me,” Olivia squeaked when Gavin opened the door. Arms held wide, the smile on her face showed her excitement.

“What?” Gavin questioned. Grinning, he shook his head. “Am I no longer worth anything?”

Trevor clapped Gavin’s shoulder. “You’ve officially turned into Al Bundy from Married with Children. Get used to it, bro.”

Colton barked out a laugh and shuffled into the penthouse. “I have to agree with him.”

With an equally excited expression melting across her face, Lillian popped a quick kiss on Gavin’s cheek and snatched Noah out of his arms. “Of course you’re still worth something, sweetie.” She cradled her grandson and dowsed him with kisses. Eyes filled with joy, she looked at Olivia. “Grandma gets first dibs, Livy. Sorry.”

Gavin laughed as Olivia frowned, watching his mother dance over to the couch. She continued to rain unrelenting, grandmotherly kisses over the family’s newest addition.

Olivia sighed, but that didn’t stop her from reaching for Timothy and Teresa’s little hands and sinking onto the couch right next to Lillian. Under normal circumstances, Gavin figured his mother would’ve considered Olivia’s closeness an invasion of her personal space. However, both women were too busy fawning over Noah to complain.

After setting a large silver tray of food down on the counter, Melanie pulled Gavin into her arms. “Aww. I still love you.”

“Thanks, Mel,” Gavin replied as she joined the group of baby excited oohing and ahhing family members on the couch. With curiosity getting the better of him, Gavin peeled the lid away from the tray. His eyes took in his mother’s lasagna.

There was no doubt Emily would get a kick out of that one.

“Mom’s lasagna.” Chad sniffed thoughtfully, hovering over the tray. “She made it for me on our third date, and that’s when I fell in love with her.”

Gavin chuckled, running his hand through his hair. “You’re kidding me?”

“Well, I should say it sealed the deal.” Chad smiled proudly. “I’m going to go do the grandpop thing with my lasagna-making lover.”

Gavin grinned and watched his father take off toward the couch. Arms crossed, Gavin leaned against the island, admiring everyone drooling over Noah. With warmth spiraling through him, Gavin soaked it in. His father was right. Family was what it was all about.

“Where’s your other half?” Colton probed, pulling up a stool with Trevor. “And how’s she feeling?”

“She’s in the shower,” Gavin answered. “She seems to be doing well.”

“So how do you feel about her making me go with you today?” Trevor popped a smirk and yanked his glasses from his face. Staring at Gavin, he cleaned them with the hem of his shirt. “I’m kind of your bodyguard in case shit goes down.”

Gavin drew up a brow, finding the situation comical. “Don’t get high on yourself, bro. I’m taking you because Emily insisted. I don’t need you there. If anything, Dillon’s lucky you’re coming with me.” Gavin moved to the refrigerator and plucked out a bottle of water. After taking a sip, he shook his head. “If he gets out of line, neither you nor anyone else will be able to stop me from finishing what I started months ago.”